Master's Degrees in Pharmaceutical Sciences

The Marshall University School of Pharmacy (MUSOP) offers two master’s programs to provide students with the training and skills required to prepare them for careers in academia, pharmaceutical industry, or public/private research institutions. The programs involve a curriculum consisting of didactic courses and research. The program of study is based on the background and career objectives of each student and is tailored to meet individual needs.

Both M.S. (thesis) and M.A. (non-thesis) options are available. The M.A. and Pharm.D. programs may be combined into a dual-degree: Pharm.D./M.A.

Full-time students typically complete the M.S. degree program in two years. The Department of Pharmaceutical Science and Research is comprised of faculty with expertise in pharmaceutics, medicinal chemistry, pharmaceutical analysis, immunology, microbiology, and pharmacology. The faculty are highly engaged in graduate courses and interdisciplinary research. Prospective M.S. thesis-track students are encouraged to contact faculty about research opportunities in their laboratory.

The graduates will master the key concepts in the discipline of their interest in pharmaceutical sciences (pharmaceutics, medicinal chemistry, pharmaceutical analysis, pharmacology). They will be able to work independently or in collaboration with others in their area of expertise as an investigator. After graduation, they will be prepared for a career as an independent scientist with abilities to:

Critically assess the scientific literature
Engage in and conduct original research
Design and implement research experiments to critically test research hypotheses
Conduct research in a professional and ethical manner
Present scientific data using strong verbal and written communication skills

Admission

Applications may be submitted under the Graduate applicants link on the Marshall University Admissions website. Requirements for MSPS program admission include:

An earned baccalaureate degree from an accepted, accredited institution with a degree GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
Two letters of recommendation from academic or professional references
Official transcripts
No entrance exam is required; however, a Graduate Record Exam (GRE) score may be submitted to strengthen an application.
Complete an on-site or video interview
International applicants are required to have earned a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of at least 80 or minimal score on an alternative test to demonstrate language proficiency. Please visit this link for more information.

Funding

All MSPS applicants will be considered for funding (up to $12,000/year stipend plus tuition waiver) after the required documents for admissions have been submitted to Marshall University (e.g., transcripts, recommendation letters, etc.). There are a limited number of scholarships offered on a competitive basis and there is no application to apply for funding. Once a student has been enrolled into the MSPS program, the admissions committee will review their credentials to determine if program funding will be extended.