Saint Joseph’s University’s accredited master’s in pharmaceutics program explores how best to administer a drug to the human body and turn chemicals into effective medications. With a pharmaceutics graduate degree, you’ll advance to the forefront of medical progress.
Drug Discovery and Development Certificate
The Drug Discovery and Development (DDD) Certificate at Saint Joseph’s University’s historic Philadelphia College of Pharmacy (PCP) offers students a unique opportunity to gain a comprehensive understanding of how new therapies are brought from the lab bench to the patient bedside. Designed in collaboration with Saint Joseph’s alumni, students will be equipped with both the scientific and regulatory knowledge needed to thrive in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and healthcare industries.
In this 12-credit program, students will enroll in courses focused in biopharmaceutics, pharmacology and medicinal chemistry, with a choice of electives focusing on the following areas:
- Regulatory affairs
- Preclinical and clinical pharmacology
- Clinical toxicology associated with drugs
- Cell Gene Therapy
What Sets Our Program Apart
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Through hands-on lab experiences, exposure to real-world case studies, and instruction from faculty with industry expertise, students will develop practical skills that are directly applicable to careers in research, drug discovery and development, clinical trials, quality assurance, and regulatory affairs.
You will also have the opportunity to connect and network with alumni of the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy (PCP).
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Students interested in pursuing a master’s degree can stack their 12 credits from the drug discovery and development certificate and apply it to the following programs:
- Drug Development and Industrial Pharmacy MS
- Pharmacology and Toxicology MS
- Pharmaceutics MS
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Saint Joseph's faculty are experts in their fields, bringing theory, practice and relevance to the classroom. In fact, 100% of our tenure-track faculty hold the highest degree available in their field. Our small, dynamic classes allow for discussion, reflection and collaboration.
Students will be working alongside expert faculty from the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences to advance their knowledge of drug discovery and development by gaining a specialized and advanced skill set, including:
- Biopharmaceutics (formulation and delivery)
- Pharmacology
- Toxicology
- Medicinal chemistry
- Cell Gene Therapy
What Can You Do With a Drug Discovery & Development Certificate?
Whether students are preparing for graduate study, planning to enter the workforce or looking to pivot into a new sector of healthcare and science, the DDD certificate will provide a strong foundation in one of the most impactful and rapidly growing fields. You will be prepared for a career in the following roles and areas:
- Preclinical testing
- Regulatory strategy
- Scientists (research and development)
- Project management
- Formulations Scientist
- GMP Scientists
- Cell gene therapy and drug discovery and development
- Clinical trial design
- Pharmacokinetics & pharmacodynamics
- Pharmacology
The average annual salary for a drug discovery and development graduate is between $70K-$100K. Medical scientists can expect to make an annual salary of $95,000.
Program Details
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View required courses for this program in the academic catalog. Please contact Isabelle Mercier, PhD if you have any questions about the program curriculum.
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Affordable tuition options start at $938 per credit.*
Pricing does not include room and board, health insurance or any professional, clinical or transportation fees. Visit our Tuition & Fees page or contact us for more information.
Financial aid may be available to you to help offset the cost of your degree. Explore your options on our Financial Aid page.
Discount Eligibility
Have you completed a year or more of service with a recognized service organization? You may be eligible for our mission discount.
Alumni of Saint Joseph's are eligible to receive 10% off the cost of this program through our alumni discount.
Check with your employer to see if they are an Edcor or a Bright Horizons EdAssist member, which may entitle you to a discount on graduate programs.
Note: discounts cannot be combined. -
Saint Joseph's University is a Yellow Ribbon School that accepts GI education benefits. Our Office of Veterans Service can help you access and understand your benefits.
Why Study Drug Discovery & Development Certificate in Philadelphia?
The Philadelphia College of Pharmacy is in the heart of the biotechnology and health science industry, surrounded by 250 medical facilities and within two hours of 75% of all U.S. pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. The city's diverse population and variety of health science employers offers the unique opportunity to gain experience in pharmaceutical research.
Additionally, Saint Joseph’s Industrial Pharmacy Laboratory is conveniently located in Philadelphia’s University City. The Industrial Pharmacy Laboratory is a GLP-compliant pharmaceutical research facility offering complete drug delivery research services. Through this, students will have the opportunity to hone their skills and gain invaluable experience working on research projects alongside experts in the field.
Admission Information
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To be considered for admission you must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution and have earned an undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
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- Apply online.
- Submit official college transcripts from all colleges previously attended.
- Submit a personal statement.
- Submit resume.
- Submit one letter of recommendation.
Visit our Graduate Admission Information page to learn more about admission requirements, key deadlines, additional requirements for international students and how to submit your application.
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Graduate applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. New students may enroll in courses during the fall and spring semesters.
Start Terms:
- Fall: August
- Spring: January
Related Programs
Build your mastery of how drugs and chemicals work with a Master of Science in Pharmacology and Toxicology from Saint Joseph’s. Our program combines theory with experiment and features a thesis-based curriculum, faculty-supervised laboratory research and small class sizes.
Saint Joseph’s Drug Development and Industrial Pharmacy MS prepares students to learn the science and practice of how drug delivery systems are developed. Working one-on-one with expert faculty, students will gain insight and foresight as they uncover new areas of research in our state-of-the-art laboratories.