Pharmacology & Drug Development Graduation Stats & Career Outcomes
Key Takeaways
- Industry-Ready Graduates: Over 40% of alumni secure roles in biotech & pharma immediately after graduation.
- A Launchpad for Advanced Degrees: Over 50% of alumni pursue PhDs, postdocs, or faculty positions, demonstrating the program’s strong academic foundation.
- Versatile Career Paths: Graduates succeed in research, consulting, government, and even non-science careers.
- Global Reach: Alumni are making an impact worldwide, from the U.S. and Europe to the Middle East and Asia.
Graduation Statistics
To help applicants and others interested in the Pharmacology & Drug Development MS program, we provide information on the outcomes of trainees who have enrolled in our program.
The information below is based on the 101 students who have been enrolled since September 1, 2013, when the program first admitted students, and have since completed their time at GSBS.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Percentage of Students Completing an MS degree | 100% |
| Percentage of Students Leaving without a degree | none |
| Time to MS degree | 1.8 years |
Career Outcomes
To help all applicants and others interested in the Pharmacology & Drug Development program, we have summarized information of the careers that are being pursued by the 101 MS graduates have completed their training since the program first admitted students in 2015.
| Employment Sector | Number of Graduates | Percent of Graduates |
|---|---|---|
| Biotech/Pharma Research | 43 | 42.2% |
| Pursuing PhD Training* | 27 | 26.5% |
| Academic Research Staff | 13 | 12.7% |
| Academic Teaching Faculty | 4 | 3.9% |
| Academic Postdoc Training | 2 | 2.0% |
| Academic Research Faculty | 1 | 1.0% |
| Government | 1 | 1.0% |
| Communication | 1 | 1.0% |
| Consulting | 1 | 1.0% |
| Clinical Practice | 1 | 1.0% |
| Not in the Labor Force | 1 | 1.0% |
| Non-science Career | 3 | 3.0% |
| Unknown | 3 | 3.0% |
* In addition to the 27 alumni currently pursuing PhD training, 12 other alumni have completed PhD training after finishing their MS degree in PDD.
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- Biotech/Pharma Research - Individuals who lead research teams or actively conduct discovery research
- Pursuing PhD training - Individuals enrolled in a PhD program in biomedical sciences
- Academic Research Staff - Individuals conducting laboratory research in a staff role such as staff scientist or research associate at an institution of higher education
- Academic Teaching Faculty - Faculty at institutions of higher education whose primary role is teaching
- Academic Postdoc Training - Individuals pursuing postdoctoral training at institutions of higher education
- Academic Research Faculty - Faculty at institutions of higher education who conduct discovery research as a significant portion of their activity
- Government - Individuals working for a government agency such as the NIH, FDA, or others who conduct or support research
- Communication - Individuals engaged in science writing, editing or other forms of media
- Consulting - Individuals working for consulting firms that support the science enterprise
- Clinical Practice - Individuals with a clinical degree in addition to their PDD degree whose primary function is treating patients
- Not in the Labor Force - Individuals who are not in the labor force
- Non-science Careers - Individuals pursuing careers not involving science
- Unknown - Individuals for whom current information is unavailable
Career Paths by Top Sectors: Job Titles & Positions
Graduates of the Tufts PDD program have thrived in diverse industries, taking on impactful roles in biotech, pharmaceuticals, academia, government, and beyond. Below is a breakdown of their career paths, showcasing how this program prepares students for market-ready careers and advanced education.
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Many alumni jump straight into industry, working on drug discovery, clinical pharmacology, and therapeutic development at top pharmaceutical and biotech companies.
Common Job Titles:
- Director, Clinical Pharmacology
- Principal Research Scientist
- Senior Scientist / Research Scientist
- Senior Associate Scientist / Principal Research Associate
- Senior Research Associate / Research Associate II/III
- Data Scientist II
Where They Work:
Novartis, Pfizer, Vertex, Takeda, Tessera, Entrada, Alloy, Alexion, Biocytogen, Stealth BioTherapeutics, Flagship Pioneering, Arcus Biosciences.
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A strong percentage of graduates choose to continue their education or work in academic research, taking on roles in teaching, postdoctoral studies, and PhD programs.
Common Job Titles:
- Assistant Professor
- Research Instructor
- Postdoctoral Scholar
- PhD Student (various disciplines: Pharmacology, Neuroscience, Molecular Biology, etc.)
Institutions Where They Study & Teach:
Harvard Medical School, Stanford, Brown, Northeastern, Tufts, University of Florida, UCLA, University of Texas, University of Minnesota, Duke University, The Ohio State University, University of Miami.
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Some alumni contribute to public health policy, regulation, and clinical care, ensuring safe and effective healthcare systems.
Common Job Titles:
- Chief Specialist, Pharmaceutical & Biopharmaceutical Industry
- Pediatrician (Public Hospital Setting)
Employers & Organizations:
- Ministry of Industry & Mineral Resources, Saudi Arabia
- Municipal Children’s Hospital of Astana, Kazakhstan
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A subset of graduates apply their expertise beyond the lab, working in healthcare strategy, consulting, and medical writing to shape industry trends.
Common Job Titles:
- Associate, Healthcare Consulting
- Senior Medical Writer
Employers & Firms:
- EBSCO Industries, President Healthcare Group