Pharmacy
Mailing Address:
Department of Pharmacy Systems, Outcomes, and Policy (MC 871)
833 South Wood Street
Chicago, Illinois 60612-7231
Campus Location: 241 PHARM
Program Codes: 20FS1565PHD (PhD); 20FS1565NDEG (Nondegree)
E-mail: PSOPDGS@uic.edu
Web Site: http://www.uic.edu/pharmacy/depts/Pharmacy_Administration/graduate_programs/index.php
Department Head: Glen Schumock
Director of Graduate Studies: Simon Pickard
The Department of Pharmacy Systems, Outcomes and Policy offers work leading to a graduate degree in Pharmacy at the doctoral (PhD) level. The general area of focus is pharmacy systems, outcomes and policy, e.g., pharmacy health services research, pharmacy health policy, and pharmacy education. Note: These pharmacy graduate degrees are research degrees, not practice degrees. Students who wish apply to the professional degree program in Pharmacy, see requirements for the UIC Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program on the Web http://www.uic.edu/pharmacy/.
The Department of Pharmacy Systems, Outcomes, and Policy also participates in a joint PharmD/PhD program (see the Joint PharmD/PhD section of the catalog) and the Interdepartmental Graduate Concentration in Survey Research Methodology (see Graduate College section of the catalog for more information).
Admission Requirements
The department accepts only applicants who wish to be candidates for the PhD. Applicants are not admitted as candidates for the MS as a terminal degree. 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:
Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy
- 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.a
- Tests Required GRE General (verbal, quantitative, and analytical).
- Minimum English Competency Test Score
- TOEFL 600 (paper-based); 90, with subscores of Reading 21, Listening 21, Speaking 23, and Writing 22 (iBT Internet-based). Minimum TOEFL scores are subject to change. OR
- IELTS 6.5, with subscores of 6.5 for all four subscores.
- Letters of Recommendation Four (for doctoral degree applicants) 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.
a In exceptional situations, students with GPAs less than 3.00 but higher than 2.75, may be admitted on limited status and will be required to achieve a first semester GPA of 3.00 or above before being admitted to regular status.
Degree Requirements
The department accepts only applicants who wish to be candidates for the PhD. Applicants are not admitted as candidates for the MS as a terminal degree. 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 Required Core Courses: BSTT 400, BSTT 401, EPID 400 (or 403), PSOP 502, PSOP 525, PSOP 573. Students must register for PSOP 595 every fall/spring semester.
- Comprehensive Examination None.
- Thesis, Project, or Course-Work-Only Options 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 credit hours from the baccalaureate degree or clinical doctorate, or at least 64 credit hours from the master’s. At least 48 credit 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.
- Required Core Courses: BSTT 400, BSTT 401, EPID 400 (or 403), PHAR 441*, PSOP 502, PSOP 525, PSOP 573, and four PSOP electives. Students must register for PSOP 595 every fall/spring semester.
- 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 credit hours must be taken in PSOP 599 and counted toward degree requirements. An oral and written proposal is required before the thesis committee. A formal dissertation and open thesis defense are required.
- Other Requirements Students must demonstrate satisfactory proficiency in written and verbal communications. *PHAR 441 required unless graduate students earned doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) or MS in pharmacy administration (or equivalent).
- 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.
Interdepartmental Graduate Concentration in Survey Research Methodology
Students earning a graduate degree in this department may complement their courses by enrolling for a concentration in Survey Research Methodology. See Interdepartmental Graduate Concentration in Survey Research Methodology in the Graduate College section for more information.
