University of California, Irvine

The School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences

About the school

Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences

The UC Irvine School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences offers a range of academic programs with opportunities for clinical practice and research: Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Master of Science in Pharmacology, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Pharmacological Sciences, and Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD). 

The UCI School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences encompasses two departments: Pharmaceutical Sciences and Clinical Pharmacy Practice. Our faculty provide exceptional education, breakthrough scientific discoveries, and expert clinical care that translate into improved human health.

At UCI, we believe an optimized healthcare delivery system is team-based and integrative. As part of the College of Health Sciences, the UCI School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences actively collaborates with schools and programs in medicine, nursing, and population and public health to offer our students a competitive edge with interprofessional education.

Founded in 2020, the UCI School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences is the first public pharmacy school in the Los Angeles-Orange County region. Our innovative and rigorous programs span a continuum from discovery, development, and delivery of new drugs, devices, and diagnostics all the way to optimizing medication therapy in patients and patient populations.

Programs

B.S. in Pharmaceutical Sciences

UCI houses one of the top 5 feeder programs to pharmacy schools nationwide, and its undergraduate degree in pharmaceutical sciences is among the top-10 pharmaceutical sciences departments in the nation. The program curriculum integrates concepts from biology, chemistry, chemical engineering, pharmacology, and physiology. 

Masters of Science in Pharmacology

The master of science in pharmacology (MSP) is a two-year, 100% online degree program geared toward teaching students:

  • The fundamental principles of pharmacology
  • Mechanisms of drug action
  • Current topics in drug discovery
  • Strategies, techniques, and critical thinking skills needed for drug research

The program is designed for working professionals who are interested in advancing in their careers or enhancing their competitiveness for admission to other degree programs. The online format of the MSP program allows for greater flexibility and ease of attendance regardless of geographical location.

Pharmacological Sciences Ph.D. program

The PhD in pharmacological sciences program prepares students for a future in a variety of employment settings, ranging from academic research and industry to federal positions. Students can choose from one of three tracks within the program: pharmaceutical sciences, pharmacology, or medicinal chemistry.

PharmD Program

Our newest program, the doctor of pharmacy (PharmD), is uniquely qualified to educate pharmacists for the future because of its strong pharmaceutical sciences foundation, unique Susan & Henry Samueli College of Health Sciences structure for delivering interprofessional education, and its position within an academic health system, which provides a leading-edge clinical practice and learning environment. This professional degree leads to pharmacist careers in hospitals, outpatient ambulatory care settings, community pharmacies, nursing homes, managed care, academia, research, industry, government agencies, and other pharmacy practice settings.

Facts & Figures

  • Among the top-10 pharmaceutical sciences departments in the nation
  • Offers one of only a handful of undergraduate pharmaceutical sciences degrees in California
  • First public pharmacy school in the LA-OC region
  • No. 1 undergraduate institution for PharmCAS applicants in California
  • Top 5 for feeder schools for pharmacy programs nationwide

Jan Hirsch, Ph.D., Founding Dean

Jan Hirsch, BS Pharm, PhD is the Founding Dean of the University of California, Irvine School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences where she is also a professor of clinical pharmacy. She is a distinguished scholar and fellow of the National Academies of Practice (NAP) in Pharmacy, and distinguished fellow of the Get the Medications Right (GTMRx) Institute. Dean Hirsch joined UC Irvine in January of 2019.