{"id":12088,"date":"2025-08-14T19:14:12","date_gmt":"2025-08-15T00:14:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/academics\/?page_id=12088"},"modified":"2025-08-14T19:14:13","modified_gmt":"2025-08-15T00:14:13","slug":"professional-science-masters","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/academics\/colleges\/science-engineering\/biology-department\/programs\/professional-science-masters\/","title":{"rendered":"Professional Science Master\u2019s Program\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Your training in WSU\u2019s Professional Science Master\u2019s (PSM) program will give you essential scientific and technical skills, in addition to training in management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The program consists of 36 credits based in 3 course cores: Professional Skills, Scientific, and Capstone.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n    <div class=\"panel panel--white\">\n        <div class=\"panel__container\">\n            <div class=\"panel__intro\">\n                        <\/div>\n            \n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Program Overview<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>View course descriptions in the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/w3.winona.edu\/DataServices\/WSUCatalog\/2744\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/w3.winona.edu\/DataServices\/WSUCatalog\/2744\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">WSU Graduate Catalog<\/a>.&nbsp;PSM-related graduate courses are added regularly and may not be represented in the catalog until the next annual update.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Contact the PSM Director at&nbsp;<a href=\"mailto:psm@winona.edu\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">psm@winona.edu<\/a>&nbsp;for up-to-date information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wsu-block tabs\">\n\n    <div class=\"tabs-nav\">\n        <button class=\"tabs__toggle\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-expanded=\"false\" id=\"tabbed-1\">Professional Skills<\/button>\n<button class=\"tabs__toggle\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-expanded=\"false\" id=\"tabbed-2\">Scientific Core<\/button>\n<button class=\"tabs__toggle\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-expanded=\"false\" id=\"tabbed-3\">Capstone Experience<\/button>\n    <\/div>\n\n    <div class=\"tabs-content\">\n        <button class=\"tabs__mobile__toggle\">Professional Skills<\/button>\n<div class=\"tabs__content__item\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><div><p>Professional skills courses give a broad overview of key project management and business concepts for working scientists. All students, regardless of their specific scientific core path, take these courses:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Project Management (3 SH)<\/li>\n<li>Statistical Methods (3 SH)<\/li>\n<li>Intra\/Interpersonal Communications in the Workplace (3 SH)<\/li>\n<li>Ethics and Leadership (1 SH)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<button class=\"tabs__mobile__toggle\">Scientific Core<\/button>\n<div class=\"tabs__content__item\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><div><p>Courses in the scientific core are selected based on the student\u2019s field of specialization. Core areas include courses in these departments.<\/p>\n<p>Students are encouraged to choose coursework that cuts across multiple academic departments, including:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Biology<\/li>\n<li>Chemistry<\/li>\n<li>Clinical Laboratory Science<\/li>\n<li>Computer Science<\/li>\n<li>Health, Exercise and Rehabilitative Sciences (HERS)<\/li>\n<li>Environmental Science<\/li>\n<li>Geoscience<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<button class=\"tabs__mobile__toggle\">Capstone Experience<\/button>\n<div class=\"tabs__content__item\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><div><p>Your advisor and graduate committee will help you develop a research or internship projected tailored towards the skills required for your future career goals.<\/p>\n<p>One of the advantages of WSU\u2019s PMS program is that working professionals have the option to develop a project that you can conduct at your work site.<\/p>\n<p>Example outcomes of research projects include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Manuscripts in professional journals<\/li>\n<li>Reports for corporate governance<\/li>\n<li>Government policy papers<\/li>\n<li>Development of fiscal reports within healthcare<\/li>\n<li>Classic Master\u2019s thesis<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>A traditional master\u2019s thesis is not required for the capstone experience, but a student may choose to pursue graduate research leading to a thesis under the advisement of a major advisor and their graduate committee.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"capstone\">Capstone Requirements<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>All PSM students must complete a Capstone project, using either one or both of the courses: PSM 698: Internship or PSM 699: Research.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Talk to your advisor about which course is appropriate.&nbsp;Before registering for these courses, students must:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"1\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Take PSM 606: Research Methods, which is offered each fall<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Read and understand the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Professional-Science-Master-Capstone-Guidelines-2015.pdf\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www2.winona.edu\/psm\/Media\/Capstone_Guidelines-2015.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Capstone Guidelines<\/a> (PDF) covering the capstone experience<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Form a graduate committee consisting of at least 3 members, with one member from outside the student\u2019s department. Submit the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Graduate-Committee-Creation-Form-2015.pdf\">Graduate Committee Creation Form<\/a> (PDF) to the PSM Director.