Frequently Asked Questions

• Will the Master of Science in Pharmacy degree qualify me to obtain a license to practice pharmacy?
  No. The only degree currently offered in the United States that qualifies the recipient to practice pharmacy is the PharmD degree. The University of Florida does not have an online PharmD degree.
  
  
• Is relocation required?
  No. All courses are taught online.
  
  
• What about the three seminars in Gainesville?
  These are weekend seminars that begin at noon on Saturday and end in the late afternoon on Sunday. They are issues-oriented. There is one seminar each fall (usually mid-October) and one each spring (usually the first weekend in March). During the two years of the program there are four opportunities to attend a seminar, and three of them must be attended.
  

• Can I take longer than 2 years to complete the program ?
  Yes.  Many students spread out the coursework over 3 or 4 years.  After taking the foundations course in your program, you may take any course you want at any time the course is offered.
  
  
• How are the courses taught on the Internet?
  Each course relies on a core textbook or a set of readings.  The teaching platform is Electronic Learning System (ELS), an adaptation of Blackboard developed by the University of Florida.  On ELS, video and audio lectures are available at any time.  Students and faculty engage in spirited discussions on the discussion board.  ELS is where students find their written assignments and they turn in their assignments through ELS.  Live classes are held in the evenings using elluminate, a virtual classroom program. These live classes are usually held twice per week and students can view archived classes that they miss.  Live classes emphasize critical thinking and case studies.
  
  
• How will I be graded?
  The grading differs from one course to another. Usually professors assign grades based on class participation, written assignments, and performance on a midterm exam or project and the final exam or project.
  
  
• Since the courses are taught throughout the year, can a student enter the program at any time
  that a course is beginning?
  The “natural” entry points for the programs are in either August or January. Students who are well prepared and are highly motivated may be permitted to join at other times of the year.
  
  
• How long does it take to complete the program?
  If all courses are taken in sequence, students who start in August - finish in 22 months, and students who start in January - finish in 24 months.
  
  
• What are the requirements for admission to the programs?
  You must have an undergraduate degree (in any field) or a PharmD degree. You must take the Graduate Record Exam and obtain an acceptable score. Applicants who have already earned a master's degree and applicants who have already earned a doctorate (Pharm.D., J.D., M.D., Ph.D.) may be exempt from the requirement to submit a GRE score.
  
  
• What is the deadline for admission?
  For those who wish to begin their studies with the fall semester (late August), the deadline to apply is June 15. For those who wish to begin their studies with the spring semester (January), the deadline to apply is November 15.
  
  
• What is required for the admission process?
  Apply online by filling out the form at www.cop.ufl.edu/departments/PHCA/grad/application_ms.htm. You must have transcripts, from all colleges and universities you have attended, sent to the graduate admissions office at the address on the application. You must take the GRE if applicable to you. Letters of recommendation are not required for the distance learning masters programs.
  
  
• Are these programs open only to pharmacists?
  No. About half of our students are pharmacists and the other students have a wide range of educational and professional backgrounds. The diversity of our student body is its strength.
  
  
• How much do the programs cost?
  The cost for each program is $650 per credit hour, totaling $19,500 for the 30 credits necessary to complete the degree requirements.
  
  
• Is financial aid available?
  Yes. Federal loans are available to those who are pursuing a master's degree. Scholarships are currently being developed, but there are currently no university-based scholarships for these programs.
  
  
• What is the deadline paying tuition, and what is the policy for reimbursement if I must withdraw from class?
  Tuition must be paid by 5 p.m. on Friday of the first week of class each semester. Full tuition reimbursement is extended to anyone who withdraws before 5 p.m. on Friday of the first week of class each semester. A 50% tuition reimbursement is extended to anyone who withdraws before 5pm on Friday of the second week of class each semester. Students who withdraw from class after 5 p.m. on Friday of the second week of class will not be reimbursed for tuition they have paid. Petitions describing medical hardships and other personal circumstances, with request for a refund beyond these allowances, will be accepted but there is no guarantee of approval.
  
  
• Can I take a course or two, but not take the entire curriculum?
  Yes, you will need to be registered as a non-degree seeking student.
  
  
• Is a certificate awarded to students who complete some of the program, but not all of it?
  Yes, a University of Florida Certificate of Completion is awarded to any student who completes five 3-credit courses. To be awarded a certificate, there is no requirement for seminar attendance or for completion of the comprehensive final exam.
  Non-degree seeking students do not qualify for financial aid.