MS in Physiology for Therapeutic Development
Become A Clinical Trial Specialist - Coming Fall 2026
The Master of Physiology for Therapeutic Development (MaPTD) is a newly developed one-year, classroom-based program in Chicago designed to prepare students for impactful careers in clinical trial research, implementation, and enrollment. As clinical trials become increasingly complex and diverse, the demand for professionals who fully understand the scientific, regulatory, and operational aspects of trials has grown. This program addresses that need by offering comprehensive training in all facets of clinical trials—from trial design and regulatory affairs to participant recruitment and data interpretation. At its foundation, the MaPTD provides rigorous education in human physiology and disease, enabling students to translate scientific discoveries into rational, patient-centered trial designs. With this integrated approach, graduates will be uniquely equipped to support and improve clinical trial execution in both academic and biopharmaceutical settings, ultimately enhancing trial enrollment and the development of effective therapies.
The program is in-person at the Chicago campus, and has an anticipated length of 1 year.
Apply
We are now accepting applications for admission to our Masters of Physiology for Therapeutic Development Program. For the 2026-2027 academic year, the application deadline is June 15th for domestic applicants and April 1st for international applicants. Classes begin August 24th, 2026.
Please do not hesitate to call or email our program advisors with questions specific to the program, the application process, and new student university enrollment. Contact maptd@uic.edu for more information.
Details
MaPTD students are not eligible for departmental funding or tuition waivers.
You must meet the following
- Baccalaureate degree in the chemical/physical/biological sciences or pre-med program (or similar degree)
- GPA: At least 3.0/4.0 cumulative for the final 60 semester hours (90 quarter hours) of undergraduate studies and at least 3.0/4.0 in science courses. These are the minimum requirements and in most cases, admitted students will have higher GPAs
- MCAT, GRE or DAT
Apply online
Apply for graduate admission to UIC by using the University of Illinois Online Graduate Application. During the application process you will be asked to select your major. Be sure to choose “Physiology for Therapeutic Development – MAPTD” from the dropdown menu. The Program Code for Master of Physiology for Therapeutic Development is 20FS6130MPTD.
Application fees
Application fees may be paid online via credit card at the time you submit your application. Under certain circumstances the application fee may be waived, see Application Fee Waiver Program.
Application Fee: $70.00
International Credential Evaluation Fee: $100.00 (if applicable) – Assessed for all graduate degree-seeking applicants who have post-secondary coursework taken outside the United States
Department Required Documents
In addition to the UIC Application, students applying for Graduate Admission must upload the following documents directly to their admissions checklist.
- Personal statement: succinct description of your background (<500 words)
- Statement of purpose that briefly explains why you are interested in this program and your career goals after you complete the MaPTD degree (<1000 words).
- Test score copy: MCAT, GRE or DAT.
- Resume
- Transcripts from all postsecondary institutions must be uploaded to the Admissions checklist. If the transcripts are not in English, you must provide the original language document and a certified translation. If the proof of degree is not in English, you must provide the original language document and a certified translation.
- At least three letters of recommendation, submitted by recommenders through the application portal. There should be at least two from course professors of which one is from a professor in the sciences. Committee letters are acceptable.
- Interview: request for an interview with prospective students.
Curriculum
MaPTD students are required to complete a total of 32 hours of graduate course work.
The Master’s in Physiology and Therapeutic Development (MaPTD) requires students to complete a total of 32 graduate credit hours, with a strong emphasis on clinical trial education and implementation. The curriculum includes two dedicated courses in Clinical Trials (PHYB 561 and PHYB 562), which integrate biostatistics and span both semesters, providing students with a comprehensive foundation in trial design, data analysis, and real-world application. Additional coursework in regulatory and medical affairs (PHYB 564), and capstone experiences such as workshops and clinical trial office shadowing, ensures that students gain practical insights into the regulatory landscape and operational aspects of trial execution. This structure equips graduates with the knowledge and skills necessary to contribute to all phases of clinical trial research, from conceptualization through implementation and oversight.
The degree is being revised pending final approval of the UIC Senate.
Details
Students will engage in experiential learning and experience real-world expertise through a semester-long project. Students will work with academic and/or industry mentors to implement an individual development program (IDP) to identify potential roles and potential employment opportunities within the healthcare field with an emphasis on academic and pharmaceutical clinical trial offices.
During the nine months of class work, students will be mentored to attain an internship at a local biopharmaceutical company or academic/clinical setting or engage in an appropriate project/immersion program. Students will receive a pass/fail grade based on an internship-specific rubric.
Breakdown of Fall semester
| Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|
| PHYB 551 Human Physiology I | 5 credits |
| PHYB 571 Clinical Applications of Physiology I | 2 credits |
| PHYB 561 Clinical Trials I | 5 credits |
| PHYB 564 Regulatory and Medical Affairs | 3 credits |
| PHYB 565 Seminar | 1 credit |
Breakdown of Spring semester
| Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|
| PHYB 552 Human Physiology II | 5 credits |
| PHYB 572 Clinical Applications of Physiology II | 2 credits |
| PHYB 562 Clinical Trials II | 5 credits |
| PHYB 565 Seminar | 1 credits |
| Capstone Project | 3 credits |
Learn more. View full course descriptions.
Careers
Qualifying job titles
Graduates of the Master’s in Physiology and Therapeutic Development (MaPTD) program will be well-positioned for a variety of competitive roles in academic institutions, clinical research organizations, biotech and pharmaceutical companies, and government health agencies. With in-depth training in physiology, therapeutic development, and clinical trial operations, students will be qualified for positions such as Clinical Research Coordinator (CRC), Clinical Trial Associate (CTA), and Clinical Research Associate (CRA), all of which are central to the planning and execution of clinical trials. Additional opportunities include roles like Regulatory Affairs Specialist, Clinical Data Manager, and Quality Assurance or Compliance Associate, where knowledge of clinical regulations and data integrity is essential. The curriculum also supports career paths such as Translational Research Coordinator, Project Associate in drug development, Health Science Specialist, and entry-level Medical Science Liaison. Through its integrated coursework and experiential learning, the MaPTD program equips students with the skills needed to contribute to therapeutic development and clinical research across a wide range of settings.
Chicago wide pharmaceutical job market
Currently, there are some 200 pharmaceutical companies in the Chicago area. The “I-294” corridor is home to the nation’s second largest cluster of pharmaceutical and medical device companies (Abbott, AbbVie, Astellas, Baxter, Fresenius Kabi, Horizon Pharma, Lundbeck, Phathom, Novartis and Takeda) and comprises most of the employees in the Illinois life sciences industry. Lake County is also home to several growth-stage biopharma companies, including Assertio, Athenex, and TerSera, whereas Cook, Macon, Kankakee, and Champaign counties are home to small scale bioindicators and large-scale manufacturing facilities.