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Write a research\/internship project proposal in conjunction with your Capstone advisor<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Submit your proposal to your capstone advisor and committee. Immediately schedule your proposal presentation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Present your proposal. After your presentation, have your advisor and committee sign the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Proposal-Presentation-Completion-Form-2015.pdf\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www2.winona.edu\/psm\/Media\/Proposal_Presentation_Completion_Form_01272015.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Proposal Presentation Completion Form<\/a> (PDF) and the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Application-for-Degree-Candidacy-Form-2021.pdf\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www2.winona.edu\/psm\/Media\/Application-to-Candidacy-Form-08222017.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Application for Degree Candidacy Form<\/a> (PDF) and return it to the PSM Director for a signature. Once signed by all parties, file the form at the Office of School of Graduate Studies.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Perform your research\/internship as directed by your advisor<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>As your research\/internship reaches a conclusion, schedule a defense with your advisor and committee<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Present your project in a final defense. Upon a successful defense, fill out the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Project-Defense-Completion-Form-2015.pdf\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www2.winona.edu\/psm\/Media\/Project_Defense_Completion_Form.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Project Defense Completion Form<\/a> (PDF).<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n\n\n    <div class=\"panel panel--white\">\n        <div class=\"panel__container\">\n            <div class=\"panel__intro\">\n                        <\/div>\n            \n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Program Outcomes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The PSM program will provide specialization in a technical field, as well as developing and enhancing project management, business, and leadership skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These skills are in high demand in science, technology, engineering, and math-related fields. There has never been a better time to advance your career with a PSM from WSU!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Upon completion of Winona State\u2019s PSM degree, you will have:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Developed advanced knowledge and skills in your field of expertise<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Learned how to apply state-of-the-art scientific models and statistical tools<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Planned, designed, and executed projects<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Applied best practices to manage scientific and technical projects and research&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Learned cooperative skills to work in interdisciplinary environment<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Developed leadership skills necessary to inspire, motivate, and manage colleagues in your field<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Communicated project and research outcomes with scientific and non-scientific communities<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n\n\n    <div class=\"panel panel--white\">\n        <div class=\"panel__container\">\n            <div class=\"panel__intro\">\n                        <\/div>\n            \n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Careers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Master\u2019s degrees can offer entry into a new career or upward mobility in your current profession. Not only can it advance your career, but also your earnings.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This part of the job market is only growing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>According to the&nbsp;Bureau of Labor Statistics, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bls.gov\/iag\/tgs\/iag54.htm\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.bls.gov\/iag\/tgs\/iag54.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">careers in management, scientific and technical services<\/a> are currently on the rise&nbsp;and will continue to rise in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Data from the&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/mn.gov\/deed\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"http:\/\/mn.gov\/deed\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development<\/a>&nbsp;suggests that careers in management such as financial managers, medical\/health services managers and architectural\/engineering managers can yield a median salary from around $70,000-$100,000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wsu-block tabs\">\n\n    <div class=\"tabs-nav\">\n        <button class=\"tabs__toggle\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-expanded=\"false\" id=\"tabbed-1\">Careers<\/button>\n<button class=\"tabs__toggle\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-expanded=\"false\" id=\"tabbed-2\">Companies<\/button>\n    <\/div>\n\n    <div class=\"tabs-content\">\n        <button class=\"tabs__mobile__toggle\">Careers<\/button>\n<div class=\"tabs__content__item\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><div><p>Earning a Professional Science master\u2019s at WSU can help guide you to a career in:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Bioinformatics<\/li>\n<li>Computational Chemistry<\/li>\n<li>Forensic Science<\/li>\n<li>Human-Computer Interaction<\/li>\n<li>Industrial Mathematics<\/li>\n<li>Industrial Microbiology<\/li>\n<li>Microbial Biotechnology<\/li>\n<li>Physics with Business Applications<\/li>\n<li>Quantitative Finance<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Learn more about PSM careers on the\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.sciencemasters.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Science Masters Official website<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<button class=\"tabs__mobile__toggle\">Companies<\/button>\n<div class=\"tabs__content__item\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><div><p>Some companies that have hired PSM graduates include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Boeing<\/li>\n<li>Chevron<\/li>\n<li>Conservation Biology Institute<\/li>\n<li>Mayo Clinic<\/li>\n<li>MODIS Rapid Response Team, NASA<\/li>\n<li>U.S. Department of Agriculture<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n\n\n    <div class=\"panel panel--white\">\n        <div class=\"panel__container\">\n            <div class=\"panel__intro\">\n                        <\/div>\n            \n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"employers\">Employers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Employers&nbsp;in industry, government or healthcare&nbsp;can support the WSU PSM program by creating&nbsp;cooperative internship\/research opportunities. The benefits include:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>employees gain credit for work they would potentially complete as part of their normal work assignment<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>the employer and student PSM committee to custom train a potential employee to accomplish specific work-related tasks<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>the employer can test the waters with potential employees. If you like the work completed by a student intern, they may be a good hire. If not, there are no strings attached once the internship ends. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>You could also serve as a liaison for students\u2019 PSM Graduate committees. Including a liaison from a potential employer ensures that all levels of a PSM students degree build a hands-on degree that prepares them for post-graduate employment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Inclusion of a liaison permits a potential employer to have access to scientific resources (i.e. analytical equipment, computational resources, and technical support skills) that might not be currently available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The 6 credits each student earns in Internship\/Research Experiences can be earned in a single semester or distributed over a year, as determined by the students Graduate Committee.If you are interested in creating internships, research projects or other cooperative resources, we would love to hear from you.<\/p>\n\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n\n\n    <div class=\"panel panel--white\">\n        <div class=\"panel__container\">\n            <div class=\"panel__intro\">\n                            <div class=\"h3\">Contact the Professional Science Master\u2019s Program<\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n            \n\n<div class=\"wsu-block grid grid--50\">\n    <div class=\"wsu-block contact-card mb-1\">\n   <div class=\"contact-card__content\">\n       <div class=\"contact-card__title h4\">\n           Sudharsan Lyengar \n       <\/div>\n       <div class=\"contact-card__subtitle h4\">\n           PSM Director\n       <\/div>\n       <div class=\"contact-card__description\">\n           <p>507.457.5539<\/p>\n\n       <\/div>\n       <a class=\"wsu-link contact-card__link\" href=\"mailto:PSm@winona.edu%20\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"\">Email Sudharsan Lyengar <\/a>\n   <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wsu-block contact-card mb-1\">\n   <div class=\"contact-card__content\">\n       <div class=\"contact-card__title h4\">\n           Samantha Eckerson\n       <\/div>\n       <div class=\"contact-card__subtitle h4\">\n           Recruitment &amp; Admissions Assistant Director  WSU Graduate Programs &amp; WSU-Rochester Transfer\n       <\/div>\n       <div class=\"contact-card__description\">\n           <p>Cell: 507.703.1894<\/p>\n<div><\/div>\n<p>Office: 507.535.3980<\/p>\n\n       <\/div>\n       <a class=\"wsu-link contact-card__link\" href=\"mailto:graduateadmissions@winona.edu\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"\">Email Samantha Eckerson <\/a>\n   <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Through WSU&#8217;s Professional Science Master&#8217;s Program, students will advance their knowledge and skills in management, technology, and science.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":0,"parent":12080,"menu_order":1,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_tec_requires_first_save":true,"_EventAllDay":false,"_EventTimezone":"","_EventStartDate":"","_EventEndDate":"","_EventStartDateUTC":"","_EventEndDateUTC":"","_EventShowMap":false,"_EventShowMapLink":false,"_EventURL":"","_EventCost":"","_EventCostDescription":"","_EventCurrencySymbol":"","_EventCurrencyCode":"","_EventCurrencyPosition":"","_EventDateTimeSeparator":"","_EventTimeRangeSeparator":"","_EventOrganizerID":[],"_EventVenueID":[],"_OrganizerEmail":"","_OrganizerPhone":"","_OrganizerWebsite":"","_VenueAddress":"","_VenueCity":"","_VenueCountry":"","_VenueProvince":"","_VenueState":"","_VenueZip":"","_VenuePhone":"","_VenueURL":"","_VenueStateProvince":"","_VenueLat":"","_VenueLng":"","_VenueShowMap":false,"_VenueShowMapLink":false,"_tribe_blocks_recurrence_rules":"","_tribe_blocks_recurrence_description":"","_tribe_blocks_recurrence_exclusions":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[473],"tags":[331,352,192],"class_list":["post-12088","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","category-biology","tag-kba","tag-legacy","tag-policy"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/12088","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/12"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12088"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/12088\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":17896,"href":"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/12088\/revisions\/17896"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/12080"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12088"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12088"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12088"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}