In the rapidly growing pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical industries, industry leaders are seeking employees with an advanced degree and real-world experience. The applied drug development master’s program from the University of Wisconsin–Madison was designed in collaboration with industry partners who are looking to fill the skill gap between entry-level and research scientists. Our master’s curriculum prepares you to meet their needs while giving you the background and in-demand skills needed to begin your career with an advantage.
The brand-new, career-focused master’s in pharmaceutical sciences provides you with the knowledge and abilities you need to compete for highly desirable jobs in your field. Blending science with professional skills, this degree within a renowned School of Pharmacy prepares you for a wide variety of careers in the pharmaceutical field.
- Expertise needed throughout the lifecycle of drug development, manufacturing, and ongoing safety management
- Ability to navigate working in a regulated environment
- Drug action, data analysis, and statistical skills
The investigation of next-generation therapeutic approaches using psychedelics, entheogens, cannabinoids, and other psychoactive substances is rapidly accelerating. This dramatic expansion highlights the need for a highly trained workforce ready to address the unique challenges associated with development and deployment of these interventions. Therefore, our transdisciplinary faculty developed the first-of-its-kind, Psychoactive Pharmaceutical Investigation Master’s program at the University of Wisconsin–Madison to support those graduates who will be the future leaders of this exciting growth industry.
With a program designed from the beginning to deliver an exceptional online learning experience, modules carefully crafted by expert instructors and active psychedelic and cannabinoid researchers from renowned STEM and Liberal Arts programs will be available for students’ benefit, wherever they learn best. With a curriculum that connects chemistry and culture; equity and ethnobotany; and phenomenology and pharmacokinetics, a PPI Master’s degree will provide the knowledge and skills needed to succeed when working within the complex scientific, regulatory, and societal frameworks surrounding the application of psychoactive pharmaceuticals.
Upon graduation, our students hold a gold-standard academic credential demonstrating mastery and understanding of:
- Unique pharmacologic and physiologic considerations for CNS drug development and delivery projects
- Laws, regulations, and ethical principles surrounding application of psychoactive pharmaceuticals
- Historical pressures, current challenges, and cutting-edge discoveries that will shape the future of psychedelic and cannabinoid research
Top pharmaceutical companies are increasingly seeking professionals who already have the practical and professional skills needed to succeed. The industry-designed Capstone Certificate in Applied Drug Development helps you be more competitive throughout your career progression. This certificate program focuses on developing the practical and professional skills needed across the entire lifecycle of drug development.
The fully online curriculum allows you the flexibility to complete your coursework from anywhere in the world without disrupting your career. With many courses designed in cooperation with industry experts, this certificate uses real-world problems and coursework that will prepare you for a variety of roles within the pharmaceutical and biotech industries.
The graduate-level certificate is designed as an alternative to our Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences: Applied Drug Development. Successful completion of the courses within the capstone certificate can be applied to the master’s degree program, should you choose to pursue your MS in the future.
Courses are 100% online. With just 12 credits, this certificate program can be completed in 2 semesters and consists of select courses from the master’s program.
- PHM SCI 750 — The Drug Development Process
- PHM SCI 751 — Introduction to Regulatory Process
- PHM SCI 752 — GxP (Good Practice): Working in a Regulated Environment
- PHM SCI 753 — Pharmaceutical Economics and Project Management
With the rapid growth in start-ups and companies focused on psychoactive pharmaceuticals like psychedelics and cannabis, employers are seeking professionals who already have the practical and professional skills needed to succeed in the pharmaceutical industry. The Capstone Certificate in Psychoactive Pharmaceutical Investigation will give you a competitive edge in your career progression or transition. This certificate program focuses on developing the specific skills and knowledge that are essential for you to hit the ground running and succeed in this exciting area.
The fully online curriculum allows you the flexibility to complete your coursework from anywhere in the world without disrupting your career. The graduate-level certificate is designed as a rapid, non-degree alternative to our Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences: Psychoactive Pharmaceutical Investigation. Successful completion of the courses within the capstone certificate can be applied to the master’s degree program, should you choose to pursue your MS in the future.
Courses are 100% online. With just 12 credits that are broken down into easily digestible 1 or 2 credit offerings, this certificate program can be completed in as little as 2 semesters and consists of select courses from the master’s program.
