Temple University to Offer Graduate Courses in India

Background:

In 1968, Temple University’s School of Pharmacy pioneered the first academic program in Quality Assurance and Regulatory Affairs (QA/RA) in the world.  For over four decades, we have developed and refined this innovative program for professionals in the highly regulated pharmaceutical industry.  Temple’s program is now considered the most comprehensive of its kind, reaching out to hundreds of students across the United States each year through remote technology.

We are excited to expand to India this year through a new partnership.  Starting in January 2012, Temple University will videoconference classes from Philadelphia to classrooms in Hyderabad.  Courses will be taught in English.  Students taking courses at the Hyderabad facility will have the opportunity to receive a graduate-level Certificate (or Advanced Diploma) in Clinical Pharmacovigilance Practices from Temple University.  The courses completed in India are identical to those given in the United States and will earn the same graduate-level credits from our world renowned University. 

Scheduling:

The Advanced Diploma (comprised of five courses) is designed to be completed in two semesters.  Courses will be scheduled over the spring (Jan – April) and summer (May – July).   To complete the Advanced Diploma in two semesters, students must take the courses in the prescribed sequence, completing three courses in the spring semester and two courses in the summer semester.

Students must formally apply to the Advanced Diploma program to be accepted for admission.   IDDCR will provide you with the appropriate paperwork, which must be submitted by the stipulated deadline.  Temple University will send a letter of acceptance to the Advanced Diploma Program at least 6 weeks before the semester begins.

All registration must be made in advance.  The deadline for applying for courses starting in January 2012 is November 30th (no exceptions).  You must confirm your registration with a non-refundable deposit.  Full tuition is due by the date stipulated.

MS in QA/RA Program

Upon completing the five required courses in the Advanced Diploma, students are welcome to apply to Temple University for the Master of Science in Quality Assurance/Regulatory Affairs (MS in QA/RA).  

If you are accepted to the MS program, you must finish your degree at Temple University in Philadelphia, PA (USA).

All of the credits earned for Temple’s QA/RA courses in India will apply towards Temple’s MS in QA/RA degree, provided you have earned a grade of B+ or higher in each course.  Thus, you will enter the master’s degree with 15 credits (or five courses) completed towards the program.

You must complete seven additional courses in the USA to earn the MS in QA/RA.  Four courses are required:

• Drug Development
• Food and Drug Law I
• A good practices course (Good Clinical Practices, Good Manufacturing Practices, or Good Laboratory Practices)
• Quality Audit or IND/NDA Submissions

You may then choose any three electives in Temple’s QA/RA program to finish the degree.  A total of 36 credits (12 courses) are required to receive the MS in QA/RA.  Students are expected to maintain an overall 3.0 average on a 4.0 scale and must adhere to standards of scholarship published on the Graduate School homepage of Temple University:  http://www.temple.edu/grad/.

Temple University will assist you with the application process for the MS in QA/RA.  Temple University cannot review student applications or advise on whether the student will be accepted until all application materials have been received and reviewed by the University. 

For admission to the Master of Science degree in QA/RA, students must provide:

• The application form and current application fee;
• A statement of professional goals and objectives;
• Official transcripts from any universities attended in the USA, including Temple University. (Transcripts must be unopened and mailed directly from the schools to Temple U);
• An official transcript for coursework done at Temple University;
• A WES report, including a course-by-course evaluation for all schools attended outside the USA;
• Two letters of recommendation;
• A signed copy of a current resume or CV;
• TOEFL scores (585 – PCT; 230 – CBT; 85 – IBT);
• GRE scores.

Further details will be provided when the student actually applies.  Applications must be received by the QA/RA Office in the USA by the stipulated application deadlines for each semester:

• July 20, 2012 for admission in Sept 2012
• Nov 1, 2012 for admission in January 2013
• March 20, 2013 for admission in May 2013. 

