25 Best Value Schools For a Pharmacology Master's

The University of Buffalo's Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology sets itself apart from all but the very best graduate programs in pharmacology by providing unparalleled research opportunities for graduate students, even at the master's level. Owing to its inordinate selectivity and intimacy, Buffalo's M.S. in Forensic Toxicology is able to offer accepted students not only small class sizes for required fundamental coursework in cell biology, chemistry, and pharmacology, but also guaranteed lab placement. Once in the lab, students work closely with faculty mentors to acquire hands-on research skills and publication credentials that will be invaluable to their future careers.

As the intersection of medical research and application, pharmacology is one of the largest and most exciting frontiers of scientific inquiry. And the University of Nebraska's Pharmaceutical Sciences Graduate Program is one of the few that actually grants aspiring pharmacists access to the state-of-the-art equipment and research facilities necessary to push this frontier ever forward. From biomaterials and nanomedicine to pharmacodynamics, Nebraska's groundbreaking research efforts are coupled with exemplary education at both the master's and PhD levels to enable pharmacology students to both contribute to and learn from this massive life-saving enterprise.

Earning a top pharmacology degree ranking from the National Research Council, the Rutgers University-New Brunswick's Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy is a recognized leader in both research and education in molecular and cellular pharmaceutics. Students pursuing either an MS or PhD in Pharmaceutical Science are exposed to a broad range of interdisciplinary coursework in genomics, biochemistry, and even clinical practice that open the doors to virtually boundless research opportunities. And thanks to ample funding to enable completion of the Human Genomic Project, Rutger's students enjoy a distinct advantage in testing new drug deliveries and responses at the cellular level.

The University of Kansas's M.S./Ph.D. Graduate Programs in Pharmaceutical Science combine coursework in pharmacology, toxicology, biochemistry, and molecular biology to prepare students for advanced research in a number of high profile focus areas. Specifically, KU is perfect for those whose interests span molecular neuropharmacology, toxicology, behavioral pharmacology, and signal transduction all described as "major areas of active research" at the university's School of Pharmacology. While both MS and PhD candidates are required to produce a thesis at the end of their terms (about two and five years, respectively), the latter are also expected to develop skills in computer applications for biostatistics, microscopy techniques, and molecular modeling.

Whether you want to pursue a career in academic research or enter the workforce in an industry lab, the University of Missouri-Columbia's Medical Pharmacology and Physiology M.S. is the comprehensive degree you need to develop a nuanced understanding of the human body and its response to toxins, drugs, and everything in between. Through a combination of upper-level coursework, teaching assistantships, research, and faculty mentorships, Missouri students in both the thesis and non-thesis track are equipped with robust and salient knowledge of a complex field at the end of this two-year program. For thesis track students, laboratory experience and thesis defense provide the perfect background for pursuing a dissertation at Missouri's School of Medicine.

Drexel University houses one of the best graduate pharmacology degrees to include both thesis and non-thesis tracks. The non-thesis coursework enables students to write a literature review paper in the place of original laboratory research and includes just 44 total credits - perfect for those hoping to have a more relaxed schedule over this two-year program. Whether you choose to produce a thesis or not, you'll spend your first year taking the school's Biomedical Core Curriculum, which provides a foundation in basic biomedical science fields like molecular biology, cell biology, and cell signaling.

The Medical University of South Carolina co-administers its top graduate program in pharmacology with the University of South Carolina, an arrangement that provides students at MUSC access to the resources of a large state school. This 120-year-old relationship is the foundation of MUSC's well-regarded Master's in Pharmaceutical Sciences, which aims to enable every student to develop coursework and original research that reflects his or her individual interests. The MUSC program is as intensive as its reputation suggests - the school expects every graduate pharmacology student to publish in a peer-reviewed journal during his or her academic career.

