A key element of the design of a professional Master of Science degree is continual communication between those designing and teaching the program and those in the industries who will hire (or not hire) the graduates. In developing our program at Rice University, Professional Masters degrees in Nanoscale Physics, in Energy Exploration, and in Environmental Analysis and Decision Making, we approached our potential industry partners at a few levels and made significant changes in the programs that we had originally designed.

We first sought input from industry recruiters via informal communications during their visits to campus and by our visits to their offices. These meetings yielded good information about their companies' short term objectives in prospective employees. We discussed the practicalities of placing students in internships, which are part of the Master's program. We talked about the balance between science courses and other components of the program which include communications, business, and policy courses. The resulting opinions were diverse but useful.

After developing the three draft programs, we invited representatives of industry appropriate to each program to campus to hear presentations and give us advice. These groups were small, 4-8 members, and distinguished, vice presidential level and the like. From these groups we obtained advice that addressed the longer-term needs of the industries. The three programs underwent additional changes as a result of their suggestions and were finally presented to the Rice Faculty for approval.

Finally, we assembled a Board of Affiliates for the Professional Master's Degree program as a whole, composed of a few members from each of the previous groups, that will meet annually. The Board will provide strategic guidance as the Professional Master of Science program grows at Rice.