The Foundation for the Advanced Education in the Sciences (FAES) Graduate School at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has developed, in conjunction with technology transfer professionals at NIH, a unique low-cost Advanced Studies in Technology Transfer Program to serve the needs of scientists or engineers who wish to gain expertise in patenting, licensing, collaborative agreements, and other fundamental intellectual property transactions as well as provide additional training to professionals already in the field.

The program culminates in an independent Capstone Project through which students will be required to demonstrate their knowledge of the theory and practice of technology transfer by completing a project of their design and choice at the NIH or in the regional community.

The Advanced Studies in Technology Transfer program is open to persons with a bachelor’s degree in science or engineering. Courses are offered in the evenings, making it convenient for working professionals and postgraduate fellows to seek additional training or gain expertise and experience in patenting, licensing, collaborative agreements, and other fundamental intellectual property transactions. The course instructors and guest speakers are leading practitioners in the field, including many from various federal laboratories in the FLC Mid-Atlantic Region, so students can simultaneously gain the necessary knowledge and build professional networks. It is rare to find a laboratory in the Mid-Atlantic Region that does not have a technology transfer professional who has participated in this program as either a student, guest speaker or course faculty member.

By completing only 21 more credits at UMUC, students can be awarded M.S. degrees (with a specialization in Technology Transfer) in Management or Technology Management, or Information Technology or Biotechnology Studies.

The program comprises a 15-credit curriculum that may be completed in approximately two years, although students can complete the requirements at their own pace. 

In addition, for those technology transfer professionals in the region who would benefit from a formal degree based on their technology transfer courses taken at the FAES Graduate School at NIH, FAES has entered into a partnership with the University of Maryland University College (UMUC) to offer an exciting opportunity for students to get ahead with their academic and professional goals. Students who have successfully completed the Advanced Studies in Technology Transfer at FAES can transfer all 15 credits as a block toward a master’s degree at UMUC Graduate School of Management and Technology. By completing only 21 more credits at UMUC, students can be awarded M.S. degrees (with a specialization in Technology Transfer) in Management or Technology Management, or Information Technology or Biotechnology Studies. Students also have the opportunity to earn a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from UMUC by taking an additional 18 credits upon completion of the M.S. degree.

Contact: Steven Ferguson, (301) 435-5561, [email protected]