MS in Management of Drug Development

The STEM-designated Management of Drug Development program is designed for students with a background in preclinical biological and pharmaceutical science. It aims at producing entry- and mid-level scientists with the knowledge and skills appropriate for professional practice in translational research, with particular emphasis on the area of transition between early-stage preclinical drug discovery and clinical drug development. This area, commonly referred to as the “valley of death,” represents one of the most challenging and important areas in translational research, yet programs designed to train and educate future translational science leaders are lacking.

This program will allow you to design, critically evaluate, and optimize broad drug development strategies from the earliest stages of drug design and discovery to their application in patents and marketing. Depending on your interest, additional courses could focus on strategic, policy, and regulatory aspects of drug development.

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.

Innovation: Forging New Frontiers

Since our founding in 1905, the school has fueled pioneering initiatives in research, education, and practice while fostering new generations of leaders. Our impact includes groundbreaking laboratory discoveries, novel regulatory approaches, meaningful health policy reforms, and transformative collaborations in medication management and chronic disease prevention. Curricular advances include launching the first PharmD, regulatory science doctorate, and healthcare decision analysis programs, among many others.

• 8th most innovative university, citing research from the school’s Papadopoulos Lab (ranked by Reuters)
• 4 American Pharmacists Awards Pinnacle Awards (a national record)

Full Spectrum

Our programs span the entire pharmaceutical continuum—from discovery and development to regulation and from translation to patient care and outcomes.

Alumni Network: Lifelong, Worldwide

The moment you join the school, you become part of the renowned Trojan Family—a vast, supportive international network. Our alumni hold leadership roles at major pharmaceutical companies, government agencies, top medical centers, NASA and Jet Propulsion Lab, and many other dynamic environments—and are dedicated to helping USC students and fellow graduates. We give you a world of opportunity.

• 20K+ global USC pharmacy alumni
• 32 USC pharmacy global partners
• 8 USC international offices

Community Commitment: Building A Healthier Society

Through health fairs, community clinic partnerships, public health campaigns, and unparalleled collaborations to manage chronic disease, the school’s students, faculty, and alumni demonstrate an ongoing commitment to improving the health of the community we serve. And through our Science, Technology and Research (STAR) program, we help new generations of underrepresented high school students pursue careers in the life sciences.

• 50+ annual health fairs
• 600+ graduates of our STAR program
• 10 fotonovelas in multiple languages on public health issues

Location is Everything: In the Heart of Los Angeles

Our location on a major academic medical center campus in the heart of a vibrant city offers extraordinary opportunities for internships, community engagement, and mentoring. With 140 countries represented and 224 languages spoken, Los Angeles is filled with diverse cuisine, cultural institutions, and recreational offerings. L.A. is home to more theaters, music venues, and museums than any other U.S. city, and you can ski, hike and surf in nearby beaches and mountains.