Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences (MSPS)

For more information about the MS in Pharmaceutical Sciences (MSPS) program, please email copgrad@larkin.edu.

Taraman Kadayat, Ph.D., M.S., B.Pharm., GCCTL
Assistant Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences

There are 3 main reasons:

1: A rapidly evolving field needs advanced expertise.

Advances in pharmaceutical sciences are transforming how medicines are discovered, developed, evaluated, and delivered. Today’s professionals increasingly work across disciplines involving: Small-Molecule Drugs, Peptides, Biologics, Nucleic Acid–Based Therapies, Drug Delivery, Clinical Research, Real-World Evidence, Health Outcomes

Our programs are designed to help students develop the knowledge and skills needed to engage with these emerging areas.

2: Build Skills for a Growing Industry

A projected employment growth of 9% for medical scientists in next 10 years (2024–2034), which is faster than the average projected growth for all occupations.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics the continued growth of pharmaceutical, biotechnology, biomedical research, and healthcare industries is creating opportunities for professionals with advanced scientific, analytical, and research expertise

A Growing Life Sciences Ecosystem

Florida is home to a diverse and expanding life sciences sector spanning pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical devices, healthcare, and biomedical research.

• 30,000+ Floridians employed in biotechnology, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and medical device manufacturing.
• Growing Life Sciences: Continued business growth, capital investment, and job creation across Florida’s life sciences industries.
• Strong STEM Pipeline: Florida’s colleges and universities contribute a growing workforce of STEM-trained graduates (Sources: Florida Department of Commerce; SelectFlorida; IBISWorld).

LUCOP MSPS Program is designed for students seeking careers in pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, governmental agencies (FDA, NIH), drug discovery and development, biomedical and clinical research, regulatory sciences, healthcare organizations, and health outcomes research. The program also provides a strong foundation for students pursuing PhD, PharmD, MD, DO, or other advanced professional degrees.

🧬 Drug Discovery & Development
💊 Pharmaceutical Research
🔬 Biotechnology/ Pharmaceutical Industry
🧪 Clinical Research
🏥 Regulatory Affairs
📊 Health Outcomes Research
📈 Market Access and Health Economics
🔎 Healthcare Education

The M.S. in Pharmaceutical Sciences (MSPS) at the Larkin University College of Pharmacy is designed for students seeking advanced knowledge, specialized expertise, and practical skills in the rapidly evolving fields of drug discovery, drug development, pharmaceutical research, and health outcomes.

Through four areas of specialization—Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmaceutics, Pharmacology & Toxicology, and Pharmacoeconomics & Health Outcomes—students can tailor their graduate education to their professional interests and career goals.

This Program May Be Right for You If You:

• Want to advance your career
  Prepare for opportunities in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, healthcare organizations, regulatory agencies, contract research organizations, research institutions, and health outcomes research.
• Seek specialized, career-relevant training
  Develop advanced knowledge in areas such as drug discovery and development, pharmaceutical research, biotechnology, pharmacology and toxicology, and health outcomes research.
• Have a background in science or healthcare
  Deepen your understanding of how medicines and healthcare interventions are discovered, developed, evaluated, and translated into clinical practice.
• Are considering advanced education
  Build a strong academic and research foundation for future study toward a Ph.D. or other advanced professional degrees in pharmacy, medicine, dentistry, or related biomedical and health sciences.
• Want meaningful research experience
  Engage in faculty-mentored research through thesis or non-thesis pathways and gain experience using experimental, computational, clinical, or health outcomes research methodologies.
• Aspire to innovate and make an impact
  Develop the knowledge and skills to contribute to the discovery and development of new therapies and address complex challenges in chronic diseases, emerging infectious diseases, and other areas of global health.

The LUCOP MSPS program is an interdisciplinary graduate program designed to prepare students for careers in pharmaceutical sciences, biomedical research, healthcare, and health outcomes. The program combines rigorous coursework, hands-on learning, faculty mentorship, research experience, and professional development.

