EDUCATING LEADERS IN PHARMACY AND PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES SINCE 1886
MS in Clinical and Translational Therapeutics
One of a kind pharmacy research training.
The only pharmacy school based program of its kind in the country, our Master of Science (MS) in Clinical and Translational Therapeutics provides students a valuable opportunity to be involved in research and training to combat disease. We also offer a collaborative Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD)/MS degree.
For All Health Professional Students:
The MS in Clinical and Translational Therapeutics provides PharmD, undergraduate and health care professional students a unique opportunity to train in clinical and translational research.
Hands on Research and Clinical Experiences:
With 30-credits of practical course offerings, we provide hands-on research training and the experiences necessary for students seeking clinical positions in hospitals, pharmaceutical industry, and regulatory agencies.
Be Part of Pipeline Development:
The mission of this innovative degree program is to develop a pipeline of future clinical and translational research leaders through cutting edge scientific discoveries focused on therapeutic individualization and optimization to improve patient care.
On This Page
Choose Your Concentration
Under the Guidance of Faculty Experts
We offer five innovative concentrations allowing for a highly individualized experience. Multiple therapeutic areas are available with a combination of rotations and a pragmatic focus on research. This unique approach, combined with internationally-renowned faculty, will provide you with an unparalleled opportunity for future leadership and career success.
- Clinical Trials
Clinical trial design and analysis from Phase 1 to 4
Faculty mentor: Dr. Qing Ma, Dr. Kathleen Tornatore, and Dr. Gene Morse
- Pharmacotherapy
The pharmacotherapeutics track provides students with the knowledge and skills to understand pharmacotherapeutics in the context of clinical research. The track includes rigorous and individualized training for students by focusing on courses and experiential rotations in pharmacotherapeutic research in the hospital, outpatient setting, which impacts the care of patients to optimize their medication therapy. These studies involve retrospective or prospective research related to patient outcomes, safety, and toxicity.
Faculty mentors: Dr. Raymond Cha, Dr. Nicholas Fusco, and Dr. Calvin Meaney
- Translational Pharmacology
Simulation and translational in silico modeling
Faculty mentor: Dr. Nicholas Smith and Dr. Brian Tsuji
- Experimental Therapeutics
Advancing the science of human pharmacology in laboratory
Faculty mentor: Dr. Brian Tsuji, Dr. Nicholas Smith and Dr. Qing Ma
- Pharmaceutical Outcomes
Pharmaceutical health services research, pharmacoepidemiology and outcomes research
Faculty mentor: Dr. Dave Jacobs, Dr. Collin Clark, and Dr. Robert Wahler
Career Outlook
There is a critical need for pharmacy and health care professional students to gain advanced training in clinical and translational therapeutics. This has been recognized by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which has illustrated a critical decline of clinical scientists with training in both patient care and research.
The completion of this MS, combined with the PharmD or other health professional degree, will give you a remarkable advantage when applying for residencies, fellowships or employment in clinical pharmacy or industry.
Our MS builds future clinical and translational leaders. Our alumni have gone on to a diverse array of careers in top ten academic institutions, schools of pharmacy, hospital pharmacy, the pharmaceutical industry, and regulatory bodies such as the FDA.
Required Courses
Traditional
Students must complete at least 30 graduate credit hours for the MS degree. Required courses with a grade lower than a B- will not count toward the minimum credits.
PharmD/MS: Students spend one year full-time in the graduate program, then return to PharmD full-time. During that one year, students are charged graduate tuition.
| Fall Semester | Credit Hours |
| PHM 551: Clinical Research Methods | 2 |
| PHM 535: Research Rotation 1 | 3 |
| PHM 535: Research Rotation 2 | 3 |
| PHM 535: Research Rotation 3 | 3 |
| PHC 615: Research | 2 |
| Total credits: | 13 |
| Spring Semester | Credit Hours |
| PHM 552: Clinical Research Methods 2 | 2 |
| PHM 553: Translational Biometry | 1 |
| PHM 535: Research Rotation 4 | 3 |
| PHM 535: Research Rotation 5 | 3 |
| PHM 554: Clinical and Translational Therapeutics Seminar | 1 |
| PHC 616: Research | 3 |
| Total credits: | 13 |
| Summer Semester | Credit Hours |
| PHC 616: Capstone Research Project and Defense | 1 |
| Total credits: | 1 |
Electives
Total elective courses: a minimum of 3 credit hours
PharmD/MS students will satisfy this requirement using PHC 532.
School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Electives
| Course | Credit Hours |
| PHM 606: Biostatistics and Drug Literature Evaluation | 3 |
| PHM 706: Informatics and Health Information Systems | 2 |
| PHM 736: Pharmacoeconomics and Pharmacoepidemiology | 2 |
| PHC 517: Pharmacogenomics | 2 |
| PHC 531: Intro to Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics 1 | 3 |
| PHC 532: Intro to Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics 2 | 3 |
| PHM 849: Elective Advanced Professional Practice Experiences (PharmD/MS students only)* | 6 |
*A maximum of 18 credits will be shared between the PharmD and MS CTT programs. PHC 532 and PHC 517 (5 credits) will apply towards both programs, and the PharmD Electives will be fulfilled by the MS CTT program.
University at Buffalo Electives
| Course | Credit Hours |
| PMY 527: Modern Approaches to Drug Discovery | 2 |
| MT 526: Technical Communications for the Scientific Professional | 3 |
| STA 503: Intro to Applied Stats 1 | 3 |
| STA 526: Clinical Trials/Design Analysis | 3 |
| STA 527: Statistical Analysis 1 | 4 |
Full-time registration is satisfied by ≥ 12 credit hours per semester if you are not supported by an assistantship, or ≥ 9 credit hours/semester if you are supported by an assistantship. Registration for less than these credit hours is permitted after the student has completed his/her departmental preliminary examination.
Students should check with the Graduate School to ensure that their registration complies with university requirements. Students should also be aware that different student loan programs, the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service and health insurance carriers can impose different rules for full-time student registration.
Course offerings vary each year. Refer to the Class Schedules.