Master of Science/Doctor of Philosophy

The College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at Florida A&M University offers comprehensive programs of course work and research leading to the Master of Science degree and Doctor of Philosophy degree in pharmaceutical sciences. Specializations are offered in pharmacology/toxicology, medicinal chemistry, environmental toxicology (Ph.D. degree only) pharmaceutics, and health outcomes research and pharmacoeconomics. Each program of study is under the direction of a supervisory committee which oversees development of each student’s curriculum and general progress and monitors adherence to general degree requirements. Graduates of these programs will find a wide spectrum of employment opportunities in academic institutions, pharmaceutical industry, and government.

Minimum Requirements for Graduate Admission

For M.S. Programs

3.0 GPA in the last 60 semester hours

3 Applicants must submit a GRE (verbal and quantitative) score.

Foreign students must obtain a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score prior to admission.

For Ph.D. Programs

300 combined GRE score and 3.0 GPA or a Master’s degree from an accredited institution and three (3) letters of recommendation. International students must obtain a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score prior to application submission.

Requirements for the Master of Science Degree (M.S.)

Completion of at least thirty (30) semester hours of graduate level course work and research including:

1. a minimum of four semester hours of Research Seminar (PHA 6938)
2. a minimum of six semester hours of Research and Thesis (PHA6975)

• A 3.0 cumulative grade point average must be maintained
• Participation in the instructional component of selected undergraduate laboratories as assigned
• One presentation at a national scientific meeting
• Presentation of one research article in a refereed scientific journal
• Satisfactory performance on final comprehensive written examinations
• Presentation and defense of an acceptable thesis based on original research.

Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree (Ph.D.)

Completion of at least ninety (90) semester hours of graduate level course work and research including:

1. a minimum of nine (9) hours of Research Seminar (PHA 6938)
2. a minimum of twelve (12) hours of Dissertation Research (PHA 7980)

A 3.0 cumulative grade point average must be maintained

• Participation in the instructional component of selected undergraduate courses including lectures and/or laboratories as assigned
• Submission and successful defense of the research protocol
• Successful completion of oral and written comprehensive examination
• Presentation of at least two manuscripts for publication in refereed scientific journals
• Submission of an acceptable dissertation based on scholarly and independent research
• Presentation and defense of an acceptable dissertation based on original laboratory research
• Two presentations at national scientific meetings

Seminar Policy

All graduate students, including those who have satisfied the minimum seminar requirement for either degree program, are expected to enroll and participate in Research Seminar every semester, except the semester in which the thesis or dissertation is defended.

Graduation Policy

Students must be registered at Florida A&M University in the semester in which they are awarded a degree (M.S. or Ph.D.).

The following graduate level courses are offered in the College of Pharmacy for fulfillment of the requirements of the M.S. and Ph.D. degree in pharmaceutical sciences. Additional graduate offerings may be obtained from the approved list of courses at nearby Florida State University (FSU) with the written permission of the supervisory committee.

Financial Aid

Support ranging from $8,500 to $16,200 per year may be available in the form of research or teaching assistantships and fellowships to qualified students. Work-study funds and tuition waivers may also be available on a limited basis

Specialization in Pharmacology/Toxicology Core Curriculum for all Graduates

• BCH 5045 Biochemistry (3)
• PHA 6513C Graduate Pharmacology I (2)
• PHA 6514C Graduate Pharmacology II (2)
• PHA 6715 Biostatistics And Computer Methodology (3)
• PHA 6715L Biostatistics And Computer Methodology Laboratory.
• PHA 6527 Analytical Methods In Pharmacology And Toxicology & Lab (2,1)

Core Curriculum for Ph.D. in Pharmacology/Toxicology

• PHA 6525 Pharmacological Techniques (3)
• PHA 6533 Graduate Toxicology (2)
• PHA 6535 Advanced Toxicology (2)
• PHA 6545 Neuropharmacology (3)
• PHA 6547 Endocrine Pharmacology (4)
• PHA 6576 Molecular Pharmacology (3)
• PHA 6578 Biochemical Pharmacology (2)
• PHA 6740 Proposal Preparation And Grant Administration (2)
• PHA 6938 Research Seminar (1)
• PHA 7979 Advanced Research (1-9) (12 semester hours required)
• PHA 7980 Research For Doctoral Dissertation (1-2) (12 semester hours required)
• PHA 8968 Doctoral Research Protocol (0)
• PHA 8969 Ph.D. Comprehensive Examination (0)
• PHA 8985 Doctoral Dissertation Defense (0)
• Electives (15)

Total: 90 Hrs.

As prerequisites for these courses, all students will be required to have the following:

• Calculus
• Physiology
• Pathology
• Anatomy and Neuroscience

Electives can be selected from other graduate courses offered in the College of Pharmacy or relevant graduate courses offered at FAMU or FSU.

** Required only of non-pharmacy graduates. It is required that students concurrently register for PHA 3580 Human Structure/Functions  and PHA 3581 Pathophysiology , if they have not previously completed this or an equivalent course in human medical physiology. These physiology courses are not available for graduate credit.