pharmacy phd courses

PhD in Pharmacological Sciences

Fall 2025 Admission Deadline: TBD

UC Irvine’s PhD in Pharmacological Sciences program provides a unique opportunity for those interested in any scientific discipline represented by the Pharmaceutical Sciences faculty to have a year of broad, interdisciplinary training and self-selected lab rotations followed by focused doctoral research in the Pharmaceutical Sciences research group of their choice.

Students can choose from one of three tracks within the program: Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmacology or Medicinal Chemistry.

The current areas of study in the Pharmaceutical Sciences Department include:

• Structural and chemical biology
• Medicinal chemistry
• Structure-based drug design
• Molecular neuropharmacology
• Pharmacology of aging
• Molecular evolution
• Synthetic biology
• Natural product biosynthesis and synthase engineering
• Cancer prevention and therapy
• Gene regulation and intercellular signaling
• Computational biology and bioinformatics
• Nanomedicine for targeted drug and gene delivery

“The school has rotations that are longer than most departments – lasting a full quarter as opposed to a few weeks – which allows you to get a taste for what research is like in the industry and to really figure out what environments are best suitable for you.” David Wych, PhD ’21

About Our PhD Program

The Pharmacological Sciences PhD program is flexible and tailored to the needs of each individual student. Students are actively engaged in research throughout their training: In the first year, laboratory rotations ensure exposure to a variety of techniques and research problems. By the end of their first year students have worked with several faculty members and selected a lab to join. During their third year, students are considered for advancement to PhD candidacy on the basis of academic standing, laboratory performance, and a qualifying examination. After advancement to candidacy, students devote their time to completion of an original research dissertation.

CLICK HERE  to view the sample curriculum for the Pharmaceutical Sciences Track.

CLICK HERE  to view the sample curriculum for the Pharmacology Track.

CLICK HERE  to view the sample curriculum for the Medicinal Chemistry Track.

For more details regarding the required course work, please visit our program’s section in the  UCI General Catalogue .

Application Instructions

Complete the  Online Application  which is submitted to the UCI Graduate Division. When completing the “Degree Program” section of the online application for admission, please make the following selections:

• School/Department: Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Major/Degree: Pharmacological Sciences-PhD

Students are admitted to the Pharmacological Sciences PhD program on an annual basis in the fall quarter only. The admissions committee screens applications immediately after the application deadline. First round applicants selected to interview will be notified by early January. Admitted applicants can expect to receive an offer of admission in late January through mid-March.

Submit applications by December 1 for full consideration

The online application and supporting materials should be received by December 1, 2023.

Applicants are required to submit:

• An official  online application  including the application fee ($135 for domestic applicants, i.e. US citizens and permanent residents and $155 for international applicants)
• For application review purposes only, scan and upload copies of transcripts for all institutions attended since high school. In the online application, you will be prompted to upload your scanned documents. Please upload both the front and back sides of the transcript. Uploaded transcripts should be recent and include the following: your name, dates of attendance, grades/marks received, credits and grading legend. Official transcripts will be requested by the Graduate Division if and when you are admitted and decide to attend UCI. Do not send official transcripts until this time.
• A Statement of Purpose – must include your specific research interest and three possible research advisors you would be interested in working with. You can describe your research interests, career goals, and other related information.
• A Personal History Statement – this can discuss how your personal background– including any relevant educational, familial, cultural, economic, or social experiences, challenges or opportunities– informs your decision to pursue a Ph.D. in Pharmacological Sciences. If you have overcome socioeconomic or educational challenges, please indicate that you are a diversity candidate and describe your experience in detail. 
• Three letters of recommendation – uploaded to the online application by your recommender.
• UCI no longer requires the GRE.
• International students are also required to submit TOEFL scores (Code: 4859)

Applicants are encouraged to upload the following in their application:

• Current curriculum vitae or resume
• List of publications

For additional details about applying to the PhD in Pharmacological Sciences program, view our information sheet here .

Prerequisites

• An MS degree is  not  required for consideration. However, research experience (laboratory or fieldwork) is  a primary criterion  for acceptance into our graduate programs.
• Some biology and chemistry courses are required. However, because we are an interdisciplinary program, we admit students from various academic backgrounds, so there are no specific course requirements. Applicants recently admitted to our program have undergraduate degrees in a wide range of disciplines, including molecular biology, psychology, and chemical engineering, as well as chemistry and biology.
• Minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0.

Admission Statistics

The acceptance rate for the Pharmacological Sciences program is approximately 23%, and admitted applicants from previous cycles had the below characteristics:

• Average undergraduate GPA: 3.32

Student Funding

Admitted applicants receive funding for tuition, health insurance, and a monthly stipend/salary through a combination departmental or university fellowships and/or teaching assistant (TA) and graduate student researcher (GSR) positions in their first year. In years two through five, students are generally funding by their faculty advisor as GSRs, as well as through a combination of university fellowships, extramural grants/fellowships, and/or TA positions.

Diversity Fellowships

UCI is committed to the recruitment, admission, and retention of a high quality and diverse graduate student population and has several  diversity fellowships  for new and returning students who qualify.  If you have overcome socioeconomic or educational challenges, please indicate that you are a diversity candidate and describe your experience in detail within the Personal History section of the application.

English Language Proficiency Requirements

TOEFL or IELTS

All graduate applicants are required to demonstrate English proficiency for admissions consideration. Applicants are waived from the English Language Proficiency requirement if they have earned an undergraduate degree from an institution at which English was the sole language of instruction according to the  World Higher Education Database (WHED) .  Please see  WHED’s instructions  on how to search for your institution. If English is not the sole language of instruction listed or if no language is listed at all, the waiver does not apply and the applicant is required to take and pass an approved English proficiency test.  Approved tests and minimum scores are outlined in the next section.  

Please note: Test results that are two years old or older are not acceptable.

IMPORTANT NOTE: If a student will be supported as a Teaching Assistant (TA), please read the  English proficiency summary chart for teaching assistants . Students who have not earned an undergraduate degree from an institution at which English was the sole language of instruction according to WHED are required to demonstrate English language proficiency to serve as a TA when they apply to the program. 

The TOEFL is administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS).

• Please select institution code  4859  to have your official score sent to UCI. No department code is needed.
• We only accept scores submitted electronically by ETS.
• Test results that are two years old or older are  not acceptable .
• We do not accept  MyBest  scores; you must submit all individual test scores.
• Results of institutional (non-ETS) administrations of the TOEFL are  not acceptable .
• We will accept the TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition test.  The same minimum score applies.
• We do  NOT  accept the TOEFL ITP Plus test for China or the TOEFL Essentials test.
• For more information, please visit their website at  www.ets.org/toefl

TOEFL Score Requirements for Admission Consideration:

• An overall minimum score of  80 
• A minimum score of 26 on the speaking section to be eligible for a Teaching Assistant position

As an alternative to the TOEFL, you may submit scores from the Academic Modules of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).

• We only accept scores submitted electronically by the IELTS test center. No paper Test Report Forms will be accepted.
• We will accept the IELTS Indicator test.  The same minimum score applies.
• An institutional code is NOT required. Please contact the test center directly where you took the IELTS test and request that your test scores be sent electronically using the IELTS system. All IELTS test centers worldwide are able to send scores electronically to our institution. 
• For more information, please visit their website at  www.ielts.org

IELTS Score Requirements for Admission Consideration:

• An overall minimum score of 7 for admission, with a score of no less than 6 on any individual module.
• A Minimum score of 8 on the speaking module to be eligible for a Teaching Assistant position.

M.S. and Ph.D. Programs

Choose pharmacy at the university of texas at austin.

The University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy operates longstanding and well-developed graduate training programs in pharmaceutical sciences and translational sciences.

The goal of graduate study at The University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy is to develop the intellectual breadth and specialized training necessary for a career in teaching, research or advanced professional practice.

Emphasis is placed on the knowledge, methods and skills needed for scholarly teaching; original research and problem solving; intellectual leadership; creative expression; and professional prominence and recognition.

We are committed to eliminating disparities, raising awareness and fostering a culture where everyone has equal opportunities and a sense of belonging in our graduate training program.

The graduate training programs are dedicated to nurturing a culture of acceptance and support and are committed to ensuring that aspiring Pharmacy Longhorns from all backgrounds have equal access to the graduate programs through intentional outreach and engagement efforts.

Ready to apply?

Let's Get Started

Interested in learning more?    Download the UT Austin College of Pharmacy graduate brochure .

Pathway Programs

The UT Austin College of Pharmacy is committed to ensuring that aspiring Pharmacy Longhorns from all backgrounds have equal access to the college through intentional outreach and engagement efforts. The college has multiple programs that demonstrate a commitment to providing a supportive and collaborative approach to student and trainee success.

• LEADER - A Summer Undergraduate Research Program
• BOOT Program - Building Our Own Talent

Visit our Pathway Programs page to learn more.

Pharmaceutical Science Degrees

Pharmaceutical Science is an interdisciplinary field that includes areas of study in chemical biology and medicinal chemistry, pharmaceutics, pharmacology, toxicology, pharmacotherapy, and health outcomes. Students applying to the graduate program in pharmaceutical sciences will select a division-specific training track that most closely matches their interests. The University of Texas College of Pharmacy offers a Ph.D. program with specialization in each of these areas of pharmaceutical sciences and a M.S. degree program that is limited to the pharmacotherapy and health outcomes areas of research.

Graduate training in the pharmaceutical sciences program is housed within five different divisions. Students applying to pharmaceutical sciences select a division-specific training track that most closely matches their interests. Visit each of the division homepages to learn more about faculty research and to get details on the division specific graduate program objectives and curriculum.

Courses of study leading to a master of science degree are only offered in pharmacotherapy and in health outcomes.

Each graduate student’s course of study may be uniquely tailored to meet the specific learning objectives of the student.

• Health Outcomes
• Pharmacotherapy

Graduate education, research, and scholarly work leading to a Ph.D. are developed uniquely for each student as part of his/her plan of work.

Students applying to the graduate program in pharmaceutical sciences will select a division-specific training track that most closely matches their interests.

Each of the five division specific tracks, listed below, have course work and research training specifically tailored for training in the track-specific field.

• Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry
• Molecular Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery
• Pharmacology & Toxicology

Translational Science Degree

The Translational Science program is designed to provide training in the area of translational science toward the goal of applying basic biomedical scientific discoveries into strategies that will improve healthcare delivery, patient outcomes, and community health.

For many years, extensive national resources have been devoted to basic biomedical (bench) and clinical (human subject) research; however, significant barriers continue to exist in moving knowledge bi-directionally between basic research, clinical research, and applications to improve health outcomes in individuals and the community. These barriers make it difficult to efficiently and effectively translate new knowledge into improved patient care.

To remedy these problems, Translational Science has emerged as an academic and scientific discipline. Translational Science (TS) is a scientific discipline that investigates methods to move discovery more efficiently and effectively into application. TS investigators must respond, interact, facilitate change, and conduct research within and among varied organizational behaviors, structures, and cultures. TS conducts rigorous studies that close the knowledge gaps between different levels of the research process – the basic science laboratory, clinical research discoveries, and application of these research findings toward disease prevention and management, and strategies to improve human, community, and global health.

The doctoral degree program in Translational Science is offered as a multi-institutional joint degree program between The University of Texas at Austin, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UT Health San Antonio), and The University of Texas at San Antonio, in collaboration with The University of Texas School of Public Health regional campus in San Antonio. Graduate students complete their research on the campus of the university of their faculty mentor.

The Translational Science graduate program is designed to leverage the existing resources and expertise in specific key areas of each university to offer a strong, diverse, and competitive Ph.D. training program. This program is designed to prepare the next generation of scientists to lead multi-disciplinary biomedical research teams in increasingly complex research environments. These scientists will advance knowledge in the area of translational research toward the goal of applying basic biomedical scientific discoveries into strategies that will improve healthcare delivery, patient outcomes, and community health.

A complete description of the objectives of this graduate training program, course curriculum and milestones, eligibility for admission, and application process can be found on the UTHSCSA Translational Science site .

Graduate Research Tracks at the College of Pharmacy

Academic advising.

Dr. Maria Croyle , the Graduate Advisor in the College of Pharmacy has overall responsibility for counseling and academic advising of graduate students in pharmaceutical sciences. However, each division within the College of Pharmacy appoints a Division Graduate Adviser, (DGA) who aids the students with course selection and programmatic progress. Each student must be advised by their DGA each semester before registering until they enter candidacy, to ensure the student is on track to graduate.

Contact the Pharmacy Graduate Coordinator in PHR 4.220 (512-471-6590) for an appointment or contact your supervising professor.

Ph.D. Programs

Our rigorous training in basic and clinical research prepares graduates to become successful scientists, clinicians, industry leaders and academicians working in pharma, biotech, government agencies, research institutions and universities

By the Numbers

Among Schools of Pharmacy in NIH and Total Research Funding

Best Global Universities in Pharmacology and Toxicology

Best in Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences 2020 ShanghaiRanking Global Rankings

University World-Wide in Pharmacology, Toxicology U.S. News World & Report

Explore Ph.D. Programs

Four programs that correspond to a stage in the drug development cycle, drug discovery.

Chemical Biology & Medicinal Chemistry

Drug Delivery

Pharmacoengineering & Molecular Pharmaceutics

Identify and deliver the most successful compounds and therapies

Drug Optimization

Pharmacotherapy and Experimental Therapeutics

Discover and evaluate the factors that influence how therapeutic agents work

Patient Outcomes

Pharmaceutical Outcomes & Policy

Researchers Engineer Yeast to Deliver Drugs, Reduce Inflammation for Possible Inflammatory Bowel Disease Treatment

Friday 4:00 pm

2024 Commencement

Monday 12:00 am

Research in Education and Practice Symposium (REPS)

Wednesday 4:00 pm

UNCLCN Webinar – Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to Help Cancer Survivors Move Forward After Treatment

View All Events

Ready to take the next step?

APPLY NOW CONTACT US DOWNLOAD OUR PHD GUIDE

• 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.

Best Pharmacy Schools

Ranked in 2024, part of Best Health Schools

As the link between patients and medicine, pharmacists

As the link between patients and medicine, pharmacists must be experts on prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications, understanding use, side effects and mixtures of medicine. These are the Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D) schools and programs. Each school's score reflects its average rating on a scale from 1 (marginal) to 5 (outstanding), based on a survey of academics at peer institutions. Read the methodology »

• Clear Filters

PhD Program: Clinical Pharmaceutical Scientist Program

The Clinical Pharmaceutical Scientist Program is a specialty track/program in which students with expertise in pharmacotherapeutics investigate both the clinical and mechanistic elements of drug therapy issues.

• You will learn experimental design, experimental methods, data analysis, and data interpretation of human-based research projects.
• You will study how research discoveries are translated into practices that promote health and prevent disease.
• You will learn the process required to implement new therapies as standards of care through human-based research projects.

The is a specialized track within the graduate program that educates students to conduct pharmaceutical research at the interface of the bench and bedside. Learn more about the Clinical Pharmaceutical Scientist program »

Pitt is one of the first programs in the country to offer a PhD in clinical and translational research in the pharmaceutical sciences. To date, the program has graduated in excess of forty students who have been recruited to academic, government, and pharmaceutical industry positions. Learn more about why to choose Pitt for Clinical Pharmaceutical Science »

Individuals with a prior advanced degree in the health sciences (PharmD or other degree in the health sciences) will be considered for admission to the Clinical Pharmaceutical Scientist program .

