Program: Professional Science (M.S.) - South Dakota State University

2024-2025 Graduate Catalog

Apr 06, 2025

Instructor and students in a lab.

Program Coordinator/Contact

Jamie Jacobsen, Graduate Program Coordinator
Graduate School
Morrill Hall 130, Box 2201
605-688-4181

Program Information

The Professional Science (M.S.) is a professional science master’s (PSM) that combines advanced training in STEM fields, while simultaneously developing workplace skills that are highly valued by employers to produce in-demand, working graduates. PSM programs prepare students for science careers in business, government, or nonprofit organizations, where workforce needs are increasing. Graduates also work with the federal government or for university technology transfer operations. The Professional Science program has been designed for students to select one emphasis option – Applied Physics, Biotechnology, Environmental Policy, Food Technology, Geographic Information Sciences, or Precision Agriculture – to combine with professional management coursework for the STEM workplace and align with their career goals. The M.S. in Professional Science is a collaboration between the College of Natural Sciences , College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences , and Ness School of Management and Economics .

Course Delivery Format

Courses are delivered through online and face-to-face instruction.

Available Options for Graduate Degrees

Master of Science

Non-Thesis

30 Credit Hours

Core Requirements

Professional Management Coursework Credits: 12
Select one of the emphasis areas. Credits: 12
- Applied Physics
- Biotechnology
- Environmental Policy
- Food Technology
- Geographic Information Sciences
- Precision Agriculture
STEM courses approved by advisor. Credits: 6

Professional Management Coursework

ECON / MGMT 751 - Advanced Managerial Economics Credits: 3
ECON / FIN 753 - Financial Management Credits: 3
or ACCT 592 - Topics (COM) Credits: 1-4 (3 credits required) (Budgeting)
or ECON 592 - Topics (COM) Credits: 1-4 (3 credits required) (Budgeting)

Select from the following

Select six credits from the following. Credits: 6

AGEC 571 - Advanced Farm and Ranch Management Credits: 3
AGEC / ECON 572 - Resource and Environmental Economics (COM) Credits: 3
AGEC 592 - Topics (COM) Credits: 1-4
or AGEC 792 - Topics (COM) Credits: 1-4
or ECON 592 - Topics (COM) Credits: 1-4
or ECON 792 - Topics (COM) Credits: 1-4
or ENTR 592 - Topics (COM) Credits: 1-3
or ENTR 792 - Topics (COM) Credits: 1-3
or FIN 592 - Topics (COM) Credits: 1-4
or FIN 792 - Topics (COM) Credits: 1-4
or MGMT 592 - Topics (COM) Credits: 1-4
or MGMT 792 - Topics (COM) Credits: 1-4
or MKTG 592 - Topics (COM) Credits: 1-4
or MKTG 792 - Topics (COM) Credits: 1-4
DSCI / ECON 752 - Advanced Business Decision Science Credits: 3
ECON / FIN 753 - Financial Management Credits: 3 (if not used above)
OM 563 - Supply Chain Management Credits: 3

Select from the following emphasis areas

Applied Physics Emphasis

Select one of the following two options

Select from the following

Select six credits from the following. Credits: 6

GEOG 515 - Environmental Geography and Sustainability Credits: 3
GEOG 554 - Sustainable Communities Credits: 3
GEOG 575 - GIS Applications Credits: 2
GEOG 575L - GIS Applications Lab Credits: 1
GEOG 580 - Satellite Remote Sensing Credits: 2
GEOG 580L - Satellite Remote Sensing Lab Credits: 1
GEOG 583 - UAS Remote Sensing Credits: 2
GEOG 583L - UAS Remote Sensing Lab Credits: 1
GEOG 585 - Advanced Satellite Remote Sensing Credits: 2
GEOG 585L - Advanced Satellite Remote Sensing Lab Credits: 1
GEOG 768 - Global Climate Change Credits: 3
GEOG 786 - Geographic Information Systems Credits: 3

Food Technology Emphasis

DS 722 - Advanced Dairy and Food Microbiology Credits: 3
or DS 731 - Laboratory Techniques in Dairy Science Credits: 3
FS 500 - Food Chemistry and Analysis Credits: 3
FS 500L - Food Chemistry and Analysis Lab Credits: 2
FS 551 - New Food Product Development Credits: 3
FS 551L - New Food Product Development Lab Credits: 1

Precision Agriculture Emphasis

GEOG 573 - GIS Data Creation/Integration Credits: 2
GEOG 573L - GIS: Data Creation and Integration Lab Credits: 1
GEOG 575 - GIS Applications Credits: 2
GEOG 575L - GIS Applications Lab Credits: 1
PRAG 510 - Soil Geography and Land Use Interpretation Credits: 2
PRAG 510L - Soil Geography and Land Use Interpretation Lab Credits: 1
PRAG 523 - Soil Fertility and Plant Nutrient Management Credits: 3

Total Required Credits: 30 (Non-Thesis)

Additional Admission Requirements

GRE: Not required
TOEFL: 71 Internet-based
TOEFL Essentials: 7.5
IELTS: 6.0
Duolingo: 100

Applicants must submit a personal statement identifying the emphasis area to be included on their plan of study. In the personal statement, the applicant should primarily identify the specific emphasis area they plan to pursue, as well as their interests, including how their skills and career goals align with the graduate program. The personal statement should be roughly 500 to 750 words long.

Accelerated Master’s Program

The accelerated master’s program will be available to eligible SDSU students. Up to 12 credits applied to the undergraduate degree may be used to satisfy graduate credit. Students must follow SDSU Policy 2:22 Use of Graduate Credit for Undergraduate Degree Requirements.

General Requirements

Graduate students should consult with their advisor before registering for graduate coursework. For additional information, refer to the Master’s Degree Requirements .

Professional Science (M.S.)

Location(s): Brookings Main CampusClose

Program Coordinator/Contact

Program Information

Course Delivery Format

Available Options for Graduate Degrees

Core Requirements

Professional Management Coursework

Select from the following

Select from the following emphasis areas

Applied Physics Emphasis

Select one of the following two options

Materials (Condensed Matter) Physics Track

Nuclear/Health Physics Track

Biotechnology Emphasis

Environmental Policy Emphasis

Geographic Information Sciences Emphasis

Select from the following

Food Technology Emphasis

Precision Agriculture Emphasis

Total Required Credits: 30 (Non-Thesis)

Additional Admission Requirements

Accelerated Master’s Program

General Requirements

Location(s): Brookings Main Campus
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