USC Alfred E. Mann School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
MS in Medical Product Quality
Los Angeles, USA
MSc
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
TUITION FEES
USD 66,640 **
STUDY FORMAT
Distance Learning, On-Campus
* Domestic Students: June 1; International Students: April 1
** Flat-Rate Graduate: estimated tuition for 2 semesters
Key Summary
The STEM-designated Medical Product Quality degree is designed for students with a background in biological, pharmaceutical, and biomedical sciences and biomedical engineering. The goal of the program is to train students in the theory behind current and future regulations which impact product quality and to provide real-life practical tools they will use in their industry careers.
Professionals working in quality assurance and quality control are responsible for the testing and oversight required to ensure the safety of healthcare products. Students learn about the regulations and guidelines that ensure the quality of drugs, biologics, and medical devices in the US and internationally, and how to apply this knowledge in the ever-expanding field of medical product development and manufacturing. They develop an understanding of the basic principles essential for the interpretation and implementation of quality practices and quality systems.
Courses are offered on weekends to accommodate working professionals and can be attended online for those looking to complete their studies from outside of the Los Angeles area. Students set their own pace, taking as many courses as they wish to take each semester.
The USC MS in Medical Product Quality degree requires satisfactory completion of 32 units beyond the baccalaureate degree. The core curriculum includes courses that focus on basic regulatory frameworks, quality assurance, risk management, statistics, and project management, as well as elective options. Hands-on experience is encouraged through participation in academic and industry internships, or the TRAQS program.
Required Courses
All the courses offered by the Department of Regulatory and Quality Science can be taken either in-person or online (within the United States). Upon admission, we will work with you to develop a course plan that fits your needs.
Introductory Regulatory
- MPTX 511: Introduction to Medical Product Regulation
Quality Assurance (Choose at least 4)
- RSCI 506: Auditing Principles
- RSCI 508: Quality Assurance for Drugs and Biologics
- RSCI 509: Quality Assurance for Medical Devices & Combination Products
- MPTX 515: Quality Systems & Standards
- MPTX 517: Structure & Management of Clinical Trials
- MPTX 526: Chemistry Manufacturing and Control
Risk Management (Choose at least 1)
- RSCI 520: Introduction to Risk Management for Health Care Products
- RSCI 527: Medical Product Safety
Statistics
- RSCI 507: Quality Systems & Statistical Process Control
Project Management
- RSCI 603: Managing Complex Projects
Electives
- Any remaining units can be filled with elective coursework chosen from the courses offered by the Department of Regulatory and Quality Sciences.
Graduation Requirements
In order to graduate with a Master of Science degree in Medical Product Quality you must have completed:
- At least 32 units of required and elective courses.
- Obtained a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better.
- Maintain continuous enrollment during all fall and spring semesters.
- Complete the degree within five years.
Thanks to the generosity of our donors and Dean Papadopoulos, the Department of Regulatory and Quality Sciences offers multiple scholarships based on financial need, scholastic achievement, and leadership qualities.
Scholarships do not have to be repaid and are awarded in varying amounts to students who meet special criteria and qualifications outlined by a selection committee or donor. Unless otherwise indicated, all scholarships and merit awards can only be used toward tuition expenses.
If you are receiving financial aid, due to federal financial aid guidelines your award package may be affected through a reduction in your overall award amount. If you have any questions about the impact on your financial aid, please contact the School of Pharmacy Financial Aid Office.
Eligibility and Application Process
All students will be offered the opportunity to apply for all available scholarships once specific eligibility requirements are met. International students are eligible for all departmental scholarships and are strongly encouraged to apply.
Scholarship applications will open June 15, 2023, and are due by June 29, 2023, at 11:30 pm PST.
- Recipients are selected by a committee of reviewers comprised of faculty and staff.
- Candidates may submit one (1) essay application per scholarship demonstrating how they meet that specific criterion.
- Candidates that do not fulfill the following criteria will be disqualified:
- An up-to-date Resume/CV must be provided in addition to the essay.
- Essay must include the candidate’s program/major and why the program is relevant to the chosen scholarship.
- Essay must be no more than one (1) page in length.
- Essay must follow the formatting guidelines typical to Regulatory Science (i.e.: 12pt font in Times New Roman or Arial, 1.5 spacings, 1-inch margins).
Notification of Scholarship Award
Final decisions on awards are contingent upon acceptance into the program. We do not send notifications to those applicants not selected.
Please note, scholarship awards may be impacted due to a change in program length or a leave of absence. We encourage you to submit a scholarship web contact form to confirm how your award may be impacted.
Not all scholarships may be awarded during the academic year.
Career support is offered to all students and alumni, including recruitment events, career fairs and regular distribution of job postings from companies nationally and internationally. Recruiters are aware of the reputation of our alumni, and are eager to hire our graduates.