Collage of Pharmaceutical Sciences students in the lab at the Rinker Campus
School of Pharmacy

»Master’s in Pharmaceutical Sciences (MSPS) Watch Program Highlights

 

Earn Your Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences at Chapman University

The Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences (MSPS) program at Chapman University offers a research-focused approach to education. Join our two-year program to explore a broad range of scientific disciplines critical to the discovery and development of new drugs and therapies that impact the world.

Leading the Future of Drug Innovation and Development

Our global health is in the hands of professionals who welcome challenges, value discovery and champion innovation. At Chapman University School of Pharmacy (CUSP), we train the next generation of healthcare leaders to do this and more. 

Through collaborative work with faculty advisors, pharmaceutical sciences students probe today’s most pressing questions and illuminate answers that can change the face of the industry. Students can tailor their educational experience through an emphasis in either Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences or Pharmaceutical Economics and Policy.

Chapman MSPS Highlights

  • One-on-One Attention From a Faculty Advisor
  • Part-Time Option For Working Professionals
  • Two Years Of Full-Time Study to Earn Your Degree

What to Expect in the MSPS Program

Year One

Students’ first year in the pharmaceutical sciences master’s degree program focuses on laying the foundation for advanced studies in year two. During this time, students develop core skills and build fundamental biostatistical knowledge.

Year one is also a great time for students to explore their interests as they prepare for research and internship opportunities.

Year Two

In the second year of the program, students deepen their specialization through advanced elective courses, engagement in research projects and seminar participation. They can also gain practical experience through internships and research undertaken with a faculty advisor and rotations.

The program culminates in a capstone or thesis project, depending on their goals.

MS in Pharmaceutical Sciences Emphasis Areas

Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences Emphasis

The Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences (BPS) emphasis is ideal for those with a background in chemistry, biology, biochemistry, pharmaceutical sciences, biotechnology or related areas.

Pharmaceutical Economics and Policy (PEP)

The Pharmaceutical Economics and Policy (PEP) emphasis is a great fit for those with a background in business, general sciences, pharmaceutical sciences, biotechnology, health sciences, economics, data analytics or related areas.

MSPS Research Opportunities

Our students and faculty members have diverse research interests, adding to the rich academic environment at CUSP. We encourage prospective students to explore potential opportunities as they prepare for the MSPS program.

Other Ways to Get Involved at CUSP

Students can participate in national and local pharmacy organizations during their time at CUSP, engaging in opportunities that can help them network and move their pharmacy profession forward. We encourage all MSPS students to enrich their education by taking part in activities that provide ongoing benefits and continuous learning.

Featured Class: Drug Delivery and Development

In Drug Delivery and Development (PHS 602), Dr. Inno creates a link between basic sciences (biochemistry, organic chemistry, physical chemistry) and actual drug discovery and development process. This helps students understand why a specific development method used for a particular drug and why scientists take a specific approach in the development process.

"In class, we discuss multiple examples of drug development as a research-driven process – you make a hypothesis and use your knowledge of basic sciences and all available and approved tools to test it.”

Read about the class and learning outcomes here.

Featured Alumnus: Hung Do '16

“My Chapman experience gave me the opportunity to understand the global pharmaceutical regulation and healthcare administrative aspects in order to deliver the most cost-effective care for patients. The university provided an environment where I learned and networked locally with health care and industry leaders," says Do. 

Now, Do combines his passions in research and analytics with soft skills at the Food and Drug Administration as a Drug Safety Officer. Do uses skills used in courses such as Quality Systems for Development and Manufacturing Drugs in his daily work in preventing errors and medical defects.

Read about Hung Do's work here. 

Prerequisites for Admission

The master’s in pharmaceutical sciences degree program consists of 36 credits, including 13 credits of required courses, at least eight credits of electives, a minimum of nine credits of research and six credits of thesis.

Students develop a program of study in consultation with their mentor, which helps ensure students gain expertise in their principal field. Under the supervision of the program advisor, students can tailor their academic program to prepare them for the career path of their choice.