The curriculum is composed of coursework and experiences designed to train students to achieve the core competencies   of clinical researchers in the pharmaceutical sciences.

We have identified the core competencies of clinical researchers in the pharmaceutical sciences. Our interactive tool details the skills that all students within the Clinical Pharmaceutical Scientist program achieve through graduate training and can be used to differentiate this training from traditional graduate and fellowship programs

View a list of all students currently in the Clinical Pharmaceutical Scientist program  »

View a list of all the Clinical Pharmaceutical Scientist program faculty »

View a list of frequently asked questions  »

Primary Contact  

Philip E. Empey, PharmD, PhD Associate Professor 205 Salk Pavilion Pittsburgh, PA 15261 Phone: 412-648-7219 Fax: 412-624-1850 E-mail: [email protected]

College of Pharmacy

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Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

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PhD Programs

Breakthrough research. Groundbreaking discoveries. They happen every day at CU Pharmacy. By training with world-class researchers, you’ll be positioned to enter highly specialized fields and make discoveries of your own. Our graduates have gone on to work in industry jobs, at government agencies and for other top universities. Come join us and continue to advance our field.

We offer PhD programs specializing in pharmaceutical sciences, clinical translational science, pharmaceutical outcomes research and molecular toxicology.

PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences

From drug discovery all the way to clinical trials, our PhD program in Pharmaceutical Sciences will give you ideal training to become an innovator. Major areas of study include pharmaceutical biotechnology, molecular biophysics, drug delivery, nanotechnology, clinical pharmaceutical sciences and medicinal chemistry.

PhD in Toxicology

Come join us as we find answers to pressing medical questions in areas ranging from environmental lung disease to the effects of chemical warfare agents. We’re here to help you develop independent research careers in molecular and environmental toxicology.

PhD in Pharmaceutical Outcomes Research

Who decides if a drug is worth producing? Which drugs should insurance companies cover? How do we determine who gets access to lifesaving therapies? Earn your PhD in Pharmaceutical Outcomes Research and join us as we lead the way in evaluating health care interventions and their economic, clinical, and humanistic outcomes.

T32 training program in Molecular and Systems Toxicology

T32 training program in Molecular and Systems Toxicology (NIEHS T32 ES029074) is a multi-disciplinary research mentorship program centered on training in systems toxicology including genomics/epigenetics, proteomics, and metabolomics as well as molecular approaches to investigate underlying mechanisms of toxicity. 

CU Anschutz

Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Building

12850 East Montview Boulevard

Aurora, CO 80045

303-724-2882

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Bouvé College of Health Sciences

Doctor of pharmacy/direct entry.

Combining the best in classroom, laboratory, and experiential learning under the direction of a world-class faculty, right in the heart of Boston. 

With an average class size of 100 students, the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences provides the personal attention of a small program backed by the resources and opportunities of a large university—the best of both worlds. As part of the Bouvé College of Health Sciences , the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences embraces an interdisciplinary emphasis that reflects today’s team approach to health care. State-of-the-art labs, high-tech classrooms, and affiliations with more than 120 teaching sites, provide our students with the required tools for innovative and interactive learning.

Our students promote and ensure the safe and effective use of drugs and provide medication therapy management services. In addition to preparing and dispensing prescribed medications, our students provide information to patients about medications and their uses; advise physicians, other prescribers, and other healthcare practitioners on medication selection, dosages, interactions, and adverse effects; and monitor patient responses to drug therapy.

Our students are well equipped to provide patient care services in a variety of settings. Most of our graduates work in community pharmacies or in healthcare facilities such as hospitals and ambulatory clinics. Additional practice opportunities exist in health maintenance organizations, private practice groups, long-term care facilities, home healthcare, the Public Health Service, the armed services, and law enforcement agencies such as the Federal Drug Enforcement Administration. Graduates may also find employment in drug development, marketing and research within the pharmaceutical industry, colleges of pharmacy, and professional association management. In addition, many of our graduates go on to pharmacy practice residencies, fellowships, and leading graduate programs. The pharmacy curriculum includes introductory (cooperative education) and advanced pharmacy practice experiences. These pharmacy practice experiences are provided primarily under the direct supervision of qualified pharmacist preceptors and occasionally with other qualified healthcare professionals.

More Details

Unique features.

• The only PharmD co-op program in the country
• Students complete both Introductory pharmacy practice experiences and advanced pharmacy practice experiences
• Graduates will be eligible to sit for the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination TM (NAPLEX®).

Program Objectives

The goal of the Doctor of Pharmacy curriculum is to prepare graduates for the present and future practice of pharmacy and the advancement of the profession by providing a strong foundation in science and practice that stresses integration and application. Graduates will be prepared to deliver patient-centered care, provide safe and effective medication therapy management, work as members of interprofessional teams, and make significant contributions to contemporary healthcare environments.

Accreditation Description

The Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program at Northeastern University School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education through June 30, 2024. The Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education is the national agency for the accreditation of professional degree programs in pharmacy and providers of continuing pharmacy education. ACPE (until 2003 known as the American Council on Pharmaceutical Education) was established in 1932 for the accreditation of professional degree programs in pharmacy, and in 1975 its scope was broadened to include accreditation of providers of continuing pharmacy education. The mission of ACPE is to assure and advance quality in pharmacy education. ACPE is an autonomous and independent agency whose Board of Directors is appointed by the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy, the American Pharmacists Association, the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (three appointments each), and the American Council on Education (one appointment). Since the inception of its accreditation agency recognition program in 1952, ACPE has been recognized continuously by the U.S. Department of Education, and it gained recognition by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation in April 2004. State boards of pharmacy require that licensure applicants from the United States have graduated from an accredited pharmacy degree program to be eligible to sit for the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX ® ).

Looking for something different?

A graduate degree or certificate from Northeastern—a top-ranked university—can accelerate your career through rigorous academic coursework and hands-on professional experience in the area of your interest. Apply now—and take your career to the next level.

Requirements

• Application
• Application fee
• Two letters of recommendation (recommended sources: pharmacist, employment supervisor, science faculty)
• Transcripts from all institutions attended
• Personal statement
• TOEFL for applicants who do not hold a degree from a U.S. institution and whose native language is not English
• PCAT scores are optional
• Bachelor’s degree required
• Undergraduate prerequisites

Are You an International Student? Find out what additional documents are required to apply.

Admissions Details Learn more about the Bouvé College of Health Sciences admissions process, policies, and required materials.

Admissions Dates

Deadline: June 1

Industry-aligned courses for in-demand careers.

For 100+ years, we’ve designed our programs with one thing in mind—your success. Explore the current program requirements and course descriptions, all designed to meet today’s industry needs and must-have skills.

View curriculum

The proximity to Boston’s world renowned healthcare institutions provides the backdrop for a cooperative/experiential education program that is second to none. Our affiliations with such institutions provide our students with a variety of exceptional introductory (IPPE) and advanced (APPE) pharmacy practice experiences. At the heart of the Northeastern model is the cooperative education program, the only program of its kind among U.S. pharmacy schools. Co-ops are four-month experiences that fulfill the Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience, which is required in all pharmacy schools.

Our Faculty

Northeastern University faculty represents a broad cross-section of professional practices and fields, including finance, education, biomedical science, management, and the U.S. military. They serve as mentors and advisors and collaborate alongside you to solve the most pressing global challenges facing established and emerging markets.

You can see the faculty associated with the Doctor of Pharmacy program here .

By enrolling in Northeastern, you’ll gain access to students at 13 campus locations, 300,000+ alumni, and 3,000 employer partners worldwide. Our global university system provides students unique opportunities to think locally and act globally while serving as a platform for scaling ideas, talent, and solutions.

Whether it’s placement in a post-graduate fellowship or residency, passing the NAPLEX exam, securing employment, or pursuing an advanced degree, Northeastern  PharmD students are well prepared  and poised to succeed.

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USC PharmD student John Wu administers a COVID-19 vaccine at the Dodger Stadium vaccination site, as California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti look on. Photo by Irfan Khan/Getty Images.

Non-Degree Programs

• Courses of Instruction       

Founded in 1905, the USC School of Pharmacy is the oldest and foremost pharmacy school in Southern California. The school is a national leader known for its progressive curriculum and research excellence. Approximately 50 percent of the practicing pharmacists in Southern California are graduates of USC. The school has an average student body of 755 full-time students in the PharmD program and 417 students pursuing MS, PhD, DRSc and undergraduate degrees in pharmacology and toxicology, pharmaceutical sciences, health economics, regulatory science, healthcare decision analysis and biopharmaceutical marketing. There are 77 full-time faculty and more than 300 part-time and volunteer faculty at the school.

The school occupies state-of-the-art facilities on the USC Health Sciences Campus in metropolitan Los Angeles, adjacent to the Los Angeles County+USC Medical Center (one of the largest teaching hospitals in the country), the USC Norris Cancer Hospital and the Keck Hospital of USC. USC School of Pharmacy students receive clinical training at these facilities and many other affiliated hospitals, healthcare clinics, skilled nursing facilities, home healthcare agencies and pharmacies in the Southern California region.

Recognized as one of the most innovative schools of pharmacy, the USC School of Pharmacy serves as a model for other progressive schools. In 1950, USC was the first to establish a Doctor of Pharmacy program. Additional national “firsts” that distinguish the school include: first clinical pharmacy program (1968); first PharmD/MBA dual degree program (1988); first MS and PhD programs in pharmaceutical economics and policy (1994) and first professional doctorate in regulatory science (2008).

Consistently the top private pharmacy school nationwide, the school is a member of the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy, and the PharmD program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education, 135 S. LaSalle Street, Suite 4100, Chicago, IL 60603-4810, phone: (312) 664-3575; fax: (312) 664-4652 or (312) 664-7008.

USC School of Pharmacy 1985 Zonal Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90089-9121 (323) 442-1369 (phone) (323) 442-1681 (fax)

pharmacyschool.usc.edu Office of Admission and Student Affairs (PharmD) (323) 442-1466 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] pharmacyschool.usc.edu/apply/admission

Office of Graduate Affairs (PhD, MS) (323) 442­-1474 (323) 442-­2258 (fax) Email: [email protected] pharmgradprograms.usc.edu

Healthcare Decision Analysis 635 Downey Way Verna & Peter Dauterive Hall, VPD 312 Los Angeles, CA 90089-3333 (213) 821-6478 Email: [email protected] hcda.usc.edu

Biopharmaceutical Marketing 635 Downey Way Verna & Peter Dauterive Hall, VPD 312 Los Angeles, CA 90089-3333 (213) 821-6478 Email: [email protected] bpmk.usc.edu

Regulatory and Quality Sciences 1540 Alcazar St., CHP 140 Los Angeles, CA 90089 (323) 442-3102 Email: [email protected] regulatory.usc.edu

Administration

Vassilios Papadopoulos, DPharm, PhD, DSc (hon), Dean

Steven W. Chen, PharmD, Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs

Daryl L. Davies, PhD, Associate Dean of Undergraduate Education

Kari L. Franson, PharmD, PhD, Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs

Irving Steinberg, PharmD, Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs

Annie Wong-Beringer, PharmD, Associate Dean for Research Affairs

Curtis T. Okamoto, PhD, Associate Dean for Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Studies

Paul Beringer, PharmD, Chair, Titus Family Department of Clinical Pharmacy 

Geoffrey Joyce, PhD, Chair, Department of Pharmaceutical and Health Economics

Eunjoo Pacifici, PhD, Chair, Department of Regulatory and Quality Sciences

Clay C.C. Wang, PhD, Chair, Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences

John Stauffer Dean’s Chair in Pharmaceutical Sciences: Vassilios Papadopoulos, DPharm, PhD

William A. and Josephine A. Heeres, Endowed Chair in Community Pharmacy : Steven Chen, PharmD

University Professor and Boyd P. and Elsie D. Welin Professor in Pharmaceutical Sciences: Jean Chen Shih, PhD

Distinguished Professor of Pharmacy, Public Policy, and Economics and Leonard D. Schaeffer Director’s Chair : Dana Goldman, PhD

John A. Biles Professor in Pharmaceutical Sciences: Julio A. Camarero, PhD

Gavin Herbert Professorship in Pharmaceutical Sciences: Andrew MacKay, PhD

Charles Krown/Pharmacy Alumni Professor in Pharmaceutical Sciences: Enrique Cadenas, MD, PhD

Emeritus Professor and Dean: Timothy M. Chan, PhD

Emeritus Professors : Eric J. Lien, PhD; Bradley R. Williams, PharmD; Wei-Chiang Shen, PhD

Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Professors of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences: Enrique Cadenas, MD, PhD; Julio A. Camarero, PhD; Sarah F. Hamm-Alvarez, PhD; Vassilios Papadopoulos, DPharm, PhD; Jean C. Shih, PhD; Bangyan Stiles, PhD; Clay C.C. Wang, PhD

Associate Professors of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences:  Martine Culty, PhD; Roger F. Duncan, PhD; Ian S. Haworth, PhD; J. Andrew MacKay, PhD; Curtis T. Okamoto, PhD; Jennica Zaro, PhD

Assistant Professors of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences: Zhipeng Lu, PhD; Paul Seidler, PhD; Jianming Xie, PhD; Yong (Tiger) Zhang, PhD

Lecturers: Rebecca Romero, PhD; Angel Tabancay, PhD

Titus Department of Clinical Pharmacy

Professors of Clinical Pharmacy:  Melvin F. Baron, PharmD, MPA; Paul M. Beringer, PharmD; Steven Chen, PharmD; Daryl Davies, PhD; Julie A. Dopheide, PharmD; Kari L. Franson, PharmD, PhD; Stanley G. Louie, PharmD; Tien M.H. Ng, PharmD; Fred G. Weissman, PharmD, JD; Annie Wong-Beringer, PharmD

Associate Professors of Clinical Pharmacy: Melissa Durham, PharmD; Kevin L. Forrester, PharmD; Lisa W. Goldstone, PharmD; William C. Gong, PharmD; Cynthia L.L. Lieu, PharmD; Emi Minejima, PharmD; Edith Mirzaian, PharmD; Dima M. Qato, PharmD, PhD, MPH; Irving Steinberg, PharmD; Fred G. Weissman, PharmD, JD

Assistant Professors of Clinical Pharmacy: Houda Alachkar, PharmD, PhD; Carla Blieden, PharmD; Amanda Burkhardt, PhD; Michelle Chu, PharmD; David Dadiomov, PharmD; Richard Dang, PharmD; Tatyana Gurvich, PharmD; Emily Han, PharmD; Connie Kang, PharmD; Kum Ja Lee, PharmD; Serghei Mangul, PhD; Scott Mosley, PharmD; Rory O’Callaghan-Kim, PharmD; Tam Phan, PharmD; Raffi Svadjian, PharmD, MBA; Patrick Tabon, PharmD; Ying Wang, PharmD; Paul J. Wong, PharmD; Maryann Wu, EdD

Research Professor: Jing Liang, MD, PhD

Research Assistant Professor of Clinical Pharmacy: Liana Asatryan, PhD

Department of Pharmaceutical and Health Economics

Professors of Pharmaceutical and Health Economics : Dana Goldman, PhD; Joel W. Hay, PhD; Darius N. Lakdawalla, PhD

Associate Professors of Pharmaceutical and Health Economics : Geoffrey Joyce, PhD; Grant D. Lawless, MD, RPh; Jeffrey S. McCombs, PhD; John Romley, PhD; Seth Seabury, PhD; Daniel Tomaszewski, PharmD, PhD; Ken S. Wong, PharmD, MPH

Assistant Professor s of Pharmaceutical and Health Economics : William Padula, PhD; Erin Trish, PhD

Research Assistant Professors of Pharmaceutical and Health Economics : Bo Zhou, PhD; Steven Fox, MD

Department of Regulatory and Quality Sciences

Professor, Department of Regulatory and Quality Sciences: Frances J. Richmond, PhD

Associate Professor, Department of Regulatory and Quality Sciences: Eunjoo Pacifici, PharmD, PhD

Assistant Professors, Department of Regulatory and Quality Sciences: Susan Bain, DRSc; Terry David Church, DRSc; C. Benson Kuo, PhD; Nancy Pire-Smerkanich, DRSc

The School of Pharmacy offers curricula leading to the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) and Doctor of Regulatory Science (DRSc) degrees and graduate degrees through the Graduate School including: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Health Economics; and the PhD Programs in Pharmaceutical and Translational Sciences which is a one-year umbrella program after which students select one of the following three tracks to complete their PhD degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Molecular Pharmacology and Toxicology, or Clinical and Experimental Therapeutics. The School also offers Master of Science (MS) in Pharmaceutical Economics and Policy; Master of Science (MS) in Pharmaceutical Sciences; Master of Science (MS) in Molecular Pharmacology and Toxicology; Master of Science (MS) in Clinical and Experimental Therapeutics; Master of Science (MS) in Healthcare Decision Analysis; Master of Science (MS) in Biopharmaceutical Marketing; Master of Science (MS) in Regulatory Science; Master of Science (MS) in Regulatory Management; Master of Science (MS) in Management of Drug Development; and Master of Science (MS) in Medical Product Quality. Eight dual degree programs are also offered, including: PharmD/PhD, PharmD/JD, PharmD/MBA, PharmD/MPH, PharmD/MS in Regulatory Science, PharmD/MS in Gerontology, PharmD/MS in Global Medicine, PharmD/MS in Healthcare Decision Analysis, and a joint degree in Pharmaceutical Economics and Policy (PhD). Graduate certificates include clinical research design and management, food safety, healthcare decision analysis, medical product quality, preclinical drug development, patient and product safety, and regulatory and clinical affairs.

