Frequently Asked Questions

We understand that applying to graduate programs can be confusing and overwhelming. The Office of Graduate Education is available to answer your questions and make the process a little easier. We’ve compiled the below list of Frequently Asked Questions for your reference. We also encourage applicants to review our COP Graduate Admissions Guidelines for in-depth descriptions of the application process.

Still have questions? Contact GraduateAdmissions@cop.ufl.edu for help!

When is the application deadline?

The priority deadline for Ph.D. admissions is December 1.  We will continue to accept application materials after this deadline, but it is highly recommended that you submit your application by this date to be considered in the first round of admissions review.

Does the graduate program admit students in the Spring or Summer terms?

The on-campus graduate program accepts students for Fall term only.  Applications for Spring or Summer admission will not be considered.

Are international applicants considered for admission?

Yes!  Our current graduate student population includes approximately 80 international students from over 20 different countries.

What concentrations are offered?

The College of Pharmacy offers five concentrations of study in the Ph.D. program:  Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmaceutics, Pharmacodynamics, Pharmaceutical Outcomes & Policy, and Clinical Pharmaceutical Sciences.  The departments names match the concentration names in all cases except Clinical Pharmaceutical Sciences, which is offered by the department of Pharmacotherapy & Translational Research.

Not all five concentrations offer on-campus master’s degree options.  Please contact the department graduate coordinator directly to see if they will accept master’s degree students for the upcoming term before you apply.

Is funding available for students?

Yes!  The College of Pharmacy offers a competitive stipend and many other benefits for Ph.D. students through graduate assistantships or fellowships.  However, master’s degree students are not eligible for funding or tuition coverage.

Do I need to submit a separate application for funding?

No separate application is needed. All Ph.D. applicants are considered for admission with funding.

What does student funding include?

Ph.D. students are funded on 12-month graduate assistantships, with an annual stipend, full-time tuition & fees, and student health insurance. The minimum annual stipend for Fall 2024 starts at $35,000 per year for students with a previous bachelor’s or master’s degree, and $38,000 per year for students who have earned a previous Pharm.D. from an ACPE-accredited institution.  Students may be eligible for additional funds for serving as a teaching assistant in the College. Students who receive extramural fellowship awards may qualify for additional supplements to their salary. 

Is the GRE required to apply for the on-campus graduate program?

No! GRE scores are no longer required for admission to the College of Pharmacy graduate program.  The admissions committees will not review or consider GRE test scores in their decision process.

What English proficiency tests are required?

International applicants are required to submit official test scores to show English proficiency before they can be admitted to the program.  Both the TOEFL and IELTS are accepted.  UF will no longer accept Duolingo test scores for this requirement.

Are applicants from Puerto Rico required to submit language test scores?

No, English proficiency test scores are not required for U.S. citizens from Puerto Rico.

Can I submit unofficial English proficiency test scores?

Yes, the departments can begin the application review process with unofficial test scores, but cannot offer admission until the official test scores have been received and verified by UF Office of Admissions.  It is in your best interest to submit official language test scores as soon as possible.

Do I need to submit transcripts with my application?

Yes. Due to a recent Florida law, all applicants for graduate admission to the University of Florida must submit information on all post-high school education and employment.  You must submit official transcripts for every degree or institution that you have attended, even if it is not relevant to Pharmaceutical Sciences.

Official transcripts must be original and come directly from the previous institution, either electronically or by mail in a sealed envelope.  Unofficial transcripts can be uploaded for initial departmental review, but official final transcripts must be submitted before you can enroll in the program.

What additional documents are required for my graduate application?

  1. Statement of Purpose: approximately 1-2 page document to describe your previous experiences, academic and research background, and future goals.  This statement is very important to our decision-making process, so make sure to emphasize what you will bring to the program and how this degree is integral to your future goals.
  2. CV: include all post-high school education and employment, as well as information about ongoing international affiliations and research funding.
  3. Three Letters of Recommendation: enter the email contact information for each of your recommenders with enough time for them to complete the request and submit a letter on your behalf before the deadline.

Am I required to identify a COP faculty mentor before applying to the program?

No.  You are welcome to indicate a faculty member or research area of interest in your Statement of Purpose, but you are not required to identify a faculty mentor as part of the application process. If you have identified a faculty member that you’d prefer to work with, please provide their name as the “Department Contact” in your UF Application.

Do you provide application fee waivers?

No. We understand that applying to graduate school can be expensive. Unfortunately, the College of Pharmacy is not able to provide fee waivers for the UF graduate application.

When will admissions decisions be made?

Decisions are made on a rolling basis and are dependent on available funding.  The first round of decisions are expected to be made by early March.  Decisions will continue to be made throughout the spring.

How many students are admitted each year?

The number of students in an incoming cohort varies each year and depends on a number of factors, including available graduate funding.  Over the past five years, the College of Pharmacy has admitted an average of 10% of applicants to the on-campus graduate program.

How can I check my application status?

You can check the receipt of materials by the UF Office of Admissions on the Check Status page, using the same username and password used to submit your application.  Please be aware that documents that have been received but not yet verified by the UF admissions team will not display a green check until that review has been completed. This official review process can take an extended amount of time, especially for international documents.

What if I need to amend or update my application after submitting?

Review your graduate application carefully before submission, as changes cannot be made once the application is submitted.  If you identify a mistake in your application, please contact GraduateAdmissions@cop.ufl.edu for guidance.

If admitted, when am I required to return my decision to accept or decline the offer?

As a member of the Council of Graduate Schools, Ph.D. applicants who receive funded offers of admission to the University of Florida are not obligated to return their decision until April 15.