Frequently Asked Questions

Resources for Current Students

UW Guide: The guide provides resources about both the MS degree and Capstone options. It describes requirements, classes offered, and more.

PPI Guide page | ADD Guide page

General Frequently Asked Questions

These questions apply to both the MS in Pharmaceutical Sciences: Applied Drug Development and the MS in Pharmaceutical Sciences: Psychoactive Pharmaceutical Investigations.

What are the benefits for starting with the capstone program first?

The Capstone programs contains 12 credits of the MS curriculum. By enrolling into the Capstone program, you may get a strong idea about the rest of the curriculum and if MS could potentially be a good fit for you. Additionally, your success in Capstone courses (above 3.0 GPA) will be considered by the Admissions Committee if you apply to the MS program in a future semester. To learn more about the Capstone application process, click here. The Capstone application is free.

How do I apply (including letters of recommendation)?

Go to UW-Madison Graduate School website -> admissions -> apply online or through the link https://apply.grad.wisc.edu/Account/Login?ReturnUrl=%2f

What is the cost of the program?

Our courses cost $1,500 per credit for both residents and nonresidents. If MS, this amounts to $45,000 for the degree. If capstone, this amounts to $18,000 for the certificate. Further pricing and scholarship information can be found on the About page.

Does this program have rolling admissions? What is the timeline?

We do rolling review of applications Students must submit their application (including all materials and both Letters of Rec). Reviews of applications can take anywhere from 3-9 weeks. Applicants have the opportunity to check the status of the app at grad.wisc.edu or they can reach out directly to the Admissions and Recruitment Coordinator, Almira Karajic, or enrollment coach if needed. The academic program may reach out before a decision is made to schedule a virtual admission interview as an opportunity to learn more about the program and for the program to learn more about you. This communication will come either from Stephanie Scholze or Almira Karajic

How much work will I be doing on a weekly basis?

Most coursework is completed online asynchronously at a student’s own pacing, with set deadlines every week. Estimated based on 1 enrolled credit hour = 3-4 coursework hours per week (readings, lectures, assignments, quizzes, and projects). This may vary based on each student’s educational background, learning strategies, work experience, and/or first language.

What interactions do I have with faculty, staff and classmates?

Faculty interact with students on a regular basis to ensure their progress with the course and to engage in student’s understanding of the material. These interactions may be through emails, meetings, or other course communications. Classmates will work with each other on group projects. and they will interact with each other on discussion boards in their courses. Additionally, the program will provide opportunities for students to network with each other in virtual or in-person settings outside the courses. Moreover, each student is assigned an advisor to provide them with holistic support throughout the program.

Can I audit courses?

There are options to audit courses at your own cost & without credit. Read about the graduate school policy on auditing courses here: https://policy.wisc.edu/library/UW-1224 You may apply to be a Guest auditor using the University Special student online application. More info here: https://acsss.wisc.edu/guest-auditors/

Frequently Asked Questions: Applied Drug Development

What academic background and prerequisite courses are needed for this program?

All applicants for MS must:

Have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. institution or an international degree comparable to a regionally accredited U.S. bachelor’s degree.
Have a background in physical or biological sciences, engineering, pharmacy or a related field.
Have a minimum undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Learn more about the Graduate School’s minimum GPA requirements.
Provide an English proficiency score (if applicable). Learn more about the Graduate School’s English proficiency requirements.

All applicants for Capstone must:

Have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. institution or an international degree comparable to a regionally accredited U.S. bachelor’s degree or be currently enrolled in a PharmD program.
Have a minimum undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

Are any of the programs offered during the weekend or evening? What is the timeline? Flexibility/changing timeline?

We have hybrid or fully online format available in the ADD program. Courses offered in an online format with weekly modules that provide students with flexibility of asynchronous work time within the week. Each course typically has 3-6 synchronous class meetings per semester. Those meetings tend to be on late afternoon or early evening for working professionals. For hybrid option, you will be notified which courses are in-person fully and which have a mixture of online and in-person. Since our programs are flexible with timing, it can be completed anywhere from 1 year-3 years. It is okay to change pacing at any time during the program.

