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The USC Mann School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, a pioneer in pharmacy education, established the world’s first Doctor Of Pharmacy (PharmD) program. We continue to lead the way, shaping future pharmacists to excel in patient care and community health at the highest professional levels. Earning your Doctor of Pharmacy degree at USC positions you for leadership roles across diverse pharmacy fields. Our dynamic curriculum is continuously updated to reflect the evolving role of pharmacists as essential frontline healthcare providers.
Discover the USC Mann experience firsthand by attending one of our hybrid information sessions. Gain valuable insights and application tips at our Acing the Pharmacy Application workshops.
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Key Application Dates for Your Doctor of Pharmacy Journey:
- July 11, 2024: PharmCAS application opens for fall 2025 enrollment.
- October – May: Interviews for selected candidates.
- November 1, 2024 (11:59 p.m. HST): Priority PharmCAS application deadline (including recommendations and transcripts).
- February 3, 2025 (11:59 p.m. HST): Regular PharmCAS application deadline (including recommendations and transcripts).
- Two weeks post-admission notification: Commitment Deposit Fee due to the School’s Admissions Office.
- For international coursework/degrees: Arrange credential verification via the International Education Research Foundation to be sent to USC.
- August 18-22, 2025: Mandatory orientation for all new PharmD students.
- August 25, 2025: First day of classes for the PharmD program.
Interview Schedule for Doctor of Pharmacy Applicants:
In-Person Interviews (12:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. PST):
- Friday, October 25, 2024
- Friday, November 15, 2024
- Friday, January 24, 2025
- Friday, February 21, 2025
- Friday, April 25, 2025
Virtual Interviews (3 p.m. – 5:15 p.m. PST):
- Thursday, December 19, 2024
- Thursday, March 13, 2025
- Thursday, May 15, 2025
Please note: Interview dates are subject to change.
Why Choose USC Mann for Your Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) Degree?
USC Mann School of Pharmacy distinguishes itself through several key advantages, providing an unparalleled educational experience for aspiring Doctors of Pharmacy.
Real-World Clinical Experience from Year One
Our PharmD program emphasizes practical, hands-on learning from the very beginning. You will gain clinical pharmacy experience starting in your first year, allowing you to apply classroom knowledge in real-world healthcare settings. This early exposure provides immediate practical expertise that progressively advances with each semester, ensuring you are well-prepared for the demands of modern pharmacy practice.
Annie Ogostalick
Customizable and Broad Doctor of Pharmacy Curriculum
The USC Mann PharmD program offers a broad and customizable curriculum designed to match your career aspirations. Beyond the core Doctor of Pharmacy coursework, you can expand your expertise and career opportunities through dual degree, joint degree, and certificate programs. This flexible approach allows you to tailor your education to specialize in areas of interest, making you a highly competitive Doctor of Pharmacy graduate.
Commitment to Community Service and Health Equity
USC Mann is deeply committed to community engagement. As a PharmD student, you will participate in health fairs, immunization programs, and community clinic sessions, all under the supervision of experienced faculty and pharmacist preceptors. These experiences not only provide valuable practical skills but also instill a sense of social responsibility and commitment to serving diverse communities, particularly those facing health disparities.
Meleeneh Derhartunian
A Global Professional Network for Doctor of Pharmacy Graduates
Choosing USC Mann means joining a powerful global network. Our PharmD program provides extensive career support and networking opportunities to help you build a successful and impactful pharmacy career. Benefit from connections with alumni, faculty, and industry leaders, opening doors to diverse career paths and leadership positions after you earn your Doctor of Pharmacy degree.
Syed Zaidi
Hear from Our Doctor of Pharmacy Alumni
Annie Ogostalick, PharmD ’00, MS ’00, Field Director, West Medical Outcomes Science Liaisons, AbbVie:
“Doors opened wide for me because of the high-quality education, research experiences and world renowned faculty I experienced at USC Mann. I was fortunate to be in the first cohort of students awarded the John and Margaret Biles Leadership Scholarship in 1994. Dr. Biles personally mentored each of us to become leaders. I use many of the lessons he taught me in my daily work as a people leader at Abbvie.”
