Advanced Degrees

Research that Reaches Out

Mercer University’s Pharmaceutical Sciences graduate programs empower you to fuel innovations in healthcare and shape the future of drug delivery. Whether you pursue the Master of Science (M.S.) or the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), you’ll immerse yourself in cutting-edge research, develop in-demand skills, and gain a competitive edge for a rewarding career in the pharmaceutical industry, government agencies, or academia.

Why Choose Mercer

• Real-world focus: Gain concrete skills and competencies through rigorous, research-driven programs: a 30-credit, two-year M.S. with laboratory-based learning (thesis or non-thesis options), or a 70-credit Ph.D. built around original dissertation research.
• Flexible pathways: Tailor your academic journey to fit your needs, including on-campus or synchronous remote learning options for the M.S. non-thesis track.
• Experienced faculty: Learn from renowned scientists and industry experts, gaining invaluable guidance and insight into the latest advancements in pharmaceutical research.
• Career-ready skills: Master data analysis, scientific writing, and communication, preparing you for immediate impact in your chosen field.

Graduate Admissions — Pharmaceutical Sciences

Mercer’s College of Pharmacy offers two graduate paths in Pharmaceutical Sciences: a Master of Science (M.S.) and a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.). The program welcomes professionals from a variety of healthcare backgrounds, including pharmaceutical industry professionals, government agency professionals, and pharmacy students (who receive a waiver of eight credits for Foundations in Pharmaceutical Sciences and Pharmacokinetics).

The admissions process identifies candidates with the greatest potential for success. Mercer evaluates each applicant’s academic performance, including undergraduate coursework, GPA, and GRE scores, alongside research experience, extracurricular involvement, and professional background.

Admission Requirements

All applicants must hold:

• A Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy, Chemistry, Biology, or an equivalent degree in a related field, or a Pharm.D. degree (Ph.D. applicants may also qualify with conditional admission upon completion of two years in the Pharm.D. program)
• A minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale

Ph.D. applicants must also meet:

• A minimum GRE score at the 40th percentile (verbal) and 60th percentile (quantitative)
• Qualified applicants with complete files who meet or exceed these criteria may be invited to campus for a personal interview

English proficiency (all applicants from non-English-speaking countries):

• A minimum TOEFL score of 100 (iBT) or 7.5 (IELTS)

Prerequisites

M.S. applicants should have completed:

• Calculus
• Statistics
• Biochemistry
• Anatomy and physiology

Ph.D. applicants should have completed:

• Integral and differential calculus
• Statistics
• One year of biochemistry
• One semester of mammalian physiology
• Expertise in at least one computer programming language

Applicants who have not completed these prerequisites may need to resolve deficiencies during their course of study. When no suitable graduate-level course is available, students must fulfill deficiencies through undergraduate coursework, which does not count toward graduate credit.

How to Apply

M.S. applicants must submit:

• A completed application, including official transcripts from each college or university previously or currently attended.
• Official TOEFL or IELTS scores (if required)
• A professional foreign credential evaluation (see below), if applicable
• Three letters of recommendation from individuals who can assess the applicant’s accomplishments and academic ability

Ph.D. applicants must submit:

• A completed application, including official transcripts from each college or university attended, covering all coursework completed toward a baccalaureate degree
• Three letters of recommendation from academic professors who can assess the applicant’s accomplishments and academic ability
• Official GRE scores, submitted using institution code 5623 (Mercer U Coll of Pharmacy) and department code 0613
• A professional foreign credential evaluation (see below), if applicable
• Official TOEFL scores, submitted using institution code 5623 and department code 0613, for applicants whose native language is not English (applications cannot be considered until Mercer receives these scores)

Foreign credential evaluations: International applicants, or domestic applicants with credentials from institutions outside the United States, must have those credentials evaluated by a professional evaluation service. The evaluation must analyze courses, grades, GPA, and U.S. degree equivalency. Mercer accepts evaluations from:

• Preferred: World Education Services
• Josef Silny & Associates, Inc.

Application Deadline

Mercer accepts Ph.D. applications on a rolling basis for the fall, spring, and summer semesters.

Special Student Classification (Ph.D.)

