The MS in Pharmaceutical Sciences (MSPS) degree is designed to provide training in research and scholarship within a pharmaceutical sciences discipline for students seeking careers that include a research component, such as those in the pharmaceutical industry, managed care organizations, state and local health departments, academic healthcare systems, and healthcare colleges. The MS program is designed as a component of the PharmD/MS in Pharmaceutical Sciences Dual Degree Program, or alternatively can be awarded to students pursuing a PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences who change to the MS path. Graduates will be well prepared for a variety of career options, or alternatively a student in the Dual Degree Program could elect to continue their education by applying to the UK College of Pharmacy PhD Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences. Students that participate in this program can choose any aspect of research conducted by investigators at the UKCOP. These include five training tracks: Medicinal, Bioorganic & Computational Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Chemistry & Engineering, Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Clinical and Experimental Therapeutics, and Pharmaceutical Outcomes & Policy. Students must be admitted and enrolled in the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy to be considered for this dual degree.
Admission Requirements
Admission to the MS program is restricted to students who are currently enrolled in the Doctor of Pharmacy Program at the UK College of Pharmacy (PharmD/MS Dual Degree Program), enrolled in the Pharmaceutical Sciences PhD Program at the UK College of Pharmacy who elect to switch to the MS path, or who receive special permission from the program to apply. Admission is competitive and is based on academic achievement (minimum 3.0/4.0 GPA in PharmD curriculum) and a letter of recommendation from a faculty research mentor.
Degree Requirements
The program follows the coursework requirements as set by the Graduate School for the master’s degree. Students must earn at least 30 credits. At least two-thirds of the minimum requirements for the master’s degree must be in regular courses, and at least half of the minimum course requirements (excluding thesis, practicum, or internship credit) must be in 600-or700-level courses. Candidates for the master’s degree must have a major research focus area and must take at least two-thirds of the course work in this discipline. The other one-third may be taken in this area or in related graduate areas.
Under the dual degree program, 2 current PharmD courses will count towards graduate credit (PHR 951 SCHOLARSHIP I [3 credit hours] and PHR 961 SCHOLARSHIP II [3 credit hours]. Other graduate courses will be taken to account for the 8 credit hours of elective credits needed for the PharmD curriculum.
Students may satisfy the master’s requirements by either of two options, thesis (Plan A) or non-thesis, (Plan B). The thesis option (Plan A) requires a thesis to be developed under the direction of a full or associate member of the Graduate Faculty. Collaborative effort by two or more graduate students is not forbidden. However, there must be enough independent effort to enable each student to make a separate contribution and to prepare an individual thesis. Before the final examination, the thesis director and the appropriate Director of Graduate Studies must indicate to the Graduate School that the student’s thesis satisfies all requirements of the Graduate School and is complete in content and format with the exception of pagination, and that the student is ready to be examined. Any modification in the thesis which the final examination committee specifies must be made before the degree is conferred. Master’s candidates working on their theses may enroll in 6 credits of course number PHS 768 .
The non-thesis option (Plan B) requires that six or more graduate credit hours of course work be submitted in lieu of a thesis. A student may follow this option with approval of the program concerned. Students should consult their advisor for any additional requirements established for Plan B in their area of study.
https://pharmacy.uky.edu/admission-aid/phd-program
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