Given the diverse research in the Department of Pharmacy Practice, the graduate program is split into two tracks (1) Clinical Pharmaceutical Sciences and (2) Health Services, Outcomes, and Policy. Both tracks offer Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees. The Master of Science (M.S.) is typically an option for students working toward a Ph.D. degree.

Clinical Pharmaceutical Sciences

The Clinical Pharmaceutical Sciences graduate faculty perform clinical and translational research in the Personalized Medicine Institute at the Indiana University School of Medicine (IUSM) in Indianapolis, Indiana. Students enrolled in the Clinical Pharmaceutical Sciences track work toward their degree on the Indianapolis campus. The following specialty focus areas are available within cardiovascular diseases, infectious diseases, oncology:

  • Clinical Trials
  • Pharmacogenomics
  • Pharmacokinetics/Pharmacodynamics
  • Translational Pharmacology

Health Services, Outcomes, and Policy

Students enrolled in the Health Services, Outcomes, and Policy track are trained as scientists to assess problems that can be solved by an understanding of the principles, concepts, and applications of the economic, management, marketing, policy, social, and behavioral sciences. The following specialty focus areas are available:

  • Health Outcomes
  • Health Services
  • Medication Adherence
  • Medication Safety
  • Pharmacoeconomics
  • Pharmacoepidemiology
  • Health Literacy
  • Educational Assessment

Program Requirements

Master of Science

The Master of Science degree is available with thesis and non-thesis options in Health Services, Outcomes, and Policy and Clinical Pharmaceutical Sciences. Thesis work is encouraged at the master's level. A dissertation is required of students working toward a Ph.D. degree.

The Master of Science thesis option consists of at 24 hours of didactic instruction related to an approved plan of study and successful execution and defense of a thesis describing original research. Students work closely with their major professor and advisory committee to design and carry out thesis research. The non-thesis option requires additional coursework, investigation of special problems, and/or a project-oriented administrative residency. With proper planning and initiative, a typical student can complete the Master of Science degree in two years of full-time study.


The Doctor of Philosophy degree requires a minimum of 24 credit hours of approved classroom study in addition to the Master of Science degree or its equivalent. Students commonly develop both a major and minor area of program emphasis.

All doctoral candidates must complete a dissertation based on original research, demonstrating the ability to organize and carry out scientific investigation. Each graduate program has certain course, examination, and thesis requirements, but the length of time required to complete each graduate degree is tailored to meet the individual goals and interests of the students. Although the timetable for completing the Ph.D. program depends on achieving set metrics and milestones of the research problem selected, students generally complete work on a Ph.D. degree after approximately five years of full-time study beyond the baccalaureate degree. Students entering the program with an advanced degree may complete their Ph.D. work on a shorter timeline. Students interested in the College's professional degree program (Pharm.D. degree) which prepare them to practice pharmacy should request more information.