Program Overview

Pharmaceutical Sciences Certificate Program

The Pharmaceutical Sciences certificate program is designed for individuals with a bachelor's degree in chemistry, biology, or a related field who currently work or plan to work in pharmaceutical or biotechnology companies. The program helps professionals advance their careers by providing graduate-level instruction. Students will learn key concepts in ADME/Tox, drug mechanisms of action, pharmaceutical techniques, drug formulations, aseptic techniques, and basic regulatory information on therapeutic development in the U.S.

Program Details

• Program Type: Certificate
• Academic Unit: School of Pharmacy
• Standard credit hours: 14.5
• Delivery Mode: In-person
• Typical Program Length: 1-2 years
• Typical Course Load: 2-3 per semester
• Estimated Program Cost: $15,378
  • All rates or costs are for illustrative purposes only. Estimated cost is calculated by multiplying the appropriate 2025/2026 UMKC academic year resident rate by standard credit hours. Fees are NOT included in the calculation. Your hours and total costs may differ, depending on transfer hours, course choices, academic progress, program- and university-specific fees, and your qualified tuition rate.

Career Opportunities

The pharmaceutical sciences and biotechnology fields continue to grow. A graduate certificate can help you stand out amongst applicants pursuing roles with contract research organizations and private and public institutions working in pharmaceutical development or industry regulation.

Potential Careers

• Medical and clinical laboratory technician
• Regulatory affairs specialist
• Pharmaceutical sales and marketing
• Pharmaceutical quality assurance

Median Salary

$61,880 per year, based on data from Lightcast.io for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians.

Coursework

Sample Courses

• Sterile Compounded Preparations: This course covers the knowledge necessary to prepare sterile compounds, including review of environmental requirements, proper aseptic technique, and dose calculations, as well as legal and regulatory aspects.
• Pharmacology I: This course covers basic pharmacological principles of drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination; the concept of drug-receptor interactions; dose-response relationships; and mechanisms of action.
• Analytical Methods: This course is a detailed study of the methods used to detect, identify, and quantitate drugs, small molecules, enzymes, proteins, and biological molecules, including the statistical foundation, core concepts, and applications.

Related Programs and Pathways

• Biology (Major)
• Biology — Biomedical Sciences (Major)
• Chemistry (Major)
• Pharmaceutical Sciences (Doctorate)

Application Process

Steps to Apply

1. Gather your materials:
   • Official transcripts
   • Names and locations of previous college(s) and dates you attended
   • Citizenship, residency, and visa information (if applicable)
2. Complete the online application:
   • $45 for domestic graduate students or $75 for international graduate students
3. Check admissions requirements:
   • Some programs have specific admission requirements or may require minimum scores on graduate admissions tests.

Application Dates

• To Start Classes in Fall: Apply by May 16, with classes beginning in August.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Estimated Tuition Per Semester

• Resident Rate: $15,908 (flat rate tuition)
• Nonresident Rate: $15,908 (flat rate tuition)
• All rates or costs are for illustrative purposes only. Estimated cost is calculated by multiplying the appropriate 2025/2026 UMKC academic year resident rate by standard credit hours. Fees are NOT included in the calculation. Your hours and total costs may differ, depending on transfer hours, course choices, academic progress, program- and university-specific fees, and your qualified tuition rate.

Financial Aid Opportunities

• An amazing education shouldn’t break the bank, which is why we offer a number of automatic and competitive scholarships, grants, and other financial aid opportunities — plus financial guidance from our expert advisors.
• 80% of first-year students seeking a master's degree or graduate certificate received financial aid.
• 92% of first-year students seeking a doctoral degree received financial aid.
• 77% of all degree- and certificate-seeking graduate students received financial aid.