Test - Master of Regulatory Affairs
Part-time | Fall Admissions | 2-3 Years | Online
Move forward in your regulatory affairs career by:
- Playing a key role in bringing innovative products to market while ensuring product efficacy and safety.
- Gaining skills to maximize compliance and minimize risk in developing FDA-regulated products.
- Learning the foundation and application of science-based clinical investigation and the corresponding regulations.
This fully online program offers an engaging and rigorous curriculum while providing flexibility to working students.
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2-3 Year Degree
Our part-time, 10 course program is ideal for working professionals. Students have the option to complete the degree in either two or three years. Year one consists of two mandatory foundational classes per term.
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Building Community
Connect with Penn faculty, industry leaders, and your cohort through various opportunities—including social events, professional development workshops, alumni panels, and more.
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Self-paced and Live Learning
The mix of self-paced and live learning permits both flexibility and community building.
- Self-paced content helps learners complete coursework at a time that fits their schedule.
- Live learning gives participants space to engage with peers and faculty in real-time.
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Real-World Learning
Learn from MRA professors who are academic experts and industry insiders, offering a 360° view of the healthcare product lifecycle. Gain insider knowledge of how drugs, devices, and biologics move through regulatory, clinical, and quality channels. With this cross-sector insight, you’ll be uniquely positioned to launch or advance a career in bringing innovative medical products to market.
Our Students
The MRA program is designed for research professionals who:
- Have 2-3 years of research-related experience and are looking to gain more experience in the field of regulatory affairs.
- Are interested in broad perspectives across both academia and industry.
- Are looking to specialize their career focus or increase their job responsibilities with a defined skillset in regulatory affairs.
"The MRA program provided me with an opportunity to transition from a bench scientist into a regulatory professional... I knew this program could provide me the foundation to begin a regulatory career.
I loved building connections with leaders in the regulatory field, as well as building connections with classmates. Many of the courses are led by current regulatory professionals, who are able to provide real-world applications of course material... Also, the connections made during my time in the MRA program led me directly to my next career move"
Program Details
Curriculum
The goal of the MRA curriculum is to provide a broad understanding of the FDA-regulated product lifecycle. The core courses focus on research and development, clinical research, FDA submissions and product registrations, manufacturing, labeling, advertising and post-approval maintenance activities. Course instructors bring expertise from academic medical centers, private industry, and the FDA. This prepares students to pursue careers in clinical research, regulatory or quality assurance sectors.
The MRA curriculum is designed for working professionals. The courses are scheduled in the evenings, typically at 4:00PM or later.
The MRA degree requires 10 credit units including coursework and a capstone. Students may choose to complete the degree in 2 or 3 years. Students may request an extension beyond 3 years for extenuating circumstances; a program fee may apply.
Requirements
Minimum qualifications for the program
**All students are required to know and abide by policies and practices stated in the University of Pennsylvania’s Pennbook and MRA Handbook.
Application Deadlines
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Fall 2025 Enrollment |
Fall 2026 Enrollment |
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Closed |
Open: November 2025 |
*Dates subject to change without notice.
Costs & Tuition
Tuition rates and fees are listed on the Master's Program Costs website (scrolls down to the "Regulatory Affairs" dropdown). Tuition is listed per course unit and students are able to register for a maximum for 2 course units per term. Changes in tuition and fees are implemented in the summer term each year.
Penn employees have access to tuition benefits, learn more about the Graduate Tuition Benefits.
The MRA degree has a total of 10 course units; the Regulatory Affairs Certificate has a total of 4 course units.
Additional Costs
Regulatory Affairs is a fully online program. As such, students are expected to have technology tools (including a personal computer with a working webcam and microphone) and Internet access sufficient for video calling. These costs depend on the type of technology students choose; many students will find that they already own appropriate equipment.
In general, Regulatory Affairs courses do not require the purchase of textbooks, with the exception of REG 6260: Patent Law for Drug Development, for which textbook costs range from $40-150. Courses taken as electives outside of Regulatory Affairs may have additional textbook costs.
International Costs
Students Residing in India:
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Update on the India OIDAR (Online Information Database Access and Retrieval) Tax: Effective October 1, 2023, Penn is required to assess and collect India’s 18% OIDAR tax on transactions where Penn has provided goods or services through the medium of the internet, which are consumed by an individual (not a business) within India. The locality of the consumer is deemed by learning from address, billing address, or other means. Payments to Indian businesses are generally excluded. Online learning experiences for purchase qualify for this tax. Central offices encourage collection of OIDAR tax for Penn online offerings as soon as possible.
Student Registration and Financial Services
Please contact Penn's Student Registration and Financial Services for assistance with financial aid options or information.
Disclaimer
Please note that policies concerning admissions, curriculum, funding and financial aid are subject to change. Additionally, though variations in the curriculum may be possible, any changes will need prior approval and may have financial implications. This website is meant to provide preliminary general overview information only. Students interested in or enrolled in the program should seek personal advising from relevant faculty and staff.