MS in Pharmaceutical Sciences

The following requirements and standards are designed to ensure scholastic and professional success in the College’s master of science in pharmaceutical sciences (MSPS) degree program. Applications for admission to the MSPS degree program are evaluated by the faculty of the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences. Acceptance into the graduate program is based on the overall record and ability of the applicant. Applicants failing to meet the required minimum grade point average (GPA) or the required minimum Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score may be considered for admission provided their record is indicative of exceptional ability.

Admissions Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0
• GRE: verbal ≥ 20th percentile, quantitative ≥ 60th percentile, analytical writing ≥ 3.0
• TOEFL: ≥ 79 (internet), if applicable

Prerequisites

See individual tracks for additional prerequisites

• Biochemistry
• Calculus
• General Chemistry I & II
• Organic Chemistry I & II
• Physics I & II

Note: Exemption from a maximum of six credit hours of didactic coursework based on previous coursework or relevant work experience may be requested by submitting a Course Exemption Form (with supporting documentation) to the appropriate course director with subsequent approval by the vice-chair of pharmaceutical sciences programs and the associate dean of academic affairs.

Application Process

• Complete application with required fee of $50
• Submit all official college transcripts 
• Submit GRE scores
• Submit TOEFL scores, if applicable
• Submit three letters of recommendation

Policies

1. Individuals are encouraged to submit their applications by April 1 for entrance in the fall semester.

2. Students who do not meet an admissions requirement may be eligible for provisional acceptance. The admissions committee will review records for all provisional students at the end of their first semester to determine their eligibility to continue in the program.  Students accepted conditionally will remain on provisional status until completion of at least nine credit hours of graduate level courses and completion of their baccalaureate degree. 

   Applicants that are granted provisional acceptance must meet the following requirements in the first semester in order to maintain eligibility:

   1. Achieve a GPA of at least 3.0 in all graduate-numbered courses
   2. Achieve a GPA of at least 3.0 in all MSPS program pre-requisite courses post matriculation
   3. Earn a grade C or higher in all coursework (graduate or pre-requisite courses) with the exception of track-specific courses 
   4. Earn a grade B or higher in track-specific courses

3. Those who have earned a PhD, MD, PharmD (terminal doctoral degrees listed by NIH) or a prior MS degree in another chemical or biomedical discipline at an accredited institution in the United States are not required to submit GRE or other test scores.

4. Students not seeking a degree can receive approval to register for courses if they:

   1. Completed an application with required $50 fee
   2. Submit all official college transcripts
   3. Submit GRE
   4. Submit TOEFL scores, if applicable
   5. Submit three letters of recommendation 
   6. Receive approval from the MSPS admissions committee
   7. Receive permission from the course instructor(s)

   Note: A maximum of 4 credit hours of graduate level courses numbered 500 or higher may be taken before acceptance. In cases where demand for a class exceeds the enrollment capacity, degree seeking students will have priority over students not seeking a degree. Non-degree seeking students can only register during the first week of classes and may not pre-register for courses.

5. Students taking a leave of absence of greater than one semester must notify the Vice-Chair of Pharmaceutical Sciences Programs in writing.

International Applicants

• International applications are not eligible for provisional acceptance as described above, if a US student visa is required.
• International applications must also submit a certified copy of a financial or bank statement that shows sufficient funds to obtain a US student visa.
• International applications must complete their application for admission and all supplemental materials must be received by the April 1 deadline to be considered for admission.