Which program is right for you?

Thinking about one of our Professional MS in Pharmaceutical Sciences programs? Check out our resources to determine which program is the best one for you.

While the PPI M.S. is offered in a fully online format, the ADD M.S. can either be completed fully online, or as a hybrid program, with both online and in-person components. None of our programs can be completed fully in-person, as some required courses are only offered online.

Similarly, these programs differ from the Pharmaceutical Sciences PhD program; they are not research-focused, and coursework for the PPI or ADD programs will not count towards the Pharmaceutical Sciences PhD.

The Programs: ADD vs PPI

	Applied Drug Development	Psychoactive Pharmaceutical Investigation
Applicant Degree Requirements	Bachelor’s degree in STEM field	Bachelor’s degree with strong science background
Time to Degree	1 year (accelerated), 2-3 years (part-time)	1 year (accelerated), 2-3 years (part-time)
Student Funding	Self-funded, limited scholarships exist	Self-funded, limited scholarships exist
Type of Experiential Learning	Internship	Internship or Research Course (elective options)
Types of Hiring Companies and Agencies	Drug Development Companies Contract Research Organizations Drug Manufacturers Regulatory Agencies	Drug Development Companies Academic Laboratories Not-for-Profit Research Institutions Regulatory Agencies
Example Job Titles	Research Associate Quality Assurance Associate Clinical Affairs Associate Regulatory Affairs Specialist	Quality Assurance Associate Research Technician Scientist Regulatory Affairs Specialist

Fully Online (PPI or ADD)

Complete the program entirely online. This program’s classes are mostly asynchronous to provide greater flexibility. Take this program in any location and time zone.

Typical students who choose this option:

Working professionals
Students located outside of Madison

Hybrid (ADD only)

Complete the program through a combination of online, hybrid, and in-person classes. This program includes on-campus meetings such as labs as well as some classes that are entirely online.

Typical students who choose this option:

International students seeking visa
Students seeking one hands-on lab course

Note: None of these programs can be completed entirely in-person

Breakdown of each course modality

	Most learning activities are provided, completed, and submitted	Expected live class sessions	Interactions with Instructors
Online Sections	Online	Online 3-6 times per semester	Online
Hybrid Sections	Online	On campus 3-6 times per semester	Online
In-Person Sections	In-person on campus	Scheduled in-person on campus meetings	In-person on campus

Course Type Descriptions

Online: All course materials are provided and all activities are completed through online course software. Most of the coursework is completed asynchronously, but there may be selected synchronous class meetings held on virtual platforms throughout the semester.
Hybrid: Most course materials are provided and most activities are completed through online course software. Much of the coursework is completed asynchronously, with select in-person synchronous class meetings held throughout the semester.
In-Person: Instruction is provided on the UW-Madison campus. Students must be able to attend all class meetings in person

Course modality breakdown for ADD program — How each course for the ADD MS program is offered. Hybrid students may choose to take some online, some hybrid and some in-person courses.

These programs are terminal MS degrees that differ from the Pharmaceutical Sciences PhD program; they are not research-focused, and coursework for the PPI or ADD programs will not count towards the Pharmaceutical Sciences PhD.

	ADD/PPI MS (Non-research degree program)	Pharmaceutical Sciences PhD
Focus	Professional preparation for industry work	Academic research
Course Format	Mostly to fully online	On-campus and in-person
F-1 Visa Eligibility	Yes, for ADD option, with enrollment in specific courses taken at accelerated rate. PPI is not eligible for Visa.	Yes
Instructors	Industry experts (many do not work on campus)	On-campus research faculty
Time to Degree	12-16 months accelerated (needed for visa status) or 2-3 years part-time	~5 years
Student Funding	Self-funded, limited scholarships exist; not eligible for funded assistantships	Assistantships for teaching/research
Type of Experiential Learning	Industry internship	Independent research
Types of Hiring Companies and Agencies	Drug development companies, contract research organizations, drug manufacturers, regulatory agencies	Academia, pharmaceutical industry, scientific communications, fellowships
Example Job Titles	Research Associate, Quality Assurance Associate, Clinical Affairs Associate, Regulatory Affairs Specialist	Professor, Post-Doctoral Fellow, Scientist/Senior Scientist, Strategic Marketing Specialist, Scientific Communications Associate/Editor