Program Description

The Master of Science in Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics at USIU-Africa is a specialized graduate program designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills to design and conduct pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic studies in both animals and humans, carry out toxicity assessments of chemicals and drugs, and identify novel drug targets for disease treatment. The program prepares graduates to offer critical pharmacology services such as therapeutic drug monitoring, pharmacovigilance, and bioequivalence studies, while also providing expert consultancy to regulatory authorities and healthcare providers on appropriate drug use. It emphasizes both theoretical and practical training through coursework, clinical attachments, and a structured research thesis. Graduates are well-positioned for a wide range of career opportunities including roles as clinical pharmacologists, research scientists, toxicologists, therapeutic drug monitoring specialists, pharmacovigilance officers, and regulatory affairs professionals. They may also serve as academic faculty, medical affairs consultants, or forensic toxicology experts. The program fosters collaborative clinical and pre-clinical research, contributing to local and global drug and vaccine development efforts and strengthening capacity in rational drug use and health systems improvement.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, graduates will be able to:

1. Provide clinical pharmacokinetics, therapeutic drug monitoring, pharmacogenomics and pharmacovigilance services.
2. Provide clinical and forensic toxicology services.
3. Conduct drug discovery research from natural or synthetic sources.
4. Conduct pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetic and toxicity studies of drugs in animals and humans. Demonstrate ethical leadership in clinical, research and health education.
5. The program offers flexible learning through face-to-face and online/blended/ODeL modes, supporting both full-time and part-time study options.

Mode of Delivery

The program offers a flexible learning experience, combining face-to-face and online/blended/ODeL modes for both full-time and part-time students.

Admission Requirements

In addition to the general admission requirements, candidates must have earned a degree from a health-related field, specifically: Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharm), MBChB, Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD), Doctor of Dental Medicine (DDM), Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM), or a BSc in Clinical Medicine, Nursing, from a recognized university with a minimum GPA of 2.5 or its equivalent.

Career Opportunities

1. Academia & Research
2. Hospital & Clinical Practice
3. Pharmaceutical Industry
4. Drug Development
5. Public Health & Policy
6. NGOs & Global Health
7. Entrepreneurship & Consulting