Roseman University to Welcome Two Inaugural Graduate Studies Cohorts This Fall

Published in the May/June edition of Roseman University’s print edition of spectRum magazine.

By Candace A. Smith

Roseman University of Health Science’s College of Graduate Studies has unveiled two new academic programs; a Master of Science degree in Biomedical Sciences (MBS) and a Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences (MSPS).

Dr. Jeffrey Talbot is the Vice President for Research and Dean of the College of Graduate Studies. Dr. Talbot says the MBS and MSPS programs are an important part of Roseman’s long-term strategic plan and are designed to equip students for thriving careers in the medical, biotech and nutraceutical industries.

“Our programs will implement the Roseman Six-Point Mastery Learning Model,” Dr. Talbot said. “The elements of the models are embedded in Roseman’s DNA.”

The strategic vision was planted six years ago. In 2015, Roseman University President and Co-founder Dr. Renee Coffman invited Dr. Talbot to chair a small task force to assess the feasibility of research graduate studies programming at the university. Feasibility discussions soon transitioned into talks of implementation, planning, and operationalizing the College of Graduate Studies. Representatives from each academic unit of the university participated in the process of making this idea a reality.

“This has been a shared enterprise from the beginning,” Dr. Talbot said.

Dr. Talbot describes his role as Dean as “collaborative,” and is tasked with the development and implementation of the curriculum. His role involves providing guidance over student affairs well beyond the attainment of the degree.

“We want to nurture our students after they graduate,” Dr. Talbot explained, “helping with job search and placement.”

GRADUATE STUDIES AT ROSEMAN: Two Degree Tracks

The MS in Biomedical Sciences program is a 10-month master’s degree program designed to give graduates a competitive edge. The curriculum prepares graduates for an entry-level position in the biotech and nutraceutical field. The MBS program also offers a guaranteed interview with Roseman’s competitive Doctor of Dental Medicine Program.

“The curriculum of the program is comprehensive and builds formal skills required in the analysis of biomedical literature and ethical questions that impact the healthcare and research professions,” Dr. Kamran Awan said.

Dr. Awan is the Program Director of the MS in Biomedical Sciences program, and Associate Professor with Roseman University’s College of Dental Medicine.

“The MBS program is designed to provide students with advanced knowledge in Biomedical Sciences to strengthen their academic credentials before applying to medical, dental, or other health sciences schools,” Dr. Awan said. “Or, to build a foundation for earning a Ph.D. and a career in research.”

The other degree offering, the MS in Pharmaceutical Sciences (MSPS) program, prepares graduates for doctoral studies and teaching within higher education. The program offers internships, mentoring, and networking through Roseman’s industry partners, and is designed to prepare entry-level pharmaceutical scientists for work within the biotech, nutraceutical, and pharmaceutical industries. The MSPS program will take two years to complete, and offers coursework in regulatory affairs and clinical practice. It currently stands as the only pharmaceutical sciences program in Utah and Nevada. Roseman’s state-of-the-art facilities provide the backdrop for prime opportunities for research.

“After program completion, graduates mastered the use of the foundational pharmaceutical sciences to provide competent expertise to the workforce,” said Dr. Casey Sayre.

Dr. Sayre is the Program Director of the MS in Pharmaceutical Sciences program, and Associate Professor of Pharmaceutical Science with Roseman University’s College of Pharmacy. He believes students will gain two things after earning this degree; the skills to be a highly desired member of the workforce and the curiosity to overcome any challenge put in front of them.

“They will have put into practice leadership, communication, and organizational skills that will allow them to hit the ground running at any employer’s organization.”

Dr. Talbot emphasizes the immense value in working alongside the accomplished scientists employed by Roseman’s industry partners. These partners include companies like doTERRA, LFB-USA, JSK Therapeutics, Charles River Labs, and ProCaps Laboratories, and could serve as potential future employers for graduates.

“The 10-month program will prepare for entrance into professional degree programs, including our own,” Dr. Talbot shared. “The two-year program affords students a longer training period with our industry partners.”

The benefits of the MBS and MSPS programs extend to faculty as well. These graduate programs provide an opportunity for professional development and a means of stimulating ideas for an instructor’s own research.

“Our faculty is our strength,” Dr. Talbot shared. “These programs move a faculty member’s own research forward in ways that wouldn’t easily occur otherwise. In a reciprocal way, our students will benefit just as much.”

A WELCOMED CHANGE IN THE WEST

Research is fundamental to Roseman’s mission as a health sciences institution, and market trends point to a growing demand for Master of Science degrees. The MBS and MSPS programs address a lack of coursework of this kind in the west. Both programs are offered in a “hyflex” modality that allows students to continue working while they complete coursework. This model, both hybrid and flexible, offers synchronous face-to-face learning and online instruction. Students decide which instruction model best suits their individual needs.

Roseman’s method of instruction, as well as the hands-on training provided, makes the MBS and MSPS programs distinctive. Dr. Talbot remarks that these programs will focus on regulatory affairs, organizational behavior and leadership, and communication in addition to teaching sound principles in biomedical sciences, public health, and data science. He believes students will leave these new degree programs with a diverse knowledge base, intellectual maturity, and the skills to thrive in the health sciences industry regardless of what they do next.

Monica D’Ottavio is the Graduate Programs Coordinator at Roseman and oversees admissions, coordinates recruitment and academic testing for the college. She believes the MBS and MSPS programs will fully prepare graduates to excel in their industries and has enjoyed playing a part in their inception.

“I feel like I’ve touched a small piece of every part of this,” D’Ottavio said. “It has been a wonderful process of learning from the ground up.”

The College of Graduate Studies has finalized its curricula and is on track to welcome its first cohorts to the Nevada and Utah campuses this fall.