PSU's Professional Science Master's (PSM) degree offers the best of both worlds: advanced training that offers credentialing along your pathway to the PSM degree and capstone project or internship that helps you develop the practical, professional skills you need to be an effective leader.
The PSM degree offers students the opportunity to earn advanced credentials in fields such hydrology, GIS, conflict resolution, sustainability, and more. Students complete two graduate certificates and a capstone experience that highlights their specialties and their capacity to work in their chosen field.
You'll graduate ready to assume professional responsibilities for environmental programs in a wide range of organizations in the government, industry, or civic organizations.
With PSU's Professional Science Master's degree, you'll complete advanced specializations that combine theory with real-world applications and practical skills you can apply on the job.
The curriculum allows you to choose your areas of specialization – including hydrology, GIS, geology, sustainability, conflict resolution, food systems, environmental and resource economics, or emergency management and community resilience – while taking courses in project management and demonstrating your capacities through a capstone project or internship.
The Professional Science Master's degree sets itself apart from our other graduate programs by offering students the ability to combine a rigorous science-based curriculum with professional development skills and perspectives. Through your degree, you'll learn how to successfully organize and manage a project, and communicate and interact with community partners and other stakeholders.
With your internship or project, you'll have the opportunity to apply your knowledge and skills to real-world settings by working with a community partner and advisor to tackle an environmental problem. Past projects have ranged from a review and recommendations of statewide wetland policies to recommendations for a site-specific restoration.
You'll graduate ready to address relevant, urgent environmental challenges.
PSU's Professional Science Master's degree equips you with the skills and knowledge you need to develop sustainable solutions that balance economic, health, and social interests as continued population growth puts more pressure on the environment.
Our graduates are in high demand for a range of environmental jobs, including:
- Environmental Protection Specialist
- Climate and Natural Resource Manager
- Water Resource Program Coordinator
- Sustainability Manager
- Program Coordinator
- Restoration and Outreach Project Manager
- Hydrogeologist
- Environmental Specialist
- Water Policy Analyst
Affiliation
Portland State University's PSM program is recognized by the National Professional Science Master's Association.