Purdue College of Pharmacy
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Programs

PhD Programs at the Purdue University College of Pharmacy

As one of the oldest and most distinguished colleges of pharmacy in the United States, the Purdue University College of Pharmacy offers rigorous, research-driven PhD programs designed to prepare the next generation of pharmaceutical scientists, educators, and leaders. Our graduate programs are housed within three academic departments, each offering specialized areas of study that reflect the evolving landscape of pharmaceutical science and healthcare.

Doctoral Programs

Students may pursue a PhD through one of the following graduate programs:

These programs offer an interdisciplinary and collaborative research environment supported by world-class faculty and state-of-the-art facilities. Students are encouraged to carefully evaluate each program to identify the best fit for their research interests and long-term career goals, as transitioning between graduate programs after admission can be difficult.

Academic Experience and Career Outcomes

Our PhD programs are highly individualized, allowing students to tailor their coursework and research experiences to their specific interests and professional objectives. The programs include foundational and advanced coursework, qualifying and comprehensive exams, and the completion of original research. Graduate students work alongside nationally and internationally recognized faculty who are advancing discovery across a wide spectrum of areas—from drug design and delivery to health outcomes and policy. Students benefit from a dynamic, interdisciplinary training environment that encourages collaboration across departments, colleges, and research centers throughout Purdue University.

Graduates of our PhD programs are well-prepared for diverse career paths, including:

  • Tenure-track faculty or research-intensive academic roles
  • Principal investigators in pharmaceutical or biotech companies
  • Leaders in drug development, formulation, or regulatory science
  • Experts in pharmacoeconomics, real-world evidence, and health policy
  • Scientific advisors, medical writers, or consultants
  • Positions in government agencies such as the FDA, NIH, or CDC

Graduate Pharmacy Programs Admissions

The following are common eligibility criteria among the three graduate programs:

  • Completion of (as a minimum) a 4-year bachelors or professional degree
  • High quality performance as an undergraduate
  • Clear evidence of a serious commitment towards graduate study in the chosen discipline
  • Evidence that the applicant frequently displays initiative to learn

Some common elements to the application process are:

  1. Submission of an electronic application and application fee to the Purdue University Graduate School, which must be done online. There is a mandatory application fee.
  2. A transcript from each college or university that has awarded the applicant credit is required. Unofficial transcripts uploaded to your application are acceptable for the review of applications. The original transcripts are ONLY required if you are officially admitted. You will be contacted by the Graduate Administrative Assistant to submit if you are admitted. The Purdue University Graduate School requires original, official transcripts; photocopies, certified copies, and notarized copies are not acceptable. If the transcript does not show that the degree has been awarded, then you must provide official copies of your diploma, both in the original language and an official English translation.
  3. A Statement of Purpose uploaded into the application system that addresses the reasons why the applicant wants to continue their education and how they have prepared for graduate study.
  4. Three candid letters of recommendation that evaluate both the strengths and weaknesses of the applicant. The preferred method of receiving recommendations is to have the recommenders upload them into the application system.
  5. Demonstrated English proficiency for non-native speakers of English via TOEFL exam or the academic version of the International Language Testing System (IELTS). The English proficiency requirement will be waived for applicants who have been conferred for a baccalaureate, graduate or professional degree within the last 36 months from an institution where English is the primary language of instruction in a country/location where English is the native language. A list of official English-speaking countries can be found at this web address: https://www.purdue.edu/gradschool/admissions/how-to-apply/apply-toefl.html.

    If you are admitted under this waiver and are still finishing your degree, you must satisfactorily complete your degree and submit a final official transcript showing that this degree has been awarded BEFORE the Office of International Students and Scholars (ISS) can produce your U.S. immigration documents or before you can enroll in courses at Purdue University.

As stated above, the application and application fee are submitted electronically to the Graduate School. The official test scores are also submitted electronically to Purdue. Recommendations and the statement of purpose should be uploaded into the application system. Unofficial transcripts and/or academic documents (diplomas) from each institution attended should be uploaded into the application system for application review. All material not submitted electronically should be sent to the following address:

Graduate Admissions Committee
Purdue University College of Pharmacy
Heine Pharmacy Building, Room 104
575 Stadium Mall Drive
West Lafayette, IN 47907-2091

If you have any questions about your application that are not answered in the graduate admissions FAQ you should contact the Graduate Programs Coordinator at pharmacy-gradprog@purdue.edu in the office of the Associate Dean for Graduate Programs for the College of Pharmacy, or call 765-494-1362.