The Professional Science Master’s (PSM) is an innovative, new graduate degree designed to allow students to pursue advanced training in science, while simultaneously developing workplace skills highly valued by employers. PSM programs prepare graduates for careers in business, government, or nonprofit organizations, combining rigorous study in science or mathematics with coursework in management, policy, law or related fields. Along with an emphasis on writing, leadership, and communication skills, most PSM programs require a final project or team experience, as well as a "real-world" internship in a business or public sector enterprise.

There are currently more than 150 PSM programs offered at more than 80 institutions in 25 states and the District of Columbia. There are currently more than 2,600 students enrolled nationally, with over 500 degrees awarded each year. Since 1997, more than 2,700 students have graduated from PSM programs, of whom approximately 85% are U.S. citizens. Unlike many traditional math or science degree programs, more than half (54%) of the graduates are women.

Professional Science Master’s degrees enhance American competitiveness in four distinct ways:

• National Scope. PSM programs directly respond to the national need for a stronger scientific workforce by preparing individuals with expertise in science and mathematics in combination with professional skills that are highly valued in the marketplace.
  
  
• Regional Strength. Partnerships with local employers are integral to PSM programs, ensuring they remain responsive and adaptive to current and future workforce needs.
  
  
• Institutional Innovation. The interdisciplinary nature of the PSM program fosters collaboration between multiple departments and schools within colleges and universities and serves as a catalyst for innovative research and discovery.
  
  
• Student Benefit. PSM programs inspire students to remain in science, math, or technology fields, since competitive salaries and exciting opportunities await them upon completion of their degrees.

The role of PSM programs in enhancing U.S. competitiveness

The interdisciplinary training and scientific knowledge provided through PSM programs responds to immediate and future workforce needs in multiple employment sectors. Thus, PSM programs play an important role in the overall strategy to enhance U.S. competitiveness. Support for the PSM was included in several legislative proposals during the 109th Congress and should be part of any new proposals introduced and enacted in the future.

Speaker Materials: These resources are available for use in making presentations about the Professional Science Master. These resources also include two downloadable PowerPoint presentations, one from the faculty perspective and another from the employer perspective. The entire PowerPoint may be used, with or without any customized additions you might make, or individual slides may be pulled off and inserted into your own presentations. The remaining materials highlight the key attributes of the PSM degree and may be downloaded at you discretion. If you would like glossy versions of the flyers please contact the CGS PSM Project Team at profmasters@cgs.nche.edu.