School of Pharmacy
»Integrated 4+1 BS/MS in Pharmaceutical Sciences
Breakthroughs in drug discovery and development don’t wait. As a student in the Integrated Bachelor of Science/Master of Science (BS/MS) in Pharmaceutical Sciences program at the Chapman University School of Pharmacy, your career won’t, either.
In this accelerated 4+1 program, you’ll start taking graduate-level classes while you’re still a senior. Then, the summer after earning your undergraduate degree, you’ll start completing the remaining requirements to complete your graduate work, earning a bachelor’s and master’s degree in just five years.
The result: You’ll finish your Master of Science in half the time. And you’ll be prepared to begin your career in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry sooner.
Why Pursue the Accelerated 4+1 Pathway?
You’re eager for a career doing the kind of detailed, high-impact research that leads to real advances in healthcare. Chapman’s Accelerated 4+1 program lets you begin graduate-level classes while you’re still a senior, gaining experience that helps you start that career sooner. You’ll graduate with a bachelor’s and master’s in pharmaceutical sciences after your fifth year, saving both time and tuition.
As an undergraduate, you’ll benefit from the hands-on research and internship opportunities available to students in the Schmid College of Science and Technology. Then, in your year of graduate study, you’ll have the chance to work alongside faculty in our School of Pharmacy, conducting research in fields including drug design and discovery, pharmacology and pathophysiology.
4+1 BS/MS in Pharmaceutical Sciences Program Structure
The Accelerated 4+1 program is open to any Chapman undergraduate majoring in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Chemistry or Biological Sciences who meets admission requirements. You can apply to the School of Pharmacy during your junior or senior year; if accepted, you can begin taking graduate classes as soon as you complete 90 undergraduate credits.
While you’ll take your undergraduate classes at the Keck Center for Science and Engineering on our Orange campus, your graduate classes will be held at the Rinker Health Science Campus in Irvine, the heart of Southern California’s biotech industry.
You can count up to 15 credits at the School of Pharmacy toward completion of both your undergraduate and graduate degrees. You’ll complete your remaining graduate coursework beginning the summer after receiving your undergraduate degree.
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Required Courses in the Master's Program
Students must complete at least 36 credits to earn a Master of Science degree.
You can choose from two separate tracks:
- The Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences emphasis includes 15 credits of required courses, at least 8 credits of elective courses, a minimum of 7 credits of research and 6 credits of thesis.
- The Pharmaceutical Economics and Policy emphasis includes 17 credits of required courses, at least 6 credits of elective courses, a minimum of 7 credits of research and 6 credits of thesis.
You will work with a mentor to develop a program of study designed to ensure expertise in your principal field. Under the supervision of the program advisor, you’ll use this customized academic program to prepare for the career path of your choice. A full list of classes and credit requirements is available below using the academic course catalogs.
Course catalog: MS Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences Emphasis
Course catalog: MS Pharmaceutical Economics and Policy Emphasis
MS in Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences Program Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrates general knowledge of the elements of the pharmaceutical and biomedical sciences and detailed knowledge in his or her area of research, including current research literature, policies and procedures, and methodology pertaining to the field
- Advances biomedical or pharmaceutical sciences by synthesizing new ideas, designing, and conducting original research
- Effectively communicates scientific principles, ideas, and research results with different audiences at an appropriate level
- Fosters advancement of the profession and biomedical and pharmaceutical sciences by actively participating in professional activities and societies
Learning outcomes for the Integrated B.S./M.S. in Pharmaceutical Sciences with an emphasis in Pharmaceutical Economics and Policy:
- Demonstrates foundational knowledge of pharmaceutical economics and policy, including current research literature, policies and procedures, and methodology in the student research area.
- Understands health outcomes and pharmacoeconomic research to address health economic, regulatory, and practice factors that improve population health.
- Effectively communicate scientific principles, methodological rationale, and research results with different audiences at an appropriate level.
