Frequently Asked Questions

Yes - You may take classes as a “Graduate Non-Degree” (GND) student. This application process is separate from the MS Translational Pharmacology application. You can find more information at the Graduate Non-Degree website. You may transfer up to nine credit hours of coursework (taken as a GND student) after you have applied, are accepted to, and have enrolled in the graduate program. This equates to three classes, as MS Translational Pharmacology classes are typically three-credit courses. If you are interested in taking 1-3 courses before entering one of the graduate programs, contact the program manager for a recommendation of courses in which to enroll.

The classes use a variety of technologies and are run through Carmen (carmen.osu.edu), Ohio State’s learning management system. For each of the classes in which you enroll, the information will be posted in Carmen, including a syllabus. The deadline for assignments, readings, discussion posts, etc. is typically Sunday at midnight. We recommend you login daily to ensure you’re keeping up with classes.

Yes - You may take classes as a “Graduate Non-Degree” (GND) student. This application process is separate from the MS Translational Pharmacology application. You can find more information at the Graduate Non-Degree website. You may transfer up to seven credits of coursework (taken as a GND student) after you have applied, are accepted to, and have enrolled in a graduate program. This equates to two classes, as MS Translational Pharmacology classes are typically three-credit courses. If you are interested in taking one or two courses before entering one of the graduate programs, contact the program manager for a recommendation of courses in which to enroll.

When you begin the program, a faculty advisor will be assigned to you by our program director. Your advisor can “meet” with you in person (if you live in Columbus or Central Ohio), via phone, or Zoom. 

You will work with your advisor to develop a “plan of study,” which will determine the specifics of your educational experience – the amount of classes you take per semester, the specific classes you take each semester, and additional requirements needed to graduate in a timely fashion. You will also begin working with your advisor early in the program to plan your culminating course project.

The MS Translational Pharmacology program is professionally oriented; therefore, rather than a thesis, students will complete a culminating course in scientific writing including the authorship educational artifacts relevant for clinical and/or preclinical researchers. Students wishing to pursue an independent study in lieu of the culminating course will be required to write report and present it to their instructor. 

MS Translational Pharmacology students will also be required to complete a comprehensive 2-hour proctored online exam during their final semester with the program. 

Most of our classes will be limited to a maximum of 35 students to ensure instructors provide plenty of attention to each student.

The Ohio State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA). There is no accreditation available for the MS Translational Pharmacology program, which is typically true of all science programs. Accreditation is usually only available for professional academic programs, like engineering, nursing, business, etc.

Most of our courses utilize online readings; however, we do require text books for some courses. Whenever possible, we use free eBooks from the Ohio State library. When required, most of our students purchase text books online.

Yes!

We hold an online orientation and will send you information in advance regarding how to participate. Participation in orientation is required; however, if you're unable to attend, we record the session for later viewing.

Yes!

You may switch specializations, preferably by the end of the first semester of the program. It is also possible to complete two specializations. You should work with your advisor before you decide to switch and/or if you have questions regarding the completion of two specializations.

Students can expect to put in 8-10 hours of work per 3-credit hour course per week. This includes viewing lectures, reading, posting to discussion boards, completing assignments, taking quizzes, etc. For part-time students taking 1-2 classes a semester, this means 16-20 hours of coursework per week. Full time students taking 3-5 classes a semester can expect to spend 24-40 hours per week of coursework.

Applicants who have attended Ohio State are not required to furnish Ohio State transcripts. However, you must submit transcripts of any courses completed elsewhere, even if these classes are listed on the Ohio State transcript as transfer credit.

Degree requirements: For application to the MS Translational Pharmacology program, a clinical, health science or bioscience bachelor degree is preferred, but not required. 

If an applicant has attended more than one university, all GPAs will be combined. Official GPAs are calculated by the university's Graduate and Professional Admissions Office.

Prerequisite coursework: Applicants to the MS Translational Pharmacology program not holding a bachelor’s degree or higher in a clinical, health science or bioscience field are encouraged to complete coursework in biology, chemistry, and physiology before entry to the program.

Applicants must also meet the general minimum criteria established by the Graduate School. (International students, read about international admission.)

