Prospective students may benefit from reviewing the following responses to frequently asked questions about the MS in Pharmaceutical Science (PSC) program.
Watch this three-minute video to learn more about the MS in PSC program from a student perspective.
Why should I obtain an MS in PSC?
According to Georgetown's Center on Education and the Workforce, biology and life science majors with advanced degrees earn 63 percent more than those with bachelor's degrees alone. The 16-month MS in PSC program at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy provides students with the advanced knowledge and cutting-edge laboratory skills necessary for them to be successful in a variety of high-level research positions in industry and government. Students can pursue research in chemical and biology discovery, translational therapeutics, and pharmacometrics, gaining hands-on experience in the lab, while working alongside prominent researchers who are widely recognized for their contributions to their field.
What is the difference between the MS and PhD program?
The MS in PSC is a 16-month program that provides students with the necessary laboratory skills to be successful in high-level research positions in industry and government. The PhD in PSC program requires five to six years to complete, and results in a doctoral degree. PhD graduates go on to independent research and leadership positions in academia, government, and industry.
Is the GRE required for the MS in PSC program?
No, the program does not require applicants to submit GRE scores to be considered for the program, and the committee will review each completed application holistically. If an applicant would like to send their GRE scores, please send to institution code 5848 (UMD Baltimore), and department code 0613 (Pharmaceutical Sciences), or email a copy of the score report to pscgraduate@rx.umaryland.edu.
What are the biopharmaceutical research internships in which the MS students can participate?
Students enrolled in the MS in PSC program will conduct research to complete their capstone project, either with faculty in the School of Pharmacy’s Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences or with researchers and scientists in industry and government. Learn more about the biopharmaceutical research internships here.
Where will in-person coursework for the MS in PSC take place?
Classes for the MS in PSC program will be delivered in-person or via synchronous distance learning technology to students at both the School of Pharmacy's Baltimore and Shady Grove campuses. No matter at which campus students choose to study, they will be just a short drive from premier academic institutions, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, research labs, and federal agencies that offer potential biopharmaceutical research internships for students.
Is a thesis required for the MS in PSC program?
No, students are not required to complete a thesis in the MS in PSC program. Instead, students use the research conducted during their biopharmaceutical research internship to complete and present a capstone project in their final semester.
What time commitment should I expect to make for this program?
The MS in PSC program can be completed in 16-months. Students enrolled in the program are considered full-time. Once enrolled, students are expected to be fully engaged in their studies.
Why should I attend the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy?
As a student in the MS in PSC program, you will learn from leaders in the field of pharmaceutical sciences. Faculty at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy are nationally and internationally recognized experts in the advancement of basic, translational, and clinical research across the spectrum of drug discovery and development. In addition, both the Baltimore and Shady Grove campuses are conveniently located near premier academic institutions, federal facilities, and pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, offering students a plethora of options from which they can choose to complete the program’s one-of-a-kind research experience. This unique research experience, which is currently not available through other pharmaceutical sciences master’s programs, allows students to gain hands-on experience in the lab, while working alongside prominent researchers who are widely recognized for their contributions to their fields.
Yes, credits earned by graduate students in the MS in PSC program can be transferred if a student later applies and is accepted into the PhD in PSC program at the School of Pharmacy.
I am an international student. Can I obtain a student visa if I am accepted into the program?
Information about immigration requirements for international students is available on the UMB Graduate School website.