The Institute’s Master of Science in Analytics (MSA) degree program has been designated as a Professional Science Masters (PSM) degree under a nationwide initiative sponsored by the Sloan Foundation and run by the Council of Graduate Schools, a national organization dedicated to the advancement of graduate education and research. Although not part of the initial PSM movement, the MSA had adopted through its own design many of the same guiding principles aimed at preparing students for careers in industry. The principles include: an interdisciplinary curriculum with strong emphasis on communication, leadership and teamwork skills; a team-based project experience in lieu of a traditional master’s thesis; and strong connections with potential employers in industry through advisory boards, sponsored projects, and guest lectures.
There are over 200 PSM programs located at more that 100 PSM-affiliated institutions of higher education. With the addition of Analytics, NC State is home to nine PSM-affiliated degree programs:
- Analytics
- Biomanufacturing
- Climate Change and Society
- Electric Power Systems
- Environmental Assessment
- Financial Mathematics
- Geospatial Information Science and Technology
- Microbial Biotechnology
- Nutrition