Who pursues a PSM program?
Based on my experience as a board member of the National Professional Science Masters Association and Dean of Admissions at the Keck Graduate Institute, I routinely see PSM candidates that are science or engineering majors that are also considering PhD programs, medical school, or perhaps an MBA. The space between these different types of programs is where the typical PSM is positioned. More technical expertise and interest than a typical MBA, much more business or interdisciplinary study than a PhD or med school could provide. If you love science or math, but don’t see yourself in the lab or committed to medicine enough for the many years of med school plus residency, then a PSM could be a good choice.
Several populations are attracted to the PSM: 1) recent graduates with science or mathematics bachelor’s degrees who want to be more than techies in a lab, yet don’t want to leave science entirely to pursue an MBA or law degree; and 2) working science professionals whose employers pay their tuition. Recently, PSM programs have begun to target 3) active military on their way to becoming veterans, and longer-term veterans with STEM bachelor’s degrees.
