Introducing the New MasterClass Learning Journey
MasterClass is evolving to expand your benefits, deepen your learning, and strengthen your connections at every stage of the experience.
Overview
Each MasterClass is now a focused half-day program onsite at the Annual Meeting — designed so every hour in the room is spent on applied, faculty-led work rather than strictly presentations. To make that possible, a short recorded virtual session before the meeting gets everyone up to speed on the fundamentals, and post-program resources help you further apply what you’ve learned back on the job:
- Foundational content moves online, so learning starts before participants arrive
- In-person time is freed for applied, faculty-led work, rather than passive instruction
- Participants arrive already grounded in the fundamentals, ready to engage from the start
- Onsite time is spent practicing, problem-solving, and learning from and with peers
Prepare
Build the Foundation
Each MasterClass opens with a live, faculty-led virtual session that delivers the foundational content, terminology, and frameworks participants need before they arrive. Curated pre-reads will be provided, and the session will be recorded to accommodate scheduling and support asynchronous learning.
- Timing: Two hours, held four weeks before the Annual Meeting
Practice
Apply it live
Participants engage in interactive, expert-led MasterClasses limited to 60–80 attendees to foster meaningful dialogue, hands-on problem-solving, and direct peer and faculty interaction through breakout workshops, live simulations, and real-world case discussions.
- Timing: Half-day session in Miami on March 14, 2027
Perform
Sustain the Impact
The learning journey continues post–Annual Meeting via the MAPS Community Forum, with interactive case studies, reflection prompts, and peer challenges designed to sustain networking, translate onsite learning into on-the-job behavior, and track progress through behavior surveys.
- Timing: Open for engagement for three months after the program
EXPLORE OUR Masterclasses
Medical Affairs MasterClass Programs
Join a masterclass covering today’s most important Medical Affairs topics, with practical insights, expert perspectives, and actionable strategies in every session.
- Strategy, Competency, Insights, Webinars, SEARCH BY TYPE
September 30, 2026
Beyond What They Say: A Behavioral Approach to HCP Insights
What HCPs say and think are rarely the same. Learn how behavioral techniques help field medical teams...
- Customer Engagement & Scientific Comms, Medical Information, Podcasts
September 29, 2026
Measuring To Improve: Medical Information
Uncover data from 10,000+ HCPs on how top 10 pharma companies leverage Medical Information to build strong...
- Competency, External Scientific Engagement, Webinars, Customer Engagement & Scientific Comms, SEARCH BY TYPE
September 25, 2026
Beyond the Prescriber: Identifying the Right Experts in Fragmented Disease Ecosystems
Navigating complex, emerging disease ecosystems and unclear specialist ownership in Medical Affairs....
- Medical Education of External Stakeholders, Competency, Webinars, Customer Engagement & Scientific Comms, SEARCH BY TYPE
September 23, 2026
Navigating the Medical Education Standards and Guidance
Master MAPS standards for external medical education. Learn strategy, compliance, program design, and real-world execution....
- Competency, Digital Trends & Opportunities, Webinars, Customer Engagement & Scientific Comms, SEARCH BY TYPE
September 18, 2026
Closing the Confidence-to-Action Gap: A Practical Path for AI in Medical Affairs
Explore AI adoption in Medical Affairs, the gap between confidence and action, and how workflow-integrated AI can...
Highlight the leadership role of Medical Affairs in driving successful launch strategies that ensureorganizational readiness and measurable impact
Define integrated strategic plans for Field Medical that deliver on asset objectives, and support the development and evolution of the function
Explain and apply the foundations of developing an iMC Plan to ensure alignment with your Medical Affairs and Product Strategies
Clearly communicate the value and impact that Medical Affairs teams bring within MedTech
Understand the role leaders play in guiding and shaping the future of Medical Affairs through inspiring and impactful leadership practices
Understand what medical/scientific insights are, what they are not, and how to accurately identify them
MasterClass General Questions
What is the difference between MasterClass and MasterClass Onsite?
- MasterClass is an open-enrollment, in-person training program focused on a single topic area held at our Annual Meetings in the Americas and EMEA regions. Participants attend alongside other professionals from 20–30 different companies, making it a rich cross-industry networking and best-practice-sharing experience.
- MasterClass Onsite is a fully customized training program delivered exclusively to your organization, either at the location of your choosing or virtually. The curriculum can be single or multi-topic and is tailored to your team’s specific learning and development objectives and strategic goals.
Who are the MasterClass instructors?
All MasterClass programs are developed and led by seasoned Medical Affairs experts with extensive real-world experience across functional and therapeutic areas, regulatory environments, and medical communications. Faculty are selected by MAPS for their depth of expertise, instructional capabilities, and ability to translate complex concepts into immediately applicable skills.
What topics are available?