The School of Pharmacy also offers a Bachelor of Arts (BA) and a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Pharmacology and Drug Development; a Bachelor of Arts (BA) and a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Biopharmaceutical Sciences; and minors in Biopharmaceutical Business, Science and Management of Biomedical Therapeutics, and Foundation in Regulatory Sciences.

Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) Program

Admission requirements for the doctor of pharmacy (pharmd) program.

Applicants should possess a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. A cumulative grade point average of 3.0 and a prerequisite grade point average of 3.0 or higher is strongly recommended. All students should complete the pre-requisite courses that are required by the USC School of Pharmacy before they start the program. An interview is mandatory and required of all students prior to admission. International students are required to complete the TOEFL and may request a virtual interview. 

Acceptance criteria will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. The admission committee reviews each student holistically, taken all application materials and the interview process into consideration when making an admission decision. Along with being academically prepared, having the soft skills to communicate, problem solve, build relationships and show your ability to think critically are important characteristics to demonstrate.

Tuition and Fees (Estimated)

Tuition for the PharmD at USC School of Pharmacy degree programs is charged at a flat rate (which differs from standard USC tuition). See the Tuition and Fees    section for fee information. These fees are subject to change.

Doctor of Pharmacy students must pay a $1,000 non-refundable acceptance deposit that is applicable toward tuition. For deposit information in other degree programs in the School of Pharmacy, please consult appropriate offices.

Honor Societies

Theta chapter of Rho Chi, the academic honor society in pharmacy, was established at USC in 1925. Eligibility for membership is based on high attainment in scholarship, character, personality and leadership. All candidates selected for membership must have completed three semesters of the pharmacy program (or post-qualifying exam for PhD students), and they must be approved by the dean of the School of Pharmacy.

Phi Lambda Sigma

The Phi Lambda Sigma chapter was established at USC in 1988. This national pharmacy leadership society is devoted to identifying, supporting and recognizing the contribution of pharmacy students to their colleges, their classmates, their campuses, their communities and to their chosen profession.

Undergraduate Honors Program

The undergraduate honors in pharmacology and drug development (post code 1681) or biopharmaceutical sciences is awarded through successful completion of the senior capstone project.  The project is a demonstration of knowledge in the student’s chosen area of interest which results in a product/project, research data, research paper, or portfolio of work, and a presentation. This experience encourages students to use a variety of skills in the areas of writing, speaking, research, and documentation, which distinguishes them as scholars and future leaders in pharmacy. Students will register in RXRS/BPSI - 493, Senior Honors Seminar I and RXRS/BPSI - 494 Senior Honors Seminar II.

Student Housing and Service Facility, Health Sciences Campus

There are no university-managed accommodations on the Health Sciences Campus. Currie Hall is privately owned, has a state-of-the-art fitness center, 24-hour academic success center, pool, wi-fi and fully furnished apartments with enhanced-privacy floor plans. For more information about Currie Hall, call (213) 784-7558 or visit the Currie Hall website .

For bookstore information, call (323) 442-2674. Students may also live in student housing on the University Park Campus, located about eight miles from the Health Sciences Campus.

Student Health Services, Health Sciences Campus

Services of the Student Health Center, covered by the mandatory student health fee, include the ambulatory care health services provided by the Student Health Center nursing staff. The Student Health Center is located in the USC Health Care Consultation Center, 1500 San Pablo Street, Suite 104, adjacent to the USC University Hospital, one block northeast of the School of Pharmacy. The telephone number is (323) 442-5980. In addition to the student health fee, all students must have major medical insurance coverage from the USC Student Health Plan. A student may request a waiver of the USC Student Health Plan if covered by a personal medical plan that meets criteria established by the Health Insurance Office.

Graduate Degrees

The School of Pharmacy, through the Graduate School, offers curricula leading to the MS and PhD degrees in clinical and experimental therapeutics, molecular pharmacology and toxicology, pharmaceutical sciences and health economics, as well as a doctorate in Regulatory Sciences (DRSc). The Pharmaceutical and Translational Sciences (PHTS) PhD Program    is a one-year umbrella program after which students select a particular track to complete their PhD in pharmaceutical sciences, molecular pharmacology and toxicology, or clinical and experimental therapeutics. The school also offers interdisciplinary MS degrees in regulatory science, in regulatory management, in the management of drug development, in medical product quality, in healthcare decision analysis and in biopharmaceutical marketing. The MS degree in pharmaceutical economics and policy is offered jointly with the USC Price School of Public Policy and the Department of Economics. In addition, the school offers dual degrees with the schools of law, business, gerontology and medicine as well as other programs. Instructions given in the Admission section of this catalogue are to be followed. An online application is required. See the Graduate Admission application page. Additional information may be obtained by calling (323) 442-1474 or sending an email to [email protected] .

Admission Requirements for the Master of Science in Clinical and Experimental Therapeutics

Applicants should possess a bachelor’s degree or equivalent from an accredited college or university. Applicants with graduate or professional degrees are encouraged to apply. A minimum grade point average of 3.0 (A = 4.0) and qualifying scores on the GRE or equivalent examination are required. Special attention is given to the grades achieved in science courses relevant to the program (e.g., chemistry, biology, biochemistry, pharmacology and mathematics). Students who have research experience and/or work experience in the pharmaceutical arena are encouraged to apply.

Acceptance criteria for those individuals will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. English proficiency is essential. Students will be selected for admission, whenever possible, after interviews with one or more members of faculty.

Admission Requirements for the Master of Science in Molecular Pharmacology and Toxicology and Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences

Applicants should possess a bachelor’s or master’s degree in pharmacy, chemistry, biology or other related disciplines from an accredited college or university. A minimum grade point average of 3.0 is required. Submission of scores on the GRE in the verbal and quantitative areas is strongly recommended. Special attention is given to the grades achieved in science courses relevant to the program (e.g., chemistry, biology, biochemistry, pharmacology and mathematics).

Applicants must have demonstrated proficiency in verbal and written English and in fundamental scientific areas such as organic and physical chemistry, biochemistry, biology, mathematics, statistics and computer science. Three letters from faculty knowledgeable about 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 and creativity, and other qualities in the student’s academic performance.

Applications for admission are reviewed by the Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences Graduate Admissions Committee of the School of Pharmacy and are evaluated primarily on the basis of academic excellence.

Admission Requirements for Programs in Pharmaceutical and Translational Sciences: Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical and Experimental Therapeutics, Doctor of Philosophy in Molecular Pharmacology and Toxicology, and Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmaceutical Sciences

All prospective students will apply through the single umbrella program in Pharmaceutical and Translational Sciences and become enrolled in one of the three participating PhD programs after having successfully completed the first year’s course work and laboratory rotations. 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.

Applicants must have a baccalaureate degree in the natural sciences, or sufficient courses in mathematics and the life sciences. This is required to provide a strong background for studies in biomedical  and biological research. Appropriate undergraduate degrees include biology, physiology, engineering, chemistry or computer science. A student currently enrolled in the PharmD program may pursue a PharmD/PhD by following the admission procedure in the Catalogue.

Applicants should have a strong record of academic achievement. A minimum grade point average of 3.0 is required and previous research experience is expected.

In addition to the application for admission, three letters of recommendation 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. The student’s research and professional experience should be well described within the application and include a personal statement summarizing career objectives and research interests.

Admission Requirements for the Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Economics and Policy

Applicants for admission must have achieved a minimum 3.0 GPA in an undergraduate or professional school and adequate scores on the GRE. In addition, applicants will be required to have completed upper-division courses in statistical methods, calculus and microeconomics.

Admission Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy in Health Economics

Candidates with a bachelor’s, master’s or PharmD degree are invited to apply. Applicants must have demonstrated proficiency in verbal and written English and aptitude in economics, mathematics, statistics and computer science. Deficiencies in economics and statistical background can be addressed through preliminary course work after admission to the program.

A minimum grade point average of at least 3.0 (A = 4.0) is required. Special attention is given to the grades achieved in economics, statistics and mathematics courses relevant to the program. A qualifying score on the GRE in verbal and quantitative areas is required. There is no set minimum score required for admission, and GRE scores are considered in conjunction with all other parts of the application.

Admission Requirements for the Master of Science in Healthcare Decision Analysis

Applicants should possess a bachelor’s degree or equivalent from an accredited college or university. Applicants with graduate or professional degrees are encouraged to apply. A minimum grade point average of 3.0 is required. The program encourages the participation of part-time students with work experience. Acceptance criteria for those individuals will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. English proficiency is essential. Additional requirements for international students are outlined by university regulations under Admission of International Students.

Admission Requirements for the Master of Science in Biopharmaceutical Marketing

Applicants should possess a bachelor’s degree or equivalent from an accredited college or university. Applicants with graduate or professional degrees are encouraged to apply. A minimum grade point average of 3.0 and qualifying scores on the GRE or GMAT examinations are required. The program encourages the participation of part-time students with work experience. Acceptance criteria for those individuals will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. English proficiency is essential. Additional requirements for international students are outlined by university regulations under Admission of International Students.

Admission Requirements for the Doctorate of Science in Regulatory Science

The program is designed for individuals with strong professional experience and demonstrated intellectual and leadership capabilities. Applicants are expected to have a GPA of 3.0 on university-level course work and ten or more years of professional experience. Admission requirements include university transcripts, a résumé or curriculum vitae, at least three letters of reference, and a one-page personal statement that outlines the background, a topic of interest for the dissertation and goals of the applicant. Students are encouraged even at this early stage to identify areas in which they are interested in conducting research. Additional requirements for international students are outlined by university regulations under Admission of International Students. (See Admission and Orientation   .) Students are not required to provide GRE scores unless indicated by the program director. Applicants will be selected for admission, whenever possible, after interviews with one or more members of faculty, current student and/or alumnus of the program.

Students with an appropriate graduate or professional degree may use some previous graduate courses as transfer units toward the overall credit requirements of the Doctor of Regulatory Science program with the approval of the program director and under the policies of the university. Students who have graduated from the Master of Science program in Regulatory Science at USC are eligible to apply all of the previously taken course work toward the doctoral degree. Students with graduate degrees from outside of the Regulatory Science program are required to take a minimum of 32 units of course work and 4 units of dissertation research to complete the requirements for graduation. The course work requirements will be determined on an individual basis in consultation with the program director and student’s advisers.

Admission Requirements for the Master of Science in Regulatory Science

Applicants should possess a bachelor’s degree or equivalent from an accredited college or university. Applicants with graduate or professional degrees are encouraged to apply. A minimum grade point average of 3.0 and applicants are not required to provide GRE scores unless indicated by the program director. The program encourages the participation of part-time students with work experience.

Acceptance criteria for those individuals will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. English proficiency is essential.

Admission Requirements for the Master of Science in Management of Drug Development

Applicants should possess a bachelor’s degree or equivalent from an accredited college or university. Applicants with graduate or professional degrees are encouraged to apply. A minimum grade point average of 3.0 and applicants are not required to provide GRE scores unless indicated by the program director. The program encourages the participation of part-time students with work experience. Acceptance criteria for those individuals will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. English proficiency is essential.

Admission Requirements for the Master of Science in Medical Product Quality

Applicants should possess a bachelor’s degree or equivalent from an accredited college or university. Applicants with graduate or professional degrees are encouraged to apply. A minimum grade point average of 3.0 and applicants are not required to provide GRE scores unless indicated by the program director. The program encourages the participation of part-time students who are already working in the industry as well as students who have recently completed or are about to complete an undergraduate program.

Acceptance criteria will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. English proficiency is essential. Applicants who do not meet all the specific requirements indicated above, but who show unique potential, may be considered for admission with conditions, which may be fulfilled during the first semester of enrollment.

Admission Requirements for the Master of Science in Regulatory Management

Applicants should possess a bachelor’s degree or equivalent from an accredited college or university. Applicants should also possess a conferred doctoral degree or equivalent from an accredited college or university. A minimum grade point average of 3.0 and applicants are not required to provide GRE scores unless indicated by the program director. Acceptance criteria for those individuals will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. English proficiency is essential. The program encourages the participation of part-time students who are already working in the industry as well as students who have recently completed or are about to complete a doctoral program.

Acceptance criteria will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. English proficiency is essential. Applicants who do not meet all the specific requirements indicated above, but who show unique potential, may be considered for admission with conditions, which may be fulfilled during the first two semesters of enrollment.

Admission of International Students to Graduate Degree Programs

All requirements described in this section are also applicable to the admission of international students. In addition, special application and admission procedures are required of international students. Refer to the section on Admission of International Students    in this catalogue.

Degree Requirements

These degrees are under the jurisdiction of the School of Pharmacy and/or jointly with the Graduate School. Students should also refer to the Requirements for Graduation    section and The Graduate School    section of this catalogue for general regulations. All courses applied toward the degrees must be courses accepted by the Graduate School.

