Join the NPSMA and become a part of the collaboration between science and technology employers, universities, faculty, and students and alumni. Visit our member pages to see the NPSMA benefits for employers, academic institutions, faculty, alumni, and students.
GREETINGS FROM STEPHEN LEMIRE, NPSMA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
.jpg)
The National Professional Science Master's Association (NPSMA) formally began operation in July, 2007. It should be recognized, however, that the foundation was formed during the previous four years as program directors from Professional Science Master's (PSM) programs began to share information and to recognize the need to create a national association to network and provide services to members of its growing constituency.
The founding NPSMA Board of Directors has worked tirelessly to develop successful PSM programs at their respective universities while also encouraging and supporting their peers at other institutions. The Board recognized the need to create a formal mechanism where best practices may be developed and shared among existing and prospective PSM programs. The NPSMA and the PSM community have been fortunate to receive funding from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation to develop a national association.
The NPSMA, at times working with partners such as the Council of Graduate Schools and Ms. Sheila Tobias, is at the forefront of the "PSM Movement." During the past few years the number of universities offering PSM's has grown from 50 to more than 60 with as many as 10 more universities planning to begin offering PSM's. The number of degree program offerings has grown from 100 to more than 120 with as many as 30 more programs planned.
The NPSMA and the Sloan Foundation also have had the foresight to invest in the future of PSM graduates through the creation of the NPSMA Alumni Network supported by a grant from the Sloan Foundation and administered by the University of Arizona designed to track, support, and develop the professional skills of PSM alums. This commitment helps form a bridge for full-time students to leave the classroom and become productive employees. Similarly, professional part-time students use the association as a venue to expound on their training and education with each other, with current and potential students, and with invested employers. The graduates' feedback will continually help improve program curriculum and provide a roadmap for new students to become valuable employees as the alums advance in their careers and, ultimately, perpetuate the growth of PSM programs by becoming productive leaders in the workforce.
I look forward to meeting you and welcoming you into the NPSMA!