Anthony Sablan
Meleeneh Derhartunian, PhD, Molecular and Cellular Biology ’10, Certificate in Clinical Trial Design and Management, Regulatory Science, Regulatory Documentation Team Leader, Product Development, Genetech:
“My USC experiences and mentors enhanced both my technical and soft skills, priming me for my professional career. Their impact on me, professionally and personally, is priceless.”
Kari L. Franson, PharmD, PhD, BCPP, Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs, Professor of Clinical Pharmacy:
“At USC, we have a diverse definition of what a pharmacy career entails. Whatever you imagine for yourself, you can do it here, and you can find a mentor at USC to guide you along the way.”
Kaycey Pearce
Syed Zaidi, PharmD ’23, PGY1 Pharmacy Managed Care Residency at Kaiser Permanente in Sacramento, Calif.:
“One of the great highlights of my time as a student at USC Mann was contributing to my Los Angeles community in the fight to decrease the number of COVID-19 cases in L.A. County as the pandemic spread.”
Anthony Sablan, PharmD ’21, PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency, Kaiser Permanente Antelope Valley:
“The location allowed me to continue my studies while being relatively close to my loved ones in Southern California. The many opportunities to build my network with those associated with USC was something I highly valued. Furthermore, I wanted to gain experience in a wide variety of pharmacy settings in the Los Angeles area, which I knew USC offered.”
Jafar Essayli
Kaycey Pearce, PharmD ’21, PGY-1 Acute Care Residency, UC Davis Health:
“Honestly, I only wanted to go to USC. It was a calculated risk to only apply to one school, but I knew I wanted a program that would best prepare me for a residency and then ultimately as a competent clinician in my specialty. Since I came back to school as a non-traditional student, I was not going to settle for anything other than the best, which I believed to be USC for its unparalleled networking opportunities. I wanted to join a school that creates leaders who shape the pharmacy industry by extending the scope of practice.”
Luis Larios
Jafar Essayli, PharmD ’22, PGY1 Pharmacy Resident at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford:
“USC Mann prepared me to become a well-rounded clinician, communicator and educator. I appreciate the rich leadership, internship and clerkship opportunities the school has offered me and my colleagues. Personally, these experiences have trained me to build my communication skills, be innovative and enhance my time management ability. I look forward to utilizing these valuable exposures from the PharmD program to positively optimize patient outcomes as a future pharmacist.”
Luis Larios, PharmD ’25:
“USC Mann is located in East Los Angeles – an underserved community facing health disparities. I knew that attending USC would grant me opportunities to learn how I can be a valuable health care provider to vulnerable populations. I have been focused on building my network and meeting other like-minded healthcare professionals who want to make positive contributions to the field.”
Alexander Cantres
Alexander Cantres, PharmD ’25:
“When I was applying to pharmacy schools I was looking for diversity, professional networking and an advanced curriculum. I was attracted to the endless opportunities the School offers to students such as the opportunity to serve surrounding communities in Los Angeles, the connections the university has with professional leaders in the field, and the unique curriculum that offers students hands-on clinical experience within their first year in the program.”
Your Path to Becoming a Doctor of Pharmacy at USC Mann
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Our innovative, four-year Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program is structured to provide a comprehensive and immersive learning experience. Each semester, you will engage in 15 to 18 units of rigorous coursework. The first three years are dedicated to building a strong foundation in biomedical, clinical pharmaceutical, and social-administrative sciences, integrated with Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experiences (IPPEs).
The final year of your Doctor of Pharmacy program is focused on Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences (APPEs) in diverse healthcare settings across Los Angeles and beyond. You will also complete a capstone project, allowing you to further specialize your expertise and effectively launch your career as a Doctor of Pharmacy. Throughout your PharmD journey, you will be mentored by our internationally recognized faculty, who are committed to developing the next generation of pharmacy leaders.
