Professional Science Master's Concentrations

Visit The University of North Carolina Professional Science Master's Initiative website for more UNC-systemwide information.

Degrees for What Jobs? Raising Expectations for Universities and Colleges in a Global Economy - a report by th National Governor's Association.

Announcement: We now have a new PSM concentration in Nanoscience for Advanced Materials starting in the Fall of 2010. This compliments our existing PSM concentration in Instrumentation and Automation and has been officially recognized by the Council of Graduate Schools. Contact Dr. Chris Thaxton for more information at (828)262-6836 (thaxtoncs@appstate.edu).

Announcement: We now have a dual degree track with the Walker College of Business for our PSM students - Graduate students in either of our PSM M.S. concentrations can now get an MBA with only 2 additional semesters worth of work. Contact Dr. Chris Thaxton for more information at (828)262-6836 (thaxtoncs@appstate.edu).

What is a Professional Science Master's?

The Professional Science Master's (PSM) is an innovative, new graduate degree designed to allow students to pursue advanced training in science or mathematics, while simultaneously developing workplace skills highly valued by employers. PSM programs consist of two years of academic training in an emerging or interdisciplinary area, along with a professional component that may include internships and "cross-training" in business and communications. All have been developed in concert with industry and are designed to dovetail into present and future professional career opportunities.

PSM Graduates are...

Interdisciplinary scientists.
- PSM students receive advanced training at the cutting-edge interfaces of science and technology. The combination of science with professional skills and experience means PSM graduates require minimal additional training, saving employers time and money in professional development.
Excellent communicators.
- PSM students are often trained in business management, conflict management and negotiation, writing, and presentation skills. The "science-plus" training prepares the PSM graduate to serve as the liaison between corporate research groups and business administration, or to even handle the job of both groups.
Innovative problem-solvers.
- The PSM capstone experience is a team-oriented, multidisciplinary research project addressing challenges and opportunities in the real world. The PSM graduate’s capstone and internship experiences prepare them to hit the ground running for your company.

Why a PSM at Appalachian?

Makes physicists marketable as scientists, engineers, and software developers, while instilling industry experience and know-how
Applicable across many industries – high demand skill set that meets the demands of North Carolina and national labor force
Builds on a successful and nationally recognized graduate program in Engineering Physics at Appalachian

To learn more about our PSM programs, please click the following links:

How do you apply? Simply apply for admission into our standard MS graduate program in Engineering Physics - after admission, you will meet with the program director and build your plan of study for the PSM concentration...

Go to: http://www.graduate.appstate.edu/

To learn more about the PSM initiative nationwide, please check out the wealth of information at these sites:

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