Oregon PSM

Several workforce needs have converged to spur creation of PSM programs nationally. The percentage of U.S. citizens earning PhD’s in science and engineering has plummeted over the last 20 years and the percentage of students earning MS degrees in the sciences decreased from 4% to 2.3% from 1980 to 2000. The PSM has the potential to rejuvenate science-based career potential for students who do not wish to pursue a PhD and enter academia.

In August 2007, Congress passed the America COMPETES Act, which authorized the National Science Foundation to establish a grants program to develop and expand PSM degree programs. It is expected that other government agencies, like the Department of Energy, will create similar programs to support development of new PSM degrees. In 2008, the National Research Council published a report entitled Science Professionals – Master’s Education for a Competitive World, where they “…determined that there is a strong employer need for graduates of professional science master’s programs, and moreover, that these graduates would make a significant contribution to our national competitiveness and security through their employment in a variety of science-based positions in industry, government and non-profits”. They also recommended that major federal government science agencies develop institutional as well as scholarship programs for PSM degrees, that state governments provide funding for creation and expansion of PSM programs to target regional needs, and that philanthropic institutions, professional societies, industry associations, and employers work together with higher education institutions to develop new PSM degree programs.

There are over 200 PSM programs at more than 100 institutions in the U.S. According to a survey completed by the National Professional Science Master’s Association in 2009, 53% of PSM alumni graduated from programs in the life sciences and the majority (61.5%) worked for industry. Approximately 55% of PSM graduates work for companies employing >1,000 individuals and the next largest percentage (13%) work for companies with just 1-25 employees. Average annual salaries peaked at $50,000-6,000 (19%) as well as >$90,000 (19%), likely reflecting differences in company size as well as science-based industries.