Two Unique Programs Prepare Career-Ready Pharmaceutical Scientists
Blending technical expertise with valuable 21st-century skills, two professional MS degree programs offered by the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Pharmacy prepare graduates for a wide variety of careers. Whether you are looking at Applied Drug Development (ADD) or Psychoactive Pharmaceutical Investigation (PPI) students, they feature courses built around project-based learning, critical thinking, scientific communication, and collaborative team projects.Get Involved!
There are a variety of ways to connect with students in the program. They include:- Hiring ADD and PPI students for Internships and full-time roles (Note: The ADD program requires on-the-job fieldwork, allowing students to further their working knowledge of the pharmaceutical science industry)
- Hosting a Science Talk, either virtually or on campus
- Participating in Employer or Career Spotlight Series, an hour virtual session highlighting organizations and professionals moving the industry forward
- Hosting students on a site visit
Common Types of Employment Offers
Organizations that hire current students from UW-Madison’s MS in Pharmaceutical Sciences: Applied Drug Development or Psychoactive Pharmaceutical Investigation programs typically make employment offers that fall under one of the categories shown below.| Type of Offer | Student Situation | Common Employer Situation |
| Standalone internship offer | Needs fieldwork to graduate | • Needs short‐term contributions / project help • Has no immediate plans to add a full‐time employee |
| Internship offer – with possibility to hire full‐time | Needs fieldwork to graduate | • Wants to hire qualified full‐time employees • Uses internship opportunities to develop talent |
| Full‐time employment offer – pre‐graduation | Needs fieldwork to graduate | • Needs qualified full‐time employees • Wants long‐term return on training time investment |
| Full‐time employment offer – upon graduation | Has completed fieldwork & program | • Needs qualified full‐time employees • Prefers or requires MS graduates (not MS students) |
Information about Our Program’s Internship / Fieldwork Requirements
All students in the ADD program must complete PHM SCI 760 (“Summative Research Internship”), a four-credit course comprising online coursework alongside an industrially relevant professional work experience. Many PPI students also complete a Summative Research Internship or Advanced Independent Study as part of their degree.- Most students will complete PHM SCI 760 during their last term in our program, usually during a Spring or Summer term. Therefore, students registered for PHM SCI 760 typically have all other program coursework completed.
- Students can meet the fieldwork requirement of the PHM SCI 760 course through either an internship or a new full-time position.
Information about Hiring Our International Students
International students/graduates from our program:- Are sponsored by F-1 student visas supported by UW-Madison.
- Can complete fieldwork during a Spring or Summer term using the “Curricular Practical Training” (CPT) option allowed by their F-1 student visa.
- Are eligible for 36 months of “Optional Practical Training” (OPT) under their F-1 student visa.
Level up your workforce’s talent
The MS in Pharmaceutical Sciences: Applied Drug Development and Psychoactive Pharmaceutical Investigation programs are designed for working professionals who want to continue working full-time at their current job while earning a directly relevant advanced degree. Consider sending your junior-level scientists to our program to deepen their knowledge of the following topics:- Drug discovery and development processes
- Regulatory affairs; FDA compliance
- GxP; regulated work environments
- Project management
- Laboratory skills and techniques
- Pharmacokinetics
- Biostatistics
- Pharmacology & drug action
Authentic, Project-based Training:
Our program’s coursework incorporates industry-based scenarios to build sought-after workplace skills. Our students learn and apply concepts by:- Analyzing primary literature
- Constructing solutions to real-world case studies
- Working both independently and in project groups
- Generating executive summaries, project timelines, FDA meeting and compliance plans, and data analysis reports
- Giving elevator pitches and formal presentations
Connect with Us!
We welcome opportunities to connect with potential employers and internship providers.
Chris McIntyre
Employer Liaison cmcintyre@wisc.edu