Projected Growth & Development of the PSM

Ursula Bechert, National PSM AssociationMichael Teitelbaum, Alfred Sloan FoundationCarol Lynch, Council of Graduate SchoolsSheila Tobias, Author & Consultant

Topics

The players

Enabling Facilitating Expanding Supporting

World Café discussions

The Players Alfred P. Sloan Foundation

PSM Program Directors University administration Internship providers &

employers Students & alumni

Council of Graduate Schools National PSM Association National Governor’s

Association Others

Enabling the Vision

The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation makes grants to support original research and broad-based education related to science, technology, and economic performance; and to improve the quality of American life.

The Foundation is unique in its focus on science, technology, and economic institutions. It believes the scholars and practitioners who work in these fields are chief drivers of the nation’s health and prosperity. 

The Foundation is interested in projects that it expects will result in a strong benefit to society, and for which funding from the private sector, the government, or other foundations is not widely available.  

Goals Graduate science degree configured for needs of

science careers outside Academe Science at graduate levels Plus non-science skills needed in non-academic

workplace Pathway for science/math majors not pursuing PhD Fill the peculiar gaps between:

Employers’ expressed demand, yet chilly PhD markets U.S. strength in BA/BS and in PhD – but weakness

between Nimble graduate science degree, responsive to rapidly-

shifting labor markets

Status report

Proof of concept ~120 programs, 60+ universities, 25 states ~2,500 current students ~2,500 alumni Initial job experiences good

Enthusiastic support from some in industry Specific embrace: America COMPETES

(astonishing) Real progress, but still small and fragile Sloan: 2 more yrs of support => sustainability Next 2-3 years critical stage in PSM evolution

PSM program no’s (rough): positive trend

Enrollment trends (rough) are positive

Some metrics of success, as of 2011

175-200 PSM degrees, at ~100 univ’s, & rising 4-5,000 enrolled PSM students, & rising Campus-wide, System-wide, State-wide

successes Federal $ support (Educ, Energy, NSF, DoD…) Industry support ($, internships, hiring) NPSMA (& alumni gp) sustainable post-startup Continued efforts by CGS, NGA, NCSL, CoC PSM a “normal” part of US graduate education

Topics

The players

Enabling Facilitating Expanding Supporting

World Café discussions

Facilitating

Council of Graduate Schools PSM activities & policy developments

Overview of the CGS Initiative for Professional Science Master’s ProgramsNPSMA Inaugural National Conference

13 November 2008

Carol B. Lynch

Senior Scholar in Residence and

Director, Professional Master’s Programs

Council of Graduate Schools

About CGS

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. CGS members award 94% of the doctoral degrees and 80% of the master’s degrees in the United States. 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.

Best Practices InitiativesCGS serves the graduate community by focusing on important issues affecting all aspects of graduate education and offering recommendations and proven solutions to address these issues. These initiatives include:

• Ph.D. Completion• Professional Master's Degrees• Responsible Conduct of Research • Dual and Joint Degrees (International)

The CGS PSM Initiative

The CGS project consolidates multiple PSM activities under the CGS umbrella.

Goal: “The institutionalization and promotion of the PSM degree as a regular feature of graduate education.”

We expect to achieve the following objectives: Continuation and improvement of existing PSM programs. Encourage and assist the development of new PSM

programs.

The CGS PSM Initiative

• Significant increase in the number of students enrolled in all PSM programs.

• Expansion of funding by NSF and other agencies to include PSM programs.

• Increase in the number and variety of employment sector champions of the PSM.

• Support of states through work with NCSL and NGA.

• Advocate for PSM in federal legislation.

PSM Statistics

The first PSM program launched in 1999.

Currently there are: 120+ PSM programs 60+ institutions Programs in 25 states plus the District of

Columbia ~2,100 graduates as of 2007

Growth In PSM Programs

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009-2010

Number ofPrograms

PSM in Federal Legislation

America COMPETES Act: Contained authorization for a PSM

clearinghouse and grants program at the National Science Foundation.

Signed into law in August 2007. Funding up to $15 million authorized.

We need your help!!There have been no appropriations to date. Check whether your congressman or senator

is on the Appropriations Committee or the Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies.

Contact them, inform then about the value of your PSM program and urge then to fund the PSM provision in the COMPETES act.

For assistance contact Patty McAllister (pmcallister@cgs.nche.edu.)

Win, Win, Win

Win for the student – alternative way to remain in science without getting a PhD.

Win for the university - provide students with another career option and help solve community workforce needs.

Win for the employers – local, regional, state – have a technically trained cadre of workers.

