Regulatory Science - University of Southern California



			Q1: What is Regulatory Science? Q2: What is included in the graduate level curriculum? Q3: What career opportunities are available for graduates? Q4: Am I eligible to apply to the program? Q5: I am interested in applying to the program, what do I need to do next? Q6: Can I take a course or two before applying to see if the program is right for me? Q7: Can I work while earning my MS degree at the same time? Q8: How long will I typically take to earn a MS degree is Regulatory Science? Q9: Do you have distance learning courses available in your program? Q10: Do you offer a dual degree program with Regulatory Science? Q11: What is the cost of tuition for the master’s program? Q12: Who do I speak to in regards to financial-aid or scholarships? Q13: How do I register? Q14: Who can I contact for further information? Q1: What is Regulatory Science? A: Regulatory Science relates the regulatory and legal requirements of biomedical product development to the scientific research needed to ensure the safety and efficacy of those products. It is an emerging profession experiencing tremendous growth. The rapid expansion of the biomedical industry has resulted in a particularly large and unmet demand for regulatory professionals. The Master of Science in Regulatory Science is an intensive, interdisciplinary program within the School of Pharmacy designed to produce graduates whose backgrounds in biological, pharmaceutical, and biomedical sciences are enhanced by the knowledge and skills needed to manage regulated biomedical products. You can also read an FDA article "Why You Should Care About Regulatory Science." [Top] Q2: What is included in the graduate level curriculum? A: Our curriculum provides a unique combination of in-class training and industry experience. The program offers four graduate certificate programs (12 units each), an Master's degree (36 units), and the Doctor of Regulatory Science degree (64 units). Core courses cover six areas: regulation of foods and medical products, quality assurance, clinical research, statistics, law, and business. Students are able to transfer credits from graduate work that they have done in the past towards their degree. Other credits can be taken from a list of our optional courses or from any area of interest that bears on regulatory science; these alternative courses must be pre-approved. [Top] Q3: USC Regulatory Science and Drug Development graduates are in great demand among top industry employers. Our graduates are now employed in industry, government, consulting and academia. Our alumni are now leaders in a profession designed to meet industry and governmental challenges in speeding up the delivery of medical advances to the people who need them, while ensuring that safety standards are met. The biomedical industry has grown rapidly, and this has fueled a large—and largely unmet—demand for regulatory professionals, both nationally and internationally. Our programs are uniquely designed to produce graduates who can meet this growing need for a new generation of regulatory scientists, formulation engineers, GMP experts and reimbursement specialists. [Top] Q4: Am I eligible to apply to the program? A: The Regulatory Science program is designed for participants with strong science or industry backgrounds. Preference will be given to candidates who have completed previous graduate study in science, engineering or business, although students with particularly strong undergraduate transcripts and leadership qualities will also be considered for admission. [Top] Q5: I am interested in applying to the program, what do I need to do next? A: Applicants have the option to apply to any of the three terms: fall, spring, or summer. Applications can be submitted at any time, preferably at least three months before the beginning of the semester term. International students are strongly urged to apply to the fall semester. Application information and materials may be obtained through several different means. Potential students may wish to browse our website for further information on application processes and required materials at http://regulatory.usc.edu/ . Or you may prefer to contact the program manager directly with questions. You may contact us at (323) 442-3102 or fax information to (323) 442-2333. We welcome applicants to come in and meet with us in-person and speak with our manager; this may be done during the appropriate business hours from 8:00am-5:00pm (PCT) Monday through Friday. Please note, when sending in your application materials, address them as follows: ATTN: PROGRAM MANAGER Regulatory Science Program University of Southern California 1540 Alcazar Street, CHP 140 Los Angeles, CA 90089 [Top] Q6: Can I take a course or two before applying to see if the program is right for me? A: Prospective students may opt to enroll in a course or two as a limited student prior to applying/being accepted to our program. This is a unique opportunity which