phd courses after pharm d

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Our Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD)/Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmaceutical Sciences (PhD) program integrates the skills and knowledge of pharmaceutical sciences and pharmacy practice with a focus on cutting-edge research for the development of treatments to prevent disease and improve health.

The PharmD/PhD typically takes seven years to complete.

PharmD/PhD Career Opportunities

• Pharmaceutical companies in areas of drug development and clinical application
• Research institutes
• Federal and other regulatory agencies

Email us at  [email protected] .

Transitions Magazine

Transitions is published bi-monthly for members of the APhA New Practitioner Network. The online newsletter contains information focused on life inside and outside pharmacy practice, providing guidance on various areas of professional, personal, and practice development. Each issue includes in-depth articles on such topics as personal financial management, innovative practice sites, career profiles, career development tools, residency and postgraduate programs, and more.

A journey from PharmD to PhD

By Lindsey Hohmann, PharmD

The field of pharmacy is advancing and changing, with many new career paths and education for pharmacists beyond the traditional roles. As a PharmD graduate pursuing postgraduate education in the health outcomes field in preparation for a career in academia, I understand how challenging it can be for today’s student pharmacists to decide which career path is right for them.

I will share a bit about my experiences navigating the changing pharmacy landscape, including my journey to date, where I hope to go from here, and how to prepare for a similar career path.

Career exploration

I graduated with my PharmD degree from the University of California San Diego (UCSD) Skaggs School of  Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences in 2012. During my time at UCSD, I  explored multiple areas of pharmacy practice by working as an intern in a community pharmacy and at an inpatient hospital pharmacy. In addition, I volunteered at community outreach events through pharmacy organizations’ student chapters, including APhA–ASP, and published a student research project. APPEs presented an opportunity for further exploration; I attended a rotation at FDA, which first piqued my interest in alternative pharmacy careers.

The challenge throughout these activities was time management. Maintaining a detailed calendar and having a close study partner helped to balance school, work, and volunteer activities. Ultimately, due to the connections I made while working as an intern pharmacist, I was offered a position as a staff pharmacist in a community pharmacy in my hometown, and I began my career as a community pharmacist.

Working as a community pharmacist, I experienced a mix of patient care activities on a daily basis. In addition to dispensing prescriptions, I became involved in medication therapy management (MTM), educational health fairs, and immunization outreach activities. However, over the course of 3 years, I observed unaffordability of medications and medical care, fragmented health care systems resulting in barriers to addressing potentially inappropriate medications, and inefficiencies in the system for addressing substance abuse problems. I realized that I wanted to address these issues on a broader scale through research and teaching, so I  began to consider alternative pharmacy career paths.

Recognizing my need to learn valuable new skills and theoretical knowledge, and with much advice and encouragement from professors at UCSD, I chose to pursue postgraduate studies in health services research. In 2015, I enrolled in the Health Outcomes Research and Policy PhD program at the Auburn University Harrison School of Pharmacy, where I am currently a fourth-year PhD candidate.

Prepping for my future role

Upon graduation from the PhD program, my goal is to work in academia as a health services researcher and pharmacy educator. The PhD program, which consists of 2 years of class study followed by 2 years of dissertation work, is excellent preparation for this role.

Throughout the program, I have gained experience in grant proposal development, study design, data collection and analysis, and manuscript writing and publication, as well as attending conferences to present research findings. I also gained experience with university teaching by delivering lectures and facilitating small group activities.

Given that service and outreach are important parts of a graduate program, I volunteered on the university’s graduate student council and held positions in student organizations, including the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research and the APhA–APRS Postgraduate Advisory Committee. My major advisor was invaluable in helping me to balance my workload by learning to block time on my schedule for research, teaching, and service activities.

Build a strong foundation now

For students thinking about pursuing postgraduate studies, a PhD degree will open doors to many alternative pharmacy careers. Opportunities include FDA, the National Institutes of Health, MTM or insurance companies, university professorships and research appointments, contract research organizations, and industry, to name a few. The challenge is to identify your own strengths and career goals to find the best fit. Resources like the APhA–APRS Postgraduate Initiative ( www.pharmacist.com/apha-aprs-postgraduate-initiative ) may help PharmD students gain advice from current postgraduate students before deciding on a career path.

My experiences point out several key lessons: make connections with your professors and mentors; become involved in a broad array of research, teaching, and service activities; and schedule blocks of time to complete important tasks. With these tips, you will have the foundation on which to build your career.

