Overview

Graduate Certificate in Drug Safety and Pharmacovigilance

This innovative program prepares the student for working in the highly regulated medical industry in the specialized area of Drug Safety or Pharmacovigilance.

Upon completion of the Drug Safety and Pharmacovigilance certificate program, students will be able to:

  • Be knowledgeable in laws, regulations, and guidelines related to drug safety and pharmacovigilance principles
  • Outline the product development process for medical products
  • Locate information necessary in their role as drug safety and pharmacovigilance professionals
  • Describe the pre-approval and approval requirements for the safety of new products, including the maintenance of those products after marketing through pharmacovigilance systems
  • Be familiar with the complex interaction between regulatory requirements and development processes for new products.
  • Apply established principles of the submission process that regulatory authorities use to evaluate new medical product applications Be familiar with safety signal monitoring and detection technologies

Download the complete Regulatory Sciences program brochure (PDF)

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).

Cost

Tuition & Fees

Tuition rates and student fees can change each year. 

Based on credit hour cost, a person completing this program at the recommended pace would pay $12,240 in tuition.  

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

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

Online students pay the following fees: Connect UGA, Green, and Technology. The total for those fees in the fall semester of 2022 was $147 for students enrolled in exclusively online courses. 

Potential additional costs include textbooks, exam proctoring fees, and technology upgrades. 

Financial Aid

Visit the Office of Student Financial Aid for information about financial assistance for the M.S. in Pharmacy programs.

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 professional growth and development. 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 printer may be required.
  • High-speed internet access.

Daily access to a computer with required specifications and a working knowledge of the Microsoft Windows Operating System, Microsoft Office Suite (including MS Word, Excel) Internet Explorer and Adobe Reader.

Admissions

Credit and Transfer

Total Hours Required to Earn a Graduate Certificate in Drug Safety and Pharmacovigilance:  17 (credit hours)
Maximum Hours Transferable into Program:  N/A

Drug Safety and Pharmacovigilance Admission Requirements

Students who are not currently enrolled at UGA should apply to the graduate school for the Graduate Certificate program in Drug Safety and Pharmacovigilance and are not required to take entrance exams and submit letters of recommendation. Preference will be given to applicants with a degree in sciences, healthcare, or engineering.  Preference will also be given to applicants employed in the pharmaceutical, medical device, and biotechnology industries, or related fields.

Applying to the Certificate in Drug Safety and Pharmacovigilance Program is a two-step process. You will need to submit our departmental application and an application to the UGA Graduate School.

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, Drug Safety and Pharmacovigilance (College of Pharmacy) [CERT_2DSP] 
  4. Submit the Supplemental ApplicationLink to be provided- Complete and email to regsciences@uga.edu or mail to the department:
    Regulatory Affairs Graduate Education Program
    The University of Georgia Gwinnett Campus
    2530 Sever Road
    Lawrenceville, Georgia 30043-4005
  5. Résumé or curriculum vita – Upload to the Graduate School application.
  6. Statement of Purpose - Submit to the Graduate School online in your application  
  7. Transcripts - Submit unofficial transcripts from all institutions attended as part of the online application. Send official transcripts after you are offered admission. 
  8. 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

Curriculum

Drug Safety and Pharmacovigilance Program Structure

The program plan is ideal for working professionals and consists of 17 semester credit hours, delivered online.

Sample Part-time Schedule

Fall Term Spring Term Summer Term
  • Overview of the Pharmaceutical, Biotechnology, Animal Health, and Device Industries (PHAR6010E - 4 semester hours)

  • Introduction to Bioethics (PHRM7230E - 3 semester hours)
  • Overview of Drug Safety Throughout Medical Product Lifecycle (PHAR6140E - 4 semester hours)
  • Good Clinical Practice (PHAR6310E - 3 semester hours)

Student Handbook

 

Contact Information

Email us using the request for information form or call 1.844.842.3294

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