A Degree Created to Meet the Needs of the Life Sciences Workforce

The BS in Life Sciences was created to meet an immediate need in the labor market. Using industry-relevant topics, working professionals can implement what they learn into their jobs.

Editor's note: The following thought leadership piece was written by Carol Lauer, Executive Director for Strategic Partnerships and Dean of the School of Professional Studies (SPS) at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS)

Since its inception, the School of Professional Studies (SPS) at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS) has focused on helping working professionals advance their skills to meet real workforce demands. Our newest program, the Bachelor of Science in Life Sciences, is another step forward in that mission.

Entry points into the biotech labor market may seem daunting for workers. There’s uncertainty in the workforce due to NIH funding cuts, reduced capital investments, and changes in the regulatory environment. But there are still plenty of reasons to be optimistic, especially right here in Massachusetts.

A recent report from MassBioEd looks ahead to 2029, projecting that the life sciences industry in Massachusetts will add 16,633 net-new jobs and grow 11.6%. Ensuring companies have the talent they need to grow will remain critical. Our new program is among the first of its kind—and the first degree offering within the School of Professional Studies—built entirely in response to market needs.

We collaborated with MassBio and served as an academic partner for their Bioversity program. Through that collaboration, we gained firsthand insight into the workforce shortages projected across the life sciences sector. We also saw a need for experiential education and developed this degree program in response. One reason why MassBio and its partners cared so deeply about this work is the shared goal of making Massachusetts as competitive as possible, ensuring companies choose to locate here, expand here, and build new operations here.

It’s well-known that Massachusetts is an undisputed leader in life sciences. According to the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, 95% of the top global biopharma companies operate in the Commonwealth, employing more than 160,000 people across 62 million square feet of lab and manufacturing space. Sustaining and accelerating growth requires a highly skilled workforce.

The focus on state-wide competitiveness and industry expansion shaped our approach from the beginning. Through our engagement with life sciences leaders, we gained an understanding of both the current and projected workforce needs facing the sector. Those conversations highlighted significant talent gaps and reinforced the importance of developing highly focused, experiential education aligned directly with industry demand.

We designed the BS in Life Sciences degree to bridge workforce needs with academic preparation, drawing on industry expertise, strengthening key partnerships, and creating pathways that expand access to careers in the life sciences. We tapped into leaders in the life sciences field—those who saw those opportunities up close. Using their expertise, we developed a comprehensive curriculum with the frameworks employees and employers need to be successful.

Positioned within SPS, the degree supports workforce growth by reaching a broader population of learners, including those who may not be able to pursue full-time, on-campus study but are eager to contribute to this rapidly expanding field. Our goal was to make this degree program as accessible as possible while still providing a transformative experience for participants and their employers.

For organizations, the BS in Life Sciences expands the talent pipeline by preparing professionals who can contribute immediately and grow within their organizations. For students, it provides access to one of the state’s fastest-growing sectors. It’s not just about securing a job—it’s about building upward mobility, entering organizations with long-term growth potential, and developing a sustainable career in a field shaping the future of healthcare and innovation.

The BS in Life Sciences reflects what SPS was built to do: respond to workforce realities with education that drives opportunity for individuals, for employers, and for Massachusetts.