Pharmacy (MS or PhD)

The MS and the PhD in Pharmacy are awarded by the Graduate College. Instruction is offered through the College of Pharmacy. Subprograms for graduate research and courses include Drug Discovery and Experimental Therapeutics, Health Services Research, and Pharmaceutics.

The graduate program in Pharmacy strongly emphasizes admission to the PhD degree program. Admission with the objective of an MS degree is only approved in special circumstances, and students seeking this degree are encouraged to contact the graduate program in Pharmacy before applying.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must meet the Admission Requirements of the Graduate College and the requirements of the department offering the degree program (review the department's website or the General Catalog for departmental requirements).

Estimated Cost of Attendance

Tuition and fees vary by degree program and the type of student you are.

Most Pharmacy PhD students are provided financial assistance in the form of a graduate assistantship. The assistantship covers tuition and fees and provides a monthly stipend. The assistantship cannot be applied for but is offered at the time of admission.

Graduate Programs in Pharmacy, Estimated Costs - Domestic

Application Deadlines

Fall semester—March 15 or until the program is filled (Feb. 1 priority date to be considered for financial aid)

Admissions are made for Fall Semester only. On rare occasions, admission will be granted for the spring or summer session.

Application Procedures

Pharmaceutics or Drug Discovery and Experimental Therapeutics PhD Programs

Complete the BioMedCAS application and pay the application fee.
Follow the directions on the BioMedCAS application website for submitting supporting documents, transcripts, and letters of recommendation.
The EARLY APPLICATION DEADLINE is: FEBRUARY 1st. The FINAL APPLICATION DEADLINE is: MARCH 15th.

Supporting Documents

Transcripts (Minimum GPA is 3.0)
3 letters of recommendation
Statement of Purpose
Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV)
TOEFL or iELTS test scores
GRE test is optional. If it will enhance your application, you may submit a GRE test score, however, a GRE is not required.
It is not necessary to submit a TOEFL, IELTS, or DuoLingo score if you have a U.S. Master's Degree.
It is not necessary to submit a WES Transcript evaluation.

We are not currently admitting students to the Master's Program. It is not necessary to have first earned a Master's to be eligible to apply to the PhD program.

Health Services Research PhD Program

Complete a University of Iowa Graduate Admissions application.
After you complete the application and pay the application fee ($60 for domestic: $100 international), you will receive a HawkID and Login.
Login to the University of Iowa Admissions portal. Upload supporting documents there.

The graduate application process has two steps

You must first submit the online application to the Graduate College and pay the $60 application fee by credit card ($100 for international applicants).
Once you have submitted your application, you will receive an email instructing you on how to upload your supporting documents and submit letters of recommendation. A few programs require materials be sent directly to them. However, almost all supplemental material can and should be uploaded from your Admissions Profile in MyUI, our online service center for applicants and students. You can only access this AFTER you have submitted your application.
International students may also be required to submit TOEFL, IELTS, or DuoLingo scores to comply with the university's English Language Proficiency Requirements.
Once recommended for admission, international students must send a Financial Statement.
Your official GRE scores from Education Testing Service (the University’s institutional code is 6681). (Optional)

Apply

Pharmaceutics or Drug Discovery and Experimental Therapeutics PhD Programs:

Complete the BioMedCAS application and pay the application fee.

Health Services research PhD Program:

Complete a University of Iowa Graduate Admissions application and pay the $60 application fee ($100 for international students).