51¶¯Âþ

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Drug Discovery Certificate (Graduate)

Certificate Program inÌýDrug Discovery

°Õ³ó±ðÌýCertificate Program inÌýDrug DiscoveryÌýin the at 51¶¯Âþ provides current pharmaceutical professionals and pharmacy students the opportunity to enhance their credentials and skills in drug discovery.ÌýIndustry employers actively seek candidates who have an understanding of the processes involved in drug discovery.Ìý

This 12-credit Drug Discovery Certificate isÌýfully online and is a combination of asynchronous and synchronous course content.

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For more information about the Certificate Program inÌýDrug Discovery, please email .

Drug Discovery

Drug discovery involves the research process that identifies new therapies and delivers them to clinical trials. The process comprises multiple stages including target identification, hit identification, lead optimization and preclinical testing. Multiple scientific disciplines such as molecular biology, genetics, chemistry,Ìýmolecular modeling and bioinformatics are employed to advance novel therapies capable of improving patient outcomes.Ìý

Drug Discovery CertificateÌýLearning OutcomesÌý

Upon completion of the program, you willÌýÌý

  • learn the techniques required for pursuing the process for drug discovery;

  • develop a systematic understanding of how drugs and medicines are discovered;

  • expand your professional network; andÌý

  • become a highly marketable professional.Ìý

What sets apart the Drug Discovery Certificate at 51¶¯Âþ’s School of Pharmacy?Ìý

  • Faculty mentorships: Students work side-by-side with the school’s renowned pharmaceutical sciences faculty, learning directly from experts in the field.
  • Verified path to pharmaceutical science research: The Drug Discovery Certificate at 51¶¯Âþ provides graduates with a direct path to careers in pharmaceutical science research, including positions in academia, industry, government, and other research and development environments.
  • Location: The School of Pharmacy is in Philadelphia, a hub for pharmaceutical sciences across industry and academia.Ìý

Program Format and Curriculum

The Certificate Program inÌýDrug Discovery is fully online with asynchronous and synchronous components. The program is 12 credits and can be completed in a minimum of oneÌýyear.Ìý

The program comprises four courses. See the course requirements.

Through the curriculum, students willÌý

  • have a clear understanding of the early-stage drug discovery process for small molecule therapeutics;
  • understand and critically evaluate current literature on early-stage drug discovery programs;
  • have hands-on experience and expertise to conduct noncompartmental analysis of pharmacokinetic datasets;
  • understand late-stage discovery experiments and lead molecule progression in small molecule therapeutics programs;ÌýÌý
  • understand and critically evaluate current literature on late-stage drug discovery programs; andÌýÌý

  • develop technical and report writing skills, including data analysis, interpretationÌýand hypothesis development.Ìý

Careers

Students who earn the Certificate Program inÌýDrug Discovery will be prepared for job opportunities and employers in the field such as the following.Ìý

  • Pharmaceutical, biotech, cosmetic and nutritional companies

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  • Contract research organizations (CROs)Ìý

  • Intellectual property/law firms

  • Not-for-profit research institutionsÌý

  • Project managerÌý

  • Regulatory agencies

  • Research foundationsÌý

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  • Scientific writerÌý

Tuition & Fees

In keeping with 51¶¯Âþ’s commitment to access and affordability, this Certificate Program offers a competitive level of tuition with multiple opportunities for financial support.

are set annually by the university and are affected by multiple factors, including program degree level (undergraduate or graduate), course load (full- or part-time), in-state or out-of-state residency, and more. These tuition costs apply to the 2025–2026 academic year.

Pennsylvania resident: $830.00 per credit
Out-of-state: $830.00 per credit

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Graduate Program Contact

Wayne Childers, PhD, director of graduate studies
Phone:Ìý215-707-1079
Email:ÌýÌý
Graduate office email:Ìý

Program Contact

Benjamin Blass, PhD, associate professor
Website:Ìý
Email:Ìý

Additional Program Information