A Message from Graduate Program Director – Dr. Raju Dandu
Exciting times for career advancement –
We all read articles about challenging times in the job market, meeting workplace needs, preparing the workforce for future job markets, and the need for career and professional advancement. What is Kansas State University Salina doing to help working professionals and students to advance their careers?
National studies indicate that a graduate degree holder’s job prospects are good and will increase by 18% by 2018. Traditional Master of Science programs focus on preparing students for research and academic work. Local and regional employers, working professionals, and current students voiced a need for pathways to career advancement, therefore, we responded with a graduate program at Salina campus – Professional Master of Technology.
Now K-State Salina offers a Professional Master of Technology (PMT) degree, which is a unique and innovative interdisciplinary graduate degree that helps working professionals and students expand their knowledge and skills leading to advanced careers in managerial, supervisory, and other professional positions.
PMT offers a common core curriculum known as professional skills (leadership, project management, communication and teamwork in professional settings), career tracks in areas of emphasis (Aviation, Engineering, Technology Management, and other disciplinary areas), and capstone experience.
Two years ago when K-State Salina developed the PMT we had two goals in mind. One was to focus on core competencies required in the work place and the other was to continue professional development for the individual student no matter his/her career plan. Our PMT program focuses on distinctive professional skills relevant to workplace needs; develops a common core of professional skills beneficial across diverse workplaces; and offers an interdisciplinary program by drawing strengths of business, technology, communication, and practice oriented skills.
Program completion takes 11/2 – 2 years, requires 10 courses, and 30 credit hours of course work including capstone experience.
I invite you to visit: www.sal.ksu.edu/pmt for additional information. I encourage you promote the value of Kansas State University Salina graduate education and provide us with important information to strengthen our graduate program for future working professionals and students.
Dr. Raju Dandu
Graduate Program Director
rdandu@k-state.edu