Visas:

Temple University’s Office of International Students will also advise you of the paperwork needed to obtain a USA visa.  It is possible to obtain a student visa for the QA/RA graduate program, if you pursue a minimum of three courses each semester.  Students are responsible for submitting paperwork to appropriate government agencies by the stipulated deadlines. 

Once you travel to the USA to study, you will be responsible for paying current USA tuition rates (see  http://www.temple.edu/pharmacy_qara/regis-tuitionfees.htm.)  Tuition does not include the cost of required textbooks, nor does it include living expenses in the USA: these are the student’s responsibility. In addition to tuition, Temple University charges a $100.00 International Student Fee, plus the student may be responsible for paying a $65.00 medex or medical insurance fee.

Please note that the special introductory rates for courses in Hyderabad are only available in India for a limited time.  We strongly advise students to take advantage of the unique opportunity to pursue a USA graduate-level certificate program in India at special pricing.

Tuition paid for Hyderabad courses will only apply to courses offered and completed at that facility. Tuition paid cannot be applied to any courses taken by students in the USA. If a student is unable to complete a course (or courses) in India and subsequently travels to the USA, the student must pay USA tuition rates.

Course work:

Temple’s classes meet once a week for 3-hours per session for twelve weeks.  As a graduate student, you are expected to arrive early for class, attend all sessions, actively participate in class discussions, and complete all assignments, including exams.  You will see and hear a “live” instructor from the USA QA/RA graduate program, just as the instructor will be able to see and hear you.  Please be aware that our instructors work fulltime in the USA pharmaceutical industry.  Due to the time difference with India, they may be teaching as early as 6:30 am USA time.  Classes must start at the appointed time, since the instructors have other commitments.

Exams and Transcripts:

Most QA/RA courses have at least two forms of grading.  Often that consists of a midterm and final exam.  Temple University procedures must be followed with the administration of in-class, proctored exams.  Students are expected to attend exams at the appointed time.

Temple University professors teach and grade the courses.  Final transcripts are issued by Temple University. 

Temple University Services:

As a student at IDDCR, you will have access to many of the online academic services of Temple University, including a TUmail account, Blackboard (giving electronic access to class notes), and entry to the TU Portal (which includes access to the University’s computerized library holdings). 

• TU Portal
  The link for the TU Portal is:  http://tuportal.temple.edu.  To enter the TU Portal, you must have a TUmail account, including a Temple Accessnet user name and password.  This information will be sent to you via your personal email, after you are officially registered by Temple and the semester is about to start.
• TUmail
  TUmail is Temple University’s email system.  Every officially registered student of Temple University is automatically assigned a TUmail account at no charge.  Your TUmail account remains active as long as you are a student at Temple and gives you access to the TU Portal, which holds Blackboard (where class notes are stored), your academic records (including final grades for each semester), and access to the University computerized library.  You must provide us with a personal email address when you initially register for a Temple class.  We will send you instructions for activating your TUmail account and creating a password.  Please do not misplace your TUmail password.  The QA/RA department cannot issue new passwords.  Temple’s Computer Services Department must issue one, which takes several days.
• Blackboard
  Entry to Blackboard is found at the TU Portal:   https://tuportal.temple.edu . Simply click on “Blackboard” on the left hand side of the page.  Again, you cannot enter the TU Portal unless you have a valid TUmail address and password.  Your instructor will explain where class notes are posted, whether there are links to assigned readings, and whether you are expected to participate in electronic class discussions. Before each class (except the first meeting), you are responsible for checking the Blackboard page to download any class notes and materials. 
• Course Surveys
  At the end of each semester, we will ask you to complete an electronic survey about your experience with each QA/RA course.  We appreciate your candid comments, since it helps us to tailor courses to meet the unique needs of our students in India.  Please be assured that the anonymous surveys have no impact on your final grade; instructors do not see survey results until several months after the class has ended.

We welcome your interest in our program, and we hope you pursue this exciting opportunity offered by Temple University.

QA/RA website