• Master of Science in Biopharmaceutical Marketing
• Master of Science in Clinical and Experimental Therapeutics
• Master of Science in Healthcare Decision Analysis
• Master of Science in Management of Drug Development
• Master of Science in Medical Product Quality
• Master of Science in Molecular Pharmacology and Toxicology
• Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Economics and Policy
• Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Master of Science in Regulatory Management
• Master of Science in Regulatory Science
• Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical and Experimental Therapeutics
• Doctor of Philosophy in Health Economics
• Doctor of Philosophy in Molecular Pharmacology and Toxicology
• Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmaceutical Economics and Policy
• Doctor of Regulatory Science
• PharmD/Juris Doctor
• PharmD/Master of Business Administration Dual Degree Program
• PharmD/Master of Science, Gerontology
• PharmD/Master of Science, Global Medicine
• PharmD/Master of Science, Healthcare Decision Analysis
• PharmD/Master of Public Health
• PharmD/Master of Science, Regulatory Science
• PharmD/Doctor of Philosophy

Office of Continuing Professional Development 1985 Zonal Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90089-9121 (323) 442-2403 FAX: (323) 442-3600 Email: [email protected] pharmacyschool.usc.edu/programs/ce/

Continuing Education

The School of Pharmacy, Office of Continuing Professional Development, is a recognized provider of continuing pharmacy education accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) and recognized by the California State Board of Pharmacy and throughout the United States.

The school serves as a primary educational resource for pharmacists in California and as a supplementary resource for other health professionals and pharmacists, nationally and internationally.

Programs are designed to educate pharmacists about current issues in pharmaceutical care, practice management, therapeutics and other topics of professional interest. Continuing education programs are held at the School of Pharmacy and other locations.

For information concerning continuing education programs contact the Office of Continuing Professional Development.

Bachelor’s Degree

• •  Biopharmaceutical Sciences (BA)
• •  Biopharmaceutical Sciences (BS)
• •  Pharmacology and Drug Development (BA)
• •  Pharmacology and Drug Development (BS)
• •  Biopharmaceutical Business Minor
• •  Foundation in Regulatory Sciences Minor
• •  Science and Management of Biomedical Therapeutics Minor

Joint Degree

• •  Pharmaceutical Economics and Policy (PhD)

Master’s Degree

• •  Biopharmaceutical Marketing (MS)
• •  Clinical and Experimental Therapeutics (MS)
• •  Healthcare Decision Analysis (MS)
• •  Management of Drug Development (MS)
• •  Medical Product Quality (MS)
• •  Molecular Pharmacology and Toxicology (MS)
• •  Pharmaceutical Economics and Policy (MS)
• •  Pharmaceutical Sciences (MS)
• •  Regulatory Management (MS)
• •  Regulatory Science (MS)

Dual Degree

• •  Doctor of Pharmacy/Doctor of Philosophy (PharmD/PhD)
• •  Doctor of Pharmacy/Juris Doctor (PharmD/JD)
• •  Doctor of Pharmacy/Master of Business Administration (PharmD/MBA)
• •  Doctor of Pharmacy/Master of Public Health (PharmD/MPH)
• •  Doctor of Pharmacy/Master of Science, Gerontology (PharmD/MS)
• •  Doctor of Pharmacy/Master of Science, Global Medicine (PharmD/MS)
• •  Doctor of Pharmacy/Master of Science, Regulatory Science (PharmD/MS)
• •  Healthcare Decision Analysis (PharmD/MS)

Graduate Certificate

• •  Advanced Pharmacy Practice Graduate Certificate
• •  Clinical Research Design and Management Certificate
• •  Food Safety Certificate
• •  Healthcare Decision Analysis Certificate
• •  Medical Product Quality Graduate Certificate
• •  Patient and Product Safety Certificate
• •  Preclinical Drug Development Certificate
• •  Regulatory and Clinical Affairs Certificate

Doctoral Degree

• •  Clinical and Experimental Therapeutics (PhD)
• •  Health Economics (PhD)
• •  Molecular Pharmacology and Toxicology (PhD)
• •  Pharmaceutical Sciences (PhD)
• •  Pharmacy (PharmD)
• •  Regulatory Science (DRSc)

Biopharmaceutical Marketing

• •  BPMK 500 Biopharmaceutical Marketing Management
• •  BPMK 501 Healthcare Payers, Insurance and Coverage Policy
• •  BPMK 502 Biopharmaceutical Product Development and Marketing
• •  BPMK 503 Biopharmaceutical Advertising and Communication
• •  BPMK 504 Market Access and Reimbursement Strategy
• •  BPMK 505 Product Health Economics and Valuation
• •  BPMK 506 Biopharmaceutical Product Pricing and Competition
• •  BPMK 508 Biopharmaceutical Marketing Research and Analytics
• •  BPMK 509 Seminars in Biopharmaceutical Marketing
• •  BPMK 510 Capstone I: Biopharmaceutical Management Project
• •  BPMK 511 Capstone II: Biopharmaceutical Management Project

Biopharmaceutical Sciences

• •  BPSI 402 Biopharmaceutics I
• •  BPSI 403 Biopharmaceutics II
• •  BPSI 405 Organ Systems Physiology, Drug Delivery and Drug Action
• •  BPSI 406 Drug Safety Pharmacology and Toxicology
• •  BPSI 407 Pharmaceutical and Health Economics
• •  BPSI 408 Biologics and Vaccines
• •  BPSI 410 Biopharmaceutical Product Development and Brand Planning
• •  BPSI 411 Biopharmaceutical Marketing Analysis and Strategy
• •  BPSI 412 Targeted and Precision Medicines
• •  BPSI 413 Rigor, Resources and Reproducibility
• •  BPSI 414 Pharmacoethics
• •  BPSI 415 Science Talk
• •  BPSI 490x Directed Research
• •  BPSI 493 Senior Honors Seminar I
• •  BPSI 494 Senior Honors Seminar II

Clinical and Experimental Therapeutics

• •  CXPT 590 Directed Research
• •  CXPT 594a Master’s Thesis
• •  CXPT 594b Master’s Thesis
• •  CXPT 594z Master’s Thesis
• •  CXPT 596 Internship for Curricular Practical Training
• •  CXPT 599 Special Topics
• •  CXPT 609 Preclinical Experimental Drug Therapeutic Development
• •  CXPT 610 Experimental and Clinical Drug Metabolism and Transport
• •  CXPT 664 Clinical Problem Solving
• •  CXPT 790 Research
• •  CXPT 794a Doctoral Dissertation
• •  CXPT 794b Doctoral Dissertation
• •  CXPT 794c Doctoral Dissertation
• •  CXPT 794d Doctoral Dissertation
• •  CXPT 794z Doctoral Dissertation

Health Care Decision Analysis

• •  HCDA 501 Fundamentals of Healthcare Insurance Design
• •  HCDA 502 Comparative International Healthcare Systems
• •  HCDA 503 Competitive Healthcare Intelligence
• •  HCDA 506 Foundations of Insurance and Global Access
• •  HCDA 507 Foundations of Product Development and Commercialization
• •  HCDA 510 Business Implications of Healthcare Policy
• •  HCDA 515 Healthcare Decision Analysis and Modeling
• •  HCDA 520 Health Economic and Outcomes Methodology
• •  HCDA 525 Healthcare Literature Analysis and Applications
• •  HCDA 530 Total Product Development: Benchtop to Launch
• •  HCDA 540 Executive Leadership and Healthcare Marketing
• •  HCDA 550 Healthcare Innovation: Creativity to Value
• •  HCDA 553 Advanced Pricing Strategies
• •  HCDA 560 Managing Effective Partnerships and Mergers
• •  HCDA 570 Asia Pacific: Access, Delivery and Reimbursement
• •  HCDA 580 Seminars in Healthcare Decision Analysis
• •  HCDA 589 Healthcare Consulting Enterprise Team Project
• •  HCDA 590 Directed Research
• •  HCDA 596 Internship for Curricular Practical Training
• •  HCDA 599 Special Topics

Molecular Pharmacology and Toxicology

• •  MPTX 500 Molecular Pharmacology and Toxicology I
• •  MPTX 501 Molecular Pharmacology and Toxicology II
• •  MPTX 502 Pharmacology
• •  MPTX 510 Topics in Pharmacology: the Other Side of Drugs
• •  MPTX 511 Introduction to Medical Product Regulation
• •  MPTX 512 Regulation of Pharmaceutical and Biological Products
• •  MPTX 513 Regulation of Medical Devices and Diagnostics
• •  MPTX 514 Regulation of Food and Dietary Supplements
• •  MPTX 515 Quality Systems and Standards
• •  MPTX 516 Medical Products and the Law
• •  MPTX 517 Structure and Management of Clinical Trials
• •  MPTX 518 Writing Regulatory Drug Submissions
• •  MPTX 519 Global Regulation of Medical Products
• •  MPTX 520 Toxicology and the Media
• •  MPTX 522 Introduction to Clinical Trial Design and Statistics
• •  MPTX 524 Introduction to Food Science and Technology
• •  MPTX 526 Chemistry Manufacturing and Controls
• •  MPTX 531 Cell Biology
• •  MPTX 561 Molecular Biology
• •  MPTX 571 Biochemistry
• •  MPTX 572 Medical Physiology I
• •  MPTX 573 Medical Physiology II
• •  MPTX 590 Directed Research
• •  MPTX 594a Master’s Thesis
• •  MPTX 594b Master’s Thesis
• •  MPTX 594z Master’s Thesis
• •  MPTX 596 Internship for Curricular Practical Training
• •  MPTX 599 Special Topics
• •  MPTX 602 Science, Research and Ethics
• •  MPTX 630 Directed Field-Research Project
• •  MPTX 700 Seminar in Molecular Pharmacology and Toxicology
• •  MPTX 790 Research
• •  MPTX 794a Doctoral Dissertation
• •  MPTX 794b Doctoral Dissertation
• •  MPTX 794c Doctoral Dissertation
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PhD PROGRAMS OFFERED

A master's degree may be earned during the completion of the PhD.

Admission Requirements

All applicants must:

• Hold a U.S. bachelor's degree or its equivalent from an accredited institution. Degree holders from non-U.S. institutions should refer to Required Academic Credentials from Non-U.S. Institutions.

International applicants must:

• Take one of these English proficiency tests:

International applicants are exempt from submitting an official English proficiency score if:

• The degree was earned from an institution where the language of instruction is exclusively English. This exception does not apply if some classes completed were taught in a language other than English. Verification from the school may be required.
• The degree was earned from a country where the official language is English (e.g., United States of America, Australia, England).

The College of Pharmacy admits new graduate students for the fall term only. The deadline for each PhD program is:

• Medicinal Chemistry: December 1
• Pharmaceutical Sciences: December 1
• Clinical Pharmacy Translational Science:   December 1 

All applicants to our PhD programs use the online application provided through the Rackham Graduate School.

• Before applying review the Rackham Admissions website
• Read the "Applying to UM-Ann Arbor page and set up an Application Account
• Review the " How to Submit More Than One Application " page if you are applying to more than one program using the Rackham application

Note: Our PhD programs do not generally accept applications to do PhD work with specific faculty. The normal process is to apply to the PhD program through the Graduate School (as described).

Your application will then be considered along with all the other applications we receive. During their first year, our students perform research rotations in faculty labs, and at the end of the winter term, students are matched with a faculty member who will mentor them through their PhD studies.

• Fees are waived for U.S. citizens and permanent residents
• $90 for international applicants

Rackham will not process an application without the application fee, nor can the College review applications prior to the payment of this fee. The fee is waived for applicants to the Clinical Pharmacy Translational Sciences, Medicinal Chemistry and the Pharmaceutical Sciences programs who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

Some fee waivers are available from the Rackham Graduate School; for more information click here.

The following documents are required for application to our PhD programs and are due, with your online application, by the deadline:

• The GRE is not required.
• One set of official academic transcripts from completed degree(s)
•   Review this webpage for instructions regarding the submission of transcripts :  https://rackham.umich.edu/admissions/applying/transcripts/
• Review this webpage for instructions regarding the submission of Academic Credentials from Non-US Institutions:   https://rackham.umich.edu/admissions/applying/required-credentials-from-non-us-institutions/
• A concise (1-2 pages), well-written statement about your academic and research background, your career goals, and how the PhD program will help you meet your career and educational objectives.
• A concise (500-word limit) essay that describes how your background and life experiences, including cultural, geographical, financial, educational, or other opportunities or challenges, motivated your decision to pursue a PhD in our program. Please do not simply restate your Academic Statement of Purpose.
• These should be written by people capable of evaluating your academic progress and potential for graduate study. Letters must be submitted directly by each recommender.
• Recommenders should submit the Recommendation form and their letters using the online application site. This is the preferred method of submission; so please be sure to enter information for each of your recommenders on your application as required.
• If a recommender is unable to access the site after you have submitted your application, he or she can email the letter directly to the PhD program.
• It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the letters of recommendation are submitted by the deadline. Late letters may result in a delay in processing your application. Click here for more information on submitting letters.

International applicants must also submit:

• For transcript requirements for international applicants, please click here
• TOEFL scores are sent electronically from ETS directly to the University of Michigan (institution code: 1839).
• IELTS, ECPE, and MELAB scores are sent directly from the testing agency to the Rackham Graduate School at the following address:

Rackham Graduate School 915 E. Washington St. Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1070

• After admission to the program: The Affidavit of Financial Resources and Immigration Information for International Students, with supporting documentation, is required. This form is necessary, regardless of funding.

General questions about applying to College of Pharmacy programs can be submitted by e-mail using the following addresses:

• Medicinal Chemistry: [email protected]
• Pharmaceutical Sciences: [email protected]
• Clinical Pharmacy: [email protected]

Complete department mailing addresses, as well as program information, are available via these links.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Yes, all applicants are required to apply online. This allows your application and fee to be sent directly to the appropriate places, enabling us to process your application much faster.

• The application fee is automatically waived for U.S. citizens and permanent residents.
• Some applicants may qualify for application fee waivers or grants that are available from the Rackham Graduate School; for more information click here.

No. The fee must be paid before an application can be processed or evaluated.

Yes. Everything must be translated, and both the originals and translations must be submitted.

When evaluating applications, we look at the whole picture and every piece is important. This is why we wait until we have all of your documents before we will look at your application. Strong letters of recommendation are key.

International students must take one of the following English proficiency tests: the TOEFL , the IELTS , or the MELAB .

Official GRE scores: 

TOEFL, IELTS, and MELAB scores are valid for two years.

The minimum TOEFL score is 560 for paper-based tests and 84 for IBT tests; the IELTS minimum score is 6.5; the MELAB minimum score is 80.

No. If you have, or will have, a degree from a U.S. institution prior to enrolling at the University of Michigan, you will not need to retake the TOEFL (or the IELTS or MELAB).

The preferred method for submitting recommendations is via the online application. Those who are recommending you can complete this online form and attach the letter of recommendation online. Both the Recommendation Form and the letter are needed. You can forward the Rackham Graduate School link to your letter writers and they can download the form themselves.

Strong letters of recommendation are essential; therefore you should choose your recommenders carefully. Choose faculty who know you well and can speak to your strengths, preferably from your area of research interest. A letter from a professional, or a key educational administrator might also be appropriate. Letters from personal friends or family members are discouraged.

Both the Recommendation Form and the letter are needed. If necessary, you can forward the Rackham link to your letter writers and they can download the form themselves.

The College of Pharmacy offers a master's in Integrated Pharmaceutical Sciences. More information about this program can be found at the following link:  https://pharmacy.umich.edu/prospective-students/programs

This is your chance to show the admissions committee who you are. You should talk about your background, your educational, research, and career goals, and how our graduate program will help you realize those goals. Note that this differs from the personal statement.

• No. The department will use the transcript that is submitted with the applicant's online application. Only Rackham must have original, official transcripts or mark sheets, bearing the institution's official seal.
• Please note: Rackham Graduate School conducts a complete audit of each transcript. Due to the high volume of documents being audited, it may take 7 to 14 business days for the notice of receipt to appear online.