For further information: Contact the CGS PSM Project Staff Carol B. Lynch, Senior Scholar in Residence and Project

Director(clynch@cgs.nche.edu)

Eleanor Babco, Senior Consultant and Co-Project Director(ebabco@cgs.nche.edu)

Nancy Vincent, Program Manager, Best Practices(nvincent@cgs.nche.edu)

Josh Mahler, Program and Operations Assistant(jmahler@cgs.nche.edu)

www.sciencemasters.com and www.cgsnet.org

Topics

The players

Enabling Facilitating Expanding Supporting

World Café discussions

Expanding

Update & analysis of system-wide PSM program implementation

Variety/Range

System-wides – all state-run colleges and universities (SUNY) or one set (CSU), chancellor, some central infrastructure

State wides – where no system available Campus wides – single dominant institution (Illinois-

Urbana, Rutgers (N.J.) Smaller “sub” systems in states with more than one

(North Texas) Single-purpose Alliance set up expressly to launch

PSM (HBCU Mid-Atlantic)

Outline

Launch Phase at system level Expansion at system level Long-term Sustainability – too soon to know 2009 NASH effort at increasing system wides Conclusion

Launch Phase

Chancellor on board - shortening of approval process – relations with senior industry executives – access to state gov’t

PSM Branding done from outset across the system Staff coordinator(s) hired to relieve faculty of need to

handle - enrollment/marketing/web development - student services (advising/internships) - placement, employer relations Sharing “plus courses” across campuses,depts

Faculty Role

Faculty develops and “owns” specific program offerings (“tracks”)

In conjunction with campus business/industry advisers and system coordinators

Internal or external funds for curriculum development distributed by deans to faculty

Faculty responsible for quality control, campus deans for meeting degree requirements

Faculty participation in planning & development at the system level

Expansion Phase

Gaining higher level business/industry/gov. collaboration – including large scale investment by business/industry in tailored programs, students scholarships, internships

Able to innovate: new unique PSM tracks, certificates, on line offerings

Able to target new markets (e.g. active military/veterans; pre-PSM programs for community college grads)

Contagion effect: enables conversion of existing master’s into PSMs

Long-term sustainability

Too soon to evaluate Visibility of chancellor (president, state-wide

head) – insinuate PSM into other conversations about workforce, economic development.

Access to business and business advocates State-wide awareness

NASH Project 2009

NASH = National Association of System Heads – 52 systems in 38 states +1 in Puerto Rico

Together NASH systems enroll more than 2/3 of all US college students

Effort to inform, encourage Products: dedicated web site, briefing paper(s),

blueprint for launch Donald Langenberg, former head, NASH, in charge,

Tobias assisting

Other

Campus Wides: Illinois – first three of ten enrolling 2009; Rutgers –

State Wides – Oregon, Arizona, linking existing PSMs and expanding to other campuses; Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Mexico pre-planning (Support by National Governors’ Association)

HBCU Alliance, of 8 HBCU campuses, undertaking demand and supply analysis 2009

Lessons Learned

Planning, setup, launch takes 2 years longer than anticipated

Location in Chancellor’s office too bureaucratic – central office on a single campus but with Chancellor visibly supportive

Importance of getting to CEO’s on board Mining local foundations, associations, for

further funding, enrollees, endorsements

Future Prospects

What does system need to launching in absence of outside startup funding –

Affect of NASH members’ approval, adoption–

Affect of macro environment, new administration, downturn in the economy, unknown

Will Federal Funding (America Competes) favor the larger unit?

Topics

The players

Enabling Facilitating Expanding Supporting

World Café discussions

Supporting

The NPMSA serves the producers & consumers of PSM graduates

Different perspectives ~ different needs

How can we best “grow the grass”?

Supporting Program Directors

Regularly compile & share data & best practices

Create communication forums & networking opportunities

Facilitate “plus” course sharing through a distance learning cooperative

Promote PSM student & alumni connections

Supporting PSM Employers

Identify where workforce needs are going

Foster development of academic partnerships

Create an electronic bulletin service to post internship & employment opportunities

Disseminate information about PSM programs

What Can We Do Better?

To meet the needs of industry?

To secure satisfying jobs for PSM graduates?

To help existing PSM programs grow & become sustainable?

To promote development of new PSM programs?

World Café Discussions

4-5 people per table per question

Link remains as summary spokesperson

Questions & discussion

World Café Discussion

What are the three most important issues we need to address nationally with respect to PSM programs?

World Café Discussion

How can the NPSMA best work to promote PSM programs and address the issues identified?

World Café Discussion

What do you consider the most important task in support of the PSM at the federal level?