Courses During Senior Year of Undergraduate Degree
These classes at the School of Pharmacy can count toward the requirements to complete
both your bachelor’s and master’s degrees. You may select up to 15 credits during
your senior year:
Courses Offered in Fall:
- BCHM 420 - Physical Biochemistry Lecture and Lab (4 credits)
- Upper Division Elective (3-4 credits)
- Capstone
- PHS 601 - Responsible Conduct of Research (1 credit)
- PHS 602 - Drug Discovery & Development (4 credits)
- PHS 611 - Pharmacokinetics (3 credits)
- PHS 620 - Biostatistics (3 credits)
- PHS 627/627L - Instrumental Analysis I/Lab (2 credits)
- PHS 641 - Seminar (1 credit)
- PHS 692 - Research Rotations (1-3 credits)
- CS 621 - Bioinformatics and Computational Biology 1 (3 credits)
Courses Offered in Spring:
- BCHM 436 - Molecular Genetics Lecture and Lab (4 credits)
- PHS 628/628L - Instrumental Analysis II/Lab (1 credit)
- PHS 612 - Advanced Principles of Drug Action (4 credits)
- PHS 614 - Biologics (2 credits)
- PHS 621 - Intro to Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Processes (3 credits)
- PHS 641 - Seminar (1 credit)
- PHS 692 - Research Rotations (1-3 credits)
- PHS 742 - Immunology & Microbiology (3 credits)
- CS 635 - BioMedical Informatics (3 credits)
Courses are offered on an as-needed basis. Pharmaceutical sciences (PHS) courses are taken at the Rinker campus in Irvine.
Students must pass all graduate courses taken in the senior year with a grade of C+ or above.
Contact Dr. Elaine Benaksas Schwartz or Dr. Marco Bisoffi from the Schmid College of Science and Technology for any questions regarding BS degree requirements.
Admissions and Financial Aid
The Accelerated 4+1 program doesn’t just save time. It also saves money, as you only have to pay for a single year of graduate school (instead of two). While that can make your degree more affordable, we also know paying for school may still be a hurdle. We want to help. Talk to our admissions staff; they can answer any questions you may have about applying or paying for school.
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Program Application Deadlines
Admission Requirements
Admission to the Accelerated 4+1 program is limited to students in Chapman’s Integrated
BS in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Chemistry or Biological Sciences programs.
Review undergraduate admission requirements
Review undergraduate admission requirements
To apply to the MS in Pharmaceutical Sciences, you must:
- Complete a graduate application in the second semester of your junior year.
- Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.000 or higher.
- Students with a cumulative 3.000 GPA or higher must apply in the semester before the senior year of their bachelor's degree (i.e., the second semester of their junior year) in biochemistry or molecular biology.
- Provide two letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with your academic abilities.
- Write a 500–1,000-word personal statement that includes your interest in the accelerated program at Chapman, your research and career goals and academic and research achievements.
- Provide an official Chapman transcript.
- Provide a resume or curriculum vitae.
Admission to the Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences is conditional until you:
- Complete at least six credits of PHS coursework.
- Receive your BS in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Chemistry, and Biological Sciences.
- Finish your undergraduate work with a cumulative GPA of 3.000 or higher.
Financial Aid
You’ve got what it takes to make a difference. We’re committed to ensuring money doesn’t hold you back. Every year, 85% of our undergraduate students receive some kind of financial aid. As a student in the 4+1 program, you can receive undergraduate aid until you complete your bachelor’s degree. Read more about undergraduate financial aid.
Then, in your fifth year, you’ll have the opportunity to become a paid research assistant with the School of Pharmacy, earning money to offset the cost of your education.
You may also qualify for other forms of federal, state or private funding; contact the university’s graduate financial aid office for more information at (714) 628-2730 or gradfinaid@chapman.edu.
Ashley Alexander, MPS ‘25
“There is not one favorite memory for me because every little moment made up my Chapman
experience. It’s why I get to leave Chapman University thankful for the foundation
I have now.”
Pharmaceutical Sciences Careers and Outcomes
A pharmaceutical sciences degree opens doors to careers rooted in discovery, such as:
- Conducting research into new pharmaceuticals
- Interacting with patients as you oversee clinical trials
- Getting involved with the drug manufacturing process
- Engaging with regulation or health care policy
A master’s from Chapman can position you for any of those careers — or to pursue doctoral work in medicine, pharmacy or other research.
Make Your Mark Even Sooner in Chapman’s Accelerated 4+1 Program
You’re not just interested in science. You’re focused on the kind of laboratory breakthroughs that make a real difference in how patients are treated for disease. In Chapman’s Integrated 4+1 BS/MS in Pharmaceutical Sciences, you can complete a bachelor’s and master’s degree in just five years. You’ll get a jump on your career while working with faculty focused on helping you discover your own capacity for achievement before you graduate.
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