We offered the first-ever PharmD/MBA dual degree and have continued to innovate with interdisciplinary options that help you customize your PharmD to meet your individual interests and career goals.
Combinations for dual and joint degrees or certificates include:
Dual Degree Programs Details
The PharmD/Graduate Certificate in Gerontology is for students interested in pursuing geriatric pharmacy practice. This integrated program, in cooperation with the USC Davis School of Gerontology, prepares you to assume leadership roles in academia, administration or policy.
Admissions Requirements and Application Process
You’ll apply to the USC Davis School of Gerontology during your first year of attendance at USC Mann. If you are accepted, you’ll complete the certificate during the four years of the PharmD program by taking electives in geriatric pharmacy during the academic year and completing one core course in gerontology each summer.
During the certificate program you will complete:
- 16 units of core courses in physiology, psychology, sociology and social policy aspects of aging offered by the Davis School
- 8 units of approved elective courses in gerontology or geriatric pharmacy
- All other course requirements for both schools
Admission to the certificate program requires:
- Bachelor’s degree
- 3.0 GPA
- Letters of reference
- Application essay
The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is not required.
The dual PharmD/MS Gerontology program prepares you to meet the unique healthcare needs of older adults, allowing you to pursue advanced positions early in your career. This five-year program, offered in cooperation with the USC Davis School of Gerontology, provides more depth and rigor than the PharmD/Gerontology Certificate.
Admissions Requirements and Application Process
If you are interested in the PharmD/MS Gerontology dual degree, you must be accepted by both programs.
Requirements for admission include:
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum 3.0 GPA
- Minimum GRE score of 1000 (requirement may be waived if GPA is greater than 3.0)
You will not be given special consideration for admission to either program because you are applying for the dual degree.
If you are accepted into the dual-degree program, you must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA in your gerontology and PharmD courses.
You may apply to the dual PharmD/MS Gerontology degree program in one of two ways:
Apply concurrently
- Submit applications to both programs simultaneously.
- Identify yourself on both applications as a potential dual-degree student.
- If you are admitted to both programs, you will be offered admission to the PharmD and contingent admission to the MS Gerontology program, pending your passage of all courses in the first year of the PharmD program with a minimum 3.0 GPA.
- If you are accepted by only one program, you may choose to attend that program but will not be eligible for the dual degree.
Apply for the dual degree after acceptance to the PharmD program
- You may instead submit an application to the MS Gerontology program during your first two years of enrollment in the PharmD, prior to the MS Gerontology published application deadline.
- If you choose this option, you must apply through the school.
- If you are admitted to the MS Gerontology program, you will be offered admission to the dual degree if you pass all courses in your first year of the PharmD program with a minimum 3.0 GPA.
USC Mann, in cooperation with the Keck School of Medicine of USC, offers the PharmD/MS Global Medicine to prepare you to provide pharmaceutical care to underserved populations around the world, with an in-depth understanding of modern medicine in developing countries. You will gain unique expertise in pharmacotherapy, medication safety, health promotion and disease prevention demanded by a global healthcare perspective.
Graduates of the PharmD/MS Global Medicine program often serve as pharmacists in global healthcare settings with special expertise in pharmacotherapy, or as researchers at in biopharmaceutical companies’ global health programs.
Admission Requirements and Application Process
If you are interested in the PharmD/MSGM degree, you must be accepted by both programs.
Requirements for admission include:
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum 3.0 GPA
- Minimum score of 1000 on the GRE (will also accept GMAT, MCAT, PCAT)
You will not be given special consideration for admission to either program because you are applying for the dual degree.
You must fulfill degree requirements for both programs, including:
- 136 units for the PharmD
- 24 units for the MS in Global Medicine
- 6 units of global medicine electives can satisfy the PharmD elective requirement, and PHRD 503 and 504 substitute for GM 503 and 504
You may apply to the dual PharmD/MSGM degree program in one of two ways:
Apply concurrently
- Submit applications to both programs simultaneously.
- Identify yourself on both applications as a potential dual-degree student.
- If you are admitted to both programs, you will be offered admission to the PharmD program and contingent admission to the MS Global Medicine program pending your completion of all courses in the first year of the PharmD program with a minimum 3.0 GPA.
- If you are accepted by only one program, you may choose to attend that program but will not be eligible for the dual degree.
Apply for the dual degree after acceptance to the PharmD program
- You may instead submit an application to the MS Global Medicine program during your first year of enrollment in the PharmD, prior to the MS Global Medicine published application deadline.
- If you choose this option, you must apply directly to the MS in Global Medicine Program through the Keck School of Medicine of USC. Identify yourself as a prospective PharmD/MS Global Medicine dual-degree student.
- If you are admitted to the MS Global Medicine program, you will be offered admission to the dual degree if you pass all courses in your first year of the PharmD program with a minimum 3.0 GPA.
The PharmD/MS Healthcare Decision Analysis program enhances your education with practical understanding and applied skills in business intelligence, health economics and healthcare policy, and advanced preparation in coverage, access, reimbursement and pricing for domestic and international pharmaceuticals. Graduates are prepared for careers in the pharmaceutical industry, managed care, healthcare systems, consulting and government.
