Earning Your PharmD at USC
We established the world’s first Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) and remain a trendsetter in enabling future pharmacists to serve patients and communities at the profession’s highest standards.
Earning your PharmD at USC prepares you for leadership in the field—no matter which area of practice you choose. We continually refresh our curriculum with new courses that reflect the pharmacist’s importance as a frontline healthcare provider.
Learn more about the USC Mann experience at one of the hybrid information sessions. Get tips as you prepare your application at Acing the Pharmacy Application workshops.
July 11, 2024 : PharmCAS launches fall 2025 application process
October to May: Interviews begin for invited students
November 1, 2024 (11:59 p.m. Hawaii Standard Time): Priority application deadline for submitting PharmCAS application, including letters of recommendation and official transcripts
February 3, 2025 (11:59 p.m. Hawaii Standard Time): Regular deadline for submitting PharmCAS application, including letters of recommendation and official transcripts
Two weeks after receiving notification of admission: Accepted students mail the School’s Admissions Office the required Commitment Deposit Fee
Accepted students with international coursework and/or degree: Arrange for degree and coursework verification by the International Education Research Foundation to be sent to USC
August 18-22, 2025: Mandatory orientation for enrolled students
August 25, 2025: 1st day of classes
In-Person interviews are hosted 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on the following days:
- Friday, October 25, 2024
- Friday, November 15, 2024
- Friday, January 24, 2025
- Friday, February 21, 2025
- Friday, April 25, 2025
Virtual interviews are hosted 3 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. on the following days:
- Thursday, December 19, 2024
- Thursday, March 13, 2025
- Thursday, May 15, 2025
Interview dates are subject to change.
USC Advantages
Real world experience
Clinical pharmacy experience starting in your first year of study, providing immediate practical expertise that grows more challenging with each semester
Broad curriculum
Customizable curriculum that also offers dual degree, joint degree and certificate programs to augment your PharmD and expand your professional horizons
Community service
Health fairs, immunization programs and clinic sessions are coordinated and provided by student pharmacists and supervised by faculty and pharmacist preceptors.
A global network
Career support and networking opportunities to build professional success
What motivated you to attend USC?
“When I was applying to pharmacy schools I was looking for diversity, professional networking and an advanced curriculum. I was attracted to the endless opportunities the School offers to students such as the opportunity to serve surrounding communities in Los Angeles, the connections the university has with professional leaders in the field, and the unique curriculum that offers students hands-on clinical experience within their first year in the program.”
Alexander Cantres
PharmD ’25
How did your time at the USC Mann School impact you?
“Doors opened wide for me because of the high-quality education, research experiences and world renowned faculty I experienced at USC Mann. I was fortunate to be in the first cohort of students awarded the John and Margaret Biles Leadership Scholarship in 1994. Dr. Biles personally mentored each of us to become leaders. I use many of the lessons he taught me in my daily work as a people leader at Abbvie.”
Annie Ogostalick
PharmD ’00, MS ’00
Field Director, West Medical Outcomes Science Liaisons, AbbVie
How did your time at the USC Mann School impact you?
“My USC experiences and mentors enhanced both my technical and soft skills, priming me for my professional career. Their impact on me, professionally and personally, is priceless.”
Meleeneh Derhartunian
PhD, Molecular and Cellular Biology ’10
Certificate in Clinical Trial Design and Management, Regulatory Science, Regulatory Documentation Team Leader, Product Development, Genetech
What makes the PharmD program at USC unique?
“At USC, we have a diverse definition of what a pharmacy career entails. Whatever you imagine for yourself, you can do it here, and you can find a mentor at USC to guide you along the way.”
Kari L. Franson
PharmD, PhD, BCPP
Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs, Professor of Clinical Pharmacy
What was a highlight of your USC Mann experience?
“One of the great highlights of my time as a student at USC Mann was contributing to my Los Angeles community in the fight to decrease the number of COVID-19 cases in L.A. County as the pandemic spread.”
Syed Zaidi
PharmD ’23
PGY1 Pharmacy Managed Care Residency at Kaiser Permanente in Sacramento, Calif.
How did you come to the decision to pursue your degree at USC?
“The location allowed me to continue my studies while being relatively close to my loved ones in Southern California. The many opportunities to build my network with those associated with USC was something I highly valued. Furthermore, I wanted to gain experience in a wide variety of pharmacy settings in the Los Angeles area, which I knew USC offered.”
Anthony Sablan
PharmD ’21
PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency, Kaiser Permanente Antelope Valley
Why did you choose USC for pharmacy school?
“Honestly, I only wanted to go to USC. It was a calculated risk to only apply to one school, but I knew I wanted a program that would best prepare me for a residency and then ultimately as a competent clinician in my specialty. Since I came back to school as a non-traditional student, I was not going to settle for anything other than the best, which I believed to be USC for its unparalleled networking opportunities. I wanted to join a school that creates leaders who shape the pharmacy industry by extending the scope of practice.”
Kaycey Pearce
PharmD ’21
PGY-1 Acute Care Residency, UC Davis Health
How did your experiences at USC prepare you for the next chapter in your life?
