Claremont, CA – Representatives of the Professional Science Master's (PSM) initiative gathered in Claremont, CA on March 8th to establish an advisory group to the PSM National Office that is housed at the Keck Graduate Institute of Applied Life Sciences (KGI). Top items on the agenda included developing a PSM National Office Steering Committee charter, facilitating collaboration with the National Professional Science Master's Association (NPSMA), and coordinating PSM branding efforts. Discussion about the quality and consistency of the affiliation process took place as the PSM National Office prepares for the launch of re-affiliation of existing PSM programs.

"We are very pleased to have such broad representation of PSM leaders and constituencies to advise the PSM National Office. We are particularly grateful to Carol Lynch and Michael Teitelbaum who have volunteered to continue their involvement in this important national initiative by co-chairing the steering committee," said Dr. James Sterling, VP for Academic Affairs at KGI. Dr. Carol Lynch is a former University of Colorado Graduate School dean and served as senior scholar-in-residence and director of Professional Master's programs there from 2006 to 20012, and Dr. Michael Teitelbaum of the Sloan Foundation has championed many of the PSM initiatives funded by that organization. 

At the conclusion of the meeting, Dr. Lynch noted that participation by such a "wide range of those who have been intimately involved in the ongoing success of the Professional Science Master's degree, including faculty, employers, administrators and alumni," would ensure the success of the PSM initiative going forward. "We expect this new steering committee will provide valuable advice to the PSM National Office as they move forward with their efforts to facilitate high-quality PSM programs designed to strengthen the science and engineering workforce of the United States," Lynch said.

Front row (L to R):
Sheila Thomas, California State University, Long Beach; Marilyn Wells, PASSHE; Deborah Silver, Rutgers University; Michael Teitelbaum, The Sloan Foundation; Beverly Karplus Hartline, Montana Tech; Carol Lynch, University of Colorado; Sheila Tobias, consultant and writer.

Back row (L to R):
James Till, California State University, Dominguez Hills; David King, State University of New York, Oswego; David Dyer, California State University, Fullerton; Barbara Taylor, Oregon State University; Joan Fryxell, California State University, San Bernardino; Bogdan Vernescu, WPI; Joseph Whittaker, Morgan State University; Max Poole, University of Central Florida; Dagmar Beck, Rice University; Marc Salata, KGI; Lindsay Janssen, KGI; Lillian Wu, IBM; Jim Sterling, KGI.

Printer Friendly Version: 2013 PSM National Office Steering Committee Meeting

Claremont, CA – The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation awarded the Keck Graduate Institute (KGI) funding to institute a rebate program that provides affiliation fee rebates to new Professional Science Master’s (PSM) programs as well as membership dues rebates for new institutional members of the National Professional Science Master’s Association (NPSMA www.npsma.org). Since 1997, the Sloan Foundation has provided funding to academic institutions to support the development of the PSM degree. These innovative graduate degrees were designed to allow students to pursue advanced training in science or mathematics, while simultaneously developing workplace skills that are highly valued by employers.

The PSM affiliation process was developed by the Council of Graduate Schools (CGS) to ensure that PSM programs meet minimum requirements for curricular content in science, engineering, technology, or mathematics (STEM) as well as professional skills content and employer engagement.  In January, KGI was selected by CGS to administer the PSM affiliation process and curation of the website sciencemasters.com. KGI assumed responsibility for the review process and the website and established the new PSM Office on its campus in July 2012. The office has implemented a $1500 fee for the affiliation review process for new PSM program applications.  

 “Challenging economic conditions and budget-cutting measures at many U.S. universities have led to financial constraints that impact both existing and new PSM programs,” said James Sterling, VP for Academic Affairs at KGI. “We are grateful to the Sloan Foundation for their vision in launching the PSM movement and for their support of this rebate program that will ease the financial burden of affiliation fees and membership dues.”

 Keck Graduate Institute of Applied Life Sciences, founded in 1997, is the only graduate institution in the United States devoted solely to bioscience education and discovery. KGI is the seventh and newest member of the Claremont Colleges consortium. Its mission is to further education and research aimed at translating into practice, for the benefit of society, the power and potential of the life sciences. www.kgi.edu

 The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation is a philanthropic, not-for-profit grant making institution based in New York City. Established in 1934 by Alfred Pritchard Sloan Jr., then President and Chief Executive Officer of the General Motors Corporation, the Foundation makes grants in support of original research and education in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and economic performance. www.sloan.org

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