allows potential applicants to see if they would like to pursue a future certificate, MS, or DRSc degree in Regulatory Science. Limited enrolled students should be aware that they are only allowed to take up to 12 units before applying and being admitted to the program. Be sure to ask our program manager about the “Limited Student Enrollment Form” and status if you are interested in taking courses as a limited enrolled student. [Top] Q7: Can I work while earning my MS degree at the same time? A: The majority of our students work either part-time, full-time or as an intern. Our program offers students a professional advantage by having courses primarily on Fridays, Saturdays, and/or Sundays; occasionally courses will be held on the weekdays. Each course usually meets for a total of five days from 9:00am-5:00pm; the schedule varies from term to term. With this distinctive course set-up, most of our students are able to work and earn their degree simultaneously. [Top] Q8: How long will I typically take to earn a MS degree is Regulatory Science? A: The time period to earn a MS in Regulatory Science degree depends on the individual. On average, most students obtain their degree within a year or two of enrollment, but three years may be needed if you take a single course each term. For participants without industry experience, the full-time MS program has four terms: three terms of course work and one term of internship in industry or government. Part-time studies are possible and encouraged. Talk to our counselor to develop an individualized program that meets your special needs. [Top] Q9: Do you have distance learning courses available in your program? A: We offer our core courses as distance education courses. The Certificate and Masters program can be done completed online if desired. However, we suggest that students may want to combine on-line and classroom based courses where possible. [Top] Q10: Do you offer a dual degree program with Regulatory Science? A: The School of Pharmacy offers an innovative dual degree program for students currently enrolled in PharmD studies. In this dual program, twelve credits of coursework in the PharmD program are counted toward the requirements for the MS in Regulatory Science, which greatly shortens the coursework component. Students wishing to take the dual program should identify their interests early, because the program is best started at the end of the first or second year of studies. Contact the program coordinator if you are interested in the dual PharmD/MS or PhD/MS degree. [Top] Q11: What is the cost of tuition for the master’s program? A: The estimated tuition fee per unit is $1497.00 for the 2012-2013 academic school year. Typically one course is 3 units. Tuition is the same for resident and non-resident students. Registration and settlement of tuition and fees can be dealt with the School of Pharmacy on the Health Sciences Campus (HSC) located at PSC 206-A or call (323) 442-1466. Note: The tuition rates suggested are subject to change without notice by action of the Board of Trustees of the university. The university reserves the right to change without notice any of the terms stated. [Top] Q12: Who do I speak to in regards to financial-aid or scholarships? A: Students may contact the Financial Advisors for the USC School of Pharmacy (Allison Bryant or Julie Andaya) at (323) 442-1466 located on the Health Science Campus at 1985 Zonal Avenue, PSC 206, Los Angeles, California 90033-1086. For more information on Financial Aid materials/forms please refer to http://www.usc.edu/schools/pharmacy/pharmd/fa/. We advise you to contact a financial advisor in the School of Pharmacy if you intend on applying or already have applied for financial aid for the M.S. Regulatory Science Program at USC. [Top] Q13: How do I register? A: Details for School of Pharmacy registration procedures will be included in the orientation program prior to the first day of class for all newly admitted students. Students are advised to add or drop courses using web registration on the USC website. For instructions, visit: http://www.usc.edu/dept/ARR/registration/webregistration.html. After you have been d-cleared to register by the program manager for each course, and you still have problems registering, feel free to contact USC’s Academic Records and Registrar’s Office at (213) 740-8500. If you are registering for a course as a limited enrolled student, please contact the Regulatory Science program manager at least two weeks prior to the first day of class. [Top] Q14: Who can I contact for further information? A: We welcome any questions, concerns, or requests for information about the Regulatory Science Program in the School of Pharmacy at USC. Feel free to contact us at: Regulatory Science Program School of Pharmacy University of Southern California 1540 Alcazar Street, CHP 140 Los Angeles, CA. 90089 On-Campus Mail Code: 9014 Ph: (323) 442-3102 Fax: (323) 442-2333 Email: regsci@usc.edu Web: http://regulatory.usc.edu/ [Top]