You apply online using the "recent" student application or "Graduate Intra-University Transfer" application. You can submit the following materials online, as well:

• An updated CV or resumé,
• A statement of purpose and goals, and
• Three letters of recommendation

Graduate Admissions requires official transcripts from any institution of higher learning attended to be submitted when applying for a graduate program. Applicants may request that official transcripts be emailed to gpadocs@osu.edu or mailed to:  

Graduate Admissions
P.O. Box 182646
Columbus, OH 43218-2646

1. A current resume or curriculum vita
2. A statement of purpose and goals
3. Three letters of recommendation
4. Official transcripts
5. English proficiency (only if required)
6. $60 non-refundable application fee ($70 for international applicants)

Your statement of purpose is an essay describing your purpose for undertaking study in this graduate program, including a narrative discussion of your professional experience and career trajectory. This statement should not exceed two single-spaced pages. The purpose and goals statement is an opportunity to address each of the questions listed below as well as to demonstrate your writing skills. Consideration will be given to both the quality of your writing sample and the congruence between your stated goals and the master's degree program.

• What specifically are your academic and career goals?
• What are your motivations for seeking advanced education in your designated specialty area?
• How did you come to your decision to seek graduate education in this specialty area?
• What are your primary personal attributes and what is the relationship of these attributes to your potential as a clinical/preclinical research professional?

Online submission is our preferred method for letters of recommendation. In the application system, you may specify the names and professional email addresses of your recommenders. The system will send an e-mail to each recommender (AFTER the applicant submits the online application) that will allow them to answer a set of questions online and upload their letter of recommendation. Recommender’s email addresses should be organizational or business emails or should submit their letter of recommendation on official organization letterhead. 

If an alternative method is required, please reach out to Ashley Sherf (sherf.3@osu.edu)

We are pleased to offer a fee waiver for applicants who meet the following criteria:

• Current Doctor of Pharmacy Students at The Ohio State University who wish to complete the combined PharmD and MS in Translational Pharmacology programs
• Current Graduate Non-Degree students

If you believe the above criteria applies to you, please email Ashley Sherf (sherf.3@osu.edu) at least 10 business days prior to the application deadline.

Fine print: please read!

• Take the required actions for your fee waiver request well in advance of your program's application deadline to allow for processing. If there are fewer than 10 business days left, we recommend you do not request a fee waiver. Here's why: If your waivers is denied and your program's deadline has passed, the application will be closed and you will not be able to apply for admission.
• We will not review your admission application until your waiver is approved or the application fee is paid.
• All waiver requests will be verified.
• Only one fee waiver is permitted per academic year.
• The application fee is NONREFUNDABLE. If you pay the application fee, even if in error, we can no longer honor your fee waiver request.

For other fee waiver options, please visit the Graduate and Professional Admissions website.

Letters of recommendation should come from individuals who are familiar with the applicant's academic ability, work experience, contributions to clinical and preclinical research (if any), and potential to succeed in the program. Recommendations should be requested from professors who are able to comment on your qualifications for graduate study. Recommendations from non-academic professionals are acceptable if you have extensive work experience with that individual and/or you have been away from academic institutions for some time.

** Each recommendation should include a letter signed by your recommender and written on academic or business letterhead stationery **

At Ohio State, all students enrolled in a completely online program will pay the in-state tuition and fee rates, minus the site-based fees (such as the Student Activity Fee, Recreational Fee, Student Union Facility Fee, COTA Bus Service Fee). Non-Ohio residents will pay an additional $200 non-resident fee each semester. You can view a break down of tuition and fees, as well as other expenses for the MCR and MS Translational Pharmacology programs on the Ohio State Online website.

Yes, students enrolled in the MS Translational Pharmacology program may apply for financial aid. Visit the university’s Student Financial Aid website for more information.

1. Scholarships: As a program, we do not offer any scholarships through the MS program directly. There are, however, several scholarships and grants available to qualifying OSU students. 
2. Federal Aid: OSU students can apply for federal aid in the form of loans or grants. Be sure to complete your FAFSA paperwork. BuckeyeLink can answer questions related to federal aid. 
3. Employer Reimbursement: Many employers offer tuition reimbursement or tuition assistance for their employees. Contact your employer’s human resources team to see if you qualify.

OSU employees who hold a regular or 75% FTE status qualify for tuition assistance for up to 10 credit hours per term. Visit OSU’s faculty and staff tuition assistance for more information.