Mission Statement

The mission of the National Professional Science Master’s Association (NPSMA) is to promote and support the growth and development of professional science master’s degree programs.

"We encourage the further development of the National Professional Science Master's Association (NPSMA)...The NPSMA has a unique opportunity to strengthen the national PSM movement by engaging all its constituents in a synergistic collaboration." - The National Research Council, "Science Professionals: Master's Education for a Competitive World"

“Industry, government, and nonprofits need employees who have deep scientific knowledge as well as skills to apply that knowledge in innovative ways. A reinvigorated master's degree in the natural sciences can answer the demand for such science professionals and help ensure that the U.S. has the work force it needs to stay competitive."

"...Policymakers, universities, and employers should work together to speed the development of professionally oriented master's degree programs in the natural sciences. Graduates of these programs--which build both scientific knowledge and practical workplace skills, can make a strong contribution to the nation's competitiveness." - The National Research Council, "Science Professionals: Master's Education for a Competitive World"

A Brief History

In 2005, PSM program directors agreed to form a professional association to provide a collective voice for PSM degree programs.

The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation provided a grant to the NPSMA in 2007 when the association incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, elected its first Board of Directors, hired Stephen J. Lemire as Executive Director, and established its office on the campus of Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI). This was the beginning of NPSMA Development Phase I. NPSMA held its first annual meeting in November, 2007 in Washington, DC in conjunction with the biennial PSM meeting organized by the Council of Graduate Schools (CGS). The NPSMA concluded 2007 by creating its website (www.npsma.org) and initiating the NPSMA Alumni Network. Click here to see Overview Presentation.

In the summer of 2008, NPSMA media coverage began to increase significantly, and NPSMA held meetings with professional association and governmental agency representatives. The year was capped off by installing an Advisory Board of national leaders in industry, academia, and education; by organizing a very successful Inaugural National Conference in Atlanta; and by publishingThe PSM Degree Best Practices Survey Findings.

In 2009, the NPSMA coordinated best practices workshops in Tucson, Nashville, and Springfield; published the PSM Degree Program Enrollment & Graduate Report and the 2009 PSM Alumni Employment Survey Report; held its first national Advisory Board meeting; and participated in BIO International, the PSM Biennial, and many other regional and national events.

In 2010, as NPSMA Development Phase I concluded, the association held its best practices workshop in Claremont, California. The organization secured Dr. Donald Langenberg as Director of Strategic Planning and External Projects. He is leading NPSMA Development Phase II with the drive to help us remain a strong and sustainable organization. The NPSMA 2nd National Conference was held November 17-19, 2010 in Atlanta.

In 2011, NPSMA held Best Practices Workshops at Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland; Bloomington, Minnesota in conjunction with the University of Minnesota System (April); and Niagara Falls, New York (October).

In 2012, our first workshop of the year was held in Tampa, Florida. The event was hosted by the University of South Florida and the workshop's focus was biotechnology. On September 27-28, 2012, we will hold an event in Monterey, California, with an environmental theme. The NPSMA 3rd National Conference will be held November 7-9, 2012 in Denver.