- PHARM 563 – Dangerous Drugs and Magic Bullets
- PHARM 612 – Legal Structures for Controlled Substances
- PHARM 640 – Appropriate Use of Abused Drugs
- PHARM 671 – Psychedelic Drugs in Science and Society
- PHARM 674 – Cannabinoids in Science and Society
- PHM SCI 759 – Current Trends in Drug Discovery and Development
- PHARM 800 – Research Ethics: Scientific Integrity and the Responsible Conduct of Research
Pricing Information:
Tuition
Credits are $1,500 for residents and non-residents. The MS programs are 30 credits and the capstone programs are 12 credits. Students take 2-13 credits per semester for the MS, 2-6 for the capstone.Financial Aid
As part of our commitment to supporting student access to this program, scholarships are available, including specific opportunities dedicated to enrollment and retention of students from underrepresented backgrounds in this field. Students in this program are also eligible for Federal Student Aid. To apply for financial aid, please visit the FAFSA website and complete the online registration. When applying for aid you will need the University of Wisconsin–Madison Institution Code: 003895. For more information about Federal Student Aid, please visit the UW Office of Student Financial Aid.Scholarships
The scholarships in the Pharmaceutical Sciences MS Merit Awards are intended to not only alleviate the financial burden of pursuing and completing the Pharmaceutical Sciences master’s program but also increase the impact of the school’s commitment to equity. The Optimizing Opportunity Award is for high-achieving underrepresented students and ranges from $9,000-$12,000 per term. The Enabling Excellence Award is for high-achieving financially disadvantaged students and ranges from $4,500-$6,000 per term. Both scholarships will not only diversify and expand the pool of professionals seeking to work in their respective fields but will also enhance the critical work and outcomes of the industries. The scholarships are available and awarded to high achieving students who are pursuing a Pharmaceutical Sciences MS in either Applied Drug Development or Psychoactive Pharmaceutical Investigation. Wisconsin residents and non-residents are eligible and encouraged to apply. Current students must have at least a 3.3 cumulative GPA from their master’s program coursework to be eligible for the scholarship. Applications must complete the online scholarship application each semester they would like to be considered. Both current and prospective students must also:- Submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and
- Re-apply for the Pharmaceutical Sciences MS Merit Awards for subsequent terms
Application Timelines
| Fall Awards | Spring Awards | |
| Application Opens in WiSH | Early May | Early September |
| Deadline to Submit Application | June 30 by 11:59 CDT | October 31 by 11:59 CDT |
| Awards Announced | Early August | Mid-December |
Scholarships
| Optimizing Opportunity Award | Enabling Excellence Award | |
| Award Amount | Ranges from $9,000 to $12,000 per term | Ranges from $4,500 to $6,000 per term |
| Eligibility | Master’s students from populations underrepresented and/or disadvantaged in the U.S. biomedical, clinical, behavioral and social sciences research enterprise | Master’s students with demonstrated financial need |
- Students applying to the Pharmaceutical Sciences MS program are eligible.
- Current students in the program must have a cumulative 3.3 GPA or higher to be eligible.
- Merit award recipients are required to reapply for the scholarship each term.
- Students must be on a 1-2 year program completion pathway.
- Both Wisconsin residents and nonresidents are encouraged to apply.
Additional Policy
Students enrolled in a Pharmaceutical Sciences MS program are not allowed to accept research assistantships, teaching assistantships, project assistantships or other University appointments which grant waivers of tuition and/or academic fees. Accepting an assistantship or tuition waiver while enrolled in the program may lead to removal of the student from the MS in Pharmaceutical Sciences student cohort. Corporate tuition support is not included in these categories, nor is the waiver of tuition due to veteran status.About the University of Wisconsin
Since its founding in 1848, this campus has been a catalyst for the extraordinary. As a public land-grant university and major research institution, our students, staff, and faculty engage in a world-class education while solving real-world problems. With public service — or as we call it, the Wisconsin Idea — as our guiding principle, Badgers are creating a better future for everyone.Land Acknowledgement
The University of Wisconsin–Madison occupies ancestral Ho-Chunk land, a place their nation has called Teejop (day-JOPE) since time immemorial. In an 1832 treaty, the Ho-Chunk were forced to cede this territory. Decades of ethnic cleansing followed when both the federal and state government repeatedly, but unsuccessfully, sought to forcibly remove the Ho-Chunk from Wisconsin. This history of colonization informs our shared future of collaboration and innovation. Today, UW–Madison respects the inherent sovereignty of the Ho-Chunk Nation, along with the eleven other First Nations of Wisconsin.
Rennebohm Hall, where the University of Wisconsin Pharmacy School is located.