Lindsey Hohmann, PharmD, is a PhD candidate at the Auburn University Harrison School of Pharmacy Department of Health Outcomes Research and Policy, and a member of the 2018–19 APhA–APRS Postgraduate Advisory Committee.

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• College of Pharmacy

Current Students

• Dual and Consecutive Programs

PharmD + PhD Consecutive Program

After completing her pharmacy degree, Elise Waldron-Young completed her PhD degree program research on selective inhibitors for a hardy and potentially deadly parasite.

Henrietta Abodakpi works as a clinical pharmacology reviewer for the Food and Drug Administration following the completion of the Pharm.D. degree and Ph.D. degree in Pharmaceutics.

The college's first Pharm.D./Ph.D. graduate, Meghna Trivedi is a UHCOP faculty researcher studying HER2+ breast cancer in collaboration with colleagues at UH and Baylor College of Medicine.

Professional students often develop an interest in research and a desire to pursue a Ph.D. degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences after completion of the Pharm.D. Below are general guidelines for such individuals; for more details, please consult  Jason Eriksen , Assistant Dean for Graduate Programs.

A Pharmaceutical Sciences Ph.D. can be earned in the concentrations of Pharmacology , Pharmaceutics , Medicinal Chemistry , or Pharmaceutical Health Outcomes and Policy .

Research Experience

The essence of a Ph.D. degree is research . The most critical criterium of admission to the Ph.D. program is a strong commitment and drive to do research. During your professional years, you perform research in faculty labs to (1) test whether you really desire a research career; (2) enable faculty members to evaluate your research potential; and (3) get a start on a potential dissertation project.

If admitted to the Ph.D. program and upon completion of the Pharm.D., a student becomes a graduate assistant, earning a stipend and Graduate Tuition Fellowship (GTF) support to pay graduate tuition and fees.

Students MUST have research experience before being admitted to the Ph.D. program. There are several ways this can be done:

Note: Some students have also worked in laboratories during the winter break between fall and spring semesters on a volunteer basis.

Graduate Admission

Submit your credentials during the summer near the end of your P3 year:

• Letter of reference from a faculty member with whom you have done research.
• A personal statement addressing these four items:
• Describe your career interests, as well as short- and long-term professional goals.
• Describe your research experiences and skills
• Explain the reasons for pursuing a graduate degree in your selected concentration in Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Provide any additional information that you would like the graduate admissions committee to consider.

The graduate admissions committee also will obtain Pharm.D. admissions credentials from the Pharm.D. admissions office and conduct interviews. The decision should be made by the end of September; the date is chosen so that students have time to make alternative career plans in the event of a negative decision yet allows sufficient time for faculty to develop stipends if admission is granted.

Graduate Enrollment

After graduating with your Pharm.D., you would be enrolled as a Ph.D. student and begin receiving a stipend as either a Research or a Teaching Assistant beginning the summer after graduation. From this time, all graduate tuition and fees would be paid by the university (in the form of Graduate Tuition Fellowship).

For further discussion, contact Jason Eriksen , Assistant Dean for Graduate Programs.

Where discoveries are delivered. SM

Dual Pharm.D./ Ph.D. Program

Information for prospective students.

The program is a unique joint effort between the SSPPS and the  Biomedical Sciences (BMS) Graduate Program on the UC San Diego Health Sciences Campus with emphasis on Pharmaceutical Sciences and Drug Discovery.  

The overall goal of this training program is to provide students with a visionary perspective on pharmaceutical sciences and the drug discovery and development process. Students who complete this program will be uniquely suited to perform basic and clinical research and to translate the results of the research to clinical practice. The course of study will prepare graduates for careers in academia, as faculty members in schools and colleges of pharmacy, government, leaders in drug discovery and development in the pharmaceutical industry, or other health settings where they will engage in academic instruction, clinical care and research. A distinction between this dual Pharm.D./Ph.D. and other joint doctoral programs is that training for the Pharm.D./Ph.D. degree is envisioned to be closely aligned with the drug development process as well as therapeutic practices and outcomes. Students in the Pharm.D./Ph.D. program will meet all requirements for licensure as a pharmacist in the State of California.

