At a Glance

  • Flexibility
    Part Time | Full Time
  • Delivery Options
    On Campus
  • Degree
    MS

Build skills to advance your career in the biopharmaceutical industry.

Aid in the Discovery and Development of Drugs that Treat Human Disease

Advance your knowledge and expertise for careers in the biopharmaceutical industry by pursuing a Master of Science (M.S.) in Pharmaceutical Sciences at UMass Lowell.

Designed for recent graduates and professionals, the M.S. in Pharmaceutical Sciences equips students with the technical expertise to support roles in research and production settings that:

  • Discover and develop drugs to treat human disease
  • Evaluate the effectiveness and safety of drug therapies
  • Adhere to quality and regulatory requirements

Program Quick Facts

  • Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) Not Required
  • Available Part-Time and Full-Time
  • Scholarships and Financial Aid Available
  • STEM-designated Degree Program

Where Our Graduates Work

Our graduates are very competitive in the job market, landing roles in clinical research and trials, analytical and laboratory sciences, manufacturing, and production and regulatory affairs and compliance. Some of our graduates continue into our Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences program to pursue careers in academia and research. 

Graduates from the program have pursued careers in:

  • Drug development and design
  • Quality control
  • Research technology
  • Regulatory policy
  • Clinical trials 
  • Academic research

Why Study Pharmaceutical Sciences at UMass Lowell?

Two people look at a laptop and tablet together.

Learn from Nationally Recognized Faculty

Active researchers working in emerging areas of pharmaceutical sciences, our faculty members have decades of experience teaching and conducting clinical research. Learn more about faculty expertise.

headshot of Katie McGourty in a lab

Scholarships and Aid

UMass Lowell is committed to affordability. Tuition and fees total about one-half of those at comparable private institutions. Visit Tuition, Fees & Aid.

Pharmaceutical Sciences Curriculum

The M.S. in Pharmaceutical Sciences is a 32-credit master's degree. Full-time students could finish the program in 12 to 15 months. Students who attend part-time could finish in as little as two years and well within five years. 

The Program Coordinator and advisors in the program will guide M.S. students through a part-time or full-time program of study. Full-time study is equivalent to 9 credits per semester. 

For questions about the program, please email PharmSci_Grad@uml.edu. 

View the list of courses below.

Chemistry Core (choose 1)

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
Related course upon Graduate Coordinator's approval3
CHEM.5500Biochemistry I3
CHEM.5620Biopharmaceutical Development3
CHEM.6310Principles of Medicinal Chemistry I3
Credits required = 3

Molecular/Cellular Biology Core (choose 1)

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
Related course upon Graduate Coordinator's approval3
BIOL.5420Advanced Cell Biology3
BIOL.5670Molecular Biology3
BIOL.5760Cell Culture*3
CHEN.5350Cell and Microbe Cultivation3
MLSC.5600Molecular Pathology3
Credits required = 3

Pathophysiology Core (choose 1)

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
HSCI.5510Clinical Pathophysiology3
Credits required = 3

Statistics Core (choose 1)

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
PUBH.5770Biostatistics for Health Data3
Credits required = 3

Pharmaceutical Science Core (4 courses required)

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
PHRM.6100Principles of Pharmaceutical Sciences3
PHRM.6400Pharmaceutical Analysis3
PHRM.6410Drug Delivery3
PHRM.6600Pharmacokinetics and Drug Metabolism3
Total credits required = 12

Laboratory Core (choose 2)

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
Related course upon Graduate Coordinator's approval1
PHRM.6120Principles of Pharmaceutical Sciences Laboratory1
PHRM.6420Pharmaceutical Analysis Laboratory1
BIOL.5760Cell Culture Laboratory* 1
Credits required = 2

Electives (6 credits required)

Chemistry Core

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
xxxx.xxxxPharmaceutical Sciences Elective3
xxxx.xxxxPharmaceutical Sciences Elective3
Electives total credits required = 6

Program Total = 32 credits.

Pharmaceutical Sciences Elective include (but are not limited to):

Updated 6/6/2023

Tuition and Admissions

Eligible students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered for financial assistance.

Complete the FAFSA

View Estimated Annual Tuition and Fees for the 2025 - 2026 Academic Year

As a graduate student, you may qualify for federal student aid and other need-based scholarships. To be considered for financial assistance, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Learn more at UMass Lowell Graduate Aid.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is available to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and certain eligible non-citizens. Please visit Financial Aid if you have questions about your eligibility.

  • Application Fee: $50
  • Statement of Purpose: Outline goals, experience and achievements (maximum 2 pages).
  • Letters of Recommendation: Two (2) for master's and Doctor of Nursing Practice, three (3) for doctoral applicants.
  • Transcripts: You may apply with unofficial transcripts, but if accepted, official transcripts are required. We do not accept opened, photocopied, emailed PDFs or faxed official transcripts.
  • Resume: All programs require a resume except for the following: Doctor of Physical Therapy and all Master of Public Health programs
  • Test Scores: UMass Lowell’s school code is 3911. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are only required for the following programs:
    • Public Health (Doctor of Science)
    • Physical   Therapy (Doctor of Physical Therapy)

All materials must be received before your application is reviewed.  To add supporting documents, please log in to your application and select "Program Materials."

International Applicants

International transcripts must indicate completion of a four-year bachelor’s degree (equivalent of an American bachelor's degree) before an application will be processed. The Office of Graduate Admissions reserves the right to have any application credentials evaluated.  Baccalaureate verification may be obtained for a fee from:

English proficiency is required. If English is not your country’s national language, please submit one of the following scores:

  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): 79+
  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS): 6.5+
  • Duolingo: 115+

Rolling Admission

The M.S. in Pharmaceutical Sciences has rolling admission, so there are no strict application deadlines. Applicants should apply early enough for application materials to be received and evaluated and to make any necessary travel and visa arrangements. International students are encouraged to apply as early as possible to allow time for visa processing and priority scholarship consideration.

Take the Next Step

Start your online application today!

Meet Our Students and Alumni

Christianto Putra poses in a lab at UMass Lowell
Christianto Putra '16, '21
Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Pharmaceutical Sciences

Christianto Putra conducted research on titanium dioxide, a common food additive, for his dissertation and published the results in the Journal of Nutrition.

UMass Lowell offered me a place to learn about nutritional sciences, experience the campus culture and conduct research.
Read More About Christianto Putra 

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Find Graduate Resources

Questions? Contact Us!

Phone:
800-656-4723 (U.S. Students)
978-934-2390 (International Students)

Email: 
Graduate_Admissions@uml.edu

STEM Designated Program

The M.S. in Pharmaceutical Sciences is listed as a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) degree. Students may be eligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT) STEM extension.