The MS Translational Pharmacology program prepares graduates for careers in drug development.

The program has a translational pharmacology focus – bridging across “the discovery, development, regulation, and use of pharmacologic agents to improve clinical outcome, and inform optimal use of therapeutics in patients.” (ASCPT: What is Translational Medicine) Please note the online MS Translational Pharmacology degree is not a lab-based program.

This 100 percent online program is designed for recent graduates and professionals interested in a career in clinical and translational pharmacology, specializing in clinical trial design or preclinical toxicology and safety pharmacology studies. The degree is appropriate for healthcare practitioners as well as those having completed a B.S. or graduate degree in the pharmaceutical sciences or other bioscience-related field.

Courses are offered online through Ohio State's Learning Management System, Carmen. Test drive a sample online course by visiting the Ohio State Online website.

Learn about tuition and program fees

Curriculum

The MS Translational Pharmacology curriculum consists of 30-36 credits organized into three curricular areas:

1. Clinical and translational pharmacology and toxicology coursework.
2. Conduct of clinical trials or preclinical studies coursework, including courses in biostatistics.
3. Culminating project: development of clinical trial or preclinical study protocol and manuscript.

As a final master’s degree assessment, all students must pass a comprehensive exam in their final semester. The MS Translational Pharmacology program does not require a thesis.

Two tracks are offered to specialize your training:

Clinical Pharmacology and Clinical Trial Design Specialization

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

Toxicology and Safety Pharmacology Specialization

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.