Application Process

• Students should meet with Dr. Victor Nizet ([email protected]), Director of the Pharm.D./Ph.D. Program as early as possible after entering pharmacy school to learn more about the program, and begin to plan their course of training.
• During the summers between the first and second year, and between the second and third year, students will explore research opportunities through laboratory rotations at UC San Diego and with collaborative research institutes with faculty that hold a primary affiliation with the UC San Diego Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program. Stipends and/or fellowships may be available to support the summer research experiences.
• Students typically submit an abbreviated application to the BMS Program during the fall quarter of their second year of the Pharm.D. program.
• Following successful completion of the second year of the Pharm.D. curriculum, students devote all academic time to research for their Ph.D. thesis project.
• Once they have completed all of the requirements for the Ph.D. degree, students return to complete the third (pre-clinical) and fourth (Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences) years for the Pharm.D. degree.
• Following successful completion of all of the requirements, the candidate will be awarded both the Pharm.D. and the Ph.D. degree. It is anticipated that the program will take, on average, 7 or 8 years to complete the requirements for the joint degrees.

Important note:  

Students with excellent prior research experience and commitment to dual degree training may arrange a laboratory research rotation during the summer prior to matriculation into the Pharm.D. curriculum. Applicants must be highly motivated and committed to improving health care through the conduct of research, as demonstrated by their ability to perform and aptitude for conducting research.

For more information about this program, please visit: Biomedical Sciences and Graduate Program .

Additional Pharm.D./Ph.D. Program Information (Structure and Options)

PharmD PhD Dual-Degree Programs: A Candidate's Perspective on Potential Pitfalls

It seems that dual-degree programs are becoming more prevalent in pharmacy.

It seems that dual-degree programs are becoming more prevalent in pharmacy. Various academic institutions in the United States are now offering these programs, which appeal to pharmacy students who want to acquire additional skills for specialization or set themselves apart from the ever-growing pool of pharmacy graduates.

Right from the start of my pharmacy career, I knew that I wanted to pursue a dual degree to make myself more capable and competitive in the industry and/or academia while pursuing my passion for scientific research. I chose to enroll in the PharmD/MS program at the University at Buffalo, which subsequently led me to apply for the PharmD/PhD program because of my positive experience.

I completed the PharmD component in 2014 and am currently completing the PhD component. As a 6 th -year candidate who can finally begin to see the light at the end of the tunnel, I want to offer potential PharmD/PhD students some insight based on my experience with this degree combination, specifically the challenges I have encountered and some options for overcoming them.

PharmD/PhD dual-degree programs are generally offered by universities, rather than colleges, because it usually takes 2 relatively specialized and well-developed collaborating departments to offer such a joint program.

The specific PhD concentration that is offered with the PharmD may vary, but it is generally within the realm of pharmaceutical science, pharmacology, or medicinal chemistry. PharmD/PhD programs generally take a handful of students per year and have various entrance requirements that may include minimum GPA, GRE scores, or PCAT scores, or a specific number of years in the PharmD program.

The duration of the joint PharmD/PhD programs are generally not fixed, since a PhD has a variable timeline associated with completion. Nevertheless, many programs estimate completion times of 7 to 8 years to obtain both degrees. The PharmD degree is often obtained first, followed by the PhD 3 to 5 years later.

There are some unique challenges to know when deciding to enroll in a joint PharmD/PhD program. These trials and tribulations are from my own experience and will obviously differ between individuals, but I believe they are nonetheless pertinent for potential students.

I am not including the obvious difficulty that is associated with high-level research, university-specific policies, and academic coursework. Instead, I am focusing on general issues that can arise in a joint PharmD/PhD program.

The first challenge I faced was figuring out how to handle the total cost of the program. PharmD programs are generally expensive, while PhD programs usually waive tuition for their students and give them a modest stipend for living expenses. In many PharmD/PhD programs, students are expected to pay for the PharmD component, but not the PhD component.

Unfortunately, if the student needs to take out loans to pay for the PharmD component, repayment is generally delayed while subsequently completing the PhD component. The modest stipend given to graduate students does not usually allow for significant loan repayment, leading to further accumulation of interest if additional employment is not sought.

Another challenge is balancing and adapting to graduate course material and research. Graduate coursework tends to have a greater emphasis on critical thinking and writing than pharmacy practice coursework.

It may be difficult to transition from memorizing specific drug classes and guidelines to answering questions that require designing an experimental process to solve a problem. This challenge may be compounded when taking pharmacy practice coursework and graduate coursework simultaneously.