Students can specialize in one of four areas:

• Medicinal Chemistry – drug discovery and design, computational drug design, organic synthesis, and structure–activity relationship studies.
• Pharmaceutics – drug formulation, drug delivery, pharmacokinetics, biopharmaceutics, and pharmaceutical product development.
• Pharmacology & Toxicology – mechanisms of drug action, pharmacological evaluation, safety assessment, and toxicology.
• Pharmacoeconomics & Health Outcomes – health economics, outcomes research, healthcare utilization, and real-world evidence.

The program provides opportunities to develop both theoretical knowledge and practical skills through coursework, research rotations, internships, seminars, journal clubs, and an applied capstone project or faculty-mentored thesis.

Graduates can pursue careers in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, drug discovery and development, biomedical and clinical research, regulatory science, government agencies such as the FDA and NIH, healthcare organizations, and health outcomes research. The program also provides a strong academic foundation for students planning to pursue a PhD, PharmD, MD, DO, or other advanced professional degree.

The MSPS program offers a flexible curriculum that integrates core pharmaceutical sciences education with specialized coursework, experiential learning, research, and professional development.

Students begin with required core courses that establish foundational knowledge in pharmaceutical sciences and then complete courses within their selected area of specialization. Depending on their interests and career goals, students may also complete electives, research rotations, internships, seminars, and journal clubs.

Students can choose between two pathways:

• Thesis pathway: A minimum of 36 graduate credits, including faculty-mentored original research, a written thesis, and a thesis defense.
• Non-thesis (Capstone) pathway: A minimum of 30 graduate credits, culminating in an applied capstone project that integrates knowledge and skills gained throughout the program.

Program delivery may include in-person and/or online formats, subject to course availability, providing flexibility for students with different educational and professional goals. The program is designed to provide students with a combination of scientific knowledge, practical experience, research skills, and professional competencies that can support diverse career and academic pathways.

Yes. The MSPS program can provide students with a strong foundation in pharmaceutical sciences and exposure to drug discovery, pharmacology, pharmaceutics, research, and other areas relevant to pharmacy education.

Students who successfully complete the MSPS program may receive preferential consideration when applying to Larkin University’s Pharm.D. program. However, admission to the Pharm.D. program is not guaranteed and remains subject to applicable Pharm.D. admission requirements and institutional policies.

No. Students are NOT required to identify, secure, or solicit research rotation or internship sites. The Program is responsible for identifying and coordinating research rotation and internship opportunities. However, students may recommend potential research rotation or internship opportunities if they are aware of them and are interested in pursuing them.

As soon as possible. Applications may be submitted prior to completion of the bachelor’s, degree but you should plan to complete all degree by July before the start of the program to provide final grades to the Admissions Department prior to beginning classes. Since applications should be submitted through PharmGrad centralized online application (Deadline: July 15, 2027) and are reviewed on a rolling basis, applying early is strongly recommended.

Financial aid information for your program of studies is available at the Office of Financial Aid and Student Access (OFASA). 

Yes. U.S. citizens and permanent residents may work while enrolled, subject to applicable employment requirements.

However, F-1 students may not work off-campus during the first academic year, but may accept on-campus employment subject to certain conditions and restrictions. After the first academic year, F-1 students may engage in three types of off-campus employment:

• Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
• Optional Practical Training (OPT) (pre-completion or post-completion)
• Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Optional Practical Training Extension (OPT)

F-1 students may also be eligible to work off-campus on a case-by-case basis as a result of special situations such as severe economic hardship or special student relief. M-1 students may engage in practical training only after they have completed their studies.

On-campus housing is not available, but several options are available to assist you in your housing search.  

Link to Housing Options

No, you will not. From the University Library, you will have access to numerous online databases and textbooks needed to augment content information from faculty during your courses.  The exam preparation materials are integrated into the curriculum and are provided as part of the cost to attend the program. Students may elect to purchase additional learning resources.