Admissions Requirements and Application Process
If you are interested in the dual PharmD/MS Healthcare Decision Analysis, you must first be accepted into the PharmD program.
After you successfully complete the first year of PharmD courses, you are eligible to apply for the MS Healthcare Decision Analysis dual degree. Once accepted, you will take courses from both programs simultaneously beginning in your second year, completing both degrees in parallel by the end of your fourth year. The MS Healthcare Decision Analysis requires you to complete an additional 24 units of coursework above the PharmD.
Requirements for admission include:
- Successful completion of your first PharmD year with a minimum 3.0 GPA
- Completed application, interview and acceptance by the director of Healthcare Decision Analysis
If you are admitted to the PharmD program and have expressed an interest in the dual degree, you will be offered an opportunity to apply directly to the MS Healthcare Decision Analysis program in the first year of the PharmD program.
If you have not previously stated your interest, you may apply for the MS Healthcare Decision Analysis dual-degree program in either your first or second year of PharmD training.
If you are not accepted by the PharmD program at USC, you may choose to apply independently to the MS Healthcare Decision Analysis program, but will not be eligible for the dual degree.
The growing need for health professionals with legal knowledge led to development of the dual PharmD/Juris Doctor (JD) program from USC Mann and the USC Gould School of Law.
In this certificate program, you’ll pursue a unique combination of specialties within pharmacy and law to create your own unique program. For example, you could combine expertise in administrative, industrial, substance abuse, primary care, geriatric and/or pediatric pharmacy with medical malpractice, tort liability, product liability, intellectual property or patent law.
Graduates of the PharmD/JD dual-degree program will be well-prepared for careers in health-related law such as:
- Corporate attorneys within the pharmaceutical industry
- Managed care lawyers
- Patent law specialists
- Private practice
Admissions Requirements and Application Process
You must apply to USC Mann and USC Gould School of Law and be accepted to both schools.
Admission to the PharmD/JD program requires:
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum 3.0 GPA (median GPA for the law school is 3.6)
- LSAT results (median score is 167)
You may apply to the dual PharmD/JD degree program in one of two ways:
Apply concurrently
- Submit applications to both programs simultaneously.
- Identify yourself to both the school and the Gould School of Law as a potential dual-degree student.
- If you are admitted to both programs, you will be offered admission to the PharmD program and contingent admission to the JD program, pending your completion of all courses in the first year of the PharmD program with a minimum 3.0 GPA.
- You must notify the Gould School of Law that you will be enrolling in the dual PharmD/JD degree program and will not matriculate to the law school until the following year.
- If you are accepted by only one program, you may choose to attend that program but will not be eligible for the dual degree.
Apply for the dual degree after acceptance to the PharmD program
- Submit an application to the JD program during your first year of enrollment in the PharmD program, prior to the JD published application deadline.
- If you choose this option, apply directly to the USC Gould School of Law.
- If you are admitted to the JD program, you will be offered admission to the dual-degree program if you pass all courses in your first year of the PharmD program with a minimum 3.0 GPA.
For more information on the USC Gould School of Law application process, contact:213-740-2523 or admissions@law.usc.edu
As healthcare becomes more complex and more focused on cost-effectiveness, an understanding of accounting, communication, finance, decision-making, personnel, strategic planning and related areas becomes more crucial for pharmacists.
The PharmD/MBA dual degree, offered cooperatively with the USC Marshall School of Business, allows you to complete your PharmD and MBA in five years—one year less than if the degrees were completed independently.
Graduates of the PharmD/MBA dual-degree program are in high demand for rewarding jobs such as:
- Administrator in research and managed care
- Department head in pharmaceutical manufacturing and distribution
- Department director in state and federal healthcare agencies
- Director of hospital pharmacy operations
Admissions Requirements and Application Process
Admission to the PharmD/MBA program requires:
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum 3.0 GPA
- Admission to USC Mann
- Fulfillment of MBA program admissions requirements, including competitive GPA (average GPA for admitted students is 3.3); Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) score (average score is 690); recommendation letters; related work experience; and personal essays
We recommend that you begin your process for the PharmD/MBA program the summer before your first PharmD classes.
For more information on the USC Marshall School of Business application process, contact:213-740-7846 or marshallmba@marshall.usc.edu
In response to growing demand for pharmacists knowledgeable in population-based healthcare, USC Mann developed this dual PharmD/Master of Public Health (MPH) program in cooperation with the Keck School of Medicine of USC.
This program provides outstanding preparation if you want to be an agent of change, conduct research in hospital and community settings, or be a leader in healthcare roles at the local, state or national level.
PharmD/MPH program participants complete all pharmacy and MPH requirements in five years—one year less than if the degrees were completed independently.
Admissions Requirements and Application Process
If you are interested in the PharmD/MPH dual degree, you must be accepted by both programs.
Requirements for admission include:
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum 3.0 GPA
- Minimum score of 1000 on the GRE (will also accept GMAT, MCAT, PCAT)
You may apply to the dual PharmD/MPH degree program in one of two ways:
Apply concurrently
- Submit applications to both programs simultaneously.
