Professional Science Master’s:
The NEW Graduate Degree
University of Illinois • College of Liberal Arts and Sciences  College of Agricultural, Consumer
and Environmental Sciences
Is it right for you? Are you –
o Passionate about your science and plan to pursue graduate-level expertise in your math or
science discipline?
o Exploring science careers “away from the bench” and outside of academia?
o Not currently planning to pursue a traditional research-based MS or PhD degree?
o Ready for intensive, 16-month studies at the interface of emerging science knowledge,
business skills and real-world experience – all targeted to specific industries and their needs?
o Attracted to mid-level management positions in industry, government or not-for-profit
organizations?
o Drawn to industry areas such as marketing, sales, intellectual property, customer relations,
and regulatory affairs?
The Professional Science Master’s offers an integrated curriculum of graduate-level science
combined with business skills and real-world experience that fosters the communication,
innovation and entrepreneurial spirit sought by industry, government and nonprofit organizations.
It is a hybrid degree composed of science + business training that can respond rapidly to the
changing demands of job markets.
The Professional Science Master’s (PSM’s) have emerged to uniquely train graduate
students for the business and science needs of 21st century industries.
Illinois Professional Science Master’s
A unit of the Graduate College
psm.illinois.edu
What the scientific community is saying about the Professional Science Master’s:
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Raloff, Janet. “AAAS: The New Masters of Science”. Sciencenews (web edition) February 14 2009
Colwell, Rita. “Professional Science Master’s Programs Merit Wider Support”. Science 323 March 27 2009: 1676
Tobias, Sheila. “Professional Science Master’s is 21st century MBA”. Sciencenews (web ed.) 175 June 2009: 32.
Gitig, Diana. “Professional Science Master’s Degrees”. Science Career Magazine 18 June 2010
Rosenbloom, Joseph. “A Master’s for Science Professionals Sweep U.S. Schools”. New York Times Magazine
December 27 2010
 Patel, Darshan. “Graduate-level Program Offers Students More Opportunities in Science and Business.” Daily
Illini March 14, 2011.
Learn more about Professional Science Master’s across the U.S.:
For more information about PSM’s and a listing of institutions nationwide that offer PSM programs:
 National Professional Science Master’s Association: www.npsma.org
 Professional Science Master’s: www.sciencemasters.com
Find out more about the PSM programs at the University of Illinois:
NEW in Fall 2011
The Professional Science Master’s in
Plant Biology (Biotechnology)
in the
Department of Plant Biology
School of Integrative Biology
Contact: Joan Huber, Plant Biology PSM Program Coordinator, for more information about this
program -- or PSM’s in general: 265 Morrill Hall; JLhuber1@illinois.edu; 217-333-5498;
www.life.illinois.edu/plantbio/psm
At www.psm.illinois.edu you’ll find information about other PSM programs at Illinois:
 Bioenergy
 Food Science and Human Nutrition
 Agricultural Production
 Technical Systems Management
For more information: email PSMdegree@illinois.edu; Blog illinoispsm.blogspot.com; Twitter
twitter.com/IllinoisPSM.