Pharmaceutical Sciences (PhD) at University of Southern California

Programme overview

The PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences emphasizes basic and applied research in drug delivery and targeting, using medicinal chemistry, computational chemistry, pharmaceutics, pharmacodynamics, molecular pharmacology, immunology and cell biology.

Faculty: School of Pharmacy | Department: Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences | Duration: 60 units minimum; coursework and qualifying examination completed within two and a half years of admission | Study mode: full-time | Location: Los Angeles, CA, United States

What you will study

At least 24 units are coursework at the 500 level or above, including a minimum of 12 units from Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences (eight from core 4-unit courses). Students pass a screening by the end of the second semester, a written and oral qualifying examination, and defend a dissertation; teaching in the School of Pharmacy is required.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

USC Graduate School (all graduate programmes): a bachelor's degree or equivalent from a regionally accredited college or university. International applicants whose first language is not English demonstrate English proficiency; for PhD applicants, ISE-exam exemption scores are TOEFL iBT 100 with no less than 20 on each section (exams taken before 21 January 2026), IELTS Academic 7 with no less than 6 on each band, or PTE 68 with no less than 53 on each band. USC sets no university-wide minimum for admission and some departments set higher requirements.

Requirements published at program group level.

Duration: 60 units minimum; coursework and qualifying examination completed within two and a half years of adm

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