- Identify yourself on both applications as a potential dual-degree student.
- If you are admitted to both programs, you will be offered admission to the PharmD and contingent admission to the MPH program, pending your completion of all courses in the first year of the PharmD program with a minimum 3.0 GPA.
- If you are accepted by only one program, you may choose to attend that program but will not be eligible for the dual degree.
Apply for the dual degree after acceptance to the PharmD program
- You may instead submit an application to the MPH program during your first year of enrollment in the PharmD program, prior to the MPH published application deadline.
- If you choose this option, you must apply through the school.
- If you are admitted to the MPH program, you will be offered admission to the dual degree program if you pass all courses in your first year of the PharmD program with a minimum 3.0 GPA.
Our accelerated PharmD/PhD program integrates the pharmacy school curriculum with graduate curricula in pharmaceutical and translational sciences to prepare you for a career in academic, government and industrial settings. We offer three PharmD/PhD tracks:
- Clinical and Experimental Therapeutics
- Molecular Pharmacology and Toxicology
- Pharmaceutical Sciences
Students interested in the joint PharmD/PhD degree must be accepted by both programs. Students will not be given special consideration for admission to either program because they are applying for the joint degree.
Completing the PharmD/PhD program will typically take seven years: four years for the PharmD/Research Concentration plus three years for the PhD program (post-PharmD).
1. Apply to the PharmD Research Concentration
The USC PharmD program has created several Areas of Concentration. The Research Concentration is designed to provide longitudinal experience to students interested in pursuing a research-intensive career. If you are interested in the PharmD/PhD program, we encourage you to pursue the PharmD Research Concentration in order to take advantage of dedicated research time prior to applying for admission into the PhD program. You may apply 15 units of coursework from the PharmD toward your PhD.
- Complete your first year of the USC PharmD program with minimum 3.0 GPA.
- Apply for admission to the Research Concentration at the beginning of your P2 year. In the application, express why you want to pursue the Research Concentration, your short- and long-term career goals, and what you hope to gain from the concentration.
- Once admitted into the Research Concentration, you must complete 12 units in the PharmD curriculum dedicated to research.
We also encourage you to apply for the Dean’s Summer PharmD Research Internship.
Note: Admission into the Research Concentration does not guarantee admission to the PhD program.
2. Apply to the PhD Program
- At the beginning of your P4 year, apply for admission to the PhD program.
- You will be notified of your acceptance to the PhD program in spring of your P4 year. Full-time PhD training begins the fall semester following your PharmD graduation.
- Once admitted into the PhD program, complete the Candidacy Exam during Y1 of the PhD program.
- Complete your dissertation during Y3 of the PhD program.
For questions about the PharmD/PhD program, contact the Graduate Affairs Office:323-442-1474 or pharmgrd@usc.edu
We also offer PharmD combinations with the following certificates from our globally recognized Department of Regulatory and Quality Sciences:
PharmD/Clinical Research Design and Management Certificate
Offering essential training program in all aspects of overseeing human clinical research and trials
PharmD/Food Safety Certificate
Fulfilling the growing appetite for regulatory and safety experts in the food and supplement industries
PharmD/Medical Product Quality Certificate
Preparing you for success in this thriving sector of managing quality assurance and quality control
PharmD/Patient and Product Safety Certificate
Anticipating and controlling the risks related to medical products and facilities to ensure public safety
PharmD/Preclinical Drug Development Certificate
Moving translational research from the laboratory to preclinical studies—which are essential steps toward human trials
PharmD/Regulatory and Clinical Affairs Certificate
Training in the regulatory and quality aspects of medical product development to establish safety and effectiveness
In this intensive dual-degree program, your pharmacy education is enhanced by gaining knowledge related to medical product development and regulation. The program provides advanced preparation in clinical research, regulatory affairs and quality assurance, and helps fill the demand for skilled personnel in industry and government.
Admissions Requirements and Application Process
If you are interested in the dual PharmD/MS Regulatory Science dual degree, you must be accepted by both programs. You will not be given special consideration for admission to either program because you are applying for the dual degree.
Requirements for admission include:
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with minimum 3.0 GPA
You may apply to the dual PharmD/MS Regulatory Science degree program in one of two ways:
Apply concurrently
- Submit applications to both programs simultaneously.
- Identify yourself on both applications as a potential dual-degree student.
- If you are admitted to both programs, you will be offered admission to the PharmD and contingent admission to the MS Regulatory Science program, pending your completion of all courses in the first year of the PharmD program with a minimum 3.0 GPA.
- If you are accepted by only one program, you may choose to attend that program but will not be eligible for the dual degree.
Apply for the dual degree after acceptance to the PharmD program
- You may instead submit an application to the MS Regulatory Science program during your first year of enrollment in the PharmD program, prior to the MS Regulatory Science published application deadline.
- If you choose this option, you must apply through the school.
- If you are admitted to the MS Regulatory Science program, you will be offered admission to the dual degree if you pass all courses in your first year of the PharmD program with a minimum 3.0 GPA.