Development of a Mathematical Model for Master's Program Curricula Based on Labor Market Needs

Contemporary higher education systems face the imperative of adapting master's programs to the dynamically evolving demands of the labor market.Existing approaches to master's curriculum design often replicate undergraduate-level methodologies, failing to account for the research-oriented nature and specialized focus inherent in master's education.The development of evidence-based methods for integrating employer requirements into educational program structures has become particularly pressing.The objective of this study is to develop a mathematical model for the formation of a master's curriculum based on a quantitative analysis of labor market needs and the multicriteria optimization of educational program structures.The methodology encompasses stakeholder requirement analysis adapted to master's program specifics, mathematical modeling utilizing objective functions, and iterative optimization algorithms.The study is grounded in survey results from 105 stakeholder representatives.Experimental validation of the developed mathematical model demonstrated that the proposed framework enables evidence-based design of master's programs aligned with contemporary requirements for training specialists with advanced research competencies.The research findings can be applied to enhance master's degree educational programs.