“USC Mann prepared me to become a well-rounded clinician, communicator and educator. I appreciate the rich leadership, internship and clerkship opportunities the school has offered me and my colleagues. Personally, these experiences have trained me to build my communication skills, be innovative and enhance my time management ability. I look forward to utilizing these valuable exposures from the PharmD program to positively optimize patient outcomes as a future pharmacist.”
Jafar Essayli
PharmD ’22
PGY1 Pharmacy Resident at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford
Why did you choose USC?
“USC Mann is located in East Los Angeles – an underserved community facing health disparities. I knew that attending USC would grant me opportunities to learn how I can be a valuable health care provider to vulnerable populations. I have been focused on building my network and meeting other like-minded healthcare professionals who want to make positive contributions to the field.”
Luis Larios
PharmD ’25
What motivated you to attend USC?
“When I was applying to pharmacy schools I was looking for diversity, professional networking and an advanced curriculum. I was attracted to the endless opportunities the School offers to students such as the opportunity to serve surrounding communities in Los Angeles, the connections the university has with professional leaders in the field, and the unique curriculum that offers students hands-on clinical experience within their first year in the program.”
Alexander Cantres
PharmD ’25
How did your time at the USC Mann School impact you?
“Doors opened wide for me because of the high-quality education, research experiences and world renowned faculty I experienced at USC Mann. I was fortunate to be in the first cohort of students awarded the John and Margaret Biles Leadership Scholarship in 1994. Dr. Biles personally mentored each of us to become leaders. I use many of the lessons he taught me in my daily work as a people leader at Abbvie.”
Annie Ogostalick
PharmD ’00, MS ’00
Field Director, West Medical Outcomes Science Liaisons, AbbVie
How did your time at the USC Mann School impact you?
“My USC experiences and mentors enhanced both my technical and soft skills, priming me for my professional career. Their impact on me, professionally and personally, is priceless.”
Meleeneh Derhartunian
PhD, Molecular and Cellular Biology ’10
Certificate in Clinical Trial Design and Management, Regulatory Science, Regulatory Documentation Team Leader, Product Development, Genetech
What makes the PharmD program at USC unique?
“At USC, we have a diverse definition of what a pharmacy career entails. Whatever you imagine for yourself, you can do it here, and you can find a mentor at USC to guide you along the way.”
Kari L. Franson
PharmD, PhD, BCPP
Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs, Professor of Clinical Pharmacy
What was a highlight of your USC Mann experience?
“One of the great highlights of my time as a student at USC Mann was contributing to my Los Angeles community in the fight to decrease the number of COVID-19 cases in L.A. County as the pandemic spread.”
Syed Zaidi
PharmD ’23
PGY1 Pharmacy Managed Care Residency at Kaiser Permanente in Sacramento, Calif.
How did you come to the decision to pursue your degree at USC?
“The location allowed me to continue my studies while being relatively close to my loved ones in Southern California. The many opportunities to build my network with those associated with USC was something I highly valued. Furthermore, I wanted to gain experience in a wide variety of pharmacy settings in the Los Angeles area, which I knew USC offered.”
Anthony Sablan
PharmD ’21
PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency, Kaiser Permanente Antelope Valley
Why did you choose USC for pharmacy school?
“Honestly, I only wanted to go to USC. It was a calculated risk to only apply to one school, but I knew I wanted a program that would best prepare me for a residency and then ultimately as a competent clinician in my specialty. Since I came back to school as a non-traditional student, I was not going to settle for anything other than the best, which I believed to be USC for its unparalleled networking opportunities. I wanted to join a school that creates leaders who shape the pharmacy industry by extending the scope of practice.”
Kaycey Pearce
PharmD ’21
PGY-1 Acute Care Residency, UC Davis Health
How did your experiences at USC prepare you for the next chapter in your life?
“USC Mann prepared me to become a well-rounded clinician, communicator and educator. I appreciate the rich leadership, internship and clerkship opportunities the school has offered me and my colleagues. Personally, these experiences have trained me to build my communication skills, be innovative and enhance my time management ability. I look forward to utilizing these valuable exposures from the PharmD program to positively optimize patient outcomes as a future pharmacist.”
Jafar Essayli
PharmD ’22
PGY1 Pharmacy Resident at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford
Why did you choose USC?
“USC Mann is located in East Los Angeles – an underserved community facing health disparities. I knew that attending USC would grant me opportunities to learn how I can be a valuable health care provider to vulnerable populations. I have been focused on building my network and meeting other like-minded healthcare professionals who want to make positive contributions to the field.”
Luis Larios
PharmD ’25
What motivated you to attend USC?
“When I was applying to pharmacy schools I was looking for diversity, professional networking and an advanced curriculum. I was attracted to the endless opportunities the School offers to students such as the opportunity to serve surrounding communities in Los Angeles, the connections the university has with professional leaders in the field, and the unique curriculum that offers students hands-on clinical experience within their first year in the program.”
Alexander Cantres
PharmD ’25
Your PharmD Path
During our innovative, four-year PharmD program, you will enroll in 15 to 18 units each semester. The first three years combine rigorous courses in the biomedical, clinical pharmaceutical, and social-administrative sciences with Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experiences.
The fourth year focuses on Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences in settings throughout greater Los Angeles and beyond, as well as a capstone project that further expands your expertise to launch your career.
At all stages, you will be mentored by an internationally renowned faculty dedicated to fostering the next generation of pharmacy leaders.