Certain individuals may apply as special students in the Ph.D. program. This classification allows enrollment upon submission of an application and official transcripts, and approval by the Director of Graduate Programs.

Applicants must hold at least a bachelor’s degree from an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education, and must meet all admission credentials except the GRE. Special student classification does not guarantee admission to the graduate program; students must reapply and satisfy all standard admission requirements for consideration. A special student may apply a maximum of nine credit hours as transfer credit toward the Ph.D. if the program of study can be completed within the stated residency period. Special students must submit applications at least thirty days before the start of the semester in which they seek special student classification.

Transfer Credit (Ph.D.)

With approval from the Director of Graduate Programs, students may transfer up to 15 semester hours of graduate-level credit from other approved institutions. Students must provide a transcript and descriptive course materials for each course to the Director of Graduate Programs, who determines course equivalence and the number of credit hours accepted. Mercer does not accept transfer credit for courses taken more than six years before Ph.D. program admission, or for courses in which the student earned below a B (or equivalent).

Advanced Standing

Transfer applicants seeking advanced professional standing must follow the transfer credit policy above. Mercer typically accepts credits from ACPE-accredited pharmacy colleges or schools for equivalent courses in which the student earned a C or better. Students must satisfy all course requirements in the current four-year Doctor of Pharmacy curriculum prior to graduation, complete a minimum of eight semesters in residence, and earn 137 credits at the College of Pharmacy.

To determine advanced standing, the Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs consults with the relevant department chairperson(s) to establish course equivalence, then makes the final transfer credit decision. The Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs handles all related correspondence.

Tuition and Financial Aid

M.S. Tuition: $750 per credit hour, plus a technology fee of $150 per semester, for an estimated total tuition of $23,400. The University’s Board of Trustees reserves the right to change tuition and fees upon recommendation and approval; any new schedule takes effect at the beginning of the summer term.

Ph.D. Financial Support: The department offers financial support to Ph.D. students through teaching assistantships and tuition waivers. Students receive competitive stipends for participation in laboratories and other College activities. Additional aid may be available through grants, contracts, and guaranteed student loans.

All graduate students: M.S. students qualify for private and federal loans. The University’s Office of Student Financial Planning helps students navigate financial aid options, including loans, grants, scholarships, and part-time employment. Students should apply for financial assistance as early as possible and complete the required forms, available on the website, to determine financial need. Financial aid advisers are available by appointment; call (678) 547-6444 to schedule.

Location: The Lofts Welcome Center
Hours: Monday–Thursday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.; Friday, 9:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; closed daily for lunch, 1:00–2:00 p.m.

Health Policies

All students must upload immunization documentation to the College of Pharmacy’s secure, third-party immunization management vendor and should keep a personal copy of the completed form.

• Students must provide documentation of two doses each of Measles, Mumps, and Rubella vaccines. Students unable to provide immunization dates may document immunity through a blood test (at their own expense); students who show no immunity must complete the first MMR dose before registering, with a second dose following within 30 days if required.
• All students must complete a PPD (Mantoux) tuberculosis skin test within 12 months prior to matriculation, regardless of prior BCG vaccination. Mercer does not accept the Tine test. Students with a positive skin test must provide a normal chest X-ray report (taken after the positive result) to register, and a physician should evaluate any positive result.
• Immunization requirements have changed in recent years, so students should not assume childhood immunizations meet current standards. Doctors’ offices, health departments, and schools can provide additional immunization records. Students should copy their completed health forms for personal records and mail the originals directly — not through healthcare providers, family members, or other colleges.

Exemptions:

• Religious exemption: a notarized letter on letterhead, signed by a religious official
• Medical exemption: a letter on office stationery, signed by a healthcare provider, stating the reason for exemption and whether it is permanent or temporary

Mercer recommends, but does not require, immunization against chickenpox (varicella), hepatitis A, hepatitis B, polio, influenza, and tetanus (booster within the past 10 years), as well as meningococcal meningitis. Some academic programs carry additional immunization requirements; students should confirm requirements with their specific program.

Contact:

Pharmaceutical Sciences Graduate Program
Mercer University College of Pharmacy
3001 Mercer University Drive
Atlanta, GA 30341
(678) 547-6237

pharmsciphd@mercer.edu