What is the difference between a pharmaceutical scientist and a pharmacist?
Pharmaceutical scientists are typically involved in the discovery/development of new drugs or development/characterization of delivery systems, absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination of drugs. They spend most of their time conducting research in a laboratory or analyzing data in an office setting. Pharmacists are primarily focused on patients. They work to advance health and patient care through the appropriate use of medications.
What are the career opportunities in the pharmaceutical sciences?
Pharmaceutical scientists have been instrumental in discovering and developing innovative drugs that save thousands of lives and improve the lives of countless others. Pharmaceutical scientists can pursue a variety of career opportunities/jobs. They may be employed by pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies; work as researchers, scientists, and professors at universities; or work for agencies like the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP), and national laboratories, such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS) publishes annual salary data for pharmaceutical scientists.
Source: AAPS
Does MS program require accreditation?
Chapman University is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities. There are no requirements for accreditation, certification, or licensing associated with the MSPS degree.
What are the admission requirements?
- A graduate application available at PharmGRAD.
- A bachelor’s degree in chemistry, biology, biochemistry, pharmaceutical sciences, biotechnology, or related areas from a regionally accredited university or college or international university with a cumulative 3.0 GPA or higher
- Two letters of recommendations from individuals familiar with your academic abilities
- A personal statement of approximately 500-1,000 words, which includes: a) your interest in the MSPS program at Chapman; b) your research goals; c) your career goals; d) your academic and research achievements
- An official transcript from the bachelor’s degree-granting institution
- A resume or CV with any relevant experience
Additional Requirements for International Students
- Transcripts – Students submitting transcripts from foreign universities must submit official transcripts with English translation if applicable. Transcripts must be translated exactly line-by-line, word-for-word.
- English Proficiency Exam – International applicants whose native language is not English must submit results of the CAE, TOEFL, IELTS, or PTEA. CAE minimum score = 180. TOEFL minimum score = 550 (paper–based) or 80 (internet–based). IELTS score = 6.5. PTEA score = 53. Students whose English proficiency score does not meet the minimum requirement must retake the exam to achieve the requirement before submitting an application.
- International applicants who hold a bachelor's degree or higher from a university in the United States or in another country where English is the primary language are not required to take the TOEFL, IELTS, or PTEA examination.
I do not have a bachelor’s degree in chemistry, biology, biochemistry, pharmaceutical sciences, or biotechnology, but I have a bachelor’s degree in another field. Can I still apply for this program?
If you have a different bachelor’s degree, you can take the following courses to prepare yourself for this program.
- Biochemistry
- Biology with lab
- Calculus
- Chemistry with lab
- Intro to Genetics
- Microbiology
- Physiology with lab
When is the application deadline? Are there multiple deadlines during the year?
The Semester begins the last Monday in January each year.
- Priority Consideration: November 1st, each year
- Regular Deadline: November 30th, each year
*Applications received after deadline will be considered on a space-available basis.
The Semester begins the last Monday in August each year.
- Priority Consideration: June 1st, each year
- Regular Deadline: June 30th, each year
*Applications received after deadline will be considered on a space-available basis.
When can I enroll in the program?
Applications are accepted for the Spring and Fall semesters.
Can I transfer from another program into Chapman’s MSPS program?
Transfer will be considered on a case-by-case basis if the curriculum requirements are met.
What is the cost of the program?
Please visit the Chapman University Tuition & Fees Information page for detailed information. Textbooks are provided by the program for most classes. Students are responsible for their own housing and other related expenses.
Is there any financial assistance or tuition waiver plans?
All accepted students are expected to be responsible for the full cost of their tuition and living expenses. Some assistance may be available after the student’s first semester in the form of paid research or classroom assistant position which does not cover tuition. Research and classroom assistant opportunities depend upon space and funding availability and are not guaranteed.
The University’s financial aid office can provide more comprehensive information on other forms of federal, state or private funding: (714) 997-6741 or gradfinaid@chapman.edu.
Is the School of Pharmacy on the Chapman University Campus in Orange, CA?
No. CUSP is located on the Harry and Diane Rinker Health Science Campus in Irvine, CA. The campus is 15 miles south of the Chapman Campus at 9401 Jeronimo Rd. CUSP is conveniently located 1.5 miles east of the I-5 Freeway, off of Alton Parkway, and within 2 miles of the Irvine Spectrum.
Is there student housing near the School of Pharmacy?
Currently, there is no official Chapman student housing near CUSP. However, there are several apartment complexes within a few miles of the Rinker Health Science Irvine campus. A list of local apartment complexes, housing options, and other related resources is available on the CUSP Housing page
Can I apply for the Pharm.D. program after I finish the MSPS program?
Yes, students who have completed the MSPS degree can apply for the Pharm.D. program. They must fulfill the Pharm.D admission and pre-requisite requirements like all other applicants.