The College of Pharmacy has a long history of funding most, if not all, of its PhD students, but such support is not guaranteed. Financial aid comes in the form of departmental fellowships, research assistantships, and student instructorships. Funding for successive years is contingent upon the availability of funds and a student's academic performance for the previous year(s).

Graduate programs at the U-M College of Pharmacy are highly regarded for their interdisciplinary emphasis and are directed by faculty with international reputations for excellence in research and teaching. To learn more about their research, go to the department sites and click on the faculty links.

Rackham Graduate School will notify you to submit the Affidavit of Financial Resources and Immigration Information for International Students only if you are offered admission by the academic program. Please do not submit this form with your application.

Pharmacology, PhD

School of medicine.

The Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences hosts the Pharmacology Graduate Program, which offers a program of study and research leading to the Ph.D. degree. Research training opportunities within the program cover a broad spectrum of biomedical sciences including chemical biology, immunology, virology, cancer, and neuroscience. The mission of departmental research is to understand the molecular processes underlying physiology and pathology, and to apply this knowledge to discovering new drug targets and developing novel therapeutics. Within the program, students may choose to focus their efforts in any of a large number of specific research areas including signal transduction, structural biology and drug design, NMR spectroscopy, molecular genetics, cancer chemoprevention, viral immunosuppression, cancer immunology, cell-mediated immunity, mechanisms of HIV infection, vaccine development, glycobiology, biomedical mass spectrometry, clinical pharmacology, drug delivery, anti-parasite drug development, histone acetylation and gene regulation, melatonin and circadian rhythm, drug metabolism, Vitamin D pharmacology, natural product biosynthesis, telomerase and chromosome stability, T cell activation and tolerance, DNA repair, DNA topoisomerases, molecular imaging, and the clinical pharmacology of cardiovascular agents. The department is also pleased to host students and award doctoral degrees to M.D./Ph.D. degree candidates and students in other Ph.D. graduate programs in which Pharmacology faculty participate (Biochemistry, Cellular and Molecular Biology, Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Immunology, Neuroscience, and Pathobiology).

Financial Support

Financial support covering normal living costs, individual medical insurance, and tuition is provided.

Admission Requirements

Applicants should have a B.A. or B.S. degree with a major in any of the biological or physical sciences. Entering students are expected to have completed college-level courses in chemistry (inorganic, organic, and physical), calculus, and physics; a strong background in biochemistry is particularly desirable. A completed application form, at least three letters of recommendation, undergraduate transcripts, and a statement of interest must be received by December 8th.

Program Requirements

Students in the Pharmacology program must successfully complete the following courses:

Students must also take two advanced elective courses selected from those offered by this or other departments. Students are able to select a course of studies uniquely suited to their own career goals.

During their first year of study, students will complete ~10-week research rotations in addition to their coursework. They will initiate dissertation research by the end of their first year and complete elective courses relevant to their developing interests in subsequent years of training.

During the second year of study, students will be required to pass a qualifying examination conducted as prescribed by the Doctor of Philosophy Board of the University. This examination will probe the depth and breadth of the student’s knowledge of the biomedical subjects taught in the core courses.

The candidate is required to present a written dissertation based on original research undertaken while in residence as a graduate student and to present a departmental seminar describing the thesis research.

Combined M.D.-Ph.D. Degrees

Students seeking admission to or who are already participating in the M.D. program in the School of Medicine may participate in a program leading to both the M.D. and the Ph.D. degrees.

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Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Office of Student Success and Engagement 270 Pharmacy Building Buffalo, NY 14214 716-645-2825 [email protected]

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The UB Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences is the foremost destination for PhD student scholars interested in challenging the boundaries of drug discovery, development and evaluation.

We invite you to study with our group of internationally renowned faculty as they advance the biotherapies and technologies of the future to improve human health and society. 

Sponsored through the university, this multi-year program provides enhanced nationally competitive funding packages to ensure the support and continuation of the next generation of scholars and researchers.

Support initiatives include: cost of broad-based fees for doctoral students who are full time and fully funded. Covered fees include the comprehensive fee, academic excellence and success fee, student activity fee, and the international student fee, where applicable.

Find out more: UB PhD Excellence Initiative.

Learn more about the many ways UB can support your career aspirations through innovative assistantships, fellowships, scholarships and other benefits.

Find out more: PhD Level Funding.

Doctoral students receive a full tuition scholarship and stipend. Additional amounts may be received through individual scholarships.

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or higher in pharmacy, biochemistry, chemistry, biology, engineering or other science
• Minimum GPA of 3.0/4.0
• Two letters of recommendation from faculty knowledgeable of the student's ability and capability. Evaluators should comment on laboratory research, communication skills, creativity, and intangibles in the student's academic performance. An email request will be sent directly to your recommenders when you submit your application for formal review.
• Personal statement: the personal statement is a general statement of purpose describing academic, professional, and research interests and should be no more than 500 words.
• Demonstrated proficiency in organic and physical chemistry, biochemistry, biology and mathematics
• Prior research experience and co-authorship in scientific publications are considered favorably.

Application Steps

International Application Requirements

The University at Buffalo is one of the  United States' most international universities  and offers a welcoming environment for students from over 100 countries.

Application Requirements

In addition to your program application, as an international student you will need to provide the following materials as electronic uploads. Please do not send any mail, unless instructed to do so. You do not need to submit an evaluated transcript through WES however, we will accept it if you have it.

• A photocopy of your passport page Upload a photocopy of your passport (photo page) to the proper section on your application checklist
• Copy of current 1-20 and visa If you are currently studying in the United States, you must upload a copy of your current I-20 and Visa to your application checklist. 
• Official English Proficiency Scores In addition to meeting the standard academic criteria for the program to which you are applying, international applicants must also demonstrate English proficiency. Unless exempt, all international students must take one of the tests  indicated here  and meet the university minimum score requirement. Upon submission, please upload an unofficial copy of your English Language Proficiency test score to your application.
• International Applicant Financial Form and Bank Documents - Not required for PhD applicants These documents can be submitted  after  students are accepted; feel free to leave it blank on the application checklist. You will be able to submit them later when prompted. Accepted students (except PhD) need to submit the Financial Form, along with bank documents showing funding for the first year of academic study (minus any scholarships you may be receiving).

Learn about the steps to receiving your I-20 documentation.

Information for Current BS/MS or MS Students

Current students in our BS/MS or MS programs who are interested in the PhD program are required to submit a new application with new recommendations. MS students may apply either during their first or second year of the program. BS/MS students must complete their entire BS/MS program before joining the PhD program (some exceptions considered).

MS students who are accepted to the PhD program during their first year in the MS program are transferred directly to the PhD program and do not receive their MS degree. MS students who are accepted to the PhD program during their second year in the MS program are encouraged to complete their MS project and confer their MS degree before joining the PhD program.

It is recommended that students interested in the PhD program consider taking the required courses for the PhD program that are offered during their MS studies. If admitted to PhD program, students who have completed all of the required PhD courses will be allowed to take the Preliminary Exams.

Students accepted to the PhD program from our MS program who have elected not to receive their MS degree can apply all of their required PhD courses and graduate course credits towards the 72 credits needed for the PhD. These students should develop an academic plan carefully so that the remaining credit requirements needed for the PhD degree are met without exceeding the 72 credits by a large margin.

Students formerly in our BS/MS or MS programs who are accepted to the PhD and have received their BS/MS or MS degree can apply part or all of their prior graduate credits from the University at Buffalo towards the PhD. The Director of Graduate Studies will waive the required PhD courses taken during the BS/MS and MS program for these students. These students should work closely with the Director of Graduate Studies so that remaining credit requirements needed for the PhD degree are met without exceeding the 72 credits by a large margin.

Review our Frequently Asked Questions

Email us at  [email protected] .

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Home   »   California

Pharmacy Schools in California - 2024

Our Ranking Methodology

The Pharmacy Schools ranking for the state of CA is based on the NAPLEX first time pass rates. Each school was closely evaluated for its NAPLEX performance in the last four years, with 40% weightage given to 2021, 30% to 2020, 20% to 2019 and 10% to 2018. A pharmacy school that consistently has its students passing the NAPLEX on the first attempt speaks volumes about the quality and success of its program.

2024 Ranking of ACPE Accredited Pharmacy Schools in California

#1. university of california san diego.

Ranking Score: 97.64% Location: La Jolla Program Length: 4 Years

About the College: University of California San Diego's Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences is known for its emphasis on research. Nearly half of the 60 students who enter its program each fall will go on to pursue a post-graduate degree.

Program Details: The application deadline is November 1 for the fall semester of the following year; promising candidates will be invited for an onsite interview in December. The fall semester begins in late August. In addition to teaching traditional pharmacology classes, the four-year Pharm D curriculum emphasizes interdisciplinary collaborations with the University's medical school and with other health science schools on campus; and emphasizes emerging topics within the industry such as pharmacogenomics, computational biology and bioinformatics. Beginning in their third year, students participate in clinical placements at hospitals, community clinics and research institutions in San Diego and the surrounding area.

#2. University of Southern California

Ranking Score: 95.15% Location: Los Angeles Program Length: 4 Years

About the College: University of Southern California School of Pharmacy provides an enormous number of options for aspiring professionals within the field of pharmacology. The school offers a number of concurrent degree programs that allow students to enroll in a Pharm.D. program in CA and pursue an MBA, a J.D. or an MPH at the same time.

Program Details: To complete a four-year degree in pharmacology, students will be required to take 133 units of classroom coursework with a grade point average of 2.5 or higher and participate in a minimum of 1,740 hours of clinical experience. Sponsoring hospitals and community clinics typically require a criminal background checks as well as a drug screening. University of Southern California requires all students to obtain intern licensure with the California State Board of Pharmacy at the beginning of their first year and to maintain that licensure in good standing throughout their enrollment in the School of Pharmacy.

#3. University of California San Francisco

Ranking Score: 94.12% Location: San Francisco Program Length: 3 Years

About the College: The School of Pharmacy at University of California San Francisco is one of the most competitive pharmacy colleges in California. U.S. News & World Report consistently ranks this pharmacy program among its top ten nationwide. In 2018, the School switched to a new three-year curriculum. Of the 500 people who apply to this school, a little more than 20 percent will be accepted.

Program Details: The application deadline is November 1 for a fall semester that starts in late August. The school maintains a waiting list. The curriculum emphasizes experiential learning as well as applied patient care skills so that students will have a strong foundation in scientific principles. Year 1 focuses on the cardiovascular, respiratory, renal and gastrointestinal systems while Year 2 focuses psychiatry, infectious diseases and oncology. Toward the end of Year 2, each student chooses his or her own Discovery Project, which is an applied research opportunity in an area of particular personal interest.

#4. Western University of Health Sciences

Ranking Score: 94.06% Location: Pomona Program Length: 4 Years

About the College: The Pharm.D. professional program at Western University of Health Sciences trains pharmacists to take their place alongside other professionals in today's rapidly evolving health care marketplace. The program offers a wealth of clinical experiences, and students have done rotations in many settings outside southern California, including Hawaii, Illinois, New York, Arizona, Utah and Thailand.

Program Details: Though clinical experiences begin early with a rotation through a community or hospital pharmacy, most of the first and second years are devoted to "block learning," during which students are immersed in the concentrated study of one subject area. Intensive clinical rotations begin in the third year. Western University uses 350 sites, which include county hospitals, private hospitals, VA facilities and pediatric hospitals. The program also provides experiential learning opportunities in compounding pharmacies as well as in chain drug stores and independently owned pharmacies.

#5. University of the Pacific

Ranking Score: 92.28% Location: Stockton Program Length: 3 Years

About the College: The Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences at University of Pacific offers three specializations in the pharmacy field: Pharmacy Practice, which prepares students to work as pharmacists in communities; Pharmaceutics and Medicinal Chemistry, which prepares students for careers in the pharmaceutical industry; and Physiology and Pharmacology, which prepares students for academic careers.

Program Details: The Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy was the first professional pharmacy program in the U.S. to offer an accelerated three-year program. The application deadline is September 4 if you want to be considered for early admission; otherwise, it is January 7 for the semester that starts the following fall. Students begin developing patient care skills in their very first semester. Clinical rotations take place at medical centers, teaching hospitals and related practice areas throughout Stockton and other parts of the San Joaquin Valley.

#6. Touro University

Ranking Score: 91.18% Location: Vallejo Program Length: 4 Years

About the College: Touro University is a Jewish-sponsored institution of higher learning and professional education. The University is open to students of all faiths, however. Touro admits approximately half the students who apply to its College of Pharmacy, and it has an early admissions program.

Program Details: The University's College of Pharmacy is a unique 2+2 program, which means that students spend their first and second years in a didactic, classroom environment and their third and fourth years pursuing clinical rotations. Classes are small, and faculty members are encouraged to maintain an open door policy. The program has a strong community health focus, and some students may opt to earn a concurrent MPH while simultaneously enrolled in the College of Pharmacy. During their clinical rotations, students are encouraged to become involved in a number of community-based initiatives such as free clinics and health screenings.

#7. Loma Linda University

Ranking Score: 87.13% Location: Loma Linda Program Length: 4 Years

About the College: Although the School of Pharmacy at Loma Linda University is open to students of all faiths, the University itself is part of the Seventh-day Adventist system of higher education. The University regards the health care professions as healing ministries, and instruction emphasizes Christian values.

Program Details: The application deadline for admission into the fall class is January 7. The first year of the four-year program is exclusively devoted to academic work. Clinical rotations begin during the second year, and students must take a minimum of six Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience rotations throughout their fourth and final year. Concurrent graduate degree programs are available for students who want to pursue Master's degrees in Bioethics or Health Informatics while they are completing their Pharm.D. studies.

#8. California Northstate University

Ranking Score: 81.08% Location: Elk Grove Program Length: 4 Years

About the College: California Northstate University College of Pharmacy (CNUCOP) is dedicated to provide progressive educational programs and prepare aspiring pharmacists for a competitive career in the healthcare field. Located in the exotic city of Elk Grove in Sacramento, CA, the college trains students through its three fully equipped departments – Clinical & Administrative, Pharmaceutical & Biomedical Sciences, and Experiential Education.

About the Program: CNUCOP offers a 4-year PharmD program with a sequential coursework, delivered through classroom lectures, independent study which can be done after completion of the first year, lab work, and clinical experiences. During the first three years, you will learn about cell & molecular biology, medicinal chemistry, pharmacokinetics, pharmacoepidemiology, pharmacy law, and introductory level of pharmacy practices. Your last or fourth year will be dedicated to advanced level of pharmacy practices in a variety of settings such as hospitals, community, general medicine, and other patient-care facilities. Graduates of this program upon successfully passing the NAPLEX will be fully capable to efficiently work as pharmacists in the ever-growing field of healthcare.

Typical Pharm.D. Program Details in CA

Why should i apply for an acpe accredited pharm. d. program.

When you apply for an ACPE Accredited Pharm. D. Program you are assured of receiving quality education that is recognized across the nation for the education standards and the professional degree it offers. Moreover, employers are always on the lookout for accredited program graduates, so you can land that coveted job much sooner.

Program Length

The Pharm. D. Program, on its own, usually takes 4 years to complete. However, since the Pharm. D. requires at least two to four years of undergraduate study to complete the pre-pharmacy curriculum requirements, you will require six to eight years of college study to earn a Pharm. D. degree.

Your tuition cost will greatly vary depending on your in-state or out-of-state status. The tuition cost of Doctor of Pharmacy programs in California usually ranges between $150,000 to $250,000. For example, to complete your Pharm. D. from University of California San Diego, you will bear a cost of $161,708 and from Touro University it will cost you $183,200.