The thesis-only Master's Degree in Human Toxicology is a highly specialized program with a long and proud history - the school was home to an innovative toxicology program in the 60's and 70's that produced a number of impressive innovations. Although that original degree eventually fell by the wayside, UI recently reestablished the program with a new twist, introducing an Interdisciplinary Master's in Human Toxicology designed for working professionals either looking to advance their careers or simply their understanding of the field. This unique program's singular focus and impressive pedigree makes it one of the best master's degrees in pharmacology for students interested in the interactions between human health and the environment.

Temple's top graduate pharmacology program offers an unusual amount of variety three concentrations (in Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmaceutics, or Pharmacodynamics) and a flexible Pharmaceutics Non-Thesis Master's intended for working professionals who want to pursue a graduate pharmacology degree part-time. This broad range of specialties receives support from Temple's impressive research resources, including a Current Good Manufacturing Practices facility that only five other pharmacy schools in the country can provide. No matter what program students choose, they'll benefit from Temple's location in Philadelphia and proximity to the wealth of pharmaceutical companies in the Delaware Valley.

Kent State University provides one of the least expensive programs on this top pharmacology degree ranking - an impressive accomplishment, considering the wealth of resources available to pharmacology students. This Ohio institution is ideal for students hoping to dig into research, as it is home to core laboratory facilities for some of the newest and most advanced fields of pharmacology in genomics, proteomics, computation, and 3D visualization. And future pharmacologists hoping to cure Alzheimer's will be interested to learn that neurodegenerative and blood-brain barrier pharmacology is one of Kent State's key areas of expertise.

Those hoping to enter the world of academia should look closely at the top master's in pharmacology degree at SUNY Upstate Medical University, which is explicitly focused on preparing students to be both scientists and teachers. All students take a Presentation and Analysis of Scientific Literature course, in which they read and present research articles to develop their teaching and public presentation skills. The school also offers a two-credit "Teaching for the Basic Scientist" class that provides valuable training in course content design and study assessment methods. Education is so important to SUNY UMU that the admissions department even factors potential teaching ability into its application decisions.

The Graduate Program in Interdisciplinary Biomedical Sciences is a new program at the University of Arkansas for Medical Science that encourages communication and collaboration among students from different fields. This affordable graduate program in pharmacology begins with a semester-long core curriculum that provides a foundation in basic science in addition to a unique Scientific Communication and Ethics course. Students then split into one of six tracks to gain expertise in a particular field of biomedicine. UAMS's interdisciplinary ethos continues throughout the three-year program, which includes three additional science communication courses that give students the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues from across UAMS.

The New York Medical College's top master's degree in pharmacology emphasizes experimental methods, granting students the opportunity to gain expertise in both both the biological and analytical components of pharmacological research. No matter where your research draws you, NYMC's program provides plenty of flexibility to dig into specific fields of study. To that end, the school's graduate pharmacology program includes a Directed Readings in Pharmacology class, in which students choose a particular topic of interest - such as toxicology or biochemistry - to study under the guidance of a faculty member. It's even possible to enroll in elective coursework from other disciplines with the approval of the program's director.

Creighton University is the only Jesuit institution on this top pharmacology degree ranking, and the school aims to produce graduates whose Ignatian education will help them become liberal-minded change agents in their chosen fields. Along with a strong ethical component (as reflected in the Responsible Conduct of Research core course), Creighton's pharmacology program encourages students to enroll in graduate courses from other departments. This cross-department coursework is essential to the kind of interdisciplinary education Ignatius Loyola sought to encourage. In addition, a set of seminar courses in the pharmaceutic sciences gives students the opportunity to communicate and collaborate in the best Jesuit tradition.

Graduates of the University of North Dakota's affordable master's in pharmacology degree leave with a well-rounded understanding of a half dozen key fields of pharmacology - a broader set of courses than at many other schools. This wide-ranging education is probably part of the reason UND graduates are currently working in such a broad array of professional careers around the world. Program alumni include a physician in Iraq, a research lab manager in Colorado, and a marketing representative in Minnesota. Students interested in a comprehensive pharmacology education that opens the door to alternative careers will find there is a lot to love about North Dakota's top graduate pharmacology program.