Once the pharmacy coursework is completed and the PharmD is awarded, more challenges await. After the PharmD is awarded, a full transition to the PhD program often occurs. This can be a very difficult time for students, as expectations change and the focus shifts to research.

Quickly launching a research project and staying on track in an accelerated joint program can be stressful. The stress from this transition also makes it difficult to attain professional experience and further develop clinical skills while completing the PhD component. This is because completing the PhD is a very time-consuming endeavor, even when most of the classes are done.

Besides research and writing, there are often seminars, lab meetings, and teaching responsibilities that can make practicing as a pharmacist difficult to manage. Professional stagnation can result.

While I continue to face these challenges, the good news is that they are not insurmountable. The first action that a current or potential PharmD/PhD student can take is to start looking for research mentors early, as they are the key to addressing the challenge of efficiently balancing professional and academic development.

Early selection of a mentor permits a student to start a research project earlier, which makes the transition from PharmD to PhD much smoother. It goes without saying that research focus and compatibility are very important factors when selecting a mentor, but a PharmD/PhD student also needs enhanced flexibility from a potential mentor because of his or her unique situation.

A flexible mentor can efficiently guide a candidate while accommodating additional professional obligations. This allows the PharmD/PhD student to grow both academically and professionally.

Networking with current graduate students before entering the PhD component of the joint program can also be very helpful when transitioning from professional to graduate coursework. Senior students can often be a great information resource for study tips, exam-taking strategy, and presentation advice.

Often, program directors or mentors can facilitate this networking. While student networking and a flexible mentor can help ameliorate some of the challenges related to the PhD component of the joint degree, professional development and planning is ultimately the responsibility of the student.

Working as a pharmacist after receiving the PharmD and while completing the PhD component can help alleviate some financial stress as well as foster professional development.

To avoid conflicts between PhD studies and practicing as a pharmacist, consider seeking part-time or per-diem positions that allow for flexible scheduling at times that do not conflict with research. This will allow a candidate to work on a limited basis as a pharmacist while having a minimum impact on research responsibilities.

Some who are involved in PhD programs may frown upon “extracurricular” work that does not involve research; however, I believe limited yet meaningful involvement in the pharmacy profession is extremely beneficial to the candidate overall. Working in the lab during the day and as a pharmacist in the evening can be daunting, so professional obligations should be adjusted to a level that is beneficial and not encumbering to research.

As the pharmacy field expands and the talent pool of pharmacists grows, so does the need to set yourself apart when pursuing a PharmD. This has led to many pharmacy students choosing a dual-degree program that allows for more career flexibility and increased competitiveness in the job market.

PharmD/PhD programs can be challenging in many ways, but graduates are held in high regard because of the advanced and specialized training they receive. Graduates of PharmD/PhD programs are highly sought after because of their broad range of expertise in clinical and translational sciences.

My hope is that prospective students can use my experiences to better anticipate and overcome some of the hurdles associated with pursuing a PharmD/PhD program. I encourage students to explore what PharmD/PhD programs have to offer, as I believe these programs are critical to ensure that well-rounded clinical scientists are available to address current and future health care challenges.

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College of Pharmacy - Chicago | Rockford

Pharmd/phd program.

The joint PharmD/PhD trains students for careers in academic pharmacy and bench science research. Students participate in the PharmD curriculum and pursue original doctoral research projects in the laboratories of faculty in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences .

By counting some course requirements toward the completion of both degrees, the joint program can reduce the total time of earning the degrees by about two years. Both degrees are awarded at the end of the training period and neither degree can be received before the other is completed.

The PharmD/PhD program is for exceptional, highly motivated and achieving students ready to meet the challenge of increased academic load and independent research project.

Admission Requirements and Application Process Heading link Copy link

Students may apply to the joint PharmD/PhD degree program at the same time as when applying to the PharmD program or within the first two years after their acceptance into the PharmD program.  Students must be accepted by both programs.  Please note : the PharmD/PhD program is not offered in the Department of Pharmacy Systems, Outcomes, and Policies.

Apply Concurrently

Minimum requirements for admission include:

• a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university

Application has 3 components:

• Submit an application to the PharmD program via PharmCAS and indicate your interest in the joint degree.
• Submit the Supplemental Application ( PSTP form ) via e-mail to  [email protected] .
• Submit an application to the Pharmaceutical Sciences PhD program following the program’s specific guidelines.