The curriculum of a Pharm. D. Program is dynamic and undergoes regular revision, reflecting scientific and technological advances. Covered over a span of 4 years, it varies from school to school and is a combination of required and elective courses. As an example, we look into the curriculum offered by University of Southern California, to give you a general idea of the coursework offered by pharmacy schools in CA. The first three years of the program at USC include foundational courses in biomedical, pharmaceutical, social, administrative and clinical sciences. Students along with the classroom learning, complete Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experiences (IPPE). The IPPE gives students an opportunity to apply the newly acquired knowledge in a variety of practice settings. Towards end of third and the entire fourth year students complete the Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences (APPEs), usually set in healthcare settings such as ambulatory care, acute medicine, community pharmaceutical care and hospital.

Sample Curriculum

Licensure - passing the naplex and cpje exam in california.

To become a licensed pharmacist in California you are required to pass both, the NAPLEX, administered by the NABP and the CPJE, developed by the California State Board of Pharmacy.

NAPLEX: This exam is administered by the NABP. Before you apply for the NAPLEX you must check with the California State Board of Pharmacy if you are eligible to take this exam. Once the board determines your eligibility you can pay a non-refundable fee and apply for the NAPLEX through the NABP site .

California Pharm. D. Graduates NAPLEX Performance (2018-2021)

The performance of Pharm. D. graduates in the golden state over the past 4 years has been pretty much consistent, barring just the year 2021, where the pass percentage dropped to a 89.50%. In 2018, 949 students took the NAPLEX and passed it with an impressive 94.30%. The year 2018 and 2019 saw a remarkable performance, the highest in 4 years, with 949 students passing the NAPLEX with a 94.28% and 883 students passed it with 93.75%.

How Much Do Pharmacists Make in California?

Pharmacists in California take home some of the highest pay packages in the country. On an average, the annual salary of a pharmacist in California is $146,140. The higher cost of living in the state translates into these fat pay checks, which is 16.27% higher than the national average. While, the highest salaries are paid in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, the lowest are in El Centro.

Pharmacist 10-Year Job Outlook in California

The projected 10-year employment growth for a pharmacist in California is 6.71%, considering 2020 as the base year. In 2020 there were 32,800 pharmacists working in the state and this number is set to be 35,000 by 2030. The steady demand for pharmacists is due to growing expansion of the pharmaceutical industry along with the rise in population that results in increasing medical care. This demand leads to approximately 1,490 job openings being created each year.

Past 5-Years Employment Growth in CA

If we consider a 5-year period, taking 2017 as our base year we witness an overall employment growth rate that is favorable for pharmacists in the state. Except for 2020, where the demand for pharmacists was in the 1.15%, California has added a good 4,460 pharmacists to its workforce, since 2017. The state has seen a 15.56% growth rate in the employment of its pharmacists from 2017 and 2021.

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College of Pharmacy

• 400+ Clinical rotation sites across California
• 90% Of our students are bilingual.
• 84.8% 5-year average NAPLEX Pass Rates.

At Touro University California there are no wrong answers to asking what kind of pharmacist you want to be.

We train collaborative, community-minded pharmacists to be leaders in whatever area they choose — retail, clinical, research, teaching. Even if you don't know your exact pharmacy path yet, we can help you find something that suits you perfectly.

Our Programs

Five semesters of classroom education with an integrated curriculum plus a full year of rotation experience = our unique PharmD program. Discover the Touro difference.

Residencies & Fellowships

Choose a fellowship or residency at major Bay Area healthcare institutions to gain experience with patients and become a prepared leader in your field.

Advanced Pharmacy Practice (APP)

Take a different approach in this unique certification program focusing on chronic disease state management, hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, depression, anxiety, and more.

Ambassador HP Connect Program

For existing Touro University California students, we have an Ambassador HP Connect program where you will receive personalized mentorship, mentorship training, and you will mentor disadvantaged students from high school and college as they pursue a healthcare career.

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Interprofessional Clinic Educates and Vaccinates

Leading with compassion, Dr. Fatima Hernandez inspires interdisciplinary health care excellence, fostering collaboration among students from various health disciplines.

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NAPLEX Pass Rates

Class of 2023.

Percent of graduating students going on to complete a residency/fellowship: 30% Percent of students matching for residency/fellowship: > 90% (highest rate in CA) NAPLEX Pass Rate: 66.7% On-time Graduation: 73.1%

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A Closer Look at Pharmacist Schooling

Pharmacists play an essential role in our healthcare system. There’s a general misconception, however, that their duties are simple, consisting only of receiving prescriptions and dispensing medications.

In reality, pharmacists are highly trained, having completed at least four years of rigorous and comprehensive, industry-specific schooling in order to practice.

To learn more about the ins and outs of pharmacy school, we sought expert insight from Maryann Skrabal, PharmD, CDCES , director of the Office of Experiential Education (OEE) and professor at Creighton University’s Omaha campus. Join us as we break down the most important aspects of pharmacist schooling and explore the dedication, knowledge and lifelong commitment to learning needed to thrive in this career.

Pharmacist training: An overview

Broadly speaking, pharmacy school curriculum can be broken into two categories: didactic learning (in the classroom) and experiential learning (i.e., laboratories, internships, job shadowing, clinical rotations and community service).

One thing Skrabal wishes more students understood is that “a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree starts out with foundational medical sciences, and then it progressively becomes more clinical in nature.”

“Courses like human physiology and pathology,” she adds, “help you understand how the body is supposed to work so that you can tell when there is a disease in the body.”

A PharmD program typically takes four years to complete; it’s an intensive, full-time commitment. Beyond memorizing drug names, dosages and interactions, pharmacy students must master many transferable skills.

“You need competencies like communication, adaptability, time management, curiosity, and resilience to get through pharmacy school,” Skrabal says. “Above all, having empathy — for yourself and for others — is key.”

Experiential learning during pharmacy school

Hands-on experience is a cornerstone of pharmacist training. Under supervision by licensed pharmacy educators and practitioners, students get the opportunity to explore different specialties, refine their skills and apply classroom learning in tangible ways.

The first three years of pharmacy school include Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experiences (IPPEs). These prepare students for their fourth and final year of clinical rotations — a phase of training called Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences (APPEs).

During year one, for example, students in Creighton University’s PharmD program begin intentionally investigating different types of pharmacy careers . This involves shadowing pharmacists in community, hospital, clinic, and other settings.

“At the end of each semester, we have students reflect on their experiences individually and in groups to define what they learned, what they liked and didn’t like,” Skrabal explains. “This is part of our Ignatian values that define education at Creighton.”

Additionally, students can choose from more than 30 varieties of elective and specialty rotations. While far from an exhaustive list, possibilities include the following:

• Clinical specialties like cardiology, critical care, acute care, ambulatory care, infectious disease, emergency medicine, pediatrics, neonatal intensive care, psychiatry, oncology, organ transplants and neurology
• Community pharmacy and ambulatory and outpatient clinics
• Hospital pharmacy and inpatient medicine
• Pharmaceutical industry and research to learn about drug development
• Pharmacy management

Creighton’s Experiential Education Office database includes more than 1,000 pharmacy practice sites across all 50 U.S. states, plus an APPE opportunity in the Dominican Republic with the Institute for Latin American Concern (ILAC).

PharmD degree: Breakdown by year

The Creighton PharmD program equips students with the knowledge, skills, and values they need to be successful in a pharmacy career. This is clearly represented in the Doctor of Pharmacy curriculum , which was designed so that each year of learning builds upon the one before it.

Take a look:

Pharmacy school – year 1 courses

• Introduction to Collaborative Care
• Calculations in Pharmacy Practice Biochemistry
• Professional Development & Experience I & II
• Medical Terminology
• Pharmaceutics I & II
• Communication Skills
• Dispensing & Patient Care I
• Human Physiology
• Microbiology & Immunology
• Health Systems & Patient Safety
• Basic Pharmacokinetics
• Pharmacy-Based Immunization Delivery
• P1 IPPE: Six, 4-hour shadow visits at a community pharmacy, hospital pharmacy, and four electives

Pharmacy school – year 2 courses

• Pharmacology I & II
• Patient Assessment
• Chemical Basis of Drug Action I & II
• Pharmacotherapeutics I & II
• Dispensing & Patient Care II
• Professional Development & Experience III
• P2 IPPE: 3-week Community Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience (summer between P1 & P2 year)

Pharmacy school – year 3 courses

• Pharmacotherapeutics III & IV
• Intro to Research Methods/Biostats
• Foundations of Public Health
• Immunopharmacology & Biotechnology
• Pharmacy Practice Management
• Professional Development & Experience IV
• Pharmacy Practice Law
• Literature Evaluation
• Dispensing & Patient Care III
• P3 IPPEs: 3-week Hospital Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience (summer between P2 & P3 year) and 4-day Clinical Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience (spring P3 year)

Pharmacy school – year 4 courses

• Delivering Medication Therapy Management (MTM)
• P4 APPEs: Eight 5-week rotations
• 5 Required: Community, hospital, acute care, ambulatory care, and drug information or MTM
• 3 Electives of your choice

“Our ultimate goal is to prepare students to be medication therapy experts who work on interprofessional teams and provide compassionate, ethical and patient-centered care,” Skrabal affirms.

Preparing for pharmacy licensure

Another element of pharmacist schooling is preparing students to pass the rigorous and comprehensive exams required for practice. All states require pharmacists to be licensed in order to practice. The specifics vary by state, so it’s important to check the licensing board requirements for the area in which you plan to practice.

To be eligible for licensure, you must first complete a PharmD program that is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE). After earning your degree, there are two main exams that PharmD students must take and pass:

• North American Pharmacist Licensure Exam (NAPLEX): This test is required in all states and evaluates clinical and pharmaceutical knowledge.
• The Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Exam (MPJE): This or a similar state-specific test is required in all states and tests a graduate’s comprehension of pharmacy law and ethics.

These exams help ensure that all pharmacists are sufficiently trained to care for patients and adhere to all legal and ethical guidelines. Skrabal confirms that Creighton PharmD students are reminded “from day 1, but especially during the third and fourth year” that they need to have a study plan in place for these important exams.

Pursue pharmacist schooling with confidence

Pharmacy school can be a transformative experience that empowers graduates to make a positive impact on individuals and entire communities. With a PharmD degree in hand, you can pursue any number of rewarding careers.

For more information read “ 6 FAQs About Becoming a Pharmacist. ”

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Pharmacy (PHAR) Post-Baccalaureate Courses

The Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy (DKICP)

See How to read course descriptions for information about the formatting used.

PHAR 500 Cornerstone Pharmacy and Sci (2) Fundamentals of basic sciences pertinent to the profession of pharmacy including but not limited to, review of organic chemistry functional groups, application of biochemistry and biological sciences, human anatomy/physiology, and mathematical principles and pharmacy calculations. Pre: Enrolled in the Daniel K Inouye College of Pharmacy.

PHAR 501 Intro Pharm Prac Exp I (1) First Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience (IPPE) course that will introduce students to some of the common healthcare settings, increasing their exposure to career pathways, and gaining an introductory understanding of pharmacists’ roles and responsibilities in practice. Pre: Enrolled in the Daniel K Inouye College of Pharmacy

PHAR 502 Intro Pharm Prac Exp II Comm (1) (other) This 4-week community pharmacy IPPE rotation occurs in the summer after completion of the first year. Students will have a Hawaiʻi intern pharmacist license and will complete the rotation in the State of Hawaiʻi, resulting in 160 IPPE hours. Pre: Enrolled in the Daniel K Inouye College of Pharmacy (Attributes: GCC, HPP)

PHAR 503 Intro Pharm Prac Exp III (1) (other) This second year-long IPPE course provides students with experiences in a clinical pharmacy setting, reinforcing various topics (i.e. therapeutics, communication, drug information) via real-life experiences with patients, healthcare professional interactions, and electronic medical records. Pre: Enrolled in the Daniel K Inouye College of Pharmacy

PHAR 504 Intro Pharm Prac Exp IV Hosp (1) (other) A 3-week hospital pharmacy IPPE rotation occurs in the summer after completion of the second year. Students will complete the rotation in the State of Hawaiʻi resulting in 120 IPPE hours. Pre: Enrolled in the Daniel K Inouye College of Pharmacy

PHAR 505 Intro Pharm Prac Exp V (1) (other) This third year-long IPPE course continues to provide students with direct patient care activities with increased responsibilities prior to their fourth year and will reinforce knowledge and skills learned in the didactic coursework. Pre: Enrolled in the Daniel K Inouye College of Pharmacy

PHAR 510 Princ of Pharm Readiness I (1) (other) First in a series of six that introduces and emphasizes the skills, attitudes, and values that are essential for achieving high performance in healthcare practice and in achieving personal career success as a pharmacist. Course serves as an anchor for the co-curriculum and interprofessional education activities. Pre: Enrolled in the Daniel K Inouye College of Pharmacy (Attributes: GCC, HPP)

PHAR 511 Foundational Pharm Biochem (2) This course will present principles critical for understanding the biochemical basis for disease states and drug action. Clinical correlates and metabolic diseases will be highlighted. Pre: Enrolled in the Daniel K Inouye College of Pharmacy

PHAR 512 Foundational Pharm Immunology (2) Basic concepts of immunology will lay the groundwork for understanding immunity in a clinical context including how the immune system can be pharmacologically manipulated to improve or prevent diseases. Pre: Enrolled in the Daniel K Inouye College of Pharmacy

PHAR 513 Pharmaceutical Formulations I (2) This course introduces principles, practices and technologies applied in the preparation of pharmaceutical dosage forms and drug delivery systems. Students will integrate these principles to understand issues in the rational and selection of dosage forms and drug delivery systems. Pre: Enrolled in the Daniel K Inouye College of Pharmacy

PHAR 514 Pharmacology/Medicinal Chem I (3) Pharmacology and medicinal chemistry of medications including the pharmacy practice-relevance specific to each drug class and how these medications work in the body, with particular emphasis on mechanisms of drug action. Pre: Enrolled in the Daniel K Inouye College of Pharmacy

PHAR 515 Drug Information (2) Introduction to different types of drug literature, drug information and evidence-based medicine resources and tools, and adverse drug reactions and medication error databases which is vital to keep pharmacists knowledgeable of current advancements. Pre:Enrolled in the Daniel K Inouye College of Pharmacy

PHAR 517 Foundational Calculations (1) Fundamentals of and how to accurately perform calculations used in different types of pharmacy practice settings to assure medications are safe and effective. Pre: Enrolled in the Daniel K Inouye College of Pharmacy

PHAR 519 Therapeutic Prob Solving I (2) First course in Therapeutic Problem Solving series; Integration and application of patient-centered care that focuses on general health, wellness, and disease prevention, and appropriate self-care therapy for commonly encountered conditions in the community setting. Pre: Enrolled in the Daniel K Inouye College of Pharmacy

PHAR 520 Princ of Pharm Readiness II (1) Second course in series; Emphasis on the skills, attitudes, and values that are essential for achieving high performance in healthcare practice and in achieving personal career success as a pharmacist. Course serves as an anchor for the co-curriculum and interprofessional education activities. Pre:Enrolled in the Daniel K Inouye College of Pharmacy (Attributes: GCC, HPP)

PHAR 521 Comprehensive Clin Care I (1) (other) First course in series utilizing a case based approach to focus on application of foundational, clinical, drug information and evidence based medicine skills. Students will analyze information to determine the effects of medication therapy, identify medication-related problems, and prioritize health-related needs. Pre: Enrolled in the Daniel K Inouye College of Pharmacy

PHAR 522 Essential Pharm Skills I (2) (other) This course provides opportunities for students to apply and reinforce skills necessary in pharmacy practice and is an anchor for the Top 300 Drugs most commonly prescribed. Pre: Enrolled in the Daniel K Inouye College of Pharmacy

PHAR 523 Pharmaceutical Formulations II (2) This course continues to provide an introduction to and discussion of other pharmaceutical dosage forms and drug delivery systems such as liquid, sterile and non- sterile drug delivery systems, and emerging delivery systems. Concepts of extemporaneous aseptic and non- sterile compounding of dosage forms will be introduced. Pre: Enrolled in the Daniel K Inouye College of Pharmacy and PHAR 513.

PHAR 524 Pharmacology/Medicinal Chem II (3) Second course in a 2-course series, teaching pharmacy practice-relevant specific pharmacology and medicinal chemistry of each drug class and how these medications work in the body, with particular emphasis on mechanisms of drug action. Pre: Enrolled in the Daniel K Inouye College of Pharmacy and PHAR 514.

PHAR 525 Evidence-Based Sci & Prac I (2) Introduction to research designs/methods, pharmacoepidemiology, statistical concepts and reasoning, and their relevance and importance to the practice of pharmacy. Coursework will provide students with foundational knowledge to justify and select the proper research methods and interpret statistical results in clinical research and medical literature. Pre: Enrolled in the Daniel K Inouye College of Pharmacy

PHAR 526 Topics in Healthcare I (1) First course in series; An overview of the US healthcare delivery system, including social, organizational, and economic aspects, from the perspective of the pharmacy profession, healthcare system, laws governing medications/devices and the cost effectiveness of drugs/devices. Pre: Enrolled in the Daniel K Inouye College of Pharmacy

PHAR 527 Foun Indiv Pharmacotherapy (1) Introduction to pharmacokinetics (PK), pharmacodynamics (PD) and pharmacogenomics (PGx) that will provide students with the tools and principles to individualize a patient’s treatment by selecting an optimal dose and dosing regimen. Pre: Enrolled in the Daniel K Inouye College of Pharmacy

PHAR 528 Therapeutic Prob Solving II (2) Second course in Therapeutic Problem Solving series and a continuation of PHAR 519; Integration and application of patient-centered care that focuses on general health, wellness, and disease prevention, and appropriate self-care therapy for commonly encountered conditions in the community setting. Pre: Enrolled in the Daniel K Inouye College of Pharmacy

PHAR 529 Therapeutic Prob Solving III (2) Third course in Therapeutic Problem Solving series focusing on pharmacotherapy related to different disease states, applying pathophysiology, pharmacology, and medicinal chemistry concepts. This holistic approach fosters the development of a comprehensive clinical understanding to prevent and manage associated disease states. Pre: Enrolled in the Daniel K Inouye College of Pharmacy

PHAR 530 Princ of Pharm Readiness III (1) Third course in series; Emphasis on the skills, attitudes, and values that are essential for achieving high performance in healthcare practice and in achieving personal career success as a pharmacist. Course serves as an anchor for the co-curriculum and interprofessional education activities. Pre: Enrolled in the Daniel K Inouye College of Pharmacy

PHAR 531 Comprehensive Clin Care II (2) (other) Second course in the Comprehensive Clinical Care series utilizing a case-based approach to focus on application of foundational, clinical, drug information and evidence based medicine skills. Clinical patient cases increase in difficulty/complexity/variety as the student progresses through the course series. Pre: Enrolled in the Daniel K Inouye College of Pharmacy

PHAR 532 Essential Pharm Skills II (2) (other) This course is a continuation of Essential Pharmacist Skills I. Students will reinforce and apply their knowledge in drug information, calculations, law, communication and physical skills. This course is an anchor for the Top 300 Drugs most commonly prescribed. Pre: Enrolled in the Daniel K Inouye College of Pharmacy

PHAR 535 Evidence-Based Sci & Prac II (2) Introduction and application of concepts of evidence- based medicine and practice, measures of risk and benefit, and provides tools to evaluate medical literature from a variety of clinical study designs for shared decision-making in practice. Pre: Enrolled in the Daniel K Inouye College of Pharmacy

PHAR 537 Therapeutic Prob Solving IV (2) Fourth course in Therapeutic Problem Solving series focusing on pharmacotherapy related to different disease states, applying pathophysiology, pharmacology, and medicinal chemistry concepts. This holistic approach fosters the development of a comprehensive clinical understanding to prevent and manage associated disease states. Pre: Enrolled in the Daniel K Inouye College of Pharmacy

PHAR 538 Therapeutic Prob Solving V (2) Fifth course in Therapeutic Problem Solving series focusing on pharmacotherapy related to different disease states, applying pathophysiology, pharmacology, and medicinal chemistry concepts. This holistic approach fosters the development of a comprehensive clinical understanding to prevent and manage associated disease states. Pre: Enrolled in the Daniel K Inouye College of Pharmacy

PHAR 539 Therapeutic Prob Solving VI (2) Sixth course in Therapeutic Problem Solving series focusing on pharmacotherapy related to different disease states, applying pathophysiology, pharmacology, and medicinal chemistry concepts. This holistic approach fosters the development of a comprehensive clinical understanding to prevent and manage associated disease states. Pre: Enrolled in the Daniel K Inouye College of Pharmacy

PHAR 540 Princ of Pharm Readiness IV (1) Fourth course in series; Emphasis on the skills, attitudes, and values that are essential for achieving high performance in healthcare practice and in achieving personal career success as a pharmacist. Course serves as an anchor for the co-curriculum and interprofessional education activities. Pre: Enrolled in the Daniel K Inouye College of Pharmacy

PHAR 541 Comprehensive Clin Care III (2) (other) Third course in the Comprehensive Clinical Care series utilizing a case-based approach to focus on application of foundational, clinical, drug information and evidence based medicine skills. Clinical patient cases increase in difficulty/complexity/variety as the student progresses through the course series. Pre: Enrolled in the Daniel K Inouye College of Pharmacy

PHAR 542 Essential Pharm Skills III (2) (other) This course is a continuation of Essential Pharmacist Skills II. Students will reinforce and apply their knowledge in drug information, calculations, law, communication and physical skills. This course is an anchor for the Top 300 Drugs most commonly prescribed. Pre: Enrolled in the Daniel K Inouye College of Pharmacy

PHAR 546 Topics in Healthcare II (3) Second course in series; Continuation of discussions related to US healthcare delivery systems, including social, organizational, and economic aspects, from the perspective of the pharmacy profession, healthcare system, laws governing medications/devices and the cost effectiveness of drugs/devices. Pre: Enrolled in the Daniel K Inouye College of Pharmacy

PHAR 547 Therapeutic Prob Solving VII (2) Seventh course in Therapeutic Problem Solving series focusing on pharmacotherapy related to different disease states, applying pathophysiology, pharmacology, and medicinal chemistry concepts. This holistic approach fosters the development of a comprehensive clinical understanding to prevent and manage associated disease states. Pre: Enrolled in the Daniel K Inouye College of Pharmacy

PHAR 548 Therapeutic Prob Solving VIII (2) Eighth course in Therapeutic Problem Solving series focusing focusing on pharmacotherapy related to different disease states, applying pathophysiology, pharmacology, and medicinal chemistry concepts. This holistic approach fosters the development of a comprehensive clinical understanding to prevent and manage associated disease states. Pre: Enrolled in the Daniel K Inouye College of Pharmacy

PHAR 549 Therapeutic Prob Solving IX (2) Ninth course in Therapeutic Problem Solving series focusing on pharmacotherapy related to different disease states, applying pathophysiology, pharmacology, and medicinal chemistry concepts. This holistic approach fosters the development of a comprehensive clinical understanding to prevent and manage associated disease states. Pre: Enrolled in the Daniel K Inouye College of Pharmacy

PHAR 550 Princ of Pharm Readiness V (1) Fifth course in series; Emphasis on the skills, attitudes, and values that are essential for achieving high performance in healthcare practice and in achieving personal career success as a pharmacist. Course serves as an anchor for the co-curriculum and interprofessional education activities. Pre: Enrolled in the Daniel K Inouye College of Pharmacy

PHAR 551 Comprehensive Clin Care IV (2) (other) Fourth course in series utilizing a case-based approach to focus on application of foundational, clinical, drug information and evidence based medicine skills. Clinical patient cases increase in difficulty/complexity/variety as the student progresses through the course series. Pre: Enrolled in the Daniel K Inouye College of Pharmacy

PHAR 552 Essential Pharm Skills IV (2) Please contact the department or division office for more information about this course.

PHAR 555 Pharmacy Informatics and Tech (2) Information systems and technologies that are used in healthcare, focusing on those used to prescribe, dispense, and manage medications across the continuum of care settings to deliver optimal medication- related patient care and health outcomes. Pre: Enrolled in the Daniel K Inouye College of Pharmacy

PHAR 557 Therapeutic Prob Solving X (2) Tenth course in Therapeutic Problem Solving series focusing on pharmacotherapy related to different disease states, applying pathophysiology, pharmacology, and medicinal chemistry concepts. This holistic approach fosters the development of a comprehensive clinical understanding to prevent and manage associated disease states. Pre: Enrolled in the Daniel K Inouye College of Pharmacy

PHAR 558 Therapeutic Prob Solving XI (2) Eleventh course in Therapeutic Problem Solving series focusing on pharmacotherapy related to different disease states, applying pathophysiology, pharmacology, and medicinal chemistry concepts. This holistic approach fosters the development of a comprehensive clinical understanding to prevent and manage associated disease states. Pre: Enrolled in the Daniel K Inouye College of Pharmacy

PHAR 559 Therapeutic Prob Solving XII (2) Twelfth course in Therapeutic Problem Solving series focusing on pharmacotherapy related to different disease states, applying pathophysiology, pharmacology, and medicinal chemistry concepts. This holistic approach fosters the development of a comprehensive clinical understanding to prevent and manage associated disease states. Pre: Enrolled in the Daniel K Inouye College of Pharmacy

PHAR 560 Princ of Pharm Readiness VI (1) Last course in series; Emphasis on the skills, attitudes, and values that are essential for achieving high performance in healthcare practice and in achieving personal career success as a pharmacist. Course serves as an anchor for the co-curriculum and interprofessional education activities. Pre: Enrolled in the Daniel K Inouye College of Pharmacy

PHAR 561 Comprehensive Clin Care V (2) (other) Last course in the Comprehensive Clinical Care series, utilizing a case-based approach to focus on application of foundational, clinical, drug information and evidence based medicine skills. Clinical patient cases increase in difficulty/complexity/variety as the student progresses through the course series. Pre: Enrolled in the Daniel K Inouye College of Pharmacy

PHAR 562 Essential Pharm Skills V (2) (other) Last course in the Essential Pharmacist Skills course series that allows students to reinforce and apply knowledge in drug information, calculations, law, communication and physical skills. Course is an anchor for the Top 300 Drugs most commonly prescribed. Pre: Enrolled in the Daniel K Inouye College of Pharmacy

PHAR 566 Topics in Healthcare III (3) Last course in series; Builds upon knowledge from Topics in Healthcare I and II and has students apply related skills needed in the Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiential (APPE) rotations. Pre: Enrolled in the Daniel K Inouye College of Pharmacy

PHAR 567 Therapeutic Prob Solving XIII (2) Thirteenth course in Therapeutic Problem Solving series focusing on pharmacotherapy related to different disease states, applying pathophysiology, pharmacology, and medicinal chemistry concepts. This holistic approach fosters the development of a comprehensive clinical understanding to prevent and manage associated disease states. Pre: Enrolled in the Daniel K Inouye College of Pharmacy

PHAR 568 Therapeutic Prob Solving XIV (2) Fourteenth course in Therapeutic Problem Solving series focusing on pharmacotherapy related to different disease states, applying pathophysiology, pharmacology, and medicinal chemistry concepts. This holistic approach fosters the development of a comprehensive clinical understanding to prevent and manage associated disease states. Pre: Enrolled in the Daniel K Inouye College of Pharmacy

PHAR 569 Therapeutic Prob Solving XV (2) Last course in Therapeutic Problem Solving series focusing on pharmacotherapy related to different disease states, applying pathophysiology, pharmacology, and medicinal chemistry concepts. This holistic approach fosters the development of a comprehensive clinical understanding to prevent and manage associated disease states. Pre: Enrolled in the Daniel K Inouye College of Pharmacy

PHAR 580 Adv Pharm Prac Exp Community (6) (other) This 6-week, advanced pharmacy practice rotation focuses on pharmacy practice in the retail/community setting and provides 240 hours of experiential learning. Pre: PHAR 505, PHAR 569, Successful completion of all Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience (IPPE) courses and successful completion of all didactic components of the DKICP PharmD program.

PHAR 581 Adv Pharm Prac Exp Hospital (6) (other) This 6-week, advanced pharmacy practice rotation focuses on pharmacy practice in the hospital setting and provides 240 hours of experiential learning. Pre: PHAR 505, PHAR 569, Successful completion of all Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience (IPPE) courses and successful completion of all didactic components of the DKICP PharmD program.

PHAR 582 Adv Pharm Prac Exp Ambulatory (6) (other) This 6-week, advanced pharmacy practice rotation focuses on pharmacy practice in the ambulatory care setting and provides 240 hours of experiential learning. Pre: PHAR 505, PHAR 569, Successful completion of all Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience (IPPE) courses and successful completion of all didactic components of the DKICP PharmD program.

PHAR 583 Adv Pharm Prac Exp Acute Med (6) (other) This 6-week advanced rotation focuses on pharmacy practice in the acute medicine setting and provides 240 hours of experiential learning. Pre: PHAR 505, PHAR 569, Successful completion of all Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience (IPPE) courses and successful completion of all didactic components of the DKICP PharmD program.

PHAR 584 Adv Pharm Prac Exp Elec I Clin (6) (other) First 6-week, advanced elective rotation focusing on pharmacy practice in the clinical pharmacy setting and provides 240 hours of experiential learning. Pre: PHAR 505, PHAR 569, Successful completion of all Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience (IPPE) courses and successful completion of all didactic components of the DKICP PharmD program.

PHAR 585 Adv Pharm Prac Exp Elec II (6) (other) Second 6-week, advanced pharmacy practice elective rotation focusing on pharmacy practice in any healthcare related setting and provides 240 hours of experiential learning. Pre: PHAR 505, PHAR 569, Successful completion of all Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience (IPPE) courses and successful completion of all didactic components of the DKICP PharmD program.

PHAR 586 Adv Pharm Prac Exp Elec III (6) (other) Third 6-week advanced pharmacy practice elective rotation focusing on pharmacy practice in any healthcare related setting and provides 240 hours of experiential learning. Pre: PHAR 505, PHAR 569, Successful completion of all Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience (IPPE) courses and successful completion of all didactic components of the DKICP PharmD program.

PHAR 587 Board Exam Review (1) (other) This course prepares pharmacy students for the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX) and the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination (MPJE) used by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) as part of the assessment of a pharmacy graduate’s competence to practice as a pharmacist. Pre: PHAR 505, PHAR 569, Successful completion of all Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience (IPPE) courses and successful completion of all didactic components of the DKICP PharmD program.

