Rather than a thesis, the capstone of the PSM program is an internship during which students work with sponsoring organizations (in the academic or industrial sectors) to analyze and solve real problems, applying learning from coursework.
The internship includes both business and technical aspects; the project design and deliverables are negotiated among the student, student advisor, and the organizational contact.
PSM programs consist of two years of academic training in an emerging or interdisciplinary area, along with a professional component that may include internships and “cross-training” in workplace skills, such as business, communications, and regulatory affairs.