Application and Admissions

The Graduate Program in Pharmaceutics seeks top applicants from a wide range of disciplines such as pharmacy, physical chemistry, chemical engineering, biochemistry, pharmacology, computer science, and biostatistics.

Application Process Overview

Applying to a graduate program can be a lengthy endeavor, so it is helpful to understand how the process works. The general sequence of events is as follows:

You will submit your application materials into the online application system. The system will guide you through each step. When all required materials have been received, your file will undergo a formal appraisal by the Pharmaceutics department faculty. This typically occurs January through March, and occasionally continues into April or May. Incomplete applications cannot be evaluated. Your patience is appreciated while each application receives a careful and thorough review. Decisions will be made at the earliest possible time, and applicants may be placed on a waiting list for admission. You will receive communications from both the Pharmaceutics department and the Graduate School admissions office.

Visit the Graduate School website for help with checking your application status.

International applicants can also find additional help on the International Student Resources page.

Plan Ahead

Begin preparation 12 months in advance of your desired term. For example, if you hope to be admitted for entry in fall 2026:

Spring or summer 2025: Schedule the date for your English language proficiency exam for applicants who have not completed secondary or post-secondary school in the U.S. or in a country on this list.
August-September 2025: Ask your recommenders for letters. Input all credentials in the online application before submitting it.
September-November 2025: Review your application online to ensure that ALL required materials arrive on or before our deadline of December 31, 2025. Early applications are highly encouraged. Late applications will only be considered on a space and funds available basis.
January-March 2025: Pharmaceutics faculty will begin the process of evaluating completed applications and scheduling interviews with top candidates.

After you submit the application, it is important to periodically check the status online and monitor your email for communications from the Pharmaceutics Graduate Program and Graduate School Admissions Office. If anything is missing, they will send you a message.

Deadline

Fall 2026 is the next opportunity to be considered for admission. December 31, 2025 is the deadline for submitting an application. Applications will not be reviewed by the faculty until all of the required materials have been received. Fully completed applications received by December 31 will be given priority consideration for admission and financial support. Early applications are highly encouraged; late applications will only be considered on a space and funds available basis.

Due to the cohort nature of our program, we only admit new graduate students to start in the fall semester.

Requirements

Academic History

A Bachelor's degree showing exceptional scholastic performance from a recognized institution is required to apply. A US grade point average of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale, or the equivalent from foreign institutions, and having completed a course or courses in integral and differential calculus is considered to be competitive.

Attach a legible scan or download from each college or university you have attended, including current institution if applicable. Each must include your name, the institution's name, and the courses for which you have enrolled. Do not send official (paper) transcripts at this time. These will be required only if you receive and accept admission.

Visit the Graduate School website for transcript help.

Test Scores: TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, or Duolingo

Required for all applicants who have not completed secondary or post-secondary school in the U.S. or in a country on this list*.

*Not all countries where English is an official language or is widely spoken are included on the English proficiency exemption list. The English Language Requirement is set by a University-wide ESL Policy committee which includes representatives from: Undergraduate Admissions Office, Graduate Admissions Office, Minnesota English Language Program, International Student and Scholar Services, and the UMD Graduate School.

For more information, please visit the University of Minnesota Graduate School's English proficiency requirements page.

TOEFL

The exam date must be within two years of graduate program start date.

Preferred TOEFL minimum scores:

Reading: 19
Writing: 21
Listening: no minimum
Speaking: 23
TOTAL: 100

Official TOEFL scores must be electronically transmitted by ETS and it is highly recommended that you also attach a scan or screenshot of your official notification.

When sending TOEFL scores via ETS, use Institution Code 6874 - University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (Minneapolis/St. Paul). Please allow 4-6 weeks for scores to be received and matched to your application.

IELTS

The exam date must be within two years of graduate program start date.

Preferred IELTS minimum scores:

Reading: 6.5
Writing: 6.5
Listening: no minimum
Speaking: 7
OVERALL: 7

Official IELTS scores can be sent electronically. When prompted, please select University of Minnesota Graduate Admissions All Campuses from the drop-down menu.

Official IELTS scores can also be sent by physical mail. When prompted, please enter the following address:

University of Minnesota Twin Cities Graduate Admissions
309 Johnston Hall
101 Pleasant St SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455

It is highly recommended that you also attach a scan or screenshot of your official notification.

Please allow 4-6 weeks for scores to be received and matched to your application.

PTE Academic

The exam date must be within two years of graduate program start date.

Preferred PTE minimum scores:

Writing: 59
Reading: 59
Listening: no minimum
Speaking: 64
TOTAL: 68

Official PTE scores must be sent by the appropriate test center and it is highly recommended that you also attach a scan or screenshot of your official notification.

Request official score reports be sent to the following mailing address:

Graduate School Admissions Office
University of Minnesota
309 Johnston Hall
101 Pleasant Street SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455

Please allow 4-6 weeks for scores to be received and matched to your application.

Duolingo

The exam date must be within two years of graduate program start date.

Preferred Overall Score:

120 or above

Required Literacy Section Sub Score:

115 or above

Preferred Conversation Section Sub Score:

110 or above

Official scores must be electronically transmitted by Duolingo and it is highly recommended that you also attach a scan or screenshot of your official notification.

Refer to the Duolingo instructions for submitting your scores to the University of Minnesota. Please allow 4-6 weeks for scores to be received and matched to your application

Materials

Required for all applicants

Personal Statement: Describe your immediate and long-range career objectives and your areas of research interest in Pharmaceutics.

Optional

Diversity Statement: Write a statement that identifies the distinctive characteristics and/or life experiences, such as successfully overcoming obstacles or hardships, that you would bring to your program and how that could contribute to the education and enhanced perspective of fellow students in the Department of Pharmaceutics and at the University of Minnesota.
Extenuating Circumstances Statement: If you would like to provide an explanation of circumstances that contributed to your test scores or GPA.
Resume/CV
Writing Sample: Abstracts, papers, articles, etc.
Description of Research
Graduate Program Additional Material: Calculus course description or syllabus, description of teaching or research experiences, courses you have taught, honors earned, etc.

Application and Admissions

The Graduate Program in Pharmaceutics seeks top applicants from a wide range of disciplines such as pharmacy, physical chemistry, chemical engineering, biochemistry, pharmacology, computer science, and biostatistics.

Application Process Overview

Plan Ahead

Requirements

Pharmaceutics

Contact us

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Application and Admissions

The Graduate Program in Pharmaceutics seeks top applicants from a wide range of disciplines such as pharmacy, physical chemistry, chemical engineering, biochemistry, pharmacology, computer science, and biostatistics.

Application Process Overview

Plan Ahead

Requirements

Pharmaceutics

Contact us

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