Is the GRE required?

No, our program does not require the GRE.

Is Pharmaceutical Sciences a STEM program?

Yes, Pharmaceutical Sciences is categorized as a STEM program by the U.S. Department of Education and Homeland Security.

Can I request an application fee waiver?

For domestic students, application fee waivers are available through the Graduate School only in limited circumstances. More information can be found here.

International applicants can check with their local EducationUSA advising office to see if there are educational opportunity programs or local recommendations to fund study in the United States. Our program is unable to offer application fee waivers.

Can you evaluate my transcripts or resume before I apply?

We are unable to review transcripts or other materials outside of the official application process.

Are international applicants required to take the TOEFL or other English language proficiency exam?

Our program follows the English language proficiency requirements set by the OSU Graduate School. International applicants must meet a minimum English language proficiency requirements for regular admission or qualify for for waiver from English language testing as outlined below . The OSU Graduate School accepts scores from TOEFL, IELTS and Duolingo. 

  • TOEFL PBT - 550
  • TOEFL iBT - 80 (Minimum score of 18 on each sub-section.)
  • IETLS - 6.5
  • Duolingo - 110 (Must include sub-scores.)

Waived from English Language Testing

The English language proficiency exam requirement is waived for applicants who hold either citizenship or a baccalaureate or graduate degree from a recognized or accredited institution in any of the following countries: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, British Overseas Territories, British Virgin Islands, Botswana, Cameroon, Canada, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Eswatini, Fiji, The Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Montserrat, Namibia, Nigeria, New Zealand, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sierra Leone, Singapore, South Africa, Tanzania, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, Uganda, United Kingdom, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Can the English language proficiency exam requirement be waived if my program of study was conducted in English?

Waivers for applicants from other countries are considered on a case-by-case basis if the medium of instruction was English. If you are admitted to our degree program, we have the ability to submit a petition with the Graduate School for a waiver. We may choose not to request a waiver, and any waiver submitted to the Graduate School is not guaranteed to be approved.

If we do not request a waiver, or a submitted waiver is denied, an official English language proficiency exam score that meets the minimum requirement for regular admission must be provided before being fully admitted to the university.

Do I need to contact a faculty member prior to submitting an application?

It is not required to contact a faculty member prior to submitting an application to our Ph.D. program. All applicants will be considered for Graduate Teaching Assistantships or Graduate Fellowship positions.  However, applicants are welcome to reach out to faculty to inquire if they are accepting Graduate Research Assistants in their lab. All applications are submitted to the OSU Graduate School and made available to the College of Pharmacy Graduate Studies Committee for review.

What is the deadline for submitting an application?

The application for the Fall 2025 term will open mid-September 2024 and the deadline to apply for both domestic and international applicants is January 1, 2025. New cohorts begin each Fall term. We do not typically offer admission outside of Fall term.

How do you decide which applicants to accept?

We use a holistic approach, which means we look at a variety of factors including education and career goals, prior research experience, letters of recommendation, GPA, and other factors. Our program is highly competitive and we may only admit 4-6 new students each year.

When will I receive an update on the status of my application?

Application review begins after the submission deadline and continues through April. We strive to update each applicant with the status of their application as soon as information is available.

What is the tuition for graduate school?

Graduate tuition and fee rates are available online at Graduate Tuition and Graduate Fees. More information can be found at the OSU Tuition and Fees website.

Domestic students may find the OSU tuition calculator helpful.  Doctoral students typically register for 16 credits each term throughout the academic year and 3-5 credits during summer term. Tuition and fee rates typically increase each year. 

Is a B.Pharm. or a bachelor of science of pharmacy sufficient preparation for the Ph.D. program?

Yes. However, admission for international students is highly competitive in our program. It has been our experience that the Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm) degree from many countries does not provide appropriate training to ensure success in a research-based Ph.D. program. Therefore, international applicants with a B.Pharm degree but with no proven research experience would be less competitive.

What are my health insurance options?

Doctoral students appointed as Graduate Research Assistants, Graduate Teaching Assistants, or Graduate Fellows are automatically enrolled in the required healthcare coverage provided through PacificSource. A waiver is available if a student has a comparable coverage plan. 

All other international graduate students (and their dependents, if applicable) are required to maintain healthcare coverage and will be automatically enrolled in the student healthcare plan provided through PacificSource.

Domestic graduate students are strongly encouraged to maintain healthcare coverage and can enroll in the student health insurance plan offered through PacificSource.