Pharmaceutical Sciences (Ph.D.)

Pharmaceutical Sciences (Ph.D.) | Graduate

Our Ph.D. program in Pharmaceutical Sciences is training leading scientists who will impact patients' lives and address health disparities through the rigorous research, development, and delivery of safe and effective drug therapies designed to improve patient care.

The Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences at Howard's Graduate School welcomes applicants with backgrounds in the biomedical and biological sciences, pharmacy, chemistry, chemical or biochemical engineering, and other related fields. Our graduates have landed faculty positions at top universities and colleges and research careers in the pharmaceutical industry and in a wide range of public and private sector settings. As a doctoral student in  Howard's Pharmaceutical Sciences program, you'll gain a solid foundation in evidence-based pharmaceutical sciences and clinical translational research approaches, including developing and synthesizing new drugs, finding better ways to deliver medications to patients and minimize side effects, and developing new analytical methods to assess the therapeutic efficacy of drugs and vaccines. You'll also learn the latest quantitative, biophysical, and bioengineering methods for developing therapeutic agents. You may choose from four distinct areas of specialization: pharmacy administration, medicinal chemistry, pharmaceutics, and pharmacokinetics. You'll benefit from a highly collegial atmosphere and close mentorship of faculty that are, first and foremost, committed to your professional development. Our Pharmaceutical Sciences faculty is notable for its depth of experience in the U.S. pharmaceutical industry and its wide-ranging research, including examinations of the optimal use of medications to improve patient health, disease pathways and mechanisms of drug action using computational and experimental techniques, and pharmaceutical and cosmetic product formulation and development. You'll have access to research facilities that house equipment for cell culture, drug formulation, synthesis, and manufacturing. In addition, you'll have numerous opportunities to collaborate with faculty on research funded by agencies like the National Science Foundation (NSF), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Program Snapshot

      ❱  72 credit hours 
      ❱  Full-time
      ❱  On-campus format
      ❱  Degree: Ph.D.

Application Deadlines

Spring 2025 entry: 
      ❱  Nov. 15, 2024 (final deadline)

Fall 2025 entry: 
      ❱  Dec. 1, 2024 (early deadline)
      ❱  Feb. 15, 2025 (priority deadline)
      ❱  Apr. 15, 2025 (final deadline)

Applicants should submit their applications as early as possible for earlier consideration of departmental funding opportunities. Applicants have until the final deadline to apply. However, applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis throughout the admissions cycle. 

Transfer credits accepted (reviewed by committee)

• Degree Classification: Graduate
• Related Degrees: Ph.D.

Application for Admission

• Online GradCAS application
• Statement of purpose/ Statement of academic interest (500-1,000 words)
• GRE scores not required
• Official transcripts sent to GradCAS
• 3 letters of recommendation
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university or the international equivalent
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae
• Autobiographical statement (500-750 words)

GRE Required?

• No

GRE Preferred Minimums

• GRE Verbal Reasoning: N/A
• GRE Quantitative Reasoning: N/A
• GRE Analytical Writing: N/A

GPA Required Minimums

• Overall GPA minimum: 3.0
• Undergrad GPA minimum: N/A

Reference Requirements

Evaluator type accepted:

• Professor (Required)
• Supervisor/Manager
• Other

Evaluator type not accepted:

• Friend
• Family Member
• Coworker
• Clergy