Doctor of Philosophy Degree Programs

Program Requirements

Matriculation into Doctoral Programs

The disciplines within the GSPS will recommend to the Associate Dean Research and Graduate Programs (ADRGP) for the matriculation into a doctoral degree program those students who have satisfied requirements. Unless the student has previously earned a Master of Science degree from an approved program of study, the student must qualify for matriculation into a Ph.D. program.

Qualifying for Matriculation into Ph.D. programs

An examination is to be administered at a time determined by the faculty in the specific discipline, but not before 24 credit hours of approved coursework has been completed. The intent of this examination is to test the student's ability to apply information for the purpose of interpreting and analyzing data, to propose approaches to research problems, and to evaluate the student's general background understanding and knowledge in the area of his or her major field of study.

Alternatively, a student may be allowed to matriculate into the Ph.D. programs if (1) the student has earned an acceptable Master of Science degree, or (2) a student, who has taken 24 credit hours and has a minimum QPA of 3.25, petitions a Graduate School review committee to evaluate the student's academic credentials. This committee will consist of the major advisor, and at least two other faculty members within the discipline of study.  Upon review of the student's credentials, the committee will make its recommendation for the student's matriculation into the Ph.D. program to the ADRGP for approval or rejection.

Courses

Students pursuing the Ph.D. are required to take a minimum of 60 post-baccalaureate semester hours as detailed on the GSPS Canvas site, including core (required) courses, approved electives, and seminar credits. Each discipline requires the completion of specific Ph.D. core curriculum requirements. Core course requirements are defined for the various programs in the Pharmaceutical Sciences on the GSPS Canvas site. All advanced standing for previous coursework is at the discretion of the faculty within the discipline. The transfer of graduate coursework completed (B or better grade) at other accredited academic institutions, which may be applicable toward the partial fulfillment of the doctoral degree requirements, may not exceed 9 credits and is determined by the ADRGP in consultation with appropriate faculty.

For all Ph.D. programs, any deficiencies in undergraduate coursework must be resolved without the granting of graduate credit. The GSPS does not accept challenge examinations for graduate credit. All graduate students are required to maintain good academic standing, which is defined as a quality point average of 3.0 or better. A student who interrupts the course of study must obtain a leave of absence from a degree program. On request by the student, such a leave will be reviewed and a decision rendered by the ADRGP.