The University Senate of Michigan Technological
University
PROPOSAL
18-11
(Voting
Units: Academic)
“FRAMEWORK FOR
PROFESSIONAL SCIENCE MASTERS DEGREES: GUIDELINES FOR OBTAINING PROFESSIONAL
SCIENCE MASTERS RECOGNITION FOR MICHIGAN TECH PROGRAMS”
This proposal replaces Senate Proposal 21-01.
According to the Council of Graduate
Schools, “The Professional Science Masters or PSM degree is a unique professional degree grounded in
natural science and/or mathematics and designed to prepare students for a variety
of career options in industry, business, government, or non-profit
organizations. The degree combines advanced coursework in science and/or math
with an appropriate array of professional skill-development activities to
produce graduates highly valued by employers and fully prepared to progress
toward leadership roles. The PSM is designed to be self-contained and prepares
students for direct entry into the workforce; it is not a traditional master’s
degree or a degree earned automatically en route to or from a PhD degree.”
(www.sciencemasters.com)
Only programs affiliated with the PSM
network are allowed to use the trademarked title and logo “PSM”. Affiliated
programs are listed on the sciencemasters.com website and may use the official
PSM logo on their website and other marketing materials. In order to qualify as
an affiliate, PSM programs must adhere to guidelines set by the network and
must apply for affiliation.
A Master’s program that is affiliated with
the PSM degree program can choose to use PSM as a designation or as a degree
type. For example, for a Masters degree in subject A, the degree awarded can be
a Masters of Science in A, a Masters of A or a Professional Science Masters in
A. The first two of these can indicate that the degree is a Professional
Science Masters without having this term as the degree type. Similarly, the
degree may involve coursework only, a report or a thesis. However all degrees
that are PSMs must focus on preparing the student for a career in industry,
business, government or non-profit organizations.
RELATED
PROGRAMS:
As of February 10, 2011, there were 233 PSM
Program and 110 PSM-Affiliated Institutions. The fields of study that currently
offer affiliated PSM degrees include “natural science, mathematics, or engineering
programs that have professional skills content. Professional
skills refers to courses, workshops, and experiences that prepare students
to function in leadership positions within industry”. Examples include,
but are not limited to:
·
Biology/Biotechnology
·
Chemistry
·
Computational
Molecular Biology/Bioinformatics
·
Computational
Sciences
·
Environmental
Sciences
·
Forensic
Sciences
·
Mathematics
and Statistics
·
Medical-Related
Sciences
·
National
Defense
·
Physics
and Geological Sciences
RATIONAL AND NEED
PSM graduates are highly valued by
industry. PSM designation provides
recognition and assurance that a program conforms to nationally recognized
standards.
POTENTIAL APPLICANT POOL
PSM students are typically self-supported
students of science or mathematics who plan to pursue a career in industry,
business, government, or with a non-profit agency. PSM students receive
advanced training in their primary or core discipline along with a professional
skills component (which may include an internship). PSM programs must have a
process in place for quality assurance and are overseen by an employer advisory
board.
PROGRAM OPTIONS
Professional Science Master’s Programs at
Michigan Tech must conform to the current guidelines for Professional Science
Master’s or PSM) programs outlined by the PSM network. The guidelines are
currently (as of October, 2010) available at: www.sciencemmasters.com
All proposals for establishing new
Professional Science Master’s degree programs must go through the normal
university review and approval process and must be recognized as an affiliate
of the PSM network by the Council of Graduate Schools (or by any successor
which assumes responsibility for granting affiliate status).
CURRICULUM DESIGN
PSM students must complete the number of
credits normally required for a master’s degree. In addition students must
receive advanced training in their primary or core discipline along with a
professional skills training (which may be accomplished in part through an
internship). PSM programs must have a process in place for quality assurance
and must be overseen by an employer advisory board. Complete guidelines for the
development of programs are currently (as of October, 2010) available at:
www.sciencemasters.com
ADMISSION AND DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
Students wishing to enter a Professional
Science Master's degree program option are subject to Michigan Tech's general
Graduate School admissions requirements for master’s students. Prior to
receiving their degree, students must complete all requirements for their
program.
PLANNED IMPLEMENTATION DATE
Fall 2011
ACCREDITATION REQUIREMENTS
Recognition as an
affiliate of the PSM network (see www.sciencemasters.com)
is required.
REFERENCES
More information
about the PSM, including publications, is available at: www.sciencemasters.com
Adopted by Senate: 23 March 2011
Approved by Administration: 31 March 2011