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Graduate Certificate in Chemistry, Manufacturing & Controls

Graduate Certificate in Chemistry, Manufacturing & Controls

photo of Seppe De Galas, instructor in the Graduate Certificate in Chemistry, Manufacturing & Controls

I have international experience in regulatory affairs and quality assurance management, working under multiple regulatory systems such as the FDA and European Medicines Agency. This informs my work and teaching and allows me to provide an informed and complete perspective.

Seppe De Gelas

Overview

The Chemistry, Manufacturing, & Controls (CMC) graduate certificate is designed to prepare the student for working in the highly regulated medical product industry in the specialized area of CMC.

Upon completion of the certificate program, students will:

  • Be knowledgeable in laws, regulations, and guidelines related to drug approval requirements,
  • Know Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Quality by Design (QBD) principles
  • Outline the product development process for medical products
  • Locate information necessary to their role as CMC professionals
  • Describe the pre-approval and approval CMC requirements for new products, including the maintenance of those products after marketing
  • Be familiar with the complex interaction between regulatory requirements and development processes for new products
  • Be knowledgeable of the key aspects of the manufacturing process as it relates to regulatory review and inspection policies
  • Apply established principles of the submission process that regulatory authorities use to evaluate new medical product applications

Designed to increase knowledge in the regulatory framework and to develop competencies in regulatory (including sub-categories), clinical, and government processes that are critical in helping assure the development, manufacturing, and marketing of safe and effective medical products around the world. Course and project work enhance competencies such as critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, and strategic thinking needed to be successful in the medical industry.

Regulatory Affairs (RA) professionals (a collective term used for all specializations) are employed in industry, government, and academia and provide a range of services related to the regulation, development, manufacturing, and marketing of pharmaceuticals, medical devices, in vitro diagnostics, biologics, biotechnology, nutritional products, cosmetics, and veterinary products. There are many specialized areas within regulatory science and the proposed certificate will address one of those areas.

Students gain specialized knowledge and regulatory expertise for working in the medical products industry.

Roles and Responsibilities of a Chemistry, Manufacturing & Controls (CMC) Professionals include:

· Lead preparation of the quality/CMC section of new drug applications, abbreviated new drug applications, investigational new drug applications, new animal drug applications, abbreviated new animal drug applications, investigational new animal drug applications

· Manage all regulatory aspects related to drug substance (API) and drug product including changes in manufacturing, testing, and stability

· Member of product development project teams and commercial product stewardship teams

· Liaise with regulatory authorities to communicate and negotiate submissions and approvals

· Support management in due diligence and strategic business activities related to product development and acquisition

· Maintain current knowledge of the regulatory environment

· Support the quality group during inspections

· Ensure compliance with regulations

Mission Statement

The Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls Graduate Certificate Program prepares professionals to support drug product development, applying Good Manufacturing Practices and Quality by Design principles while navigating regulatory requirements and ensuring compliance throughout the medical product lifecycle.

Other online programs of interest

You also may be interested in these online programs:

Graduate Certificate Clinical Trials Design and Management

Graduate Certificate in Drug Safety and Pharmacovigilance

Graduate Certificate International Biomedical Regulatory Sciences

Mater of Science (M.S.) in Pharmacy, Clinical Trials Management

Master of Science (MS) in Pharmacy, International Biomedical Regulatory Sciences

Accreditations

The University of Georgia is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award baccalaureate, master’s, specialist, and doctoral degrees. The University of Georgia also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of the University of Georgia may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).

College of Pharmacy is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE).

Admissions

Credit and Transfer

Total Hours Required to Earn a Graduate Certificate in Chemistry, Manufacturing & Controls:  14 (credit hours)
Maximum Hours Transferable into Program:  N/A

Admission Requirements

To apply to the Graduate Certificate in Chemistry, Manufacturing and Controls Program, students not currently enrolled at UGA must apply to the UGA Graduate School.  An undergraduate degree from an accredited institution is required, and preference will be given to those with degrees in sciences, healthcare, or engineering. Additional preference will be given to applicants employed in the pharmaceutical, medical device, biotechnology industries, or related fields.
Entrance exams are not required but can be submitted.

Follow the detailed Application Checklist below.

Application Checklist

  1. Application – Submit online to the Graduate School Admissions. Application fee: $75 Domestic / $100 International
  2. Select Campus – Online 
  3. Select Intended Program – CERG, Chemistry, Manufacturing & Controls (College of Pharmacy) [CERT_2MC] 
  4. Résumé or curriculum vita – Upload to the Graduate School application.
  5. Statement of Purpose – Submit a one-page statement of purpose online to the Graduate School through the application system.  
  6. Transcripts – Submit unofficial transcripts from all institutions attended as part of the online application. Send official transcripts after you are offered admission. 
  7. Letters of Recommendation – Submit two letters of recommendation online to graduate school. Letters should be from individuals who can evaluate the applicant’s scholarly ability and potential for success in a graduate program. The application will prompt your recommenders to submit their letters electronically.

International Applicants – must also submit TOEFL or IELTS scores.

Application Deadlines

Domestic Applicants

  • Fall:  June 1
  • Spring: November 1

International Applicants

  • Fall:  April 15
  • Spring: October 15

Cost

Tuition & Fees

Tuition rates and student fees may change each year.

Based on the 2024-25 credit-hour cost, a person who had completed this program at the recommended pace would have paid $10,332 in tuition. Reference this sheet to identify the current credit hour rate for your program of interest.

Please use the Estimated Cost Calculator on the Bursar’s Office website to calculate one academic (Fall/Spring) year’s tuition. 

This program is an E-Rate program, so choose “yes” for the E-Rate line item within the calculator.

Fees for those students enrolled in exclusively online programs are $411 per semester. 

Potential additional costs include:

  • Textbooks
  • Exam proctoring fees
  • Technology upgrades 

The complete cost of attendance can be found at https://osfa.uga.edu/costs/.

Financial Aid

Visit the Office of Student Financial Aid for information about financial assistance.

Corporate Assistance

Consult your employer about the availability of tuition reimbursement or tuition assistance programs.

Military Assistance

Active-duty military, veterans, and military families should visit Veterans Educational Benefits to take full advantage of available financial assistance and educational benefits.

University System of Georgia Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)

The purpose of TAP is to foster the professional growth and development of eligible employees. For more information, see Tuition Assistance (refer to the Distance Learning section). 

Technology Requirements

  • Computer with current operating system (Windows, Mac, or Linux). Additional peripherals such as webcam, headphones, and microphone are required.
  • High-speed internet access.

Curriculum

Program Structure

The program plan is ideal for working professionals and consists of 14 semester credit hours, delivered online.

Courses

CourseTitleCredit
PHAR 6120EProcess Control and Validation3
PHAR 6160EChemistry, Manufacturing, and
Controls
4
PHAR 6030ECurrent Good Manufacturing
Practices
4
PHAR 6100EQuality Control and Quality
Assurance
3

Faculty

News & Events

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Contact Information

Contact us using the request for information form or call 706-452-7948.

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