Both programs may cover the following core Medical Affairs functions and competencies:
- Artificial Intelligence – governance, organizational readiness, and practical use cases for Medical Affairs implementation
- Field Medical — strategic planning, insights, and value demonstration for MSL teams
- Insights — capturing, analyzing, and operationalizing actionable and impactful medical insights
- Integrated Medical Communications (iMC) — building and evolving a robust iMC plan
- Launch Excellence — evidence generation, stakeholder engagement, and launch readiness
- Leadership — inspiring teams, building credibility, and shaping the future of Medical Affairs
- Medical Technology (MedTech) — value communication, organizational structure, and insights and evidence strategies for MedTech organizations
MasterClass programs focus on one of the above functions and/or competencies, whereas MasterClass Onsite programs can be designed to cover multiple topic areas within a single engagement. MasterClass Onsite programs may also cover other competency areas beyond those listed above.
What experience level are these programs designed for?
MasterClass programs are designed at the intermediate to advanced level. They are best suited for Medical Affairs professionals who already have foundational knowledge in Medical Affairs or their function and are looking to sharpen strategic capabilities and apply best practices. Those entirely new to Medical Affairs may benefit from completing the MAPS Foundations in Medical Affairs Certificate Program first. MasterClass Onsite programs are designed to meet the level the organization needs.
How do MasterClass programs relate to the MAPS Competency Framework?
MasterClass programs are directly aligned with the MAPS Competency Framework, which defines the knowledge, skills, and behaviors that underpin excellence across Medical Affairs functions. Each program is designed to develop specific competencies within the framework, making MasterClass an ideal tool for structured capability building at the team or organizational level.
MasterClass Program
Where and when do MasterClass sessions take place?
MasterClass sessions are held in the Americas region in March and the EMEA region in May each year, adjacent to MAPS Annual Meetings to maximize value for traveling attendees. Visit stg-mapswordpress-mapswoocomm.kinsta.cloud/masterclass for the current schedule of upcoming sessions.
How large are MasterClass sessions, and who attends?
Sessions are intentionally kept small — typically 50 to 80 participants representing 20 to 30 different companies. This structure ensures a high-quality, peer-driven learning environment and meaningful cross-industry networking that is difficult to replicate in larger settings.
What does a typical MasterClass look like?
The MasterClass program is a learning journey that starts with a virtual foundational session ~1 month prior to the in-person meeting. The in-person meeting focuses on interactive workshops to enable practical real-world application when the participant returns to their job. Following the in-person meeting, the learning continues virtually through the MAPS Community Platform.
Can I send multiple team members to the same MasterClass session?
Yes. Multiple team members from the same organization are welcome to attend the same open-enrollment session.
If you are looking to train a larger group of colleagues and want a fully private experience with content tailored to your organization’s needs, MasterClass Onsite may be the more cost-effective and impactful option. Email Pete Piliero, Head of Medical Training & Development to discuss which option is best for your organization.
Does MAPS membership affect the price of a MasterClass?
Yes. MAPS members receive discounted pricing on open-enrollment MasterClass sessions. If your organization participates in the Industry Partnership Program (IPP), team members receive MAPS membership as part of that partnership, which includes access to member pricing on MasterClass registrations. Visit stg-mapswordpress-mapswoocomm.kinsta.cloud/join-maps to learn more.
Are there early registration discounts available?
Yes. MAPS typically offers Super Early Bird and Early Bird registration rates for open-enrollment sessions held alongside Annual Meetings. These discounts are time-limited and applied at checkout. Check the individual event registration page for current pricing tiers and deadlines.
What is the cancellation and refund policy?
Cancellation and refund policies vary by program and are outlined at the time of registration. Email Elisa Perry for specific questions.
Which MasterClass is Right for you?
Why This Format Works
- Stronger retention. Spacing learning across three touchpoints gives concepts room to sink in, so participants walk away with knowledge that lasts.
- More meaningful time onsite. With fundamentals covered in advance, in-person hours are spent solving real problems.
- Deeper, lasting connections. Small session sizes and continued engagement through the MAPS Community Forum to build real, lasting relationships.
- Measurable, on-the-job impact. Behavior-change surveys track how learning translates into real performance.
- Flexibility built in. Recorded pre-in-person session means you can prepare on your own schedule.
Training Individuals or a Small Group?
Open-enrollment | Annual Meeting-based | Individuals | Small Group
- Develop high-potential leaders or specialized roles
- Benchmark Medical Affairs practices across the industry
- Build capability in a focused area (e.g. Launch Excellence, iMC, Field Medical
- Gain Diverse Peer Perspectives without a custom program
What to Expect
High Impact Training | Focused Learning | Small Group
- Customized Solutions for Maximum Impact – addressing the unique challenges and Medical Affairs training needs of your organization.
- Heightened Engagement – fostering a collaborative atmosphere that drives success and innovation.
- Focused Learning Environment – ensures relevancy of content, enhancing retention and application of knowledge.
- Cost Savings – eliminating travel, lodging, and meal costs for the organization.
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