pharmacy phd admission 2023

Graduate Directory

Each advanced science degree program has its own page with important deadlines, requirements, and descriptions to help you plan your application strategy. Use the filters below to find degree programs by various options. Click "Apply Filter" after making your selections and click "Clear" to remove any selected filters. 

You can compare individual programs by checking boxes in the “Compare” column and then clicking “Apply Filter.”

Interested in dual degree programs offered by colleges and schools of pharmacy? Visit the Dual Degree Programs table.

PhD Admission

• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
• Financial Aid
• PhD Program Requirements
• Progression to PhD
• Is a Career in the Pharmaceutical and Translational Sciences Right for Me?
• Scholarly Achievement and Placement of Alumni
• Student Involvement

All prospective students will apply through the single umbrella program in Pharmaceutical & Translational Sciences (PHTS). Application materials will be reviewed by a joint admission committee, with equal representation of faculty from each track, evaluating applications on the basis of academic excellence and scientific research commitment.

Application Deadline

Applications and all supporting materials may be submitted anytime between  September 1 and December 31  for consideration for admission for the following Fall semester.  Program deadline expires at 11:59 p.m. PST on December 31.

Consideration for certain USC Scholarships and Fellowships begins in December. Applications must be received by  December 1  to receive full consideration for these opportunities. Admission decisions will continue to be made until the class is filled, usually by mid to late spring. Applications are only considered for admission beginning in the Fall term, except under exceptional circumstances.

Applications to PHTS require the following:

** not required  – graduate record examination (gre) test scores **, completed online application .

Apply through USC Graduate Admission Application

Bachelor’s Degree (or equivalent)

From an accredited four-year college or university. Candidates with a bachelor’s or master’s degree in pharmacy, chemistry, biology or other related disciplines are invited to apply.

Personal Statement

A brief and focused essay about your career and research goals, and how you intend to achieve these goals. It should also describe your accomplishments thus far along your projected career path (500 words or less).

Three (3) Letters of Recommendation

Three letters from faculty knowledgeable of the student’s ability and capability are required. These letters should provide a thorough assessment of the student’s experience in laboratory research, ability to communicate in verbal and written English, motivation, creativity and other qualities in the student’s academic performance.

Must be submitted online.   Hard copies will not be accepted.

Official Transcripts

From  all  institutions attended. Upload copies of official transcripts to the online application system. Mail  official transcripts  to the USC Office of Graduate Admission.  For instructions, click  here .

English-Language Proficiency 

TOEFL, IELTS, PTE:  This is required for all international applicants. Scores must be submitted electronically (hard copies are not accepted). For instructions on how to submit your test scores, click  here . For exemption information, please click  here .

Research and Professional Experience

The student’s research and professional experience should be well described within the application. A personal statement summarizing career objectives and research interests, published manuscripts and letters of reference should be included. These documents will help the admissions committee in their evaluation of the candidate’s background preparation for success in the PhD program. For those interested in pursuing PhD training in the Clinical and Experimental Therapeutics Track, special emphasis will be given to applicants with an advanced professional degree (e.g. PharmD, MD, DDS).

For International Students

When listing undergraduate/graduate GPAs (grade point averages) on the application, please use the system of your university. If you received a percentage grade, provide the average percentage. If you were graded on a scale other than 4.0 (with 4.0 equal to an “A”), please indicate the average grade AND indicate the scale (for example, 8.5/10).  All international students are required to submit TOEFL/IELTS scores even if a master’s degree was received from an English speaking country . The minimum TOEFL score is 100 for the internet-based test (iBT) or an IELTS score of 7, with at least 6 on each band. For more exemption information, click  here .

Please visit the Graduate Admission  FAQ  page for more helpful information on the USC application process.

All applications will be reviewed holistically, taking into consideration all components of the candidate’s application. Proficiency in the English language is essential.

ETS Institution code: 4852 TOEFL code: 4852

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted through  USC’s online graduate application system . After you have created an account and have logged into the online application system, please refer to the following basic instructions:

“Add Program”

Select the graduate program to which you are applying on the page entitled “ Add Program ” as follows: Select Program Level:  Doctoral Select School:  USC School of Pharmacy Select Program:  Pharmaceutical and Translational Science (PhD)

“My Application”

Completely fill out all quadrants under “My Application”: 1. Personal Information 2. Academic History 3. Supporting Information 4. Program Materials Upload the following documents to the online admissions system: Personal Statement, Curriculum Vitae/Resume,  Official  Copies of transcripts from all institutions attended (unofficial copies are unacceptable), Publications, Passports, etc.

“Submit Application”

Pay the application fee of $90. The fee is paid online via credit card when you submit your application.  The application fee is non-refundable.

Application Fee Waivers

For information on application fee waivers, go to the “Add Program” tab or click  here .

Application Process

We strongly encourage you to visit our  FAQ  webpage and the  Graduate Admission  website to understand the application process for beginning to end.

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• PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences

The PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences (PSC) program is a highly competitive doctoral degree program within the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy.

NIH Initiative for Maximizing Student Development (IMSD)

Learn about our program that supports biomedical graduate students from historically underrepresented backgrounds.

Training in a highly collaborative atmosphere, our graduates gain the knowledge and skills required for discovering novel biological pathways in human health and disease as well as for the development and delivery of medications for safe and effective therapy.