Learn more about the MSPS program, including prerequisites, courses, program outcomes, admissions and more.


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Prerequisites for Admission

For the BPS emphasis only, students with a Bachelor of Science degree in a field other than chemistry, biology, biochemistry, pharmaceutical sciences, biotechnology or related areas are required to take prerequisite courses in the following areas:

  • Biochemistry
  • Biology with lab
  • Calculus
  • Chemistry with lab
  • Introduction to genetics
  • Microbiology
  • Physiology with lab

Additional Information for International Applicants

Additional Information for International Students

    1. Official Transcripts from the bachelor's and master's degree-granting institution(s)
      Your application requires official academic transcripts/mark sheets from the university you earned your degree in both the original language and English.
      • If your university does not provide translations of your transcripts/mark sheets, you will need to have them translated.  Transcripts must be translated exactly line-by-line, word-for-word.
      • You must submit the official academic transcript/mark sheet and the official translation.
      • While unofficial copies of academic transcripts/mark sheets can be used to evaluate and review an application, official documents will be required upon acceptance.
    2. English Proficiency Exam – International applicants must demonstrate English proficiency by submitting official scores from an English language exam.


      Minimum Score Requirements
      • CAE = Level C1
      • IELTS = 7
      • PTEA = 76
      • TOEFL = 94 (internet–based).
        • Chapman University School of Pharmacy TOEFL school code is 4047

      Minimum score requirement must be met before an application will be considered. Applicants with low English proficiency score must retake exam to reach minimum requirement before submitting application.

      • Unofficial English Proficiency exam results submitted with application must include Student Test ID Number.
      • Student must notify test agency to allow Chapman University access official score.

      •  An English proficiency examination is not required from international applicants with a bachelor's degree from a university:
        • regionally accredited in the United States, or
        • from another country where English is the official language

If you are an international applicant and have any questions, please contact intladmit@chapman.edu. Want to Learn More about admission? Please contact the program office: gradpharmsci@chapman.edu.

MSPS Courses

The Master of Science degree requires completion of at least 36 credits. These include 13 credits of required courses, at least 8 credits of elective courses, a minimum of 9 credits of research, and 6 credits of thesis. A program of study is developed individually in consultation with the student's mentor and is designed to ensure expertise in the student’s principal field. This will give students the opportunity, under the supervision of the program advisor, to tailor their academic program to prepare them for the career path of their choice.

Program Courses

Core Courses (13 credits)    
PHS 601 Ethics, Regulation and the Pharmaceutical Pipeline 1

PHS 602 (BPS)

OR

PHS 660 (PEP)

Drug Discovery and Development

 

Biopharmaceutical Regulation, Economics and Policy

4

 

3

PHS 627,627L, 628 & 628L (BPS)

OR

PHS 662 (PEP)

Instrumental Analysis

 

Economic Evaluation of Health Care Services and Products

3

 

3

PHS 620 Biostatistics 3
PHS 618 (PEP) Research Design, Statistics, and Literature Evaluation 3
PHS 641 Seminar (Course must be repeated for a minimum of 2 credits required) 1
Elective Courses (minimum 8 credits)    
PHS 611 Pharmacokinetics 3
PHS 612 Advanced Principles of Drug Action 4
PHS 614 Biologics 2
PHS 615 Pharmacogenomics and Pharmacogenetics 2
CS 621 Bioinformatics and Computational Biology I 3
PHS 621 Introduction to Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Process 3
PHS 622 Formulation and Manufacturing Laboratory 2
PHS 627/627L  Instrumental Analysis 2
PHS 628/628L Instrumental Analysis 1
PHS 651 Quality System for Development and Manufacturing Drugs 3
PHS 661 Biomedical Market Access, Pricing and Reimbursement 3
PHS 680 Career Success: 1st Step 1000 2
PHS 690 Internship in Pharmaceutical Sciences 3-6
PHS 736 Pharmacology of Anti-Cancer Agents 2
PHS 741 Structural Biology 3
PHS 742 Immunology and Microbiology 3
Research (minimum 9 credits of research or 9 credits of research and rotation)    

