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Medical Affairs Graduate Certificate

Demand for professionals who translate science into strategy has never been greater. Explore executive education in medical affairs.

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About the Online Graduate Certificate in Medical Affairs

Medical Affairs is one of the fastest-growing areas of the pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical industry, bringing together science, strategy, and healthcare. This fully online, asynchronous graduate certificate in Medical Affairs prepares professionals with the knowledge, executive education, and practical skills needed to succeed in this evolving field. Through an application-based curriculum, you'll gain industry-relevant expertise in medical strategy, scientific communication, health economics and outcomes research (HEOR), regulatory affairs, and emerging technologies like artificial intelligence.

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    Program Information

    Degree

    N/A

    Emphases

    Medical Affairs

    Required Credit Hours

    12

    Program Type

    Specialist Program

    Program Location

    Online

    School

    School of Pharmacy

    Duration

    1 Year

    Begin Your Journey

    This program will provide pharmacy, medicine, nursing, and other healthcare and life sciences professionals with the specialized knowledge and practical skills required to excel in the evolving pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical landscape. This interdisciplinary program bridges science, business, and healthcare, preparing graduates to contribute effectively to evidence-based decision-making, patient-centered strategies, and market access initiatives.

    Complete in 1 year, starting in the Fall or Spring semester.

    Industry-Relevant

    Gain knowledge and skills directly applicable to medical affairs through application-based coursework, such as:

    • Medical strategy and product lifecycle management
    • Clinical and scientific communication
    • Health Economics and Outcomes Research and Market Access
    • Regulatory and compliance frameworks
    • Stakeholder engagement
    • Emerging trends, including GenAI

    Experienced and Research-Focused Faculty

    Learn from experienced professionals and researchers in the field.

    Flexible Online Learning

    Applications to the Online Graduate Certificate in Medical Affairs must be submitted through the UM Graduate School website. All materials are accepted only through the online application system; please do not send any documents directly to the department.

    Admission decisions are based on a holistic review of all submitted materials and the criteria listed below.

    • Applicants must hold a baccalaureate or graduate degree from an accredited institution and intend to participate in courses leading to a graduate certificate.
    • In evaluating applications, the Admissions Committee takes into consideration the applicant’s grades and rank in his or her undergraduate degree. Additionally, the committee will review optional supporting documents such as 2-3 letters of recommendation, a statement of interest, and professional and personal accomplishments.
    • International applicants whose primary language is not English and/or who have completed their secondary or tertiary education primarily outside of the U.S. must submit official scores from the list of acceptable tests found on the University of Mississippi’s International Student and Scholar Services listing of English language requirements.

    Rolling Admissions with start dates in the Fall and Spring Semesters.

    This fully online certificate features classes that explore:

    • Medical strategy and product lifecycle management
    • Clinical and scientific communication
    • Health Economics and Outcomes Research and Market Access
    • Regulatory and compliance frameworks
    • Stakeholder engagement
    • Emerging trends, including GenAI

    Fall: PHAD 6001: Foundations of Medical Affairs (3 hours)
    Fall: PHAD 6002: Primary Marketing Research in Healthcare (3 hours)
    Spring: PHAD 6003: Evaluation and Application of Real-World Evidence (3 hours)
    Spring: PHAD 6004: U.S. Managed Care Payers and Reimbursement Strategy (3 hours)

    The certificate program is part-time and can be completed within one year. Students are required to complete 12 credits.

    Tuition

    More information coming soon.

    Financial Aid

    At this time, financial aid is not available for students enrolled in the certificate program.

    What classes do you take to get an online graduate certificate in Medical Affairs?

    These are the courses you will take to earn your graduate certificate.

    PH

    PHAD 6001: Foundations of Medical Affairs

    3 credits

    This course is designed to provide students with an in-depth overview ofmedical affairs and its critical role in bridging scientific research, clinicalpractice, and commercial strategy within the pharmaceutical and bio-pharmaceutical industry. Students will explore key functions including clinicaland scientific communication, medical and market access strategy, healtheconomics and outcomes research, and stakeholder engagement in this course.Emphasis will be placed on evidence-based decision-making, ethical practices,and cross-functional collaboration in the industry.