With state-of-the-art facilities, funding from the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, the Food and Drug Administration, and pharmaceutical industry, students receive mentorship that prepares them for outstanding careers in academia, the federal government, and the pharmaceutical industry.

This three-minute video presents an overview of the PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences program at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, showcasing how the program prepares students to become leaders in the fields of drug discovery and development.

Current faculty and students are making headlines at the School of Pharmacy and beyond.

• February 12, 2024 My UMSOP Story: Angie Nguyen, PhD '16, research director
• November 1, 2023 Grad Gathering Welcomes Alums of PSC, PHSR, and Regulatory Science Programs
• October 23, 2023 School Names Three New Academic Program Directors

I was drawn to the PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences program by its diverse areas of research and collaborative environment. Knowing that I could tackle my research interest from many angles – including biochemistry, chemistry, and molecular biology – greatly appealed to me. PSC faculty members are very knowledgeable and have a profound understanding of their research areas. All of the professors work together to answer any research questions that students have.

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• College of Pharmacy

Prospective Students

• Graduate Programs
• PhD Graduate Admissions

Admissions for PhD Programs

Application deadline for fall 2025 admission: january 3, 2025, who can apply.

Applicants to the Ph.D. program Concentrations in  Medicinal Chemistry , Pharmaceutics and  Pharmacology  must have, or nearly have, at least a Bachelor’s degree in pharmacy, biology, biochemistry, chemistry or a related discipline. In addition, applicants to the Pharmacology  Concentration must have taken at least 3-credit hour course in human physiology and at least one 3-credit hour course in biochemistry. A minimum undergraduate (and graduate, if applicable) GPA of 3.0 on a 4-point scale is required.

Applicants to the Ph.D. program's  Pharmaceutical Health Outcomes and Policy  Concentration must have either completed or expect to complete a B.S. degree in a similar area with an overall GPA of 3.0 on a 4-point scale. The average GPA of students admitted in 2018 and 2019 was 3.6. A GRE score is required for this concentration.

We DO NOT offer a Master’s degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences  at the present time.

Download/View Frequently Asked Questions PDF for additional information about the Ph.D. program and available concentrations

Application Process

Before you start your application, please make sure you are applying for the correct program concentration ( Pharmaceutical Health Outcomes and Policy , Medicinal Chemistry , Pharmaceutics , or  Pharmacology ). Check with the academic advisor if you are not sure; contact information is at the bottom of this page. Students are only admitted in the Fall semester of the academic year (Spring semester admission is not available).

1. Go to https://www.uh.edu/graduate-school/prospective-students/how-to-apply/ , and follow the instructions

2. Please review and comply with the following special instructions:

• If you would like to submit abstracts, manuscripts or other documents describing your accomplishments or special qualities, you may upload them as PDFs to Additional/Supplemental Materials.
• For the application, you may upload a scan of your transcript. If accepted, you will be required to submit an official, stamped paper transcript.
• The campus code for GRE (if required) and TOEFL score delivery is 6870 . There is no department code.
• The resume should be restricted to professional and academic achievements. A list of publications and research experiences is very helpful.
• Three (3) letters of recommendation must be on official letterhead, and written and properly signed by teachers, mentors, work supervisors or others with whom you have had professional relationships. They should directly address your academic abilities, scientific talents, work habits and personal character. Letters not meeting these qualifications will be disregarded.
• For PHOP : The statement of purpose should be no more than 2-3 pages long, and discuss your research interests, career goals, motivation and background. You also can highlight relevant achievements, and summarize your research experience. See the online application form for more details. For Pharmaceutics, Pharmacology and Medicinal Chemistry, answer the specific questions asked in the application concisely. DO NOT upload your generic statement essay.
• For Pharmacology, Pharmaceutics or Medicinal Chemistry : for each question below (A-D), compose an answer as a short essay (300 words or less). Creat a single file containing the four essays and upload it under the Personal/Goal Statement on the document upload page later in the application
• Describe your career interests, as well as short- and long-term professional goals.
• Describe your research experiences and skills (for example, your specific roles in research projects, peer-reviewed publications, oral/poster presentations, or other research-related experiences).
• Explain the reasons for pursuing a graduate degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences with a concentration in Medicinal Chemistry (or Pharmacology, or Pharmaceutics) at the University of Houston.
• Provide any additional information that you would like the graduate admissions committee to consider.
• Application fees (payment must be made with credit card only ) Domestic/Resident Students: $50 International/Non-resident Students: $80
• No personal checks or cash will be accepted .

International Applicants

• See English language requirements here: https://uh.edu/graduate-school/international-students/english-proficiency/ . Because many of our students are Teaching Assistants, they may have to meet additional requirements for spoken English proficiency.

Transfer Students

Transfer students should follow the same application process, as specified above. Students may be able to transfer a maximum of 9 credit hours of completed course work from an accredited program, as long as those credits were not used to complete a previous degree. Transfer students can seek admission only for the Fall semester (Spring admission is not available to any students).

For more information, please contact:

University of Houston College of Pharmacy 4349 Martin Luther King Boulevard, Room 6007 Houston, TX 77204-5037 Phone: 713-743-8443 [email protected]