Professional Science Master's Program - CSU, Chico

Professional Science Master's Overview

The Professional Science Master’s (PSM) option in Environmental Sciences serves the needs of scientists who want to improve their skills in business.  The PSM program is designed to fill a management need for technology-based companies, governmental agencies, and non-profit organizations.  The business training is complemented by advanced science training in pertinent fields such as agriculture, biology, chemistry, and engineering. The U.S. is on the verge of losing its lead as an innovative and technological leader in the world, because it is not generating an adequate highly-trained workforce.  The increasing global population and per capita natural resource usage has predictable outcomes. The Environmental Sciences PSM is part of the solution.

Industry and agencies seek scientists with business skills.  The Professional Science Master’s Program fills that need

• More science than an MBA
• More education in professional fields (business, law, communication) than a traditional MS or doctoral program in a scientific discipline
• Closer interaction with potential employers through internships and other experiences than a traditional MS or doctoral program in a scientific discipline 

The Environmental Sciences PSM at CSU Chico presently offers three options

• Environmental Biotechnology
• Resource Management
• Sustainable Development and Technology

We are developing new options, and options may be tailored for individual needs. 

The curriculum includes multiple educational approaches

• Team projects.
• Business/industry/government internships
• Exposure to cutting-edge research issues
• Student participation in seminars/colloquia for all PSM students
• Writing/communication/project management/negotiation/consensus-building and other workplace assets
• Required final project, often team experience, in which meeting a schedule really matters (in contrast to the open-ended nature of much university research)

The Sloan Foundation is a sponsor of the CSU Systemwide PSM efforts. In 2004, USA Today published an overview article on PSM's. Chemical & Engineering News recently published an update, and a National Research Council report (7/2008) suggests the programs should be expanded. The national PSM Web site and National PSM Association provide excellent PSM information.

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