Program Overview

Master of Science in Applied Life Sciences

Program Details

Format In-Person Start Term: Fall

Duration Full-time 2 years

Application Deadline: December 8 (priority), rolling admissions thereafter

Cost $22,000 per term 88% of students who enrolled in 2024 received scholarship support

Program Description

The two-year MS degree program prepares students for successful careers in translational, clinical, and public health research and management. This program aims to teach individuals to translate discoveries made through science and health-based research into medical and scientific innovations. Students will be provided with intensive instruction in translational, clinical, and public health research, fostering an extensive comprehension of how these facets are applied within the realm of medical science.

About the Program

The two-year MS program prepares students for a successful career in translational, clinical, or public health research and management, combining rigorous courses with a year-long research thesis project. Graduates are uniquely positioned to excel in a variety of careers addressing the critical and managerial needs of biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, clinical and academic laboratories, and public health and doctoral research. Students in the MS program complete courses in core science, professional development, management, advanced technical topics, and a capstone project. Students also focus their studies further by selecting a concentration.

Program Mission

The mission of the MS program is to develop leaders who advance innovation in life sciences, improve healthcare delivery, and enhance health outcomes, particularly in underserved populations. Through comprehensive, hands-on education, the program prepares students for a variety of career paths, including advanced healthcare programs, PhD programs focused on biomedical and healthcare research, and R&D roles in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and clinical sectors. Continuously evolving with the field, the program offers specialized tracks and concentrations that equip students with the skills needed to succeed in a dynamic and ever-changing landscape.

Concentrations

• Clinical Research
• Public Health
• Community Medicine
• Translational Research
• Infectious Diseases
• Biotechnology

What sets KGI’s MS apart from other master’s programs?

• Life science industry focus
• Applied translational coursework and research
• Clinical research, shadowing, and mentorship
• Research in current public and community health issues
• Professional development opportunities, including physician shadowing and healthcare speaker series
• Real-life company sponsored team projects

35% growth

Employer demand for clinical and translational science professionals nationwide grew by 35% between 2017 and 2026, faster than the average for all occupations.

What Can You Do With An MS Degree?

Your Master of Science in Applied Life Sciences degree offers the competencies and strategic-thinking skills needed to pursue roles in several areas of clinical, public health, translational, and many more areas. Explore the careers and salary information that many of our graduates continue into after obtaining their KGI MS degree.

Learning Outcomes

Science & Research Skills

• Perform hypothesis-driven research
• Evaluate research design and methodology
• Analyze and report data results
• Assess scientific literature and identify knowledge gaps
• Translate scientific discoveries into products that benefit society

Communication & Teamwork

• Communicate effectively with industry leaders
• Contribute productively on an interdisciplinary team

Ethics

• Learn about the ethical principles facing research, development, and business issues inherent in the bioscience industries, and how to adhere to them in your future work.

Pre-Health Track for Postbac Students

Pre-Health Track for Postbac Students: Students in the PPC or PPA programs who aim to pursue careers in healthcare can join the "pre-health track" within the MS program. This track allows students to engage in postbac courses and experiences while selecting one of the available concentrations to tailor their studies to their specific interests and career goals.

Pre-health Track

• Prepares students for admission into graduate healthcare programs.
• Concentrations:
  • Clinical Research
  • Public Health
  • Community Medicine
  • Translational Research
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Biotechnology

Research Track

• For students planning to pursue doctoral degrees (PhD) in biomedical, healthcare, or other scientific research fields.
• Concentrations:
  • Translational Research
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Clinical Research

Industry Track

• Prepares students for careers in research and development (R&D) in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, device, or clinical sectors.
• Concentrations:
  • Biotechnology
  • Translational Research
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Clinical Research

Program Faculty and Staff

• Anastasia Levitin, Program Director (MS and MCHA), Professor of Practice in Translational Medicine
• Barbara Bailus, Assistant Professor of Genetics
• Subhrajit Bhattacharya, Assistant Professor of Pharmacology
• Steven Casper, Henry E. Riggs Professor of Management, Program Director (MBS), Professor of Management
• Favian Franco, Administrative Coordinator
• Gargi Ghosh, Associate Professor of Bioprocessing
• Larry Grill, Research Professor
• Derick Han, Keck Professor of Biopharmaceutical Sciences, Professor of Biochemistry and Pharmacology
• Jeniffer Hernandez, Associate Professor of Immunology
• Haibo Liu, Assistant Professor of Management
• Joshua Morris, Joe & Vi Jacobs Professor of Ethics, Associate Vice Provost
• Maxim Polonsky, Henry E. Riggs Family Professor of Business and Bioscience Ethics, Assistant Professor of Marketing and Analytics
• Megan Prosser, Provost and Vice President
• Animesh Ray, W. M. Keck Foundation Professor of Systems, Computational, and Molecular Biology
• Alan Rothfeld, Medical Director (MSPA), Professor of Practice

Admission Requirements

• Completed online application
• Personal statement
• Resume
• Letter of recommendation
• Transcripts
• English language proficiency (TOEFL, PTE, IELTS, iTEP)
• $75 non-refundable application fee
• Admission interview

Admitted students are required to submit a $400 non-refundable enrollment fee to hold their spot in the program.