Master of Science in Translational Pharmacology

Student in a white coat in a lab
Next Application Deadline:
February 6, 2026
Credit hours: 30-36
Next Term Start Date:
May 11, 2026

Upcoming Information Session:

  • MS Translational Pharmacology Info Session: November 12

    11/12/2025 at 6:30 pm
    Register Today

Develop skills in preclinical or clinical trial design, toxicology, safety or clinical pharmacology, or advance your career in research administration.

The Master of Science in Translational Pharmacology program is designed for recent graduates and clinical professionals with a science, biotech or animal science background interested in advance their career and specializing in clinical trial design or preclinical toxicology and safety pharmacology studies.

The program is offered 100% online in an asynchronous format by the Ohio State College of Medicine Department of Biological Chemistry and Pharmacology and in collaboration with the Ohio State colleges of Pharmacy and Nursing, designed with you in mind to be flexible and work to fit your needs.

Choose from one of two specializations: Toxicology and Safety Pharmacology or Clinical Pharmacology and Clinical Trial Design.

This non lab-based program is 30 – 36 credits and offers coursework in pharmacology, toxicology, and biostatistics, as well as training in the conduct of clinical trials.

Two tracks are offered to specialize your training:

The online Master of Science in Translational Pharmacology offers two distinct specialization tracks, allowing students to tailor their education to their career goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some frequently asked questions and answers we hope you find helpful. Please know that our team of Academic Enrollment Advisors are always ready to connect and answer any questions that are specific to your unique needs.

#4 Ranked Pharmacy School_US News and World Report

Academic Calendar

For the convenience of online students, multiple start dates are offered during the academic calendar year for the online Master of Science in Translational Pharmacology program.

Academic Calendar

For the convenience of online students, multiple start dates are offered during the academic calendar year for the online Master of Science in Translational Pharmacology program.

Admission Criteria

Degree Requirements: For application to the MS Translational Pharmacology program, a clinical, health science or bioscience bachelors degree is preferred.

If an applicant has attended more than one university, all GPAs will be combined. Official GPAs are calculated by the university’s Graduate and Professional Admissions Office.

Prerequisite Coursework: Applicants to the MS Translational Pharmacology program not holding a bachelor’s degree or higher in a clinical, health science or bioscience field are encouraged to complete coursework in biology, chemistry and physiology before entry to the program.

Application Materials

NC-SARA Participating Institution logo

The Ohio State University participates in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA).

SARA is a national initiative that increases student access to distance education courses and programs while maintaining compliance with state regulations. Institutions participating in SARA can offer educational opportunities in all 49 SARA member states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico without seeking individual approval in each state.

California is not a SARA member state, however, OSU may offer online courses and programs to students located in California under the California Private Post-Secondary Act of 2009.

The Application Process

Once you understand your program’s admission criteria, please note the application deadline. You’ll need a quiet space and a variety of materials for your application. To learn more, please see our Admissions page for the full process. Ready to Apply? Find your application here.

Career Outlook

Graduates with this master’s degree may find rewarding clinical research career opportunities as clinical trials administers, project managers, quality assurance specialists, and in pharmaceutical sales. In organizations conducting preclinical drug studies, graduates may find entry- and mid-level opportunities as study coordinators and directors, quality assurance specialists, laboratory animal resource managers, and project/program managers. Graduates already holding a doctorate degree may leverage this master’s degree to advance their careers as clinical investigators, research scientists, clinical pharmacologists, or medical affairs specialists in the pharmaceutical industry, contract research organizations, clinical research organizations, and academic medical centers.

Students pursuing their master’s in pharmacology complete a culminating experience through a practicum or research study with a partnering clinical research site. Graduates holding a doctorate (MD, DO, PharmD, PhD, etc.) may seek careers as clinical investigators, research scientists, or medical affairs specialists in the pharmaceutical industry, clinical research organizations, or academic medical centers. Graduates at the master’s level may find rewarding clinical research career opportunities in clinical trials administration, project management, quality assurance, and pharmaceutical sales.

Top Occupations by Median Income

National occupational information in Ohio State Online’s Career Outlook tool is sourced from O*NET Online and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The median annual wage displayed to the right of each occupational title above is based on the BLS Employment Projections program. Outlook and percent change indicate projected growth or decline over the next 10 years.

Whether you’re looking to grow in your current career or make a career change altogether, Ohio State’s online programs can help you achieve your goals. Learn what the outlook is for your current or next career move using O*Net’s My Next Move tool.

Curriculum

The credits required for the Master of Science in Translational Pharmacology range from 30-36 with two tracks to specialize some of the coursework:
Track #1 – Clinical Pharmacology and Clinical Trial Design Track
Track #2 – Toxicology and Safety Pharmacology Track

The curriculum is organized into three curricular areas:
#1 – Based on the specialized track – either clinical pharmacology and clinical trial design coursework or toxicology and safety pharmacology coursework.
#2 – The conducting of clinical trials or preclinical studies coursework.
#3 – The program’s culminating project which is the development of clinical trial or preclinical study protocol and manuscript.

Note: The online MS Translational Pharmacology degree is not a lab-based program.

*General pharmacology may be waived for clinicians (MD, DO, PharmD, NP, PA, etc.) and other students who have completed a graduate-level general pharmacology course (grade B or better).

