Prospective Students

Graduate Programs

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OUPharmGrad@ouhsc.edu

Mailing Address:

The University of Oklahoma College of Pharmacy
Attn: Graduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences
P.O. Box 26901
Oklahoma City, OK 73126-0901
Fax: (405) 271-3830

The Department of Graduate Pharmaceutical Sciences offers programs leading to the Master of Science (M.S.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees. These programs are designed to prepare scientists, educators, and practitioners for careers in pharmaceutical education, research, industry, and related areas of pharmacy practice. The graduate programs do not prepare students for practice as a registered pharmacist, so applicants who are interested in a pharmacy career should apply to the Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) program. However, students who have already completed one year in the Pharm.D. program may apply to the dual degree, Pharm.D./M.S. program and study concurrently for a graduate degree.

PDF Graduate Program Handbook
Download

Areas of Emphasis

The course of study in the Department of Graduate Pharmaceutical Sciences can vary considerably, depending on the area of specialization and the background of the student. Students in the basic pharmaceutical sciences typically enroll in coursework that includes biochemistry, physiology, biotechnology and pharmacology, while students in the social and administrative sciences are more likely to take courses in public health, statistics, and business. Examples of typical curricula are listed in the Graduate Program Handbook, which can be downloaded from the link on the right.

  • Medicinal Chemistry

    Medicinal chemistry encompasses biochemistry as well as synthetic and natural products chemistry. Ongoing research programs include investigations of pathogenic microorganisms, cystic fibrosis, and synthesis of novel radiopharmaceuticals.

  • Nuclear Pharmacy

    Graduate studies in nuclear pharmacy focuses on design and application of novel radiopharmaceuticals, with an emphasis on PET imaging. Board-certified specialization is also available for students in the Pharm.D. program.

  • Pharmacology and Toxicology

    Pharmacology and toxicology are concerned primarily with therapeutic or adverse actions of drugs and other chemicals. Ongoing research activities are in the areas of wound healing, cancer chemotherapy, alcohol, infectious disease, and pain management.

  • Pharmaceutics

    Pharmaceutics is focused primarily on the development and evaluation of drug delivery systems and encompasses biopharmaceutics, pharmaceutical analysis, and product formulation. Current research in pharmaceutics includes projects on pharmacokinetics and design of novel pharmaceutical dosing forms.

  • Pharmacy Administration

    The social and administrative sciences include three strategic areas related to healthcare and pharmacy: the economics of pharmaceuticals and other health interventions; the marketing of pharmaceuticals and health services; and the management of healthcare resources. Research in this area is grounded in the fields of health economics, marketing, and the social and behavioral sciences.

Graduate training in the biomedical sciences is also available through the Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences (GPiBS, http://w3.ouhsc.edu/gpibs/). Applicants may be considered by both the College of Pharmacy and the GPiBS graduate programs.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants for graduate admission must hold a bachelor’s degree or a four-year professional degree. Prior training in pharmacy is not required, but is generally preferable. All applicants must meet the following departmental and institutional requirements:

  • Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores must total at least 1100 for the verbal and quantitative tests.
  • Applicants whose native language is not English must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and achieve a score of 550 in the paper-based test; 213 in the computer-based test; or 79 in the internet-based test.
  • 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).

Graduate Student Stipends

The College attempts to provide a stipend (currently $21,500 annually), full tuition waivers, and health insurance for full-time students in the Ph.D. program. Part-time Ph.D. students, and students in the M.S. program, are expected to be self-supporting, and receive no financial aid.

Application Procedures

Pre-Application Evaluation:

Pre-Application Form
Open thru 11/30

Only a limited number of new graduate positions are available each year, and are dependent on funded research projects in the various areas of specialization indicated above. In order to better advise potential applicants, the College has developed an online Pre-Application Evaluation process in which potential applicants can enter their credentials and a statement of their research interests. The College will review the information provided, and advise the applicant on the potential for a successful application. This online service is available only during the months of September, October, and November, and can be accessed through the link on the right.

Application Process:

It is strongly advised that only individuals who have received encouragement from the College in the pre-application process complete formal applications. Applications are best submitted online through the Admissions website (http://www.ouhsc.edu/admissions/). Applicants must specify whether they are applying for the Doctor of Philosophy program (Major Code 1211R) or the Master of Science program (Major Code 1211M). GRE and TOEFL scores must be provided by the testing services (the Institutional Code for the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center is 6902). The following are required for a complete application:

  • Complete application form
  • GRE scores
  • TOEFL scores for most international applicants
  • Payment of all applicable fees
  • Official transcripts from U.S. institutions, OR an analysis of international transcripts by the World Education Services (WES). Information on the WES evaluations can be obtained from the following website (http://www.wes.org).

In addition, the following items should be sent directly to the University of Oklahoma College of Pharmacy, Graduate Program, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, 73126-0901:

  • Three letters of reference, preferably using the following form.
    PDF Letter of Reference Form
    Download
  • A resume that lists your education and professional experience
  • A PERSONAL STATEMENT which includes a narrative description of your career goals. Include in this statement your research interests and the area of specialization in which you wish to train.
  • One copy of any scientific or professional articles that you have authored or co-authored.

All application materials should be received by January 31 for admission the following fall. Late applications may be considered with prior approval of the College of Pharmacy Graduate Program.

International Applicants

Applications are welcome from international students. Please note additional information for international students on the Admissions website (http://ouhsc.edu/admissions/), and the requirements for the TOEFL examination and WES evaluation of transcripts. Applicants who require financial aid should apply ONLY to the Ph.D. program, because no financial support is provided for students in the M.S. program.

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