Projected Growth & Development of the PSM

1. Projected Growth & Development of the PSM Ursula Bechert, National PSM Association Michael Teitelbaum, Alfred Sloan Foundation Carol Lynch, Council of Graduate Schools Sheila Tobias, Author & Consultant

2. Topics • The players • Enabling • Facilitating • Expanding • Supporting • World Café discussions

3. 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

4. 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. 

5. 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

6. 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

7. PSM program no’s (rough): positive trend

8. Enrollment trends (rough) are positive

9. 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

10. Topics • The players • Enabling • Facilitating • Expanding • Supporting • World Café discussions

11. Facilitating • Council of Graduate Schools PSM activities & policy developments

12. Overview of the CGS Initiative for Professional Science Master’s Programs NPSMA Inaugural National Conference 13 November 2008 Carol B. Lynch Senior Scholar in Residence and Director, Professional Master’s Programs Council of Graduate Schools

13. 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.

14. Best Practices Initiatives CGS 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)

15. 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.

16. 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.

17. 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

18. Growth In PSM Programs

19. 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.

20. 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.)

21. 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.

22. 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

23. Topics • The players • Enabling • Facilitating • Expanding • Supporting • World Café discussions

24. Expanding • Update & analysis of system-wide PSM program implementation

25. 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)

26. 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

27. 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

28. 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

29. 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

30. 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

31. 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

32. 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

33. 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

34. 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?

35. Topics • The players • Enabling • Facilitating • Expanding • Supporting • World Café discussions

36. Supporting • The NPMSA serves the producers & consumers of PSM graduates • Different perspectives ~ different needs • How can we best “grow the grass”?

38. 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

40. 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

42. 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?

43. World Café Discussions • 4-5 people per table per question • Link remains as summary spokesperson • Questions & discussion

44. World Café Discussion • What are the three most important issues we need to address nationally with respect to PSM programs?

45. World Café Discussion • How can the NPSMA best work to promote PSM programs and address the issues identified?

46. World Café Discussion • What do you consider the most important task in support of the PSM at the federal level?