MS in Regulatory Science

Become a regulatory science expert

Cultivate a career in regulatory science to meet the needs of the rapidly growing pharmaceutical biotechnology and medical device industries with a Master of Science in Regulatory Science.

At University of the Pacific, you will gain a holistic understanding of the regulatory environment and a deep understanding of the process of bringing a product to market — from discovery to development to approval to marketing — from a scientific perspective. The scientific knowledge and training integrated into Pacific’s program prepares you to be an active partner in policy development. You will be equipped to apply science-based solutions to common challenges that arise during the research and development process. As a regulatory scientist, you will be an expert in product safety, quality and efficacy in domestic and global markets.

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Complete your degree in as little as 16 months.

Designed with flexibility in mind

University of the Pacific’s Master of Science in Regulatory Science is 32-unit, non-thesis program which can be completed in four trimester, as quickly as 16 months. Students take courses year-round (fall, spring and summer) and can start in either the fall or spring semester. Courses will be taught in-person on University of the Pacific’s Stockton campus, with one online course.

A part-time course load is an option and, with careful planning, you can continue to work while advancing your knowledge and pursuing your career goals. Please note, course work must be completed within 5 years to earn the degree.

Pursue a career in a wide spectrum of industries

The biotech, pharmaceutical and medical device industries are rapidly expanding and professionals with training in regulatory science are in demand across the U.S. and internationally. Graduates are equipped for roles in government entities such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and equivalent global regulatory agencies.

Integrated experiential learning

Students learn how to develop protocols, evaluate and enforce existing guidance and support regulatory fillings. They are valuable member of the team as it relates to the safety, efficacy, quality and performance of new drugs and health care products. During the capstone course, students get real-world training developing an FDA submission under the guidance of Pacific’s esteemed faculty.

Career outcomes

With your Master of Science in Regulatory Science degree, you can pursue positions in, but not limited to, research and development, risk management, compliance, regulatory writing and regulatory law. These rewarding careers can be found in the private and public sections as well as government agencies, such as the FDA, National Institutes of Health, Department of Defense, Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority and Centers for Disease Control.

Bachelor’s degree
A bachelor’s degree with a B average (3.0 GPA) or higher is required in all upper-division coursework. All official transcripts must be submitted.
GRE
The GRE® General Exam is required to determine an applicant’s readiness for graduate school. The minimum combined score for the Verbal and Quantitative sections is 303. The minimum Analytical score is 3.0. Scores can be no older than five years old.

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Essay
Applicants must submit an essay or personal statement focusing on career objectives and personal ideals. Grammar and writing skills are an important part of the evaluation.
Letters of recommendation
Three letters of recommendation, no more than one year old.
International applicants
All international applicants must meet the following requirements:
- International students who attended schools outside of the United States must submit an evaluation of their academic records. Additionally, transcripts must be reviewed by one of the following outside evaluation agencies: World Education Services (WES) or Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE). Please request a course-by-course evaluation that includes a grade point average (GPA) and have an official copy sent directly to the Office of Graduate Admission. Student transcripts need to be translated into English before an evaluation can be processed. Please check with the evaluation agency for details on specific document requirements.
- A Certification of Finances form with all required documents must be completed and sent with the application materials or upon notification of admission.
- Proof of English proficiency is required of all applicants whose native/principal language of instruction is not English. This requirement can be met by minimum scores of 80 (iBT) or 550 (paper) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or 6.5 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Applicants interested in applying for a graduate assistantship must meet minimum scores of 90 (iBT) or 575 (paper) on the TOEFL or 7.0 on the IELTS. Official test score reports are required and can be no older than two years old.

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We’ve simplified the process of completing your application to just three steps. Follow the instructions below to get started.

Step 1: Complete the graduate application

Applicants should indicate on the application that they are interested in applying to the Master of Science in Regulatory Science program.

When filling out the graduate application, please note your application will be evaluated based on your record of academic performance, Graduate Record Examination® (GRE) scores and personal statement.

To complete the application, first-time users must create a University of the Pacific account to start a new graduate admission application.

All returning users may log in to continue their application.

Step 2: Apply for financial aid

Additionally, if you are interested in financial assistance, please make sure to indicate your interest on the graduate admission application.

Step 3: Wait for your application decision

After submitting your application, please allow us up to eight to ten weeks to process your application. If any documentation is missing, we will contact you.

Once your completed application has been reviewed, the Office of Graduate Admission will notify you of your admission decision by email.

Official admission decisions will be in writing on letterhead from the Office of Graduate Admission. Any verbal or written statements about admission, either expressed or implied from any other source, will not be official.

The Office of Graduate Admission will also notify you by email if you have been awarded any financial assistance.

The Master of Science in Regulatory Science employs the following goals across its curriculum to ensure you gain the tools to excel — both in your education and your career:

Identify, formulate and solve complex scientific problems
Function in multidisciplinary teams
Recognize ethical and professional responsibilities and make informed judgments in global, economic and societal contexts