The School of Pharmacy offers four PharmD/MS dual degrees programs. Admission to each program is limited to a specific number of PharmD students per year.

Successful applicants will hold an undergraduate degree and have prior relevant work experience. Under the dual degree agreement, 12 credits of MS coursework are accepted as PharmD electives.

Students interested in a PharmD/MS dual degree program must apply first to the PharmD program. Once accepted and matriculated, students will apply separately to the MS program, often in their P2 year. 

PharmD/MS Key Information
Format: Online
Extra costs: Summer only
Extra time: 0-1 year
Bachelor's required: Yes
Exam required: None
Application process: Apply first to PharmD program, then apply separately to MS program, often in P2 year

MS in Palliative Care

The MS in Palliative Care degree has been designed to meet the educational needs of individuals who are currently working or who wish to work in hospice and palliative care and want to gain a deeper understanding of the physical, psychological, spiritual and social needs of patients and families affected by advanced illness, or those wishing to do so.

The 30-credit interprofessional MS in Palliative Care is completely online and can be completed in five semesters or at your own pace. 

For PharmD/MS in Palliative Care Questions:

MS in Pharmacometrics

The online MS in Pharmacometrics program prepares professionals to plan, perform, and interpret pharmacometric analyses with the goal of influencing key drug development, regulatory, and therapeutic decisions. Graduates of the MS in Pharmacometrics program will be highly sought after by pharmaceutical companies, regulatory agencies, and other research organizations. Given the tremendous growth potential of the field of pharmacometrics, graduates of this program will also see accelerated professional growth. The program equips scientists to interact with interdisciplinary teams more effectively and provides them with the toolkit needed to perform independent research. Potential career pathways include drug development, regulatory decision making, and optimizing therapeutic decisions.

The MS in Pharmacometrics is 30 credits, including seven credits of research projects. This research may be integrated into a PharmD APEX special research project rotation.

For PharmD/MS in Pharmacometrics Questions:

MS in Regulatory Science

The online MS in Regulatory Science program prepares professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to contribute to drug and biologics regulation and pharmaceutical product lifecycles. The program primarily focuses on drugs and biologics, although aspects of diagnostics, devices, and nutritional products are also addressed. The strength of the program is its science-driven understanding of drug and biologic product development and regulation. The program covers regulatory affairs in a global manner, including the application of regulatory principles worldwide.

The MS in Regulatory Science is 30 credits (five, 6-credit courses).

PharmD graduates with a MS in Regulatory Science degree are often drawn to career opportunities in the pharmaceutical industry and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The MS in Regulatory Science degree is complemented by the School of Pharmacy’s two FDA-funded academic centers: the University of Maryland's Center of Excellence in Regulatory Science and Innovation (M-CERSI), and Center for Research on Complex Generics (CRCG).

For PharmD/MS in Regulatory Science Questions:

  • James Polli, PhD
    Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences
    Ralph F. Shangraw/Noxell Endowed Chair in Industrial Pharmacy and Pharmaceutics
    Graduate Program Director, MS in Regulatory Science
    jpolli@rx.umaryland.edu

MS in Medical Cannabis Science and Therapeutics (MCST)

The MS in Medical Cannabis Science and Therapeutics is the first graduate program in the United States that is dedicated to the study of medical cannabis. The program is designed for students who are interested in a career in the medical cannabis industry, whether in a clinical, scientific, or policy role. In addition to online coursework, students will have opportunities to meet and interact with experts in medical cannabis at live symposia held at the Universities at Shady Grove in Rockville, Md. This program prepares graduates to participate in the expanding medical cannabis industry with an understanding of the basic science and clinical uses of the cannabis plant. Potential career pathways include dispensary clinical director, entrepreneur, analytical testing, expert consultant, policy development, and patient advocacy.

Interested, current PharmD students can apply in their P2 year (to start the MS program in P3 year) or apply in their P3 year (to start the MS program in P4 year). Email Dr. Sera if applying, so the admissions committee can identify your application as dual degree. 

The plan of study is the same for dual degree students, but note that MCST courses may used as PharmD elective credits.

For PharmD/MS in MCST Questions: