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The Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences offers a Doctor of Philosophy degree designed to prepare scientists and educators for careers in pharmaceutical research, academic science, industry, and specialized areas of practice. The program provides a research environment where students investigate how drugs are developed and evaluated, and how these processes contribute to improving human health.

What sets Pharmaceutical Sciences apart from other biomedical graduate programs is the opportunity for students to specialize in distinct areas of modern pharmaceutical research. Faculty mentors lead work in medicinal chemistry, nuclear pharmacy, pharmaceutics, pharmacology, infectious disease, toxicology, and pharmacy administration. This breadth allows students to pursue research that aligns with their interests while contributing to advances in drug discovery and therapeutic innovation.

Graduates of the Pharmaceutical Sciences PhD program are well prepared for careers across the health sciences research landscape. The program provides focused training that supports growth as independent investigators and prepares students for roles in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, academic institutions, government and private research organizations, and health care settings where expertise in drug development and evaluation is essential.

GPiBS Pathway Program

Prospective students initially apply to the Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences (GPiBS) program at the OU Health Campus and complete the first year GPiBS curriculum under this umbrella program. After their first year in the GPiBS program, students may be admitted to the Pharmaceutical Sciences program through joining the laboratory of a participating faculty mentor.

Class Size

1-3 students admitted per year

Median Salary

$60-140K

(industry-source: Glass Door)

Average time to complete the program

Typically 5 years but can be completed in as little as 4

Curriculum

Each student works with his/her advisor to establish a plan of study that is appropriate for that area of specialization and the research project of the student. In general, the plan of study will include 45 hours of didactic course work and at least 27 hours of doctoral research, totaling at minimum 72 credit hours to complete the PhD.   

See examples of coursework listed under the areas of emphasis in the Graduate Program Handbook.

View the Course Catalog for course descriptions

Admission Requirements

  • All applicants must meet the following departmental and institutional requirements: 
  • Applicants for graduate admission must hold a bachelor’s degree or a four-year professional degree. Prior training in pharmacy is not required. 
  • Applicants whose native language is not English must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and achieve a score of at least 79 in the internet-based test (IBT).  Alternatively, if you take the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test, a score of at least 6.5 is required. 
  • An undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.0 on the standard 4.0 U.S. grading system (with particular emphasis on the last 60 hours of coursework). 

If after reviewing the qualifications for this program you are unsure of whether you meet them, please contact OUPharmGrad@ou.edu. We are here to help and support you as you pursue a career in health sciences.  

What makes thiS program unique?

The OU Health Campus maintains genomics, proteomics, microscopy, and cytometry core facilities equipped with many of the newest pieces of technology to advance research. 

As compared to other graduate programs, graduates from the Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences are uniquely suited for careers catering to drug research and development such as pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry, and government regulatory (FDA, CDC).   

Program Details

Location Offered

Oklahoma City

Degree Acquired

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Pharmaceutical Sciences

Application Window

Applications open annually on September 1. Pre-application materials are accepted through November 30. The final deadline to submit all application materials is December 15.

Admissions

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Tuition and Aid

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