Professional Science Masters program is a new science-based professional degree, now offered on the KU Edwards campus. Dr. Mark Jakubauskas, the program director, said the idea has been in the works for years and is now available at 71 universities with 300 such programs across the country.
He told Central Lawrence Rotarians that the degree, which began at KU in the summer of 2013, is a combination of graduate-level science and/or mathematics. It is intended for math and science graduates who want careers at the intersection of science and management.
Students enroll in short courses such as business fundamentals, tech transfer, project management, entrepreneurship, regulatory affairs, leadership and ethics with training in communication and team building. Rounding out the program is a required internship.
He called the internship the capstone project. Students are able to apply their skills in the disciplines they choose. Professionals from all areas are involved and provide evaluations of the program as it continues.
“We’re trying to fit the to the specific needs of the businesses out there,” he said. “We’re very excited about this. People who already have degrees in science and technology often don’t want to go on for a Ph.D. but do want to have a masters.
“There’s a lot of interest from businesses about this and the program is exploding. It is the first PSM program within 200 miles of the Kansas City area.”
