Press Releases


ACPHS Offers Two Graduate Programs to Address Growing Health Care Industry Needs

February 4, 2025

In response to health care market trends, Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences revamped a master's in health data science and launched an online master's in biotechnology. Both graduate programs are designed to pave a pathway for prospective graduate students and health-sciences' professionals in growing areas of the health care industry.  

“Many areas of the U.S. health care market are experiencing significant growth, requiring us to identify where new professionals will be needed,” said ACPHS Dean of Health Sciences Dr. Meenakshi Malik. “Health data science and biotechnology are two of the fastest growing sectors and we feel these programs position students well for careers in these fields.”  

Master’s in Health Data Science 

In an era where data is transforming the health-care landscape, the demand for skilled professionals who can analyze, interpret and leverage health data continues to grow. The U.S. health-care data science market is experiencing significant growth, with a projected 35 percent increase in demand for data scientists by 2032.  

The one-year, fully online master's in health data science is a program formerly offered at the College which has been enhanced to prepare students for an industry that is growing exponentially. Complementing those with undergraduate degrees in public health, health sciences, and pharmacy, the program’s online mode allows students to pursue it from anywhere across the United States.  

The 33-credit, one-year degree program is intended for those interested in obtaining hands-on industry experience and a solid foundation in how data analytic skills can be used in a variety of health care settings to improve the quality of health, health care and business outcomes.  

It includes the option of a capstone project or an internship in a corporate setting such as with health quality monitoring organizations, public health agencies (state or county), pharmaceutical companies, insurance companies and hospitals. 

The program helps develop leaders in the field, or those seeking PhD or fellowship opportunities. 

Master’s in Biotechnology  

The master’s in biotechnology, formerly called the master’s in biomanufacturing and bioprocessing, is an individualized flexible STEM program that prepares the next generation leaders for the biotech/biopharma industry. The newest addition to this program is the hybrid track, a combination of online (asynchronous and synchronous), taken from anywhere across the United States, with an on-campus lab experience at the end of the semester. 

The program also offers two additional, flexible tracks:  

  • One-year accelerated track: On-campus experience 

  • Part-time track: On-campus experience, where students take less than the full workload 

The program emphasizes understanding cell and molecular biology, and how medicines are discovered, bio manufactured and regulated with hands-on training on industry-standard equipment. The program culminates with a biopharmaceutical project (research-focused, review paper, and industrial-experience), allowing an individualized education experience. 

The 33-credit, one-year accelerated degree is offered in collaboration with the Stack Family Center for Biopharmaceutical Education and Training (CBET). It is a pathway for individuals who have undergraduate degrees in science or engineering, early and mid-career professionals who want to enter the biotech sector and biopharmaceutical industry, and established biopharma professionals who want to sharpen their skills and prepare for future leadership roles. 

Graduates are prepared for various positions, including cell-line development, regulatory compliance, and quality assurance. Leading biopharmaceutical sciences companies that hire our graduates include Amgen, AstraZeneca and Pfizer. 

For more information about these programs, please contact ACPHS Graduate Admissions or attend our spring graduate information session on Saturday, April 5 at 10 am.