MS Translational Pharmacology

The Clinical Pharmacology and Clinical Trial Design Specialization focuses on the application of pharmacological principles in clinical research, connecting the gap between laboratory science and clinical practice. Research team members assist clinical pharmacologists to study biomarkers, pharmacokinetics, and genetics; design and evaluate clinical trials; and investigate adverse reactions and drug interactions in patients in drug studies.

Graduates with this master’s degree may find rewarding clinical research career opportunities as clinical trials administers, project managers, quality assurance specialists, and in pharmaceutical sales. Graduates already holding a doctorate degree may leverage this master’s degree to advance their careers as clinical investigators, research scientists, clinical pharmacologists, or medical affairs specialists in the pharmaceutical industry, contract research organizations, clinical research organizations, and academic medical centers.

On completion of the coursework in this track, students will have attained basic competencies as defined by the Joint Task Force for Clinical Trial Competency.

In the Toxicology and Safety Pharmacology Specialization, students learn to improve the discovery, development, and safe use of biologically active substances by identifying, monitoring, and characterizing potential undesirable effects in preclinical studies. Toxicologists and safety pharmacologists plan, conduct, and report the results of in vivo and in vitro tests of drugs on cardiovascular function, respiratory function, and central nervous system behavior prior to the introduction in humans.

Graduates may find entry- and mid-level opportunities as study coordinators and directors, quality assurance specialists, laboratory animal resource managers, and project/program managers. Graduates already holding a doctorate degree may leverage this master’s degree to advance their careers as research scientists in organizations conducting preclinical drug studies.

On completion of the coursework in this track, students will have attained basic competencies as defined by the American Board of Toxicology and the Safety Pharmacology Society.