Professional Science Master's
STUDENTS

Your Future Starts Here

The PSM is an innovative graduate degree designed to allow you to pursue advanced training and excel in science without a Ph.D., while simultaneously developing highly-valued business skills without an MBA. PSM programs prepare you for science careers in business, government, or nonprofit organizations, where workforce needs are increasing. Programs are characterized by “science-plus,” combining rigorous study in science or mathematics with skills-based coursework in management, policy, or law. PSM programs emphasize writing and communication skills, and most require a final project or team experience, as well as a “real-world” internship in a business or public sector enterprise.


What You’ll Learn
Most PSM programs are interdisciplinary. Physics majors may wish to study physics entrepreneurship, health physics, or nanoscale physics, while microbiology students might choose a PSM in food safety, microbial systems analysis, or industrial microbiology. Additionally, PSM students learn career search skills, and some interact from their first day on campus with local business and public sector employers, who act as advisors to their program. It is this close cooperation with local employers that guarantees that the skills and subject matter taught are cutting edge and relevant.

Learn about the PSM from
fellow students.
Examples of PSM program fields:
  • Bioinformatics
  • Computational Chemistry
  • Forensic Science
  • Human-Computer Interaction
  • Industrial Mathematics
  • Industrial Microbiology
  • Microbial Biotechnology
  • Physics with Business Applications
  • Quantitative Finance
  • More Programs

Where PSM Graduates Work

Employers of recent PSM graduates in the biosciences range from large, multinational pharmaceutical companies to newer biotechnology companies. Graduates with an interest in intellectual property and technology transfer are working with the federal government or for university technology transfer operations, while financial mathematics graduates are popular hires for banks, brokerage houses, and the insurance industry. Forensic chemists are finding exciting opportunities with state and local forensic laboratories. Regardless of the employment sector, PSM graduates are finding exciting, well-compensated careers. View a list of companies that sponsor or employ PSM graduates.

Resources for Students

This section contains resources of interest to potential PSM students, specifically promotional flyers detailing the numerous benefits of a PSM degree and a reproducible post card aimed at encouraging students interested in mathematics or science to continue their education past a bachelor’s degree and earn a Professional Science Master's.


Find a PSM Program Near You

You can search for PSM programs by institution, region, or program field to find a program that meets your educational and professional goals. You can also use the PSM Locations Map or the PSM Programs Locator. (Please note: Using the PSM Programs Locator, PSM programs are designated with yellow “PSM” beside the program name.) Identify programs of interest and the program webpages to learn more about each unique program, including application requirements, coursework, and job opportunities for graduates.

SEARCH
 
PSM PROGRAM STATISTICS

PSM Programs: 199
PSM-Affiliated Institutions: 97

as of July 29, 2010

NEWS & UPDATES

CGS has embarked on a project to develop a widely recognized and sustainable process for recognizing new PSM programs. More Info >


PSM advocates stress the degree’s far-reaching value in a new Science article, including a need for continued program development and stories on how the PSM enhances student’s marketability when searching for employment. More Info >


NSF grants awarded to science master's programs. More Info >


The accompanying sidebar in the higher education chapter of the Science and Engineering Indicators 2010 report describes why the PSM was developed and details its rapid growth.
More Info >


The Council of Graduate Schools PSM Team is pleased to release the Proceedings of the Sixth PSM Biennial Meeting featuring full contributed papers as presented at November's meeting, bios from each Distinguished Alumni, speakers notes and presentations, copies of posters and more. More Info >

More News Items >

PROGRAM LOCATIONS

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Click the map to find the
Program Locations.

STUDENT TESTIMONIALS

“I was waiting for something different. I was waiting for something more technical, more scientific that would integrate business courses into a more scientific program." Read More Student Testimonials >

EMPLOYER TESTIMONIALS

"Students in the Professional Master’s Program benefit from ... well-recognized academic resources enhanced with professional components that together foster the development of essential science, communication, and management skills." Read More Employer Testimonials >


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