Apply for the joint degree after acceptance to PharmD

• Submit the Supplemental Application ( PSTP form ) via e-mail to  [email protected]
• Submit an application to the Pharmaceutical Sciences PhD program following the program’s specific guidelines during your first two years of enrollment in the PharmD.
• If you are accepted by the PhD program and have a baccalaureate degree, you will be accepted to the joint program immediately. Contact  [email protected]  to notify the College of your acceptance into the PhD program.
• Students without a baccalaureate degree are not eligible for the program, as it is a requirement of the PhD program application.

Program Timeline

Students admitted to the joint program can begin requirements for both degrees upon admission. Summers can be used for research and laboratory rotations. The first two to three years of the program are used to complete the P-1 through P-3 didactic PharmD curriculum with some PhD courses as electives. Choice of a permanent thesis advisor can take place at any point before moving to the graduate focused years (G-1 through G-3). Following completion of the PhD phase of the program, students rejoin other PharmD students to complete PharmD didactic and/or clerkship requirements.

The program is flexible and actual timeline will depend on the requirements of the specific PhD program and the PhD thesis advisor. Sample timelines used by our current PharmD/PhD students are below (“P” refers to PharmD portions of the joint degree program, “G” refers to graduate segments of the joint program. The numbers indicate years spent in each segment. However, it should be understood that some research will be going on in years labeled as “P”.)

Financial Aid

Students enrolled in the joint degree program are eligible for the graduate level tuition for the PharmD portion of their study, which results in significant cost reduction. You may compare the cost of professional and graduate tuition and fees at the  Office of the Registrar website .  Additional financial benefits may apply. When a student becomes a full-time graduate student, student may receive a tuition waiver and a stipend.

Lindsey McQuade, PhD Heading link Copy link

Director, research & graduate resources.

• Washington State University

PharmD + PhD

With the expanding needs in health care, there is a growing need to translate today’s research findings into tomorrow’s health care solutions.

The WSU College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (CPPS), in collaboration with the WSU Graduate School, has established a combined, sequential Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD)/Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Pharmaceutical Sciences and Molecular Medicine program that allows some aspects of the PhD experience to be initiated during the PharmD curriculum.

The goal of this program is to integrate and expedite completion of the dual degrees in a time frame that is approximately two years shorter than it would be otherwise.

Program Admission

PharmD students may apply to the PhD program in either their second or third professional year (PY2 or PY3). Applicants follow the regular admission process for the PhD program through WSU Graduate School. Any student interested in applying should contact the Director of the PharmD/PhD Program early on.

Prerequisites

• Bachelor’s degree
• Undergraduate GPA of 3.0 (out of 4.0)
• Satisfactory completion of all PharmD courses
• Statement of purpose and three letters of recommendation

Applicants are strongly encouraged to gain research experience with a Pharmaceutical Sciences and Molecular Medicine Graduate Program faculty member before applying. Admission into the PhD program is competitive, and students are expected to be strong academically as well as having an established interest in research. Students accepted into the dual degree program will be admitted to the PhD program in Pharmaceutical Sciences and Molecular Medicine contingent upon their satisfactory completion of the PharmD degree and other outlined requirements.

Research Experience

Students interested in the PharmD/PhD program should gain research experience prior to applying to the PhD program. Students should seek out research experiences with potential PhD mentors that are Pharmaceutical Sciences faculty members. Research experiences can include:

• Research Honors Program (students are highly encouraged to enter the Research Honors Program)
• 499/599 Research Electives
• Summer Research Fellowship (SRF) program
• Paid research opportunities
• Other routes such as extramural fellowships

Doctor of Pharmacy students in any professional year can take approved Pharmaceutical Sciences graduate courses as electives. The credit for these graduate courses can be reserved so they can count towards both graduate course credit and elective requirements of the PharmD program. Students interested in applying to the PharmD/PhD program or students contingently admitted to the program should contact the Director of the PharmD/PhD program before the start of each semester to complete necessary forms prior to starting these electives.

Financial Aid

Once students in the PharmD/PhD program complete their Doctor of Pharmacy and matriculate into the PhD program, they will be offered a graduate stipend support package (contingent on availability of funds).

PhD students will also be eligible to apply for extramural support to provide or supplement their usual graduate stipend.