The graduate program in pharmacy at the University of Iowa primarily admits students pursuing a PhD. Admission to the MS in pharmacy is granted only under special circumstances, which may include a requirement from an international government funding source, a Fulbright or similar scholarship that specifies a master's degree, or employment in industry where a targeted set of skills or knowledge is needed to enhance professional value. Please note that a master's degree is not required to apply to the PhD program.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates will exhibit the ability to:

• demonstrate both subject matter expertise and the ability to critically evaluate the current state of knowledge in that area of expertise;
• understand the fundamental concepts and applications of current methodology and techniques for the conduct and evaluation of research in their area of expertise;
• demonstrate the ability to conduct research under the direction of a faculty member and interact successfully with other members of a research team;
• effectively communicate research findings in both written and oral formats;
• know and apply the highest ethical standards in research and in the communication of the results of that research; and
• be prepared for career options in academia, industry, government, or other relevant fields.

The Master of Science in pharmacy requires at least 30 s.h. of credit, which may include 9 s.h. of research. At least 24 s.h. must be completed at the University of Iowa after admission to a graduate program. Requirements for the master's degree include a final examination which, at the discretion of department, may be written or oral or both. The final examination will not duplicate course examinations. Various forms of extramural registration may qualify toward the 24 s.h. residence requirement. A master's degree can typically be earned in three to four semesters.

The Master of Science in pharmacy requires mastery of methodologies and practices of research and scholarship of the discipline. MS degrees may be designed to provide advanced study and accomplishment that serves a variety of career and other purposes. A thesis describing original scholarship or research may be required. No more than 9 s.h. of credit for thesis research and writing is counted toward the 30 s.h. requirement.

Three subprograms are available: drug discovery and experimental therapeutics, health services research, and pharmaceutics.

The pharmaceutics or drug discovery and experimental therapeutics subprograms without thesis does not require a final exam. 

The health services research subprogram without thesis requires a final oral presentation of a research project in which the student was significantly involved. The written and oral presentation of the research project must be deemed as acceptable by a majority of the members of the committee.  

The drug discovery and experimental therapeutics curriculum provides a strong foundational base of knowledge along with options for a tailored experience for students. The thesis requirement provides an opportunity for engagement in cutting-edge scholarship, ongoing mentorship, and collaborative research interactions with multiple labs.

The health services research subprogram provides an innovative approach to studying the challenges facing the health care system and provides evidence to support policy-based solutions. The subprogram combines ideas across several distinct scientific paradigms (sociology, economics, psychology, business, and anthropology) to better understand the factors leading to decisions in health care and the consequences of these decisions. Students gain broad knowledge of health and pharmaceutical care, informed by theories from economics and social psychology. The subprogram teaches intellectual and practical skills to investigate research questions dealing with current issues.

The pharmaceutics subprogram is a multidisciplinary science that examines the development, production, and characterization of dosage forms, as well as the disposition and action of drugs in the body. As pharmaceutical scientists have been engaged in the development of novel biomaterials for sophisticated drug delivery systems, they also have expanded into research with applications in the development of medical devices and tissue engineering.

For more information about graduate study, visit the College of Pharmacy website.

Graduate education prepares students with advanced knowledge and skills in specialized fields. At the University of Iowa, the Graduate College advocates for student-centered graduate education and supports equitable application of rules and policies across graduate programs.

Academics

University of Iowa graduate credentials are regulated by policies and requirements found in the Graduate College Manual of Rules and Regulations. This includes minimum grade-point average (GPA) requirements for academic standing and degree conferral. The Graduate College sets the minimum requirement. Individual graduate programs may establish higher GPA requirements.

Admissions

Graduate student applicants must meet admission requirements for both the Graduate College and the program to which they have applied. University of Iowa graduate admission requirements are published by the Graduate College and on the Graduate Admissions website.

Financial Support

Graduate students might be eligible for financial support. Several contingencies apply, including degree program and award type, satisfactory progress toward degree, satisfactory completion of all duties related to an appointment, and availability of funding. Graduate students should inquire directly with their program for more information about funding availability. The Graduate Student Employment Standards govern the employment relationship between the University of Iowa and all graduate teaching and research assistants in all matters except wages, which are covered by an existing collective bargaining agreement or the conditions of an applicable federal grant.

The graduate program in pharmacy at the University of Iowa primarily admits students pursuing a PhD. Admission to the MS in pharmacy is granted only under special circumstances, which may include a requirement from an international government funding source, a Fulbright or similar scholarship that specifies a master's degree, or employment in industry where a targeted set of skills or knowledge is needed to enhance professional value. A master's degree is not required to apply to the PhD program.

Applicants must meet the admission requirements of the Graduate College. They must:

• ​hold a bachelor's degree from a U.S. institution or an equivalent degree from another country as determined by University of Iowa Admissions; and
• have a grade-point average of at least 3.00

Visit Graduate Degree: How to Apply on the College of Pharmacy website for a list of program requirements and application deadlines. Academic requirements for maintaining graduate registration are determined by the Graduate College and by the individual divisions in the College of Pharmacy.

Advanced study in the pharmaceutical sciences prepares students for research, teaching, and administrative positions in the pharmaceutical industry, in colleges and universities, in government agencies, and in health-related institutions and organizations.