Behavioral Pharmacology Certificate Program

The certificate program in behavioral pharmacology is offered by Rutgers' Department of Psychology at New Brunswick/Piscataway. The program's primary goals are to provide undergraduate students with an integrated academic and practical background in psychopharmacology and the behavioral sciences that will enhance their eligibility for employment in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and/or health-related industries. The certificate program provides a direct service to the diverse social and economic needs of New Jersey and serves the interests and needs of students at Rutgers. In general, the program will produce a well-educated and experienced workforce that will be attractive to employers in various sectors of the biomedical research community. Applications for the program and the requirements are available from the Department of Psychology. Professor George Wagner is the director of the program (gcwagner@rci.rutgers.edu).

Student Qualifications for Program Entry

 1. Junior or senior year standing.

 2. Completion of General Psychology (01:830:101) and Quantitative Methods (01:830:200) with grades of C  or better.

 3. At least a B (3.0 to 4.0) average in the major.

 4. A letter of support from your faculty research adviser.

 5. The certificate program committee evaluates each application and selects interns based on academic excellence, relevant experience, and a personal statement outlining career goals.

Requirements for Completion of the Program

Students are required to complete three of the following four courses with a grade of B or better:

  01:830:311  Conditioning and Learning (3)

  01:830:313  Physiological Psychology (3)

  01:830:363  Behavioral Pharmacology (3)

  01:830:412  Neuropsychopharmacology (3)

Students also must complete two terms of research for a minimum of 6 credits in participating faculty members' laboratories. To complete this requirement, the student may take 01:830:495,496 Research in Psychology, or, if qualified, 01:830: 497,498 Honors Research in Psychology.

In addition, completion of a summer internship in a participating pharmaceutical or biotechnology company is required. Students become eligible for summer internships after they have completed at least one term of independent study in the laboratory of a Rutgers faculty member who participates in the certificate program. The major adviser, the company sponsor, and the certificate program committee will jointly determine a student's placement in a pharmaceutical company.