**Pathophysiology may be waived for clinicians and other students who have completed any college-level pathophysiology course (graduate or undergraduate, grade B or better).Department abbreviations:

  • BIOPHRM = Biological Chemistry and Pharmacology
  • CBG = Cancer Biology and Genetics
  • HTHRHSC = Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
  • PUBHBIO = Public Health Biostatistics

Understanding Online Course Types

As you research the right online program for you, you likely will come across the terms “asynchronous” and “synchronous.” Learn what these terms mean and how they’re important to consider when understanding how a program will fit into your life.

Learn More

Diagram explaining the differences between synchronous and asynchronous online courses.

Mitch A. Phelps, PhD

Director of the Pharmacoanalytical Shared Resource, OSU Comprehensive Cancer Center
Phelps, Mitch - Master of Translational Pharmacology

Brian Roche, PhD, DSP, DABT

Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice
Brian_Roche MSP Faculty

Frederick Villamena, PhD

Associate Professor, College of Medicine, Dept. of Biological Chemistry and Pharmacology
frederick villamena

Testimonials

Don’t just take our word for it. Hear what MSTP alumni are saying about Ohio State Online’s Master of Science in Translational Pharmacology program.

Testimonials

Don’t just take our word for it. Hear what MSTP alumni are saying about Ohio State Online’s Master of Science in Translational Pharmacology program.

Omar_Kalash MSP student in white lab coat

“The Master of Science in Translational Pharmacology taught me the fundamentals and showed me a lot of the sides of being in a clinical research trial. You don’t get that everywhere.”

Omar Kalash, MS, CCRA Online Master of Science in Translational Pharmacology Graduate

“The pharmacology master’s program took my clinical research efforts to the next level through a better understanding of pharmacology, study design, and identifying outcomes that will help us determine the best treatment options for our patients.”

Lynn Wardlow, PharmD, MBA, MS, BCIDP, AAHIVP Specialty Practice Pharmacist, Infectious Diseases Online Master of Science in Translational Pharmacology Graduate
two MSP graduate students.

I attribute my recent two promotions to educating myself at Ohio State. I really think that getting the coursework done helped me excel at my current position, and it was recognized.”

Demi MacLennan, MS, CCRA, ACRP-PM Online Master of Science in Translational Pharmacology Graduate
deanna kroetz

“Ohio State sits at the center of pharmacy practice change and drug discovery and development”

Deanna L. Kroetz, PhD Ohio State College of Pharmacy Dean

Tuition Fee Overview

Investing in your future with a higher education degree is one of the best investments you can make for your future success. At Ohio State, we know understanding your program’s cost is an important part of your decision-making process. Below are the tuition fees you can expect with your program. Actual costs may vary. Estimates are based on the expenses typical of an Ohio State Online student, who would take 6 credit hours each semester as a part-time undergraduate student (or 8 credit hours for graduate programs), or 12 credit hours (for undergraduate programs) each semester as a full-time student.

The range of credit hours for the MS in Translational Pharmacology program is 30-36 but for calculation purposes, the tuition calculator reflects 33 credit hours so individual’s totals may be more or less depending on their total credits needed for completion. If you have transfer credits that are reviewed and approved, your total cost may also vary.

Tuition and Fees Part-Time – (per credit hour) Full-Time – (per semester, based on approx. 8 credit hours/semester)
Instructional Fee $829.75 $6,638.00
General Fee $32.63 $261.00
Course Textbooks / Course Materials $750-$900 (total) $750-$900 (total)
Distance Learning Fee $100.00 (per semester) $100.00 (per semester)
Non-Resident Surcharge (if applicable) $200.00 (per semester) $200.00 (per semester)

Tuition fees are subject to change. The MSTP program has a range of 30-36 credit hours, the tuition calculator is calculating off an average of 33 credit hours. The table above serves as a guide and not an official bursar’s bill. Full-Time costs are total tuition costs per semester. 

Other Expenses to be aware of:

  • Application Fee: $60 for U.S. residents/$70 for international residents
  • Textbook estimate: $900 (total)

Tuition is calculated on a per-credit hour basis. Master’s courses are three credit hours per course. This program credits ranges from 30-36 to complete, the tuition calculator is calculating off an average of 33 credit hours.

Description: Cost:
Full-time (8 or more credits) Ohio Resident per semester: $6,999.00
Full-time (8 or more credits) non-Ohio Resident per semester: $7,199.00
Part-time (3-6 credits) Ohio Resident per semester: $2,687.14 – $5,274.28
Part-time (3-6 credits) non-Ohio Resident per semester: $2,887.14 – $5,474.28

Full-time students can expect to complete the MS program in three semesters. Part-time students can expect a completion in 6-12 semesters.

*Tuition is capped at 8 credit hours a semester. Students enrolled in 8 or more credit hours a semester will pay one flat fee.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

Due to the size of our program, we do not offer program-specific scholarships, funding, or grants.

Financial aid is available through FAFSA. For specific scholarships or funding, we recommend visiting the Office of International Affairs website for scholarships available. You may also wish to explore ScholarshipUniverse or contact your employer to see if they offer tuition assistance or reimbursement.

Should you have any specific questions regarding cost and financial counsel, please reach out to the Student Financial Aid Office for assistance.

Get Started

Connect with a knowledgeable Enrollment Advisor who can help answer your questions and explain different aspects of the more than 80 online degrees and certificates offered at Ohio State. They are here to help you on your education journey.

Contact an Enrollment Advisor
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