View source for Professional Science Master's Degree

{{Distinguish|Master of Professional Studies}}
The '''Professional Science Master's''' degree (abbreviated as '''PSM''' or '''P.S.M.''') is an interdisciplinary [[master's degree]] program which integrates advanced technical training with business and professional leadership skills.<ref>{{Cite web|title=NPSMA - Home|url=https://www.npsma.org/|access-date=2021-09-05|website=www.npsma.org}}</ref> In contrast to traditional research-based [[Master of Science]] or [[Master of Arts]] degrees, the Professional Science Master's degree is usually offered by a degree-granting [[university]] in partnership with an industry partner in specific emerging fields such as [[forensic science]], [[computational chemistry]], [[applied mathematics]], [[bioinformatics]], and [[data science]]. Because of this industry partnership, PSM degree holders have high level of [[employability]] after graduation.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Rivenbark|first1=Jessica Bowen|last2=Cummings|first2=Jeffrey|last3=Patterson|first3=Laurie|last4=Kline|first4=Douglas|date=2019-04-17|title=Are Universities Providing a Competitive and Relevant Graduate Education? An Evaluation of Professional Science Masters Programs|url=http://csbapp.uncw.edu/data/mscsis/annalspaper.aspx?v=13&i=1&p=4|journal=Annals of the Master of Science in Computer Science and Information Systems at UNC Wilmington|volume=13|issue=1}}</ref> PSM programs can be completed in sixteen months to two years of full-time or part-time study including a professional [[internship]] or a capstone project.
==History==
Recognizing that traditional graduate-level science training may not be suitable for non-academic careers, the [[Alfred P. Sloan Foundation]], in 1997, began to support master's-level degree programs designed to provide science, technology, engineering, and mathematics ("STEM") students with a pathway into science-based careers.<ref name=Sloan2008>Alfred P. Sloan Foundation [Sloan], 2008</ref> These Professional Science Master's degrees combine a science or mathematics curriculum with a professional component designed to provide graduates with the necessary skills for a career in business, government, or nonprofit agencies.<ref>Simms, 2006</ref>
Originally funding fourteen campuses, the Sloan Foundation expanded its support directly or indirectly to over fifty institutions, collectively offering over 100 different PSM programs.<ref name=Sloan2008/> As of 2017, there are 356 PSM programs at over 165 institutions.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.professionalsciencemasters.org/program-locator | title=Program Locator &#124; Professional Science Master's }}</ref> In 2005, the Foundation funded the Council of Graduate Schools to be an “institutional base for PSM growth, with the goal of making the degree a normal, recognized, widely accepted academic offering”.<ref name=Sloan2008/> In furtherance of this objective, the Sloan Foundation also provided support to found the National Professional Science Master's Association, a professional organization of PSM directors and alumni intended to “provide a collective voice for PSM degree programs”.<ref>National Professional Science Master’s Association, 2010, para. 5</ref>
In 2007, Congress passed the [[America COMPETES Act]] which placed special emphasis on improving America's economic competitiveness by strengthening STEM education. The COMPETES Act specifically mentioned the importance of the PSM degree to the nation's overall competitiveness.<ref>CGS, 2007</ref> Additionally, a 2008 report issued by the [[United States National Research Council|National Research Council]] of the National Academies urged the continued expansion of the PSM degree. In 2009, the [[National Science Foundation]], under the auspices of the [[American Recovery and Reinvestment Act]], facilitated funding of twenty-two different PSM programs by appropriating funds for a Science Master's program.
== Philippines ==
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==See also==
* [[Degree apprenticeship]], a UK program embedded in an apprenticeship
==References==
{{reflist}}
==Bibliography==
* Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. (2008). Science Education: Professional Science Master's Degree. Retrieved August 3, 2010, from http://www.sloan.org/program/15 .
* ______________________. (2008). Professional Science Master's Degree: History. Retrieved August 3, 2010, from http://www.sloan.org/program/15/page/67 .
* Committee on Enhancing the Master's Degree in Natural Sciences. (2008). Science Professionals: Master's Education for a Competitive World. Washington, D.C.: National Research Council of the National Academies. Retrieved August 3, 2010, from http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12064 .
* Council of Graduate Schools. (2007). Statement on the America COMPETES Act. Retrieved August 3, 2010,from http://www.cgsnet.org/portals/0/pdf/GR_AmericaCOMPETES_0307.pdf .
* National Science Foundation. (2009). Program Solicitation: Science Master's Program. Retrieved August 3, 2010, from https://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2009/nsf09607/nsf09607.htm .
* National Professional Science Master's Association. (2010). About Us. Retrieved August 3, 2010, from http://www.npsma.org/mc/page.do?sitePageId=101812&orgId=npsma .
* Simms, Leslie. (2006). Professional Master's Education: A CGS Guide to Establishing Programs. Washington, D.C.: Council of Graduate Schools.
==External links==
* [http://www.npsma.org National Professional Science Master’s Association]
* [http://www.sciencemasters.com Science Masters]
* [http://www.nash-psm.org National Association of System Heads PSM Project ]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Professional Science Master's (Psm) Degree Programs}}
[[Category:Higher education in the United States]]
[[Category:Business qualifications]]
[[Category:Professional titles and certifications]]