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New Professional Science Master’s Degree Handbook Published
September 20, 2011
Contact:
Belle Woods
bwoods@cgs.nche.edu
(202) 223-3791
Washington, D.C. – The Council of Graduate Schools (CGS) released a new comprehensive guide for institutions as they seek to implement or improve Professional Science Master’s (PSM) programs. Professional Science Master’s: A Council of Graduate Schools Guide to Establishing Programs lays out the history of the PSM and its importance to American competitiveness and innovation. The publication highlights the degree’s uniqueness, its grounding in natural science, technology, engineering, mathematics and/or computational sciences, and its emphasis on professional skills.
“Recently released PSM alumni data show that PSM degree holders have strong career outcomes, with 82% employed even in a difficult job market,” said Debra W. Stewart, CGS President. She added, “Given workforce demands and student interest, institutions may be considering developing PSM programs and will find this guide an invaluable tool.”
For the past five years, CGS has had primary responsibility for supporting and expanding the Sloan Foundation’s Professional Science Master’s Initiative, with the goal of making the PSM a regular feature of U.S. graduate education. The Sloan Foundation first began its work on the PSM 15 years ago and since then there has been remarkable growth in both the number and diversity of PSM programs. There are currently over 235 PSM programs at more than 110 institutions across 31 states, the District of Columbia, Canada, The United Kingdom, and Australia. A recent study found that more than 1,100 PSM degrees were granted in 2009-10.
The new monograph chronicles some of the changes in the landscapes of PSM programs and graduate education over the past five years and is intended to serve as a guide for those who are developing PSM programs by incorporating a wealth of experience-based information that is essential to the creation and maintenance of high quality programs. Feasibility analysis, PSM program development, program operation, and the process for seeking formal PSM Affiliation, including the Guidelines for Affiliation of Professional Science Master’s Programs, are discussed in detail in the book. Best practices gleaned from the real-world experience of existing PSM programs are included as well.
Information on how to order the publication is available at sciencemasters.com.
The Council of Graduate Schools (CGS) is an organization of over 500 institutions of higher education in the United States and Canada engaged in graduate education, research, and the preparation of candidates for advanced degrees. Among U.S. institutions, CGS members award 93% of the doctoral degrees and 76% of the master’s degrees.* The organization’s mission is to improve and advance graduate education, which it accomplishes through advocacy in the federal policy arena, research, and the development and dissemination of best practices.
* Based on data from the 2009 CGS/GRE Survey of Graduate Enrollment and Degrees
CGS is the leading source of information, data analysis, and trends in graduate education. Our benchmarking data help member institutions to assess performance in key areas, make informed decisions, and develop plans that are suited to their goals.
CGS Best Practice initiatives address common challenges in graduate education by supporting institutional innovations and sharing effective practices with the graduate community. Our programs have provided millions of dollars of support for improvement and innovation projects at member institutions.
As the national voice for graduate education, CGS serves as a resource on issues regarding graduate education, research, and scholarship. CGS collaborates with other national stakeholders to advance the graduate education community in the policy and advocacy arenas.
CGS is an authority on global trends in graduate education and a leader in the international graduate community. Our resources and meetings on global issues help members internationalize their campuses, develop sustainable collaborations, and prepare their students for a global future.