PHS 691 

 OR

Research  1-9

PHS 691

PHS 692

Research (6 credit required)

Rotation (3 credits required)

6

3

Thesis  or Non-Thesis Option    (6 credits)

   
PHS 696 Capstone (Course must be repeated for 6 credits) 1-6
PHS 698 Thesis (Course must be repeated for 6 credits) 1-6

MS in Pharmaceutical Sciences Program Learning Outcomes

BPS Emphasis Program Learning Outcomes are as followed: 

  1. Demonstrates foundational knowledge of the pharmaceutical and biomedical sciences, including current research literature, policies and procedures, and methodology in the student research area.
  2. Understands biomedical or pharmaceutical sciences by exploring and applying new ideas to current research.
  3. Effectively communicate scientific principles, ideas, and research results with different audiences at an appropriate level.

PEP Emphasis Program Learning Outcomes are as followed:

  1. Demonstrates foundational knowledge of pharmaceutical economics and policy, including current research literature, policies and procedures, and methodology in the student research area.
  2. Understands health outcomes and pharmacoeconomic research to address health economic, regulatory, and practice factors that improve population health.
  3. Effectively communicate scientific principles, methodological rationale, and research results with different audiences at an appropriate level.

Program Learning Outcomes

BPS Emphasis Learning Outcomes: 

  1. Demonstrates foundational knowledge of the pharmaceutical and biomedical sciences, including current research literature, policies and procedures and methodology in the student research area.
  2. Understands biomedical or pharmaceutical sciences by exploring and applying new ideas to current research.
  3. Effectively communicate scientific principles, ideas and research results with different audiences at an appropriate level.

PEP Emphasis Learning Outcomes:

  1. Demonstrates foundational knowledge of pharmaceutical economics and policy, including current research literature, policies and procedures and methodology in the student research area.
  2. Understands health outcomes and pharmacoeconomic research to address health economic, regulatory and practice factors that improve population health.
  3. Effectively communicate scientific principles, methodological rationale and research results with different audiences at an appropriate level.

Career Outlook

What Can You Do With an MSPS Degree?

A master’s in pharmaceutical sciences prepares students for work as researchers in the biomedical and pharmaceutical industries at universities, government, non-profit agencies and national laboratories such as the National Institutes of Health.

Our graduates also exhibit a broad academic background applicable to research development in future Ph.D. programs such as a Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmaceutical Sciences or Doctor of Pharmacy program.

Recent Alumni

Bella Sharifi, MSPS ’19
 
Bella Sharifi, MSPS ’19 received the Outstanding Research Award for her platform presentation at the second Chapman University School of Pharmacy Research Day. She is working as associate research scientist at Sartorius Group in Fremont, California, doing assay and product development.
 
Mahshid Amini, MSPS ’19
 
Mahshid Amini, MSPS ’19 is a process development research associate at Amgen Biopharmaceutical Company. Mahshid’s responsibilities include supporting drug development and research on attribute impact on biotherapeutic safety and efficacy.
Hung Do, MSPS ’16
 
Hung Do, MSPS ’16 is a drug safety officer with the FDA. He received a Chapman Distinguished Alumni Award in 2019 and is on the board of Chapman’s Industry Partners Council.

MSPS Program Admission Information

Important Application Dates & Deadlines

PharmGrad will begin accepting applications for the 2025 admission cycle on August 18.

Fall Term - Term begins the last Monday of August 

  • Priority Consideration: June 1
  • Regular Deadline: June 30 

*Applications received after the deadline will be considered on a space-available basis.

Make the Master’s in Pharmaceutical Sciences the Next Step in Your Career

Join a cohort of Chapman School of Pharmacy students dedicated to excellence — apply today to get started. Or, request information or attend an information session to learn more about the MSPS program.

CONTACT US


Office of Graduate Programs
gradpharmsci@chapman.edu 

Graduate Financial Aid
gradfinaid@chapman.edu
(714) 628-2730

MSPS Students Shine at Chapman University


As MSPS candidates, students are given one on one mentorship opportunities that lead to exceptional success soon after completion of the degree.