The U-M Medical School Department of Pharmacology Master's degree program involves a mixture of coursework and independent research. The program is designed to provide an environment that promotes growth in both content knowledge related to pharmacology as well as translatable skills for future careers.
These translatable skills include critical analysis of the scientific literature as well as experience in scientific communication. These skills will be honed through classwork and projects throughout the year and a written thesis and an oral presentation delivered at the culmination of the degree.
Below are some of our most commonly asked questions. Please email us at [email protected] if you have any additional questions.
Applicants must have earned their bachelor's degree with a cumulative GPA of 3.0, in major science courses. Students interested in the research option must a have a recommendation of achievement in laboratory research.
Decisions regarding admission will be made on or near the deadlines for applications, once they are reviewed by the admissions committee. All applicants will be notified of their status by May 31.
Our application opens September and closes after the Application Deadlines of March 15 for International applicants and April 1 for Domestic applicants (11:59 p.m. EST).
The Pharmacology Department no longer requires the GRE. If students do submit their score they will not be reviewed or factored into any admissions decisions. International applicants who have completed their entire Bachelors or Masters degree at an institution taught exclusively in English are exempt from the TOEFL exam.
Rackham Graduate School will require that students attest that their application essays are their own and not the work of others or generative artificial intelligence (GenAI). Rackham recognizes the appropriate uses of GenAI tools for providing guidance and suggestions, and has therefore created a resource for prospective students outlining our guidance on the ethical use of GenAI in graduate school application materials.
Some applicants may be eligible for a waiver. Visit the Rackham Graduate School website for more information on fee waivers and grants. The University of Michigan is a member of the Big Ten Academic Alliance FreeApp. For more information and to request a graduate application fee waiver, please visit their website. Please note that in order to receive the Big Ten Academic Alliance FreeApp (formally known as the CIC FreeApp), you must submit a request to the Big Ten Academic Alliance well in advance of submitting your U-M application.
See the Rackham Graduate School’s website for financial aid available to Masters students.
MS students are responsible for tuition at in-state or out-of-state rates, living expenses, and health care.
Students must pass all required coursework and successfully write and present their masters thesis based on their research or literature review.
At the start of the program, students will meet with the Program Director to discuss their interests to determine which faculty members might be appropriate choices. Students will then meet with potential advisors. After determining their preference, students will reach out again to faculty to confirm if they are willing to take the student. Once things are finalized, the student and faculty member notify the Program Director and Student Affairs Program Manager.
On average, students complete the MS Pharmacology degree in 11 months.
Dr. Christine Canman
Associate Professor of Pharmacology & MS Program Director
[email protected]
Dr. Liz Peckham
Clinical Instructor
[email protected]
Sondra Auerbach, LPC, NCC
Student Affairs Program Manager
[email protected]
Learn more about the Master's program figures including time to degree, funding and more.
