Admission Requirements

The department accepts only applications for the PhD program. Although the department also offers an MS degree, applicants are not directly admitted to the MS program. However, they may be allowed to transfer from the PhD program to the MS program under specific circumstances with consent from the department head.

Transcripts of all undergraduate and any graduate work must be submitted. In addition to the Graduate College minimum requirements, applicants must meet the following program requirements:

• Prior Degrees Baccalaureate, master’s, or doctorate in pharmacy or a related field.
• Grade Point Average At least 3.00/4.00 in work for the first academic degree.
• Tests Required GRE General (verbal, quantitative, and analytical). GRE scores are optional if applicant has an advanced degree (i.e. PharmD, MS) from a US-based university.
• Minimum English Competency Test Score
  • TOEFL 90, with subscores of Reading 21, Listening 21, Speaking 23, and Writing 22 (iBT Test); 60, with subscores of Reading 19, Listening 17, Writing 21 (revised Paper-Delivered Test);  Minimum TOEFL scores are subject to change. OR
  • IELTS 6.5, with subscores of 6.5 for all four subscores, OR,
  • PTE-Academic 54, with subscores of Reading 51, Listening 47, Speaking 53, and Writing 56.
• Letters of Recommendation Three letters are required from individuals who are familiar with the applicant’s training, ability, character, and potential for successful completion of the program.
• Personal Statement Required; 1–2 pages. The statement should address the applicant’s educational and professional objectives.
• Nondegree Applicants The department will consider applicants for nondegree status who hold a baccalaureate or clinical doctorate degree from an accredited college or university and meet the admission requirements of the Graduate College.

Degree Requirements

In addition to the Graduate College minimum requirements, students must meet the following program requirements:

Master of Science

• Minimum Semester Hours Required 32.
• Course Work

• Comprehensive Examination None.
• Thesis, Project, or Course-Work-Only Options Capstone project and oral defense required, PSOP 597 (6 hours). No other options are available.
  • Thesis: None.

Doctor of Philosophy

• Minimum Semester Hours Required At least 96 semester hours when entering with the baccalaureate degree or clinical doctorate; at least 64 semester hours when entering with a master’s degree. At least 48 semester hours beyond the master’s level or its equivalent must be earned at UIC.
• Course Work At least 20 hours must be in 500-level didactic courses.

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PHAR 461 required unless graduate students earned doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) or MS in pharmacy administration (or equivalent).

• Credit for Prior Master’s Degree: Doctoral students who have previously earned a master’s degree or its equivalent from UIC or another accredited university may be granted up to 32 semester hours of credit toward the doctoral degree if approved by the program and the Graduate College. The 32 hours are not included in the maximum allowed transfer credit limit. A petition is not required as the director of graduate studies informs the Graduate College.
• Examinations 
  • Departmental Qualifying Examination: Required after completion of core course work.
  • Preliminary Examination: An oral and written examination is required in the area of specialization.
• Dissertation Required. A minimum of 12 semester hours must be taken in PSOP 599 and counted toward degree requirements.
• Other Requirements Students must demonstrate satisfactory proficiency in written and verbal communications. An oral and written proposal is required before the thesis committee. A formal dissertation and open defense defense are required.
• Registration Doctoral candidates must be registered for credit in the term when they take their preliminary examination. They must also register each semester (excluding summer) after passing the preliminary examination and until successfully defending the dissertation. Students who are taking the preliminary examination or defending their dissertation must be registered during the summer session. If an examination occurs between terms, registration is required in the term just ended.

Students earning a graduate degree in this department may complement their courses by enrolling in select concentrations after consulting with their graduate advisor. Interdepartmental concentrations available for this degree include:

• Survey Research Methodology