Preparing Career-Ready Pharmaceutical Scientists
Blending technical expertise with valuable 21st-century skills, our Psychoactive Pharmaceutical Investigation (PPI) MS degree program prepares graduates for a wide variety of careers. The PPI program features courses built around project-based learning, critical thinking, scientific communication, and collaborative team projects.
Get Involved!
There are a variety of ways to connect with students in the program. They include:
- Hiring PPI students for Internships and full-time roles (Note: The PPI program requires on-the-job fieldwork, allowing students to further their working knowledge of the pharmaceutical science industry)
- Hosting a Science Talk, either virtually or on campus
- Participating in Employer or Career Spotlight Series, an hour virtual session highlighting organizations and professionals moving the industry forward
- Hosting students on a site visit
Contact Chris McIntyre for more information.
Common Types of Employment Offers
Organizations that hire current students from UW-Madison’s MS in Pharmaceutical Sciences: Psychoactive Pharmaceutical Investigation program typically make employment offers that fall under one of the categories shown below.
| Type of Offer | Student Situation | Common Employer Situation |
|---|---|---|
| Standalone internship offer | Needs fieldwork to graduate |
|
| Internship offer – with possibility to hire full‐time |
Needs fieldwork to graduate |
|
| Full‐time employment offer – pre‐graduation |
Needs fieldwork to graduate |
|
| Full‐time employment offer – upon graduation |
Has completed fieldwork & program |
|
Internships, Fieldwork, and Hiring
Information about Our Program’s Internship / Fieldwork Requirements
Many PPI students complete a Summative Research Internship or Advanced Independent Study as part of their degree.
- Most students will complete their internship or independent study during their last term in our program, usually during a Spring or Summer term.
- Students can meet the fieldwork requirement through either an internship or a new full-time position.
Information about Hiring Our International Students
International students/graduates from our program:
- Are sponsored by F-1 student visas supported by UW-Madison.
- Can complete fieldwork during a Spring or Summer term using the “Curricular Practical Training” (CPT) option allowed by their F-1 student visa.
- Are eligible for 36 months of “Optional Practical Training” (OPT) under their F-1 student visa.
Level up your workforce’s talent
The MS in Pharmaceutical Sciences: Psychoactive Pharmaceutical Investigation program is designed for working professionals who want to continue working full-time at their current job while earning a directly relevant advanced degree. Consider sending your junior-level scientists to our program to deepen their knowledge of the following topics:
- Drug discovery and development processes
- Regulatory affairs; FDA compliance
- GxP; regulated work environments
- Project management
- Laboratory skills and techniques
- Pharmacokinetics
- Biostatistics
- Pharmacology & drug action
Additionally, consider hosting an internship at your organization for a current Psychoactive Pharmaceutical Investigation student, or hiring career-ready graduates of the program.
Authentic, Project-based Training:
Our program’s coursework incorporates industry-based scenarios to build sought-after workplace skills. Our students learn and apply concepts by:
- Analyzing primary literature
- Constructing solutions to real-world case studies
- Working both independently and in project groups
- Generating executive summaries, project timelines, FDA meeting and compliance plans, and data analysis reports
- Giving elevator pitches and formal presentations
This project-based approach allows students to apply technical knowledge while honing their critical thinking, teamwork, and communication skills.
Connect with Us!
We welcome opportunities to connect with potential employers and internship providers.
Chris McIntyre
Employer Liaison
cmcintyre@wisc.edu