About RAQA

 

We welcome your interest in our Regulatory Affairs and Quality Assurance (RAQA) graduate programs. Call 267.468.8560 to learn how our courses, certificates and degree programs can help you start or accelerate your career in the regulated pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical, medical device and related industries.  

Temple University School of Pharmacy continues to be the leader in RA and QA graduate education. Our RAQA program is the oldest (50+ years), most comprehensive, best known and most highly regarded academic curriculum of its kind.  (Click here for the history of the RAQA program.)

Temple University School of Pharmacy was the first academic institution in the world to create a master's degree in QA and RA in 1968, since we recognized that the quality practices and regulations of the burgeoning pharmaceutical industry were evolving into a unique and complex discipline. 

During the past five decades our RAQA program has grown tremendously to include:

All of our courses, certificates and degree programs fulfill regulatory requirements for training and help our students to expand their critical thinking skills in regulatory and quality issues for career advancement.

Experts from industry and the U.S. FDA teach our classes.  A major reason that our program has become so successful is because of the strength of our faculty, who represent multiple companies and areas of expertise.  They share their tremendous hands-on experience with our students in small classes, encouraging insightful dialogues about industry practices and current regulations.

The majority of our students work in regulated industry, including clinical trials, healthcare, the food industry, medical devices, biopharmaceuticals, and cosmetics.  Attracting hundreds of participants each semester, our classes provide an excellent opportunity for students to network with professionals from dozens of companies across the nation, exchanging ideas and insights. 

RAQA is more  than a program: it's an extension of the School of Pharmacy family that welcomes a diverse population of students who are eager to learn.  While  the majority of students work in pharmaceuticals, biopharmaceuticals and medical devices, others are involved with food and chemical companies, the healthcare arena, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical support companies (such as dyes, excipients, packaging, etc.). Many also work for key regulatory agencies, such as the U.S. FDA. The experience and knowledge of the students vary considerably. Some are new to the industry while others have been there for decades. The synergy of newcomers and veterans affords students the benefit of repeated networking opportunities.

Our curriculum provides a thorough grounding in the drug development process and exposure to domestic and international regulations combined with quality principles and practices. 

Students may: 

  • enhance their knowledge of the pharmaceutical industry by taking one course or more;
  • complete a certificate in a specific area, so they have credentials;
  • pursue the entire MS, either mixing QA and RA courses or targeting their chosen electives in a specific aspect of the industry (Quality or Regulatory or clinical trials or pharmaceutical sciences, etc).

Temple allows students to explore the program by taking a maximum of three courses before formally matriculating into the Master of Science.  Students are also welcome to earn one of our certificates on their way to the master's, counting all of the credits earned as part of the MS.

We offer information sessions at our Open Houses each semester, or are happy to visit your pharmaceutical site to speak about our unique program.  Contact  for more information or call 267.468.8560 to speak with one of our staff.

We look forward to helping you to advance your career. Call 267.468.8560 to learn how our courses, certificates and degree programs can help you start or accelerate your career path in the regulated pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical, medical device and related industries.