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College of Pharmacy

Pharm.D./Ph.D. Program

The Pharm.D./Ph.D. program is an integrated program which allows a student to complete both degree requirements in a shorter duration of time as opposed to entering each degree program (Pharm.D. followed by Ph.D.) successively.  The Pharm.D./Ph.D. program at the University of Houston is designed for highly motivated and qualified individuals who are seeking an integrated program in the clinical and basic sciences preparing them for a career in academia or research. By carefully structuring the dual degree program, it is feasible to educate and train students to complete the requirements of both the Doctor of Pharmacy and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in seven years. Students will select a research track in pharmacology or pharmaceutics, with emphasis in one of the following disciplines: pharmaceutics, basic pharmacology, medicinal chemistry or clinical pharmacology. All students admitted to the Pharm.D./Ph.D. program are eligible to receive stipends for years two and three in the Pharm.D. program, and teaching assistantships each year thereafter. Students must apply for stipends by filing the appropriate forms with the College's Finanical Aid Advisor.

The program's graduates will have the necessary knowledge of a basic science discipline and a full appreciation of the clinical sciences to excel in and act independently in research. The graduate will be able to assume a leadership role in and provide exemplary service to a wide spectrum of institutions concerned with health care and/or health delivery.

General Admission Requirements

Students who have completed at least one year of the University of Houston Pharm.D. program are eligible for consideration for admission to the integrated program (Pharm.D./Ph.D.). A B.S. degree, an overall grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4 point scale and GRE scores in the upper 25th percentile are required for unconditional admission. Students without a baccalaureate degree may receive conditional admittance; however, their admittance will remain conditional until successful completion of the Pharm.D. degree program. All graduate applicants, regardless of citizenship status, must demonstrate proficiency in English to obtain admission to the university. To fulfill this requirement, applicants must have received their Baccalaureate from a regionally accredited institution in the U.S. or other country where English is the medium of instruction*, or present English test scores from ONE of the following: (1) The IELTS, minimum score 6.5; (2) The TOEFL, Internet-based (iBT), minimum score 79; (3) The TOEFL, Computer-based; minimum score 213; (4) The TOEFL, Paper-based, minimum score 550. To receive a Teaching Assistant appointment, a new student has to demonstrate competency in Spoken English. The IELTS and TOEFL iBT include a speaking test, and are therefore recommended to discharge this requirement before arriving at UH. Otherwise, an admitted student will be required to take the SPEAK or TSE after arriving at UH (minimum scores=50). An interview may be required prior to acceptance into the integrated program. Note: Students may be required to take additional courses to overcome any deficiencies as determined by the Ph.D. program director.

Application

All applicants must submit for admission:
  1. Copies of all application materials required for admission to the UH Doctor of Pharmacy program
  2. Completed University of Houston Graduate Application Form (including all supplemental and financial information for international applicants).
  3. Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate course work.
  4. Official test reports for the general aptitude portion (verbal, quantitative and analytical writing) of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
  5. At least three letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with the applicant attesting to the applicant's research and/or teaching potential.
  6. Official test reports for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) examination and the Test of Spoken English (TSE) or the Spoken Proficiency English Assessment Kit (SPEAK) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) for international applicants.
  7. A one- or two-page statement of purpose.
All application materials and admission inquiries should be addressed to:

Dept. of Pharmacological & Pharmaceutical Sciences
Graduate Programs Office Manager
University of Houston
542 Science & Research Building 2
Houston, TX 77204-5037
713.743.1227