Best institutions to study Natural Products Chemistry and Pharmacognosy
A program that focuses on the scientific study of biologically active compounds found in naturally occurring sources such as plants, animals, and microbes and their use and/or modification as medicinal substances.
7 U.S. institutions graduated 130 Natural Products Chemistry and Pharmacognosy students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 51.2005, a specialization of Pharmacy (CIP 51.20), and leads most directly to the Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary occupation (BLS SOC 25-1071).
About Natural Products Chemistry and Pharmacognosy programs
A program that focuses on the scientific study of biologically active compounds found in naturally occurring sources such as plants, animals, and microbes and their use and/or modification as medicinal substances. Includes instruction in medicinal chemistry, organic medicinals, pharmacological therapeutics, pharmacokinetics, molecular biology, structural chemistry, enzymes, nucleic acids, economic botany, ethnobotany, bioprospecting, bioassay, compound identification and isolation, mass spectrometry, and analytical instrumentation and techniques.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Natural Products Chemistry and Pharmacognosy program is a specialized field within Pharmacy that focuses on the scientific study of biologically active compounds derived from natural sources such as plants, animals, and microbes. This program is designed for students interested in understanding how these compounds can be used and modified for medicinal purposes.
Students in this program will gain knowledge in medicinal chemistry, pharmacological therapeutics, molecular biology, and analytical techniques. Coursework includes the study of compound identification, mass spectrometry, and bioprospecting, equipping graduates with essential skills for research and application in health professions.
Credentials awarded
What Natural Products Chemistry and Pharmacognosy graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Master's degree81 graduates / yr · 2 institutions62%
- Bachelor's degree26 graduates / yr · 1 institution20%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate12 graduates / yr · 2 institutions9.2%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship6 graduates / yr · 2 institutions4.6%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year5 graduates / yr · 2 institutions3.8%
Graduates over time
Natural Products Chemistry and Pharmacognosy completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 8 |
| 2013 | 14 |
| 2014 | 6 |
| 2015 | 6 |
| 2016 | 9 |
| 2017 | 5 |
| 2018 | 4 |
| 2019 | 10 |
| 2020 | 19 |
| 2021 | 175 |
| 2022 | 250 |
| 2023 | 239 |
| 2024 | 181 |
| 2025 | 130 |
Top 7 institutions for Natural Products Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Maryland, Baltimore Baltimore, MDPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 91 | — | — | — |
| 2 | Northern Michigan University Marquette, MIPublicBachelor's | 26 | 52% | — | — |
| 3 | University of Illinois Chicago Chicago, ILPublicDoctoral | 4 | 62% | — | — |
| 4 | Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PAPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 4 | 63% | $27,082 | — |
| 5 | Rowan University Glassboro, NJPublicPost-degree cert.Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 2 | 67% | — | — |
| 6 | Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia Philadelphia, PAPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 2 | 79% | $34,418 | $57,889 |
| 7 | Concordia University - Wisconsin Mequon, WIPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 1 | 68% | $24,409 | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Pharmacy field (CIP 51.20) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 6 states
Where Natural Products Chemistry and Pharmacognosy graduates come from. Each state links to all Pharmacy programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland | 1 | 91 | University of Maryland, Baltimore91 / yr |
| Michigan | 1 | 26 | Northern Michigan University26 / yr |
| Pennsylvania | 2 | 6 | Wilkes University4 / yr |
| Illinois | 1 | 4 | University of Illinois Chicago4 / yr |
| New Jersey | 1 | 2 | Rowan University2 / yr |
| Wisconsin | 1 | 1 | Concordia University - Wisconsin1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 25-1071, Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Natural Products Chemistry and Pharmacognosy program can pursue careers as Health Specialties Teachers and Medical Scientists. The job outlook for related fields is much faster than average, with an expected growth rate of 17.3%, approximately 27,400 annual openings, and a median wage of $105,620, typically requiring a doctoral or professional degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 51.2005
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondaryprimary SOC 25-1071 | $107,310 | +17.3% Much faster than average | ~27,400 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists SOC 19-1042 | $103,410 | +8.7% Much faster than average | ~9,600 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Natural Products Chemistry and Pharmacognosy programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
- Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
- Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
- Supervise laboratory sessions.
- Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
- Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.
Tools and technology used
Other Pharmacy specializations
The 11 other 6-digit CIP codes under Pharmacy (CIP 51.20).
- PharmacyCIP 51.200111,406 graduates / yr144 institutions
- Pharmaceutical SciencesCIP 51.20102,563 graduates / yr79 institutions
- Industrial and Physical Pharmacy and Cosmetic SciencesCIP 51.2009909 graduates / yr11 institutions
- Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and AdministrationCIP 51.2099909 graduates / yr21 institutions
- Pharmaceutics and Drug DesignCIP 51.2003544 graduates / yr35 institutions
- Clinical and Industrial Drug DevelopmentCIP 51.2006250 graduates / yr13 institutions
- Medicinal and Pharmaceutical ChemistryCIP 51.2004188 graduates / yr29 institutions
- Pharmacy Administration and Pharmacy Policy and Regulatory AffairsCIP 51.2002179 graduates / yr11 institutions
- Pharmacoeconomics/CIP 51.2007
Pharmaceutical Economics 150 graduates / yr16 institutions - Pharmaceutical Marketing and ManagementCIP 51.2011partial data122 graduates / yr8 institutions
- Clinical, Hospital, and Managed Care PharmacyCIP 51.2008partial data28 graduates / yr5 institutions
Common questions
What degrees are offered in this program?+
Degrees include Master's, Bachelor's, Postbaccalaureate certificates, and Doctor's degrees.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, active learning, and effective communication.
What are the career opportunities after graduation?+
Career opportunities include roles in education and medical research, particularly as Health Specialties Teachers or Medical Scientists.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is much faster than average, with a growth rate of 17.3% and about 27,400 annual job openings.
What is the CIP code for Natural Products Chemistry and Pharmacognosy?+
Natural Products Chemistry and Pharmacognosy is CIP 51.2005 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Pharmacy (CIP 51.20). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the scientific study of biologically active compounds found in naturally occurring sources such as plants, animals, and microbes and their use and/or modification as medicinal substances. Includes instruction in medicinal chemistry, organic medicinals, pharmacological therapeutics, pharmacokinetics, molecular biology, structural chemistry, enzymes, nucleic acids, economic botany, ethnobotany, bioprospecting, bioassay, compound identification and isolation, mass spectrometry, and analytical instrumentation and techniques.
How many institutions offer Natural Products Chemistry and Pharmacognosy programs?+
7 U.S. institutions reported Natural Products Chemistry and Pharmacognosy graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 6 states, awarding 130 credentials in the year. That is 0.7% of all Pharmacy graduates.
How much do Natural Products Chemistry and Pharmacognosy graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary occupation, which Natural Products Chemistry and Pharmacognosy most directly leads to, pays a median of $107,310 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Pharmacy field report median earnings of $57,889 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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