PhD Admissions

To apply online, visit the graduate admission website and follow these instructions:

• On the first page, search Pharmaceutical Sciences.
• Create your account, then select PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences.

Once you have started the application, you can indicate which area of specialization you are interested in on the “subplan” tab. 

We offer specializations in the following areas:

1. Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy
2. Pharmaceutics and Pharmacology
3. Outcomes and Translational Sciences 

A nonrefundable $60 fee for U.S. students and $70 for international students is charged for each regular or supplemental application you submit to Ohio State for graduate study. Ohio State works with a variety of programs that provide fee waivers to applicants and manages several of its own programs. You can check your eligibility here. International students are encouraged to research Education USA Opportunity Funds, which, if awarded, can be used to pay the application fee.

We require the following of all applicants:

1. Official transcripts can be scanned and attached to the application upon submission. Ohio State only accepts official transcripts. Read transcript requirements to learn what and when to submit. The minimum GPA requirement is 3.0 for undergraduate and graduate coursework.
2. A two-page Statement of Purpose uploaded directly to the graduate admissions website.
3. A CV or resume of no more than two pages on the online application. Note: A CV/resume is required for all applicants who wish to be considered for a fellowship.
4. Three Letters of Recommendation: We'll ask you to provide the names and contact information for three references on the online application. The three people should be acquainted with your academic program, scholastic ability, or professional performance. Within a few days of submitting your application, an invitation will be emailed to each reference with a link to our online form. Ohio State does not accept letters of reference submitted from third parties.

GRE Scores: The GRE will be an optional element in the graduate application. The absence of a score will not disadvantage an applicant.

Success at Ohio State depends upon your ability to converse in, write and understand English. The university requires official TOEFL or IELTS scores from applicants:

1. whose native language is not English,
2. who have been educated primarily outside of the U.S., or
3. who have held U.S. permanent resident, asylee or refugee status for less than one year from the first term of enrollment.

To be official, score results must be received directly from the testing agency (ETS or IELTS) by your application deadline. Applicants who are citizens of, or who have received a bachelor’s degree or higher by the time of matriculation from, one of the following countries are exempt from the English proficiency requirement: American Samoa, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, British Indian Ocean Territory, Canada (except Quebec), Cayman Islands, Christmas Island, Cook Islands, Dominica, England, Falkland Islands (Malvinas), Ghana, Gibraltar, Grenada, Guam, Guernsey, Guyana, Isle of Man, Jamaica, Jersey, Liberia, Montserrat, Netherland Antilles, New Zealand, Nigeria, Niue, Norfolk Island, Northern Ireland, Northern Mariana Islands, Pitcairn Island, Puerto Rico, Republic of Ireland, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Saint Helena, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Martin, Scotland, Singapore, Tokelau, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, United States, Virgin Islands (U.S and British), Wales

Most graduate students in the Ph.D. program receive financial support as Graduate Associates, either Teaching Associates (GTA) or Research Associates (GRA), or as Fellows during their student career.  These appointments cover the cost of tuition and the instructional fee waiver, stipend, and 100% subsidized health insurance, provided that students remain in good academic standing, adhere to the Code of Student Conduct, and make reasonable progress toward completing their degree. Faculty members and lecturers will provide the Graduate Studies Office with graded evaluations of students holding GTA or GRA appointments.  Inadequate performance of a GTA or GRA is considered a lack of progress towards the Ph.D. degree and could result in the removal of funding.

A limited number of Fellowships are available each year to incoming students and are only awarded to students meeting certain criteria who are successfully nominated by the Admissions Committee to the Graduate School's Fellowship Competition. Applicants interested in being considered for a Fellowship nomination do not need to complete additional forms or request Fellowship nomination consideration.

A student's monthly stipend rate will be indicated on the offer letter that is routed to the student's Workday inbox after the student is hired for the subsequent semester. The 2025-26 GTA and GRA minimum stipend for the Pharmaceutical Sciences graduate students is $2917/month.

Q: Do I need a faculty advisor before applying to the program?

A: No, you do not need to seek a faculty advisor before applying to the program.

Q: Do I need to apply to the MS program before I apply to the PhD program?

A: Admission to the PhD program does not first require application to the MS program.