PharmD/PhD Program
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
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 lmcquade@uic.edu.
- 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 lmcquade@uic.edu
- 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 lmcquade@uic.edu 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.