Can I look at course offerings?

You may read about the courses here: https://pharmacy.wisc.edu/academics/applied-drug-development/about/#curriculum

What types of jobs/careers does this program prepare me for?

Our programs in Pharmaceutical Sciences: Applied Drug Development prepares you for a variety of roles within the pharmaceutical and biotech industries. In particular, you’ll gain the skills required to work in a regulated environment as well as drug action, statistical, and data analysis skills. You will also learn and develop highly sought-after lab skills — putting you at the top of the applicant pool. Recent job titles for careers in pharmaceutical sciences include: Research Associate, Research Technician, Researcher, Technician, Scientist, Process Technician, Quality Assurance Associate, Regulatory Affairs Specialist. Our students, alumni, and faculty have worked or interned with these organizations: Genentech, Promega, PPD (part of ThermoFisher Scientific), Exact Sciences, Labcorp, Invenra, Patel Kwan Consultancy, Covance, AbbVie, Moderna, Pfizer, Eurofins, Amgen, Samsung Biologics, Waisman Biomanufacturing, the Program for Advanced Cell Therapy, University of North Carolina Eshelman School of Pharmacy, and many more!

What does the fieldwork/internship requirement for the MS entail? What are some internships this program offers?

ADD supports students with career development needs and meets with employers to build connections. Students have interned at Labcorps, PPD, Moderna, Pfizer and more. Students are welcome to apply for other internship opportunities and connect with the program to verify if it meets requirements for credit.

Frequently Asked Questions: Psychoactive Pharmaceutical Investigations

What academic background and prerequisite courses are needed for this program?

The program requires a 3.0 GPA from an accreditated higher education institution (Bachelors of PharmD degree earned) and a solid background in science. The MS degree requires 3 hard science prereqs: gen bio, gen chem, and a General Organic Biochemsitry. The Capstone only requires students to have taken the gen bio and gen chem. AP or IB courses do not count for these prereqs, they must be from an accredited college course. You are welcome to reach out to our enrollment coach with follow-up questions.

Are any of the programs offered during the weekend or evening? What is the timeline?

Most courses are offered in an online format with weekly modules that provide students with flexibility of asynchronous work time within the week. Each course typically has 3-6 synchronous class meetings per semester. Those meetings tend to be on late afternoon or early evening for working professionals. Since our programs are flexible with timing, it can be completed anywhere from 1 year-3 years. It is okay to change the pacing at any time during the program.

Can I look at the course offerings?

You may read about the courses here: https://pharmacy.wisc.edu/academics/psychoactive-pharmaceutical-investigation/about/#curriculum

What types of jobs/careers does this program prepare me for?

This type of program may prepare people for roles such as, Researcher, Technician, Scientist, or similar roles, particularly for employers focused on psychedelic, entheogen, and cannabinoid research. The Masters program would prepare you for careers in the pharmaceutical, academic, government, nonprofit and healthcare industries. We also have students who have varied experiences. Some may use this program to complement their current career (i.e. healthcare, research, etc) or to pivot to the Pharm Sci/PPI industry. Recent job titles for careers in pharmaceutical sciences among our students include: R&D Analyst, Coalition Coordinator, Psychedelic Compound Commercialization Analyst, Director of Research, Senior Production Chemist, Lab Technician/ Extraction Specialist, Consultant Data Curator. Our students, alumni, and faculty have worked with these organizations: Usona Institute, Labcorp, Psilera, Apollo Pact, BrainFutures, Integrata, Mind Medicine Inc., Beckley Psytech, Molecule, Calyx Law, JLS Fund, Porta Sophia, Amgen, Genentech, Louisiana State University Health – School of Medicine, Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Bristol Myers Squibb, Boston Scientific and many more!

What are some internships this program offers?

The PPI team has partnered with industries to provide internship opportunities to students at Calyx Law, Beckley Psytech and Molecule. Students are welcome to apply for other internship opportunities and connect with the program to verify if they meet the requirements for credit.