    PH

    PHAD 6002: Primary Marketing Research in Healthcare

    3 credits

    This course is designed to provide a comprehensive exploration of primarymarket research methodologies and their application in the pharmaceutical andbiopharmaceutical industry. Students will learn how to design, execute,analyze, and interpret market research studies that inform business andscientific decision-making. Through case studies and the capstone project,students gain practical experience with research design, sampling,questionnaire development, data collection, analysis, and interpretation.

    PH

    PHAD 6003: Eval & Application of Real-World Evid

    3 credits

    This course provides a comprehensive exploration of Health Economics andOutcomes Research (HEOR), Real-World Data (RWD), and Real-World Evidence (RWE)in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. Students will examine howHEOR principles inform market access strategies, reimbursement decisions, andlearn to critically evaluate RWE literature. The curriculum covers fundamentalhealth economics concepts, comparative effectiveness research, economicmodeling, and patient-centered outcomes research. Students will developproficiency in working with diverse real-world data sources, applying advancedanalytics techniques, and communicating data-driven insights to variedstakeholders. Through case studies, hands-on data projects, and real-worldapplications, learners will gain practical skills in developing HEORstrategies, conducting outcomes research, and leveraging evidence todemonstrate value in healthcare decision-making across global markets.

    PH

    PHAD 6004: US Managed Care Payers & Reimb Strategy

    3 credits

    This course provides a comprehensive examination of the US managed care andpayer systems, exploring the complex landscape of healthcare financing,delivery, and reimbursement. Students will analyze various health plan types,payment models across channels of trade, and the regulatory environment shapingmanaged care. The curriculum covers critical topics including provider networkcontracting, utilization and quality management, Medicare and Medicaidprograms, and market access strategies. Through exploration of healthcarepolicy, stakeholder engagement, and ethical considerations, students willdevelop strategic insights into payer decision-making processes. The courseemphasizes practical application through case studies and a capstone project,equipping learners with the knowledge to navigate payer relationships,understand reimbursement challenges, and develop effective market accessstrategies for pharmaceutical and biotechnology products in the U.S. healthcaresystem.

    FAQs

    Have questions about the program? Find more information below.

    The certificate prepares pharmacy, medicine, nursing, and other healthcare and life sciences professionals to contribute to the evolving pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical landscape. Students develop knowledge that can support work involving medical strategy, market research, Health Economics and Outcomes Research, real-world evidence, managed care, reimbursement, and other areas of Medical Affairs and the broader life sciences industry.

    Yes. The Graduate Certificate in Medical Affairs is fully online and designed to accommodate the needs of healthcare and life sciences professionals by bringing executive education to students right where they are. Courses are delivered asynchronously with instructor access, allowing students to complete coursework on their own schedule while meeting course deadlines.

    No. Professional experience is not required. The certificate is designed for professionals currently working in the field who want to expand their knowledge through executive education and access to specialized expertise, as well as for individuals interested in entering the field who want to build relevant skills and stand out in a competitive industry.

    We understand that flexibility is important, especially for working professionals balancing education with career and personal responsibilities. Students may take the program at a pace that works for them while completing the required coursework and meeting course requirements.

    The program consists of four courses totaling 12 credit hours, with students selecting courses to meet their professional needs. Prospective students interested in taking an individual course should contact the program for information about available enrollment options.

    Medical Affairs plays a critical role in connecting scientific research, clinical practice, and commercial strategy within the pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical industry. The field focuses on using scientific and healthcare knowledge to support evidence-based decision-making, patient-centered strategies, and market access initiatives. The Graduate Certificate in Medical Affairs provides students with specialized knowledge and practical skills to contribute effectively in this evolving field.

    Tyler Vest

    Get to know the Program Director

    Welcome! I am the Program Director for the Medical Affairs graduate certificate, and I am here to help with any of your admissions needs. Please feel free to reach out to me if I can be of any assistance.

    Tyler Vest

    Visiting Research Associate Professor