Frequently Asked Questions

Please refer to the main FAQ page for additional questions related to Admission. If you cannot find the answers to your questions on this Web site, please contact the School of Continuing Studies' Admission Office at (312) 503-1083.

Academic Information:

What is quality assurance and regulatory science?
A large percentage of industries in the U.S. are bound to adhere to federally-mandated guidelines. These regulations are complicated and affect all levels of industry processes: from product development through testing and marketing. The FDA is enforcing its codes with increasing diligence and rigor; fines for violations can be dramatic. Quality and regulatory professionals are responsible for understanding federal (and often international) guidelines and developing strategies to implement compliant quality systems.

How is the MQARS program different from other quality assurance degrees?
The MQARS is an interdisciplinary professional program, so the emphasis of the program is in applied science, leadership, project management, and communication skills. The program looks for concepts and problems in quality assurance and regulatory affairs that span life science industries. Many regulatory science degrees are limited in scope; for instance, they may be only pharmaceutically oriented.

Who is the intended audience of the MQARS program?
The program is developed for individuals with some experience in the pharmaceutical, food, medical devices, or other FDA-regulated industries; or scientists holding undergraduate or graduate degrees in fields such as biology, chemistry, bioengineering, biotechnology or chemical engineering who wish to work in regulatory affairs, but have little formal education in the field.

Why not just seek training in this field rather than invest the time and money in a master's program?
The value of a longer program of study is that it is more in-depth and you collaborate on projects with other working professionals in the field. Pharmaceutical, food, medical devices, and other similarly regulated industries face many overlapping quality challenges that are better addressed by a professional master's degree than by internal training programs. Professionals in the regulatory science field routinely find themselves asked to play a leadership role in quality assurance, yet are unlikely to have any formal education in this area or possess current knowledge in this increasingly complex field.

What is the major pedagogical approach used by the professors?
At the School of Continuing Studies, we emphasize interactive learning, balancing theory with applications. You can expect to spend roughly a third of your class time devoted to foundational concepts, a third to studying cases and a third to working on exercises and projects. Of course, each instructor will vary in his or her approach. Your capstone course will be an opportunity to integrate your program knowledge into a practical application.

What careers are available to graduates?
Scientists already working in quality assurance and regulatory affairs areas, as well as those transitioning to this sub-field, should be able to assume managerial positions after completing this degree. For more information visit our industry outlook page.

Who are the course instructors?
Faculty from Northwestern University's Chemistry department and scientists from other universities across America, as well as senior specialists from FDA-regulated companies such as Abbott Laboratories, will instruct the courses. They will utilize their contacts to bring administrators in professional organizations, executive managers in industry, and representatives from industry companies to classes as guest speakers.

Will my degree be conferred through the School of Continuing Studies? What will my diploma read?
All Northwestern University degrees are conferred by one of the 11 schools of the University. The Master of Science in Quality Assurance and Regulatory Science is awarded by the School of Continuing Studies.

I just want to take some graduate-level courses in the MQARS program, but am not sure I want to pursue the entire degree. Can I do this?
Yes. You would apply as a Nondegree Special Student. These applicants must meet the same admission requirements and standards that apply to degree applicants. You may then decide later if you wish to receive the entire degree-classes completed as a Nondegree Special Student may be applied toward the MQARS degree.

Can I receive a certificate?
Yes. The Professional Graduate Series in quality assurance and regulatory science is a flexible program with the capacity to accommodate a wide range of student objectives. Students are able to create a personalized academic plan, taking the courses they need to maximize their value to industry. Students seeking this credential are required to complete five core or elective courses with an average GPA of 3.0 or higher in order to earn the certificate. If you decide to earn the master's degree, you simply need to transfer before getting the certificate and all your previous work will apply toward the degree. You cannot be awarded the credential from both the Professional Graduate Series and a master's degree.

How many classes may I take per quarter?
Part-time enrollment is one to two classes per quarter (check with the financial aid office to see how many classes you need for guaranteed loan status). MQARS students pay per course regardless of how many classes they are completing each quarter. Full-time enrollment is three to four classes per quarter. Since MQARS is a new program, a full-time schedule cannot be guaranteed in all quarters. For this reason, international students (who are not permanent residents or "green card" holders) are not able to apply to the MQARS program at this time.

Can I complete this degree while working full time?
Yes. Given the rigorous nature of Northwestern study, students who work full-time are strongly encouraged to pursue the MQARS degree part-time.

How long will it take me to complete the MQARS degree?
The School of Continuing Studies allows students a maximum of five years to complete a program, although master's degree students generally complete degree requirements in two to three years.

Can I transfer in credits from another graduate program?
No coursework may be transferred in from outside Northwestern University to fulfill MQARS program coursework.

Is work experience required for admission?
The ideal candidate will be someone with some experience in the pharmaceutical, food, medical devices, or other similarly regulated industries, or a scientist holding an undergraduate or graduate degree in fields such as biology, chemistry, bioengineering, biotechnology or chemical engineering who wishes to work in regulatory affairs. Work experience is not strictly necessary for admission. Academic training in one of the above areas may suffice.

Does the School of Continuing Studies offer career placement assistance for graduates?
All graduate students are encouraged to take advantage of Northwestern University's Career Placement Office and its services. Additionally, the School of Continuing Studies provides its own career workshops for SCS students throughout the year. These workshops offer students practical information and advice regarding their future career intentions.

Where and when do classes meet?
MQARS classes are held on our Evanston campus and near or at the sites of companies in northern Cook and Lake Counties such as Kraft Foods in Glenview. Course locations are posted one week prior to the class start date. Please see Rooms Assignments page for details. Each class meets once a week for ten weeks, either in the evening Monday-Thursday or Saturdays during the day. Parking is available at all locations. There is also a free inter-campus shuttle between Evanston and the Chicago Lakefront campus.