Congrats!  You've completed your Bachelor's degree.  Now what!?  You may be unsure what scientific career opportunities are available or you may just be stuck choosing between two particular paths.  Should you apply to medical school or graduate school? Should you look for a job?  Discovering your preferred next step is often quite difficult.  

Our program is structured to provide time to explore your scientific interests with tracks designed to support your goals whether it's research (PhD track) or medical school (Gap Year Track) or a career (Industry Track).  Our program provides support through professional development, enhancing research skills, along with networking opportunities with experts working in drug development.

MS in Pharmacology students interested in exploring PhD graduate programs have the unique opportunity to connect with UC College of Medicine Professors actively teaching in the classroom or in labs at UC or Cincinnati Children's.  In addition, several MS courses align with the Pharmacology PhD curriculum providing a "head start" once accepted to the program.

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Cincinnati Medicine is a top 40 medical school in the nation for research according to U.S. News and World Report. Medical students may choose to spend the summer following first year earning hands-on laboratory research or assisting with clinical research or even designing their own research project. Many of our students take advantage of this opportunity as it is a chance to complete a mentored research project with Cincinnati Medicine faculty. Given the range of experiences available throughout our academic health center, there is no shortage of ways to strengthen your research skills and advance your training. Many students also participate in research beyond this summer experience or choose to complete a year of research prior to entering the residency match.

Our MS curriculum is quite unique as it is the only one in this region that provides hands-on instruction in Applied Pharmacology and Drug Toxicology. Students have multiple opportunities to connect with industry experts currently working in drug development through special lectures and trips to regional industry. Get a behind the scenes look into how drugs are evaluated for safety!

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In addition to advancing health care across the globe, Cincinnati Medicine students also have the opportunity to improve healthcare closer to home through a vast list of service opportunities. A few examples include the Initiative for Poverty, Justice, the Urban Health Project, and the Latino Health Collaborative. For students who seek to enrich their medical education through service, our programs are designed just for you! Commonly used clinical service opportunities include the Medical Volunteers of UC (MedVoUC), a student run free clinic at a homeless shelter, or UC’s Race Track Clinic providing free healthcare to underserved, Spanish-speaking patients. Mentoring, tutoring, and so much more is also available… what will you choose?!

Cincinnati Medicine students may choose to pursue other passions through advanced degrees. The University of Cincinnati College of Medicine offers joint degree programs with other esteemed graduate schools at our University. Students apply to the medical school and, after beginning their first year of medical school, apply to joint degree programs as a medical student. Our joint degrees include partnership with our nationally ranked Carl H. Lindner College of Business, Cincinnati College of Law, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, and other colleges at the University of Cincinnati.

The Gap Year Track Experience is grounded in Pharmacology and Drug Toxicology, a medically relevant field, with an emphasis on drug safety. Students on this track have the option to select from a variety of challenging elective courses as they work to improve upon applications to medical/dental school (MCAT/DAT, GPA) Students also gain professional development support with personal statements workshops, interview/MMI practice along with opportunities to participate in community outreach experiences.

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Cincinnati Medicine possesses a rare partnership with our University of Cincinnati Office of Global Health. This relationship offers multiple international opportunities to learn while improving the health of people across the globe. One example is the Village Life Outreach program, founded by Dr. Chris Lewis who is Cincinnati Medicine’s Assistant Dean of Diversity and Inclusion and a practicing Family Medicine doctor. The Village Life Outreach experience gives medical students the opportunity to travel to Tanzania to offer healthcare and Wuqu Kawoq is an organization in Guatemala that enjoys regular visits from UC College of Medicine groups. Other programs visit different regions of our world and some even collaborate across disciplines to provide service to those in need.