Studies & Degrees in Toxicology
Toxicology Study Programs
Toxicology is the science of poisons in the widest sense. The Society of Toxicology defines it as the study of the adverse effects of chemical, physical or biological agents on living organisms and the ecosystem, including the prevention and amelioration of such effects. Toxicologists work out how a substance causes harm, at what dose, and what level of exposure can be considered safe.
It is an applied and interdisciplinary science. The Pennsylvania State University describes pharmacology and toxicology as biomedical sciences that draw on cell biology, systems physiology, biochemistry, molecular biology and genetics. Students therefore start with chemistry, biology and mathematics and then study how chemicals are absorbed and transformed in the body, how they damage organs, and how risk is assessed. Specialist areas include metabolic and genetic toxicology, neurotoxicology, immunotoxicology and ecotoxicology, which are the focal areas named by the graduate programme of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Clinical, forensic, food and regulatory toxicology are other common branches.
Qualifications and levels
- Bachelor's degrees. Toxicology is often part of a degree in pharmacy, medicine, veterinary medicine, biology, chemistry or environmental science. Some universities offer it as a named degree. At Penn State, the Bachelor of Science in Pharmacology and Toxicology requires a minimum of 120 credits. In Peru, the Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica of the Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos has its own Escuela Profesional de Toxicología at undergraduate level.
- Master's degrees. The University of Wisconsin-Madison offers a Master of Science in Molecular and Environmental Toxicology with a minimum of 30 credits, in an interdisciplinary programme that also leads to a PhD. Wright State University offers a Master of Science in Pharmacology and Toxicology with a research-based (thesis) option of 30 credit hours, a leader and administration (non-thesis) option and a clinical trials coordination concentration. At Utrecht University, Toxicology is one of three tracks of the master's programme Health and Environment, which is taught in English, full time, lasts two years and starts in September. Utrecht lists tuition fees for 2026-2027 of €2,694 for Dutch and other EU/EEA students (statutory fee) and €25,306 for non-EU/EEA students (institutional fee).
- Spain. Official degrees follow a fixed structure: a bachelor's degree (grado) of 240 ECTS credits and master's degrees of 60, 90 or 120 ECTS credits. Toxicology is normally taught as a subject within health and science degrees and as a postgraduate specialisation.
- Doctorate. Research posts usually require one. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical scientists, the group in which it places toxicologists, typically need a PhD or a medical degree, although candidates sometimes qualify with a master's degree and experience.
- Professional registration. In Europe, the European Register of Toxicologists, a service of EUROTOX established in 1994, lists toxicologists who meet the requirements set by EUROTOX and the national societies. Those accepted may use the title European Registered Toxicologist (ERT).
Where to study toxicology
SpainExchange lists 15 active schools for toxicology. Seven are in the United States: The Pennsylvania State University, Wright State University, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, The University of California at Berkeley, the University of Minnesota, Ashland University and Gateway Community College. Three are in Spain: the Universidad de Cádiz, the Fundación Universidad Empresa in Madrid and ADEIT, the university-business foundation of the Universitat de València. There is one each in the Netherlands (Utrecht University), Denmark (University of Copenhagen), Russia (Rostov State Medical University), Peru (Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos) and Argentina (Fundación CIEP).
Programmes in the United States are taught in English, and so is the Utrecht master's programme. In Spain and Latin America teaching is normally in Spanish. Check the language and the admission requirements of each programme.
Careers
According to the Society of Toxicology, most toxicologists assess and understand how chemicals affect living systems. Their work involves ensuring safer chemical products, developing safer drugs and medicines, determining risks from chemical exposures, developing treatments for exposures and ensuring a safe food and water supply. Wright State University states that its master's programmes prepare students for careers in industry, government, education, medicine and research organisations, and names drug companies, government laboratories and government agencies as employers.
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics does not publish separate figures for toxicologists. It projects employment of medical scientists as a whole to grow 13 percent from 2025 to 2035, with about 10,500 openings a year in the United States.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between toxicology and pharmacology?
They are closely related and often taught together. As Penn State puts it, pharmacology investigates how drugs act in order to develop new treatments, while toxicology examines how chemical agents produce adverse effects on the organism.
Do I need a PhD to work as a toxicologist?
For research posts, usually yes. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics states that medical scientists typically need a PhD or a medical degree, and that candidates sometimes qualify for positions with a master's degree and experience.
Can I study toxicology in English in Europe?
Yes. One example is the Toxicology track of the master's programme Health and Environment at Utrecht University, which is taught in English and lasts two years.
What does ERT mean?
ERT stands for European Registered Toxicologist. It is a title for toxicologists accepted in the European Register of Toxicologists, which EUROTOX has kept since 1994.