PHAR x94 Special Topics in Subject Matter (Arr.) Special topics chosen by the instructor. Course content will vary. May be repeated for credit, provided that a different topic is studied. Additional requirements may apply depending on subject and topic.

PHAR x99 Directed Studies (Arr.) Statement of planned reading or research required. Pre: instructor’s consent.

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Pharmacy Programs

• Pre-Doctor of Pharmacy Program
• B.S. Pharmaceutical Sciences

Graduate Programs

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The Purdue College of Pharmacy, consistently ranked among the 10 best pharmacy programs in the nation, offers a uniquely diverse range of undergraduate and graduate study opportunities. A total of 10 different programs and 700 pharmacy practice experiences prepare students for a range of top-paying careers in the fields of pharmacy, pharmaceutical sciences, and the health sciences.

Undergraduate Programs

All incoming College of Pharmacy students will start their academic career in the Pharmaceutical Sciences (BSPS) major. Near the end of their freshman year, students will choose between two paths to complete their degree. Students interested in earning their Doctor of Pharmacy will choose the Pre-Doctor of Pharmacy path. Students can also choose to continue the BSPS path.

• The Pre-Doctor of Pharmacy Program  is a two-year, non-degree program that is intended to prepare students for entry into the PharmD program below. Completing this program, however, does not  guarantee entry into the PharmD program. Doing your Pre-pharmacy work through Purdue’s two year program can save you up to two years of study and student loan debt, as well as enter the job market two years sooner. That’s a big part of the reason why Purdue PharmD graduates have less debt upon completion of their degree than PharmD students from any other Big Ten pharmacy program.
• The Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences (BSPS)  is a four-year undergraduate program that stresses the multidisciplinary basic sciences related to drug discovery, development, and commercialization. A degree in this program does not allow graduates to become licensed pharmacists.

Professional Program

The Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD)  is a professional degree program, which requires completion of a recognized pre-pharmacy program. Successful completion of this degree allows you to sit for the licensing exam to practice pharmacy.   Discover student performance and career opportunities.

The Purdue College of Pharmacy boasts one of the oldest and most-respected graduate programs in the U.S. Each of the three departments of the Purdue College of Pharmacy offer graduate programs :

• Industrial and Molecular Pharmaceutics
• Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology
• Pharmacy Practice

Each department offers a PhD degree program.  All six of these programs require strong undergraduate preparation, including completion of a Bachelors Degree for admission.

A combined-degree program allows students in the third year of the PharmD program to begin work on a Pharmacy PhD program while completing the PharmD curricula. Through a judicious choice of electives and research rotations, such students can save up to two years on the total time required for the PhD program. Additional information can be found by reading the full program description .

For more information, please contact Dr. Danzhou Yang , Associate Dean for Graduate Programs .

Continuing Education Programs

The College's continuing education programs offer several non-degree certificate programs.

Pepperdine Graduate Programs and Majors

Take your career to the next level at Pepperdine.

Graduate degree programs at each of Pepperdine University's five schools emphasize the importance of thinking critically and creatively, communicating effectively, and exploring thoroughly.

Whether you're interested in one of our master's degree or doctoral degree programs, Pepperdine's comprehensive, high-quality graduate programs in business , law , education, psychology , and public policy are recognized as among the best in higher education. Our distinguished faculty members are renowned leaders in their fields, who continually contribute to the world of academia through published works, national and global conferences, memberships in professional societies and organizations, and innovative research. While engaging in many scholarly activities, faculty members remain committed to the challenge of nurturing the intellectual growth of students through meaningful scholarship.

For our students' convenience, our graduate schools offer flexible opportunities for on-campus classes at multiple times and locations as well as online .

Whether you're interested in earning your master's degree, obtaining a graduate certificate, or continuing education, Pepperdine's graduate schools offer a variety of programs to help you get started. Learn more about how Pepperdine can help you reach your professional goals.

Each of Pepperdine's five schools has unique application deadlines, policies, and financial aid options for graduate students:

Caruso School of Law

Earn a Juris Doctor (JD), Master of Laws (LLM), Master of Dispute Resolution (MDR), a joint degree with Pepperdine's schools for business and public policy, or a specialized certificate for practicing professionals.

School of Law Degrees and Programs

Graziadio Business School

Pepperdine's business school offers full- and part-time degree programs, as well as executive education. Classes meet at campus locations in northern and southern California, as well as online.

Graziadio Business School Programs

Graduate School of Education and Psychology

GSEP offers master's and doctoral degree programs in education and psychology, as well as continuing education and workshops for practicing professionals. Classes meet at multiple locations throughout southern California and online.

GSEP Degrees and Programs

School of Public Policy

The School of Public Policy at Pepperdine offers a Master of Public Policy (MPP) and joint degree programs in conjunction with the Graziadio School and the School of Law. Classes meet at Pepperdine's Malibu campus.

School of Public Policy Academics

Seaver College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences

Seaver College has superior master's degree programs in areas such as American Studies, Divinity, Ministry, Religion, and Writing for Screen and Television. Seaver College also offers a Nutritional Science certificate program.

Seaver College Graduate Programs

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Congratulations to Our Spring 2024 MS and PhD Graduates!

We are #PharmDawg proud of all of our Spring 2024 MS and PhD graduating students! Learn more about each graduate’s PI, committee members, and research below.

Master of Science (MS) Degree Recipients

Jordan Bragg

• Degree: MS, Pharmaceutical & Biomedical Sciences
• PI Name: Dr.Cory Momany
• Committee Members: Dr. Mark Eiteman and Dr. Gurvinder Singh Rekhi
• Final Project: Investigation of Ribonucleotide Reductase and RNase III Inhibition on the Disruption of Double Stranded DNA Synthesis

Vrushali Bodke

• PI Name: Dr. Uma Singh
• Committee Members: Dr. Neil Grimsey and Dr. Wided Missaoui
• Thesis: Investigation & Synthesis of Modified-Nucleos(t)ide Analogs Against Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) and Kaposi’s Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus (KSHV)

Isabella Frances de Luna

• PI Name: Dr. Ross Marklein
• Committee Members: Dr. Neil Grimsey and Dr. Shelley Hooks
• Final Project: Investigating the Effects of Manufacturing Conditions on MSC-EV Potency through Microglia Morphology Modulation

Matthew Gatto

• PI Name: Wided Missaoui Committee Members: Dr. Uma Singh and Dr. Gurvinder Singh Rekhi Final Project:  Lyophilization of IPA-3 Drug Loaded Liposomes for the Improvement of Long-Term Storage

Amanda Wong

• Degree: MS, Regulatory Affairs
• PI: Dr. Michael Bartlett
• Committee Members: Dr. Gurvinder Singh Rekhi, Dr. Grace V Milton Gowda, and Jennifer Ahearn
• Thesis: 503(a) and 503(b) Compounding: Manufacturing Violation Trends

Manyasreeprapti (Manya) Yendamuri

• Degree: MS, Pharmaceutical & Biomedical Science
• PI: Dr. Somanath Shenoy
• Committee Members: Dr. S. Priya Narayanan and Dr. Duo Zhang
• Final Project: Role of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition genes as predictive markers of metastatic cancer
• Degree: MS NT , Pharmaceutical & Biomedical Science
• PI:  Dr. Houjian Cai
• Committee Members: Dr. Shelley Hooks and Dr. Joonhyuk Suh
• Final Project : Long-chain Acyl-CoA Synthetases (ACSLs) in Prostate cancer

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Degree Recipients

Sultan Almuntashiri

• Degree: Ph.D., Clinical & Experimental Therapeutics
• PI Name: Dr. Duo Zhang
• Committee Members: Dr. Somanath Shenoy, Dr. S. Priya Narayanan and
• Dr. Xiaoyun Wang
• Dissertation: Investigating TIMP-1 as a Potential Biomarker and Target in Acute Lung Injury

Krista Barbour

• Degree: Ph.D., Pharmaceutical & Biomedical Sciences
• PI Name: Dr. Eileen Kennedy
• Committee Members: Dr. Eugene Douglass, Dr. Natarajan Kannan and
• Dr. Eva Strauch
• Dissertation: Targeting Parkinson’s Related LRRK2 Activity using Constrained Peptides

Phillip (Philly) Dean

• PI Name: Dr. Shelley Hooks
• Committee Members: Dr. Neil Grimsey, Dr. Houjian Cai and Dr. Wendy Watford
• Dissertation: Impact of Microglial Regulator of G-Protein Signaling 10 (RGS10) on the Glioblastoma Tumor Microenvironment

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Ranked 15th out of 141 pharmacy programs in the country by US News & World Report, UGA Pharmacy is at the top of its class. Learn more below:

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News & Events

• News Releases 2024
• Geriatric Medication Safety Symposium Focuses on Transitions of Care

Research News

Third Year of Geriatric Medication Safety Symposium Focuses on Transitions of Care in Older Adult Population

May 6 — More than 120 practitioners, researchers, students and postdoctoral trainees exchanged insights into "Optimizing Safety in Care Transitions for Older Adults" during the 2024 Geriatric Medication Safety Symposium April 25-26 at UTHealth Houston's Cooley University Life Center in Houston's Texas Medical Center.

In its third year, the event drew in-person and online participants from fellow Texas Medical Center institutions and community organizations from across the Greater Houston area and beyond. The symposium featured four plenary sessions and two workshops from the perspectives of nursing, pharmacy, medicine and dentistry, which also provided continuing education credits to attendees. In addition, early-stage faculty members, graduate and professional program students, and postdoctoral residents and fellows presented 21 posters and four podium talks on their research.

Funded by a five-year grant from the National Institute on Aging, the symposium was co-chaired by Rajender R. Aparasu, Ph.D., FAPhA, University of Houston College of Pharmacy Mustafa F. & Sanober Lokhandwala Professor and chair of the Department Pharmaceutical Health Outcomes and Policy, and Holly M. Holmes, M.D., M.S., AGSF, Joan & Stanford Alexander Chair in Gerontology, professor and division director, Joan & Stanford Alexander Division of Geriatric and Palliative Medicine at UTHealth McGovern School of Medicine. 

"The response of health care professionals and investigators committed to improving the quality of care and quality of life of our older patients by sharing our experiences and research has been tremendous," Aparasu said. "I commend our outstanding plenary session and workshop leaders for offering their expertise on highly relevant and timely topics as well as the thoughtful, high-quality studies conducted by our podium and poster presenters."

Leading the plenary talks and workshops were:

• Michelle A. Chui, Pharm.D., Ph.D., FAPhA, Hammel-Sanders Distinguished Professor in the Social & Administrative Sciences Division in the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Pharmacy, who presented the workshop, "Implementation Science to Improve Medication Safety," and plenary session, "Health IT Tools & Implementation to Improve Geriatric Medication Safety"
• Yong-Fang Kuo, Ph.D., professor and chair of the Department of Biostatistics & Data Science at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), who presented the plenary session, "Medication prescribing by nurse practitioners"
• Timothy P. McNeill, R.N., MPH, founder of consulting firm Freedmen's Health, who gave the plenary talk on "Deploying interventions to address health-related social needs (HRSNs) to improve medication adherence during transitions of care"
• Amanda S. Mixon, M.D., M.S., MSPH, associate professor of medicine and bioinformatics at Vanderbilt University, who shared the plenary presentation, "Lessons Learned from Multi-site Medications Reconciliation Studies"
• June Sadowsky, DDS, MPH, professor and dentist geriatrician at UTHealth School of Dentistry, who led the workshop, "Dentistry: Transitions in the Caring of the Elder Population"

Two participants were recognized for excellence in research presentations:

Bilqees Fatima, Pharm.D., M.S., UHCOP Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences-Pharmaceutical Health Outcomes and Policy Concentration candidate, won Best Poster Award for her project, "Group-Based Trajectory Modeling for Assessing Oral Endocrine Therapy Adherence Pattern in HER-positive Breast Cancer Patients at DHR Health in the Rio Grande Valley"

Sadaf Milani, Ph.D., MPH, University of Texas Medical Branch Department of Internal Medicine assistant professor of geriatrics, won Best Podium Presentation for her project, "The Association of Dementia Medications with Pain Medication in Dementia Patients with Chronic Pain."

Giovanni Biggers will use MAPS degree to boost others

He focused on business and public policy in the UNC Graduate School’s flexible interdisciplinary program.

Giovanni Biggers ’22, ’24 (MA) looks forward to putting the skills and knowledge he gleaned as part of the first class of the  Master of Applied Professional Studies  program to good use. Biggers would like to work for — or create — an organization to help underprivileged kids find avenues to higher education.

“Going to public school in Baltimore, there was a serious lack of resources. The schools were worn down, and, as a student, you just didn’t feel like you had any access to higher education or career opportunities,” Biggers said.

Biggers came to UNC-Chapel Hill by way of hard work in the classroom and on the football field. He continued excelling in both areas, graduating in 2022 with an interdisciplinary Bachelor of Arts in management and society.

Biggers wanted to stay at UNC-Chapel Hill but was unsure about his path to graduate school. He thought that no graduate program matched his aspirations precisely — until he heard about MAPS, which met his specific post-graduate needs. He will receive his MAPS degree at the University’s Spring Commencement.

Launched by the UNC Graduate School in 2023, MAPS is a flexible interdisciplinary graduate program for students who find value in a customized graduate degree. At the program’s core are a series of courses in leadership and business fundamentals designed to provide students with essential professional skills. Students pick their own concentration and design a program of study to meet their career needs and interests.

Biggers realized that the MAPS program would allow him to take classes in business and in public policy, fulfilling his goals and interests.

The MAPS program also allows students the scheduling flexibility, and students can attend part- or full-time, completing their degrees in as little as 18 months. This part of the program also appealed to Biggers, as it has for other MAPS students involved in athletics or other time-consuming endeavors.

“The MAPS classes were challenging but rewarding, and I was able to learn things that were applicable to what I want to do,” Biggers said. “I built my course of studies on business and public policy classes, where I could learn what I wanted to learn and also build leadership skills.”

Biggers is an example of one type of student that the program was created for, said Laura Kuizin, MAPS director.

“Throughout his time working on his master’s degree, Giovanni has consistently demonstrated a commitment to his education and a genuine passion for learning,” Kuizin said. “Giovanni made the most out of his time in the MAPS program, utilizing the flexibility of the program to design a curriculum unique to his professional goals. As he prepares to graduate and begin the next phase of his journey, I have no doubt that Giovanni will continue to make a positive impact and I look forward to celebrating his future successes.”

As North Carolina celebrates State Employee Recognition Week, Interim Chancellor Lee H. Roberts thanks Carolina employees for their work.

National Academy of Sciences elects 2 from Carolina

Sociology professor Arne Kalleberg and hepatitis researcher Dr. Stanley Lemon received the honor.

Eye clinic work led to perfect match

UNC School of Medicine graduate Dr. Tika Zbornik Thompson will soon begin a residency in ophthalmology at UNC Hospitals

Spring Commencement 2024 update: Clear bag policy, One Cards, prohibited items

The University will employ some additional measures this year to support safety for everyone.

Commencement speaker preps for space

In this video, Zena Cardman shares her excitement about her space mission and speaking to the Class of 2024.

Safety update about recent campus events

The safety and well-being of our campus community is our top priority. In that vein, we would like to share a safety update related to recent events on our campus. 

Public health senior studies brain cancer treatments

Rami Darawsheh affirmed his interest in medicine working with researchers in the schools of medicine and pharmacy.

Graduating tour guide welcomes visitors to campus

At the UNC Visitors Center, Kevin Rivera Araujo helps others “fall in love” with the place he calls home.

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