PhD Pharmaceutical Sciences at University of Rhode Island

Programme overview

The Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences is offered on the Kingston campus with a flexible general curriculum or one of four specializations: Health Outcomes, Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, Pharmaceutics and Pharmacokinetics, and Pharmacology and Toxicology. URI is a top recipient of NIH research funding in the field.

Faculty: College of Pharmacy | Department: Pharmaceutical Sciences | Intake: Fall | Study mode: full-time | Location: Kingston, RI, United States

What you will study

Research-focused study within a specialization (drug discovery and natural products, drug delivery and pharmacokinetics, pharmacology and toxicology, or health outcomes) with faculty-led funded research.

Career pathways

Academia, pharmaceutical companies, regulatory agencies, clinical research, government and healthcare leadership roles.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

College of Pharmacy graduate programs: bachelor's degree in pharmaceutical sciences, chemistry, biological sciences or a closely related discipline; GRE scores not required for the PhD program; applicants with GPAs below 3.0 are rarely admitted unless exceptional potential is shown (research experience, strong recommendations, upward GPA trend, or GRE at the 90th percentile or above). Deadline December 15 for the following Fall; applicants are encouraged to contact aligned faculty. Graduate School English proficiency for applicants whose native language is not English: TOEFL iBT overall 80 or above with section minimums (Reading 19, Writing 18, Listening 17, Speaking 18) for tests taken before 21 January 2026; IELTS 6.5 overall with 6.5 in each section; Duolingo English Test 115; Pearson Test of English and CEFR B2 also accepted subject to department approval.

Requirements published at program group level.

Domestic applicants: USD 17,116 a year (2026-27). Graduate full-time (9-15 credits) annual tuition, In state rate for 2026-27, as published for the level band; excludes registration, health services, technology and student services fees, accident/sickness insurance, and programme differential charges (en Source

International applicants: USD 33,328 a year (2026-27). Graduate full-time (9-15 credits) annual tuition, Out of state (non-resident) rate for 2026-27, as published for the level band; excludes registration, health services, technology and student services fees, accident/sickness insurance, and programme diffe Source

Doctoral programmes listed admit for Fall start (for example Behavioral Science Psychology PhD, and Biological and Environmental Sciences PhD).

Behavioral Science Psychology PhD Fall deadline December 1; Biological and Environmental Sciences PhD Fall deadline December 15. Applications use the URI Graduate Application (programmes using CAS: DPT, Speech Language Pathology MS, Dietetics MS apply through their own centralized application systems).

Apply through the official page: https://web.uri.edu/graduate-school/admission/

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