The field of personalized medicine is growing, and the Western New England University Master of Science in Pharmacogenomics program prepares you to be a part of that future through a fully in-person (MSPGx) or an online hybrid pathway (MSPGx-HP). Whether you are the type of student who wants to be totally immersed in the classroom experience or are a working professional who wants to advance your career, we’ve got an option that’s right for you.
Students successfully completing the program will earn a Master of Science in Pharmacogenomics (MSPGx). Students also have the option to apply for several dual-degree programs.
Most Bachelor of Science degrees provide suitable preparation for the MSPGx, particularly those that include foundational coursework in biology, cell biology, general chemistry, calculus, anatomy and physiology, and genetics. Examples of relevant degrees include Health Sciences, Biology, Neuroscience, Genetics, Chemistry, Biomedical Sciences, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Cell and Molecular Biology, Environmental Biology, and related disciplines. Applicants who are uncertain whether their academic background is appropriate preparation for the MSPGx are encouraged to contact the program coordinator for guidance.
No, students can spread the MSPGx coursework over more than one calendar year, if needed. We recommend that you discuss this with the program coordinator to make a plan that works for you.
No, the MSPGx program is set up to have coursework completed in a certain order to optimize learning, which begins during the fall semester.
Yes, all of the master’s degree programs at WNE are accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).
Students may live on campus for all three semesters (fall, spring, summer) of the MSPGx program. For more information, please see our Residence Life webpages. You can also contact Residence Life at reslife@wne.edu or 413-782-1317.
The Center for the Sciences and Pharmacy boasts state-of-the-art technology and has several research and teaching laboratories equipped with scientific instruments to be used by students, including Bio-Rad CFX quantitative PCR machines, a QuantStudio Absolute Q Digital PCR System, a SeqStudio sanger sequencer, and more. The Center is designed to ensure a close learning environment that facilitates faculty-student interactions and small group activities. A robust and innovative technology plan is included in tuition and fees. The plan comprises student tablet computing devices, lecture capture, learning management systems, interactive classroom technology, online testing, and electronic portfolios.
Applications to the MSPGx program are handled through the free WNE application site or Pharmacy Graduate Application Service (PharmGrad). The PharmCAS application cycle opens in mid-July for entry into the program the following fall. Applications may be submitted through May 1 and then rolling until the program is full.
An undergraduate GPA of 2.70 is preferred. Candidates with a lower GPA will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
No, we do not require applicants to complete the GRE. You can submit your scores if you have taken the exam and would like to share them to support your application.
Two letters of recommendation are preferred; if provided, we prefer one recommendation be from a professor. Letters of recommendation can be submitted through the application portal, or sent to the admissions office directly at healthprofessions@wne.edu.
We have two types of dual degrees with the MSPGx: the undergraduate dual degrees with WNE Biology, Health Sciences, and Neuroscience bachelor’s programs, and a dual degree with the WNE Doctor of Pharmacy program. Each suggested dual degree course sequence is slightly different in terms of timing and/or coursework from the MSPGx degree alone. You can check out the curricula and suggested course sequences here (BS Biology, BS Health Sciences, BS Neuroscience, and PharmD). If needed, the MSPGx program coordinator will work with you one-on-one to develop an alternative course sequence that works best for you.
Get the best of both online and in-person learning with an online hybrid pathway, which allows students to receive the same excellence in education without the need to relocate, as well as a more flexible schedule to allow students to learn when it best meets their life schedule. While online courses for all didactic curricular components allow students to learn PGx concepts from wherever is best for them, the short in-person immersive session and PGx laboratory and clinical experiences provide feasible hands-on training for students who value skill building and real-life application.
It is important for students to understand that taking courses online does not mean they will be any less demanding than campus-based learning. The hybrid pathway encompasses the same curriculum and delivers the same excellent education as the campus-based pathway. It will require the same educational commitment but with some added day-to-day flexibility. Successful distance students can communicate well through writing, be self-motivated and disciplined, be willing to ask for help when needed, use effective time management skills, and have basic technical skills. To help determine if an online program will be a good fit for you, take a quick self-assessment.
Hybrid pathway students should expect to be on campus for a short 2-day immersive session following the fall semester (scheduled in January), and two 3-week experiential courses during the summer semester. The laboratory experience takes place on the WNE campus and the clinical experience is split between the WNE campus and the UMass Memorial Medical Center Campus in Worcester, MA.
Hybrid pathway students can request completing the hands-on components of one PGx experiential course where they are already affiliated, if deemed an appropriate setting. A Memorandum of Understanding must be signed between WNE and the Learning Site, as well as an agreed upon plan for the student to complete hands-on course objectives at the Learning Site where they are already affiliated, and other virtual course objectives with the MSPGx Program Coordinator and course Instructor(s) of Record. These agreements are expected to be finalized approximately six months prior to the start of the course.
The curriculum of the online hybrid pathway closely mirrors the in-person pathway, except some of the fall semester coursework will be completed during an immersive in-person session scheduled in January after the fall semester.
Due to federal restrictions, international students are not eligible for the hybrid pathway. U.S. citizens and permanent residents must reside in the U.S. to complete experiential education. Additionally, technological support or accommodations cannot be guaranteed for students traveling outside the U.S.
The tuition and fees are the same for the in-person and hybrid pathways. Additional details, including information for dual degrees, can be found on our Cost & Aid page.
To learn more, please contact Lori Berg, executive director of admissions, health professions, at 413-796-2073 or lori.berg@wne.edu. You can also reach out to the admissions office at 413-796-2528.
