Master of Pharmacy in the USA is offered as professional and academic courses. Doctor of Pharmacy is an example of the former, whereas MS in Pharmacy is an example of the latter. 

The course duration varies according to the program. For MS programs, students must complete 30-35 credits to obtain the degree. 

The course duration is generally 1-2 years for the MS program, whereas, for Doctor of Pharmacy, the course duration is 3-4 years. 

The average salary of the graduates of the pharmacy is $ 173000. The tuition fee ranges from $ 50,000 to $ 70,000 per year, depending on the course.

Common specializations or tracks available for a Master of pharmacy in the USA are:

• Pharmacometrics and System Pharmacology
• Drug discovery
• Medical Chemistry
• Biotechnology and Drug Delivery
• Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy Research
• Cannabis Science and Medicine
• Pharmaceutics
• Molecular and Systems Toxicology
• Pharmacology

Why the USA for a Master of Pharmacy?

• Availability of a vast selection of specialization track
• Several scholarships, awards, and funding opportunities
• Availability of combined MS and residency programs for international students as well
• Several top universities offering programs in pharmacy
• Availability of professional programs, course-based, and research-based master programs.

Top universities in the USA for Master of Pharmacy

Many top universities in the USA provide master’s courses in pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences and Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) programs. The annual tuition fee presented in the following table is only indicative and depends on the number of credits you take in a year. Besides the tuition fee, other fees are involved, such as student fees, insurance, etc., which the students must consider.

100,000+ students achieved their study abroad dreams with us.  Start your journey today.   Talk to an Expert

Master of Pharmacy Entry Requirements for international students 

University of North Carolina- Chapel Hill

• A bachelor’s degree of 4 years with a GPA of 3.0/4.0 or an equivalent degree
• Minimum TOEFL score of 90 or IELTS score of 7
• GRE scores, if not eligible for a waiver

University of California- San Francisco

• Must have completed 59 semester units or 88 quarter units in courses such as chemistry, biology, physiology, statistics, English, etc.
• A World Education Service evaluation of the credentials, along with a course-by-course evaluation
• GRE or TOEFL is not required.

University of Michigan- Ann Arbor

• Have a bachelor’s degree from a recognized institution in a relevant science field with a minimum GPA of 2.8
• TOEFL IBT score of 84 or IELTS score of 6.5 for proof of English language proficiency

University of Minnesota

• Holds a bachelor’s degree with a GPA of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale.
• TOEFL or IELTS score is required for applicants whose native language is not English
• GRE score is optional

Ohio State University

• A graduate degree with a GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale from a recognized institution
• If the academic requirement is not met, then a GRE score is required
• IELTS score of 6.5 or TOEFL score of 79

University of Iowa

• Must hold an undergraduate degree with a GPA of 3.0.

• Demonstration of English language proficiency through a minimum TOEFL score of 81 or IELTS score of 7.0 and no band less than 6.0.
• GRE is required

University of Illinois- Chicago

• Applicants of the program must have a minimum GPA of 2.5 for consideration, whereas the average GPA of accepted students in 2020 was 3.4. GPA of three areas: cumulative, pre-pharmacy pre-requisites and Science/Math are considered separately.
• The minimum requirement for proof of English language proficiency is a TOEFL score of overall 80 with at least 21 in writing, 17 in listening, 19 in reading, and 20 in speaking, or an IELTS score of 6.5 overall with no band less than 6.0 or PTE score of overall 54 with at least 47 in listening, 56 in writing, 51 in reading, and 53 in speaking.

University of Wisconsin- Madison

• An undergraduate degree from a recognized institution
• Minimum TOEFL score of 92 or IELTS score of 7.0 for the proof of English language proficiency

University of Texas- Austin

• A bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0.
• The minimum requirement for a TOEFL score is 79, and on IELTS is 6.5, but the average TOEFL score of the students of Master of Pharmacy is 100.

University of Pittsburg

• Must have obtained an undergraduate degree.
• TOEFL score of at least 100 overall or IELTS score of 7.5
• GRE score

Tuition fees for Master of Pharmacy in the USA

Funding and Scholarships:

Several scholarships are available to students of pharmacy to attract talented students. These scholarships can be externally funded as well as university-funded. 

Besides the scholarships mentioned below, several universities in the USA also offer graduate teaching assistants (TA) and graduate research assistants (RA) to MS students. 

A recipient of TA or RA generally receives a tuition waiver up to specific credits and a stipend.

100,000+ students achieved their study abroad dreams with us.  Start your journey today.   Talk to an Expert

Scope/Jobs After Master of Pharmacy in the USA

After completing the master of pharmacy in the USA, graduates may find employment in research facilities, pharmaceutical industries, pharmacies, hospitals, and universities. A pharmacist having a bachelor's degree earns an average of $ 110,000 annually, whereas one with a master's degree earns an average of $ 173,000. The following table represents the average salary of different roles assumed by the graduates of the Master of Pharmacy.

Optional Practical Training (OPT) after completing a master of pharmacy in the USA

OPT is the temporary employment opportunity available to the F1 student visa holder in the USA. Students can receive 12 months of OPT during or after the completion of the course. Students in the STEM field are eligible to receive up to 36 months of OPT, whereas other students are eligible for 12 months only. 

Students must choose the appropriate program for a master of pharmacy as the program offered may or may not be qualified as the STEM field. Even though MS in Pharmacy is related to science and technology, it is not defined as a STEM field, whereas MS in Pharmaceutical Science is defined as a STEM field. 

Similarly, PharmD is also not qualified as the STEM field.

Residency program for students and graduates of the Master of Pharmacy

A residency program is a training program usually done after graduation to obtain practical experience in the field while working under an experienced pharmacy practitioner. 

Several universities provide a combined MS and residency program allowing the student to complete all the credit requirements for the MS program and the Pharmacy Practice Residency requirements. 

Such a combined program saves students time and helps them start their careers early. The residency program is generally two years.