Pharmacology and Toxicology, Master of Science

Program Overview

Advance your career on your own time and in your own location with the Michigan State University Pharmacology & Toxicology online Master's program. The Master of Science in Pharmacology & Toxicology provides advanced training, with courses available in both pharmacology and toxicology, without on-campus laboratory or research project requirements.

Students who would benefit from this Master of Science (MS) in Pharmacology & Toxicology program include pharmaceutical industry employees planning to advance their careers from technical positions to more senior roles, healthcare professionals interested in increasing their knowledge of pharmacology and toxicology for clinical or teaching purposes, and individuals expanding their academic credentials to prepare for application to professional school.

Program Outcomes

Students will gain comprehensive knowledge of systems pharmacology and/or toxicology in this online degree program. Core courses build a foundation on principles of pharmacology and experimental design and analysis. The capstone review paper develops literature research, writing, and critical thinking skills. Elective courses allow you to expand your knowledge in areas of greatest interest or highest value for your career goals.

Career Outlook

Graduates from our online Master's degree program have consistently received promotions from positions as technicians or Assistant Scientists to Research Coordinators, Study Managers, and Associate or Senior Scientists in pharmaceutical companies, contract research organizations, or clinical laboratories. Many of our pre-professional students have gained entry to medical, dental, and pharmacy programs.

Career Pathways and Potential Earnings

Graduates of Pharmacology and Toxicology can expect job titles and median salaries similar to the following:

Career Pathways and Potential Earnings for Pharmacology and Toxicology Students

Target Occupation

National Median Salary (USD)

Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists

$100,589

Natural Sciences Managers

$161,179

Chemists

$84,157

Technical Writers

$91,666

Disclaimer: Salary data is sourced from © 2026 Lightcast, based on information from the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW). Please note that this information is intended solely for reference purposes. MSU Online disclaims any responsibility or liability for any inaccuracies, omissions, or errors in the data.

A Top-Ranked Education

29th among Best Public Universities in America — U.S. News & World Report, 2026
Veteran-Friendly 'Gold Status' 10 Years in a Row — Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency, 2025

Tuition & Fees per credit

In-State Tuition

Out-of-State Tuition

$900

Cost of Attendance

The university reserves the right to make changes in the types, structures, rates for fees, and tuition. Every effort will be made to give as much advance notice as possible. In addition to tuition and fees, there are other expenses associated with your Cost of Attendance. A breakdown of a graduate student budget can be found on the "Estimate Your Cost of Attendance" page.

The MSU Value Promise

You can be ensured a return on your investment at Michigan State University.

As one of the top research universities in the world, Michigan State University has advanced the common good with uncommon will since 1855.

MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community.

MSU has been offering online degree programs since 1998. Our maturity is evident in the high quality of the learning experience enjoyed by our online students.

MSU provides programs and initiatives that support and enhance diversity. We will expand our campus and external partnerships to put in place inclusive recruitment and retention practices. We nurture and promote individuals’ varied experiences and perspectives, ensuring structures and processes make possible full participation by all members of our community.

MSU actively collaborates with campus and external partners to innovate across all dimensions of graduate education. We create and support networks that increase collaboration and improve educational opportunities for our online students.

MSU’s nationally recognized online programs foster student growth and well-being throughout their academic career. We will expand inclusive mentoring practices and accelerate improvement across units to implement evidence-based practices to ensure our students complete successfully.

Continuing education can be one of the most exciting, challenging, and rewarding experiences you undertake in your life. We hope you consider becoming a Spartan, to learn online and reach your career goals. With highly ranked online programs and exceptional professors, we educate students who advance the common good with uncommon will.

Course Information

Core Courses

PHM 819 - Principles of Drug-Tissue Interaction (2 Credits)
PHM 822 - Academic and Research Integrity (1 Credit)
PHM 830 - Experimental Design and Data Analysis (3 Credits)
PHM 850 - Communications for Scientists (2 Credits)
PHM 982 - MS Capstone Literature Review (2 Credits)

Electives

BLD 830 - Concepts in Molecular Biology (2 Credits)
BLD 842 - Managing Biomedical Laboratory Operations (2 Credits)
PH 803 - Epidemiology and Public Health (3 Credits)
PH 806 - Environmental Factors of Health (3 Credits)
PH 833 - Intro to Pharmaceutical Counterfeiting and Public Health (3 Credits)
PHM 430 - Human Pharmacology (3 Credits)
PHM 431 - Drug Abuse (3 Credits)
PHM 450 - Introduction to Chemical Toxicology (3 Credits)
PHM 461 - Tropical Medicine Pharmacology (2 Credits)
PHM 483 - Chemotherapy of Infectious Diseases (3 Credits)
PHM 492 - Pharmacotherapy of Human Viral Infections (2 Credits)
PHM 811 - Global Health – Pharm and Tox Perspective (2 credits)
PHM 813 - Cardiovascular Pharmacology (3 Credits)
PHM 817 - Neurotoxicology (2 Credits)
PHM 818 - Practical PK/PD Modeling and Simulation in Drug Develop (1 credit)
PHM 823 - Current Topics in Pharmacology and Toxicology (1 credit)
PHM 828 - Concepts in Carcinogenesis (2 Credits)
PHM 829 - Neuropharmacology (2 Credits)
PHM 831 - Endocrine Pharmacology (2 Credits)
PHM 833 - Gastrointestinal and Liver Pharmacology and Toxicology (2 Credits)
PHM 834 - Respiratory Pharmacology and Toxicology (2 Credits)
PHM 835 - Biopharmaceuticals: from Development to Manufacturing (3 Credits)
PHM 837 - Autonomic Pharmacology (1 Credit)
PHM 838 – Pharmacogenomics (2 credits)
PHM 840 - Safety Pharmacology (2 Credits)
PHM 841 - Cellular and Molecular Toxicology (3 Credits)
PHM 851 - Intellectual Property and Patent Law (2 Credits)
PHM 854 - Leadership and Team building for Researchers (2 Credits)
PHM 855 - Business of Biomedical Research (2 Credits)
PHM 857 - Introduction of Project Management (2 Credits)
PHM 858 - Drug Development Process (3 Credits)
VM 812 - Food Safety Toxicology (3 Credits)

Admissions and Requirements

To be accepted to this program, you must have:

A bachelor's degree
Completed a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
Completed coursework
Applicants must have a minimum of 3 credits in chemistry and 3 credits in biology. Preference will be given to applicants with undergraduate degrees in biological or biochemical sciences, additional science coursework, and/or professional experience.
A written personal statement
Complete a personal/academic statement, including your reason for choosing our program and your career or academic goals after earning this degree.
3 letters of recommendation (preferably academic or professional supervisory). Provide contact information for your recommenders and the MSU application system will provide instructions to them.
Official transcripts from all previous schools

To apply to this program:

Complete a university graduate application and pay the application fee.
Submit all required materials to the application portal.
International Graduate Application (VISA information is not required for this online program).

Pharmacology and Toxicology

Master of Science

Online

Course Delivery

31

Total Credits

$900

Credit Hour

2 Years

Minimum Duration

Isola Brown, Ph.D.

Program Overview

Program Outcomes

Career Outlook

Career Pathways and Potential Earnings

A Top-Ranked Education

Key Dates

Fall Semester

Application Deadline

Spring Semester

Application Deadline

Summer Semester

Application Deadline

Tuition & Fees per credit

Cost of Attendance

The MSU Value Promise

Next Steps

Course Information

Core Courses

Electives

Admissions and Requirements

To be accepted to this program, you must have:

To apply to this program: