On cover: Nancy Ramirez, a member of the PharmD Class of 2028, is pictured near the Tommy Trojan statue before the USC Mann White Coat ceremony, an annual tradition that celebrates entering students and marks the start of their pharmacy education.
(Photo by Isaac Mora/USC Mann)
Vassilios Papadopoulos Dean
John Stauffer Decanal Chair in Pharmaceutical Sciences
“At USC Mann, we attract students who share our commitment to innovation and our desire to solve intractable health issues, shape the future of the profession and improve the lives of people everywhere.”
Kari L. Franson Senior Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs
“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.”
Numerous career options await our graduates, who are superbly trained experts in research, policy, community care and clinical practice.
XENIA MADERA
PharmD ‘07
INTEGRATIVE HEALTH
PHARMACIST & CONSULTANT
Elevance Health
KOMAL PATEL
PharmD ‘04
VICE PRESIDENT OF HEALTHCARE OPERATIONS
Interwell Health
LAMERROSEN
PharmD ‘06, BCCCP
FIELD MEDICAL DIRECTOR / MEDICAL SCIENCE LIAISON (VACCINES) Pfizer
private U.S. PharmD program according to U.S. News & World Report # 1
Top
10%
PharmD program overall according to U.S. News & World Report
650+
professional students
10+
dual degrees and seven areas of concentration offered to PharmD students
400+
volunteer faculty and preceptors across rotations and sites
95.9%
On-time graduation rate (PharmD Class of 2023)
$161,748
average salary for pharmacists in California according to salary.com (July 2024)
Identify practice opportunities early on through introductory pharmacy practice experiences, advanced pharmacy practice experiences, shadowing faculty, and community service and health fair opportunities
mentorship opportunities during the PharmD curriculum
14 Dynamic residency/ fellowship programs
designed to provide advanced skills while increasing postdoctoral scholars’ knowledge base through direct exposure
faculty 100+ in scholarships distributed in the 2024-25 academic year $8M
alumni living and working worldwide, including many pharmacists in Southern California 11,000+
4
Pinnacle Awards from the American Pharmacists Association—a national record
92.37%
Average pass rate on the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX) over the five-year period (2018-2022)
Nationally recognized expertise
in a broad array of practice areas among faculty and alumni
One of the nation’s top school’s for return on investment
World-renowned faculty and education that emphasizes excellence in clinical practice
medical center
in the heart of diverse Los Angeles County
Top-performing graduates and consistently above the national average in residency match rate
during summers to gain experience and hands-on skills
PharmD Candidate
B.S., Biological Sciences, Pre-Pharmacy, University of the Pacific
Part-time position at CVS Health
Started three-year Cedars-Sinai Medical Center inpatient internship part time
Elected Medical and Pharmacy Student Collaboration (MAPSC) clinic director
Volunteered at five American Pharmacy Student Alliance (APSA) health fairs
Completed California Right Meds Collaborative fellowship
My experience here at USC Mann has been nothing short of phenomenal. I am grateful that my schedule has allowed me to be involved with several community outreach projects in the greater Los Angeles area. Having summers free has given me a chance to explore different areas of interest, recharge from the demands of academic work, and work a full-time schedule at CedarsSinai Medical Center and CVS to gain clinical knowledge and help pay my tuition.
Moved to Los Angeles from Northern California
Completed one-year fellowship with California Right Meds Collaborative
P1 FALL
Part-time at CVS Health
Part-time fellowship with California Right Meds Collaborative PRE-P1
Began research project at Cedars-Sinai
Co-founded Southern California Outreach for Pharmacy Education (SCOPE)
High school student longitudinal Saturday Academy planned for fall semester launch
Ortho bundle short-stay readmission project
Volunteered at eight APSA Health Fairs and served as a training evaluator at three health fairs
Part-time position at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
SPRING P2
APSA health fair director for cholesterol awareness
Class of 2026 mock health fair evaluator
Breath of Life East L.A. health fair director
Korean American Pharmacy Student Association (KAPSA) health fair director
Maywood Center MAPSC Health Fair Director
Part-time position at Cedars-Sinai
Part-time position at CVS Health
Volunteered for five APSA health fairs
Elected to USC interprofessional education
Began a new research project at Cedars-Sinai subcommittee as the student representative
MAPSC street medicine clinic director
Healthcare in Action street medicine volunteer
Attended clinic weekly in a street and shelter medicine setting
Goal: Work in clinical pharmacy in an inpatient or ambulatory care setting
FALL P2
MAPSC street medicine clinic director
Healthcare in Action street medicine volunteer
Attended clinic weekly in a street and shelter medicine setting
Launched SCOPE
Saturday Academy
Updated SCOPE Academy program for fall
MAPSC street medicine clinic coordinator
Attended clinic weekly in a street and shelter medicine setting
Part-time at CVS Health
Full-time at Cedars-Sinai in IV room
Serve as lead Intern coordinating schedule, recruitment, meetings
Developing USC Mann x Cedars-Sinai Bridge program for institutional leadership and administration
New research project at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
We offer a breadth of opportunities to reflect your interests and goals, and help you find your passion while differentiating yourself in the job market. Tailor your degree by pursuing an area of concentration, dual degree, certificate or specialized electives.
Earn two complementary, in-demand degrees simultaneously. Dual degrees available:
• Biopharmaceutical Marketing
• Business
• Doctor of Philosophy
• Law
• Gerontology
• Global Medicine
• Healthcare Decision Analysis
• Public Health
• Regulatory Science
• Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Clinical and Experimental Therapeutics
• Molecular Pharmacology and Toxicology
Add a concentration to your PharmD degree by completing 12 units in one of the following areas:
• Comprehensive Medication Management and High-Risk Populations
• Education
• Health Systems and Care Management
• Pharmacy Entrepreneurship
• Pharmaceutical Industry
• Research
• Sports Pharmacy
Personalize your PharmD with elective courses such as:
• Clinical Problem-Solving
• Complementary/Alternative Therapeutics
• Health Systems Pharmacy
• Geriatric Pharmacy
• Marketing and Development in the Pharmaceutical Industry
• Medical Spanish for Pharmacists
• Pharmacy Practice in Women’s Health
• Sleep and the Pharmacologic Management of Its Disorders
• Cannabis-User Safety
• Sports Pharmacy
Chudi Okafor PharmD ‘26
“My journey at USC Mann has been incredibly rewarding. I’ve had the privilege of learning from outstanding faculty and giving back through volunteer activities aimed at underserved communities in greater Los Angeles. With my summer between P1 and P2 open, I pursued my passion for the industry through an oncology internship at Johnson & Johnson. This experience allowed me to connect with leading experts in pharmaceutical R&D and expand my clinical knowledge.”
Pharmacists with expertise in gerontology and geriatrics are in an excellent position to play a leading role in health policy and direct patient care. The PharmD/MS in Gerontology program provides extensive education and training in the unique health care needs of older adults. It allows student pharmacists with a career interest in geriatrics or gerontology to work with healthcare-planning and healthcare-delivery organizations to develop and implement progressive pharmaceutical care programs for the elderly. Offered in partnership with the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology: gero.usc.edu; 213-740-5156.
In the PharmD/MS Regulatory Science program, pharmacy education is enhanced by knowledge and skills related to medical product development and regulation. The program provides an opportunity for advanced preparation in the fields of clinical research, regulatory affairs and quality assurance. Skilled personnel are needed to fill positions in industry and government. The program takes advantage of the complementary requirements and favorable scheduling of two standalone programs, the PharmD and the MS in Regulatory Science. It permits students to use certain courses as dual credits to minimize duplication of content and reduce program length. Offered by the USC Mann School’s Department of Regulatory and Quality Sciences: regulatory.usc.edu; 323-442-3102.
There is a growing need for health professionals with legal backgrounds. The USC Mann School, in partnership with the USC Gould School of Law, has met this challenge by developing a PharmD/JD dual-degree program. This program provides specifically chosen students the opportunity to combine expertise from two distinctly different yet complementary disciplines. Students develop expertise within both disciplines. For example, you can combine interests in administrative, industrial, substance abuse, primary care, geriatric and/ or pediatric pharmacy with medical malpractice, tort liability, product liability, intellectual property, patent and professional responsibility law. Graduates are highly suited to pursue careers in health-related law within the pharmaceutical industry, patent law, managed care or private practice. Offerered in partnership with the USC Gould School of Law: gould.usc.edu; 213-740-2523.
For more information on our dual-degree programs, visit mann.usc.edu
In response to the growing demand for pharmacists knowledgeable in both pharmacy and business, the USC Mann School pioneered an exciting innovation in pharmaceutical education by developing a dual degree that combined a PharmD with an MBA. This five-year dualdegree program, established in 1988, permits participants to complete all pharmacy and business school requirements in of five years—one year less than would be required if a student completed each degree independently. Offered in partnership with the USC Marshall School of Business: marshall.usc.edu; 213-740-6548.
Pharmacists have expanded beyond the traditional role of dispensing medications to become an integral part of the healthcare team, with expertise in patient drug therapy. In response to a growing demand for pharmacists who are knowledgeable in both pharmacy and population-based health care, USC Mann and the Keck School of Medicine of USC have developed a dual-degree program that combines a PharmD and Master of Public Health. Offered in partnership with the Keck School’s Department of Population and Public Health Sciences: pphs.usc.edu; 626-457-6676.
The USC Mann School’s PharmD/ PhD dual-degree program integrates the professional pharmacy school curriculum with graduate curricula in the sciences (Molecular Pharmacology and Toxicology; Pharmaceutical Economics and Policy; and Pharmaceutical Sciences) to develop an accelerated course of study leading to both the PharmD and PhD. The program is prepares clinical scientists for careers in academia, government or industrial settings. Learn more at: pharmgradprograms.usc.edu; 323-442-1474.
The PharmD/Master in Biopharmaceutical Marketing provides graduates with the knowledge to become experts in growth sectors beyond the current healthcare and global biopharmaceutical industry, including newly emerging diagnostics and medical technology devices. Graduates of the program will have developed strategic management tools for business careers in biopharmaceuticals, medical devices and diagnostics, digital health, and health care consulting. The PharmD and Masters curricula must be completed concurrently. Offered by USC Mann Division of Healthcare and Biopharmaceutical Business; 213-821-6478.
The PharmD/MS in Global Medicine dual degree is designed for students who are interested in providing pharmaceutical care to underserved populations around the world. Students benefit from an advanced understanding of modern medicine in developing countries. Graduates will be able to serve as pharmacists in both domestic and global healthcare settings with special expertise in pharmacotherapy issues, or as researchers at biopharmaceutical companies’ global health programs. Offered in partnership with the Keck School of Medicine of USC: msgm.usc.edu; 323-442-3141.
The Master of Science in Healthcare Decision Analysis (HCDA), offered by the USC Mann School’s Division of Healthcare and Biopharmaceutical Business, gives students the tools and knowledge to succeed in the complex world of healthcare data analytics, international access and reimbursement, product pricing and value assessment, insurance operations and design, along with competitive business intelligence. Learn more at: mann.usc.edu; 323442-1369.
PharmD/MS in Pharmaceutical Sciences
PharmD/MS in Clinical and Experimental Therapeutics
PharmD/MS in Molecular Pharmacology and Toxicology
Students learn how managed care impacts the healthcare system, the various roles of pharmacists— in health systems, the insurance industry and the pharmaceutical industry—the fundamentals of health insurance and managing risk in the pharmacy practice setting.
Students gain specialized knowledge and skills in the healthcare needs of high-risk populations, including geriatric pharmacy and needs of underserved patients. Students acquire advanced skills in comprehensive medication management through practice and project opportunities.
Students develop an advanced research project with mentorship and guidance from a faculty member for hands-on experience in basic, translational and clinical research.
Students learn about pharmacy education, including educational theory, teaching strategies, accreditation standards, creating and delivering educational programming, academic research, building a teaching portfolio and careers in academia.
Students learn about community pharmacy practice involving location analysis, pharmacy management principles and business law concepts. They are also exposed to risk assessment and management in pharmacy practice and subspecialties available in independent pharmacy including specialty pharmacy, 340B pharmacy, durable medical equipment, compounding, long-term care and infusion.
Students are exposed to pharmaceutical development, business marketing and commercialization, and safety and regulations during drug and medical product development.
With an eye toward the L.A. Olympics in 2028, our newest concentration exposes students to this growing field.
Didactic Courses (6 units)
PHRD640: Sports Pharmacy
Students will be connected with sports pharmacists, sports scientists and other health professionals who are working in the growing specialty of sports pharmacy. Students will explore how the sports pharmacy practice can be incorporated into their future careers.
PHRD641: Focused Sports Physical Assessment and Drug Management.
This course focuses on screenings and physical assessments related to sports injuries or sportsrelated situations. Students will master clinical skills during pharmacist-athlete conversations, especially when it comes to counseling about self-treatment with non-prescription drugs and interpretation of anti-doping
PHRD 599: Sports and Dietary Supplements
Students will gain insight on the dietary supplements market and regulations, sports supplements and associated risks and how sports pharmacists can help athletes become wellinformed consumers and reduce the risk of inadvertent doping when using these products.
Experiential Courses (6 units)
Interprofessional sports pharmacy ambulatory care rotation
Athlete-centric community pharmacy rotation
Michael Kessler, PharmD ’21, joined USC Mann as a sports pharmacist in February 2024 and serves on the USC Athletics interprofessional medical team. He holds a master’s in kinesiology and exercise science and previously worked with the Los Angeles Chargers.
P1 FALL
Started internship at PIH
Good Samaritan Hospital
Elected Medical and Pharmacy Student
Collaboration (MAPSC) level 1 representative
USC Mann Student Admissions Committee member
Community Pharmacy
Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience (IPPE) at Janna Compounding Pharmacy
Latinx Advancing in Pharmacy (LAP) member
American Pharmacy Student Alliance (APSA) general member
Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP) general member
Gilberto Peña
PharmD Candidate
B.S., Pharmacology and Drug Development, USC
P1 SPRING
Part-time position at PIH Good Samaritan
Nominated as a Margaret and John Biles Leadership Center student ambassador
Phi Delta Chi active member
P2 FALL
Part-time position at PIH
Good Samaritan Hospital
MAPSC president-elect
AMCP Pharmacy & Therapeutics Competition participant
Information technology (IT) Liaison, a paid student worker position
Elected pharmaceutical industry area of concentration
Full-time position at PIH
Good Samaritan
Started research project at PIH Good Samaritan
MAPSC health fair intern ambassador planning for fall orientation for incoming class
The resources and Trojan network at my disposal at USC Mann have presented me with significant opportunities on and off campus to succeed in my career. I have been able to proactively exercise my summers to intern in an inpatient hospital setting and pharmaceutical industry setting, while growing as a leader through the planning of extracurricular seminars. USC has encouraged me to pursue goals beyond my comfort zone and explore the pharmacy profession.
Founded USC Chapter of the National Hispanic Pharmacists Association (NHPA) and became founding president
Coordinated and planned summer
USC Mann Leadership Seminar
South Bay/Long Beach Society of Health-System Pharmacists mentorship program coordinator
Attended Western Pharmacy Exchange conference in Las Vegas
Elective IPPE at RIS Rx healthcare technology organization
Institutional IPPE at L.A. General in internal medicine
Full-time position at PIH Good Samaritan
Hosted California Schools of pharmacy for USC Mann
Leadership Seminar MAPSC health fair intern
Ambassador planning for fall orientation for incoming class
P3 FALL
MAPSC president
USC student-run clinic undergraduate liaison
Phi Lambda Sigma alumni liaison
USC Mann Alumni engagement board member
P3 SPRING
Began Healthcare Decision Analysis (HCDA) master’s graduate certificate program
Presented research conducted at PIH
Good Samaritan Hospital
Industry Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE) at Emmaus Life Sciences
Summer Amgen internship (Commercial Leadership and Insights) during break in APPEs
Primary Care/Ambulatory Care
APPE USC virtual pharmacist
Elective APPE Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Goal: Work in the pharmaceutical industry to improve patient experiences through consumer market research and marketing
To be eligible for the PharmD program, you must meet certain academic requirements.
Complete a bachelors degree and all prepharmacy required courses with a grade of C or higher at least one week before you enter our program.
Achieve a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA (on a 4.0 scale) in all college work and pre- pharmacy required courses at an accredited two- or four-year college (biochemistry must be taken at a four-year institution).
A communications/public speaking course will be required for the PharmD class entering in Fall 2026.
Visit our website: https://mann.usc.edu/program/doctor-of-pharmacypharmd/admissions/course-equivalencies/ for course equivalencies at your school.
• Over $8 million available for students. We’ll help you get the best pharmacy education so you can start your career on top.
• The USC Mann School awards a variety of scholarships each year to new students based on academic performance, citizenship, extracurricular activities, pharmacy interest and/ or financial need.
• Federal and private student loans are available to all students.
Complete Your Pharmacy College Application Service (PharmCAS) https://pharmcas.org Apply
General Biology
One year course with laboratory, excluding human anatomy and physiology
General Chemistry
One-year course with laboratory, including inorganic and qualitative analysis
Organic Chemistry
One year course with laboratory
Calculus
One semester or two quarters
Microbiology
One course
Biochemistry
One course
Human Physiology
One semester or two quarters
*Human Physiology for science majors is required. If taking a combined Anatomy and Physiology course, the entire series must be completed.
Students can apply for federal or private loans to cover any gaps they may have through the cost of attendance.
Over 80% of our students work and have paid internships
Students tell us they earn between $10,000 to $40,000 per year
Students work 40+ hours in the summer and part time during the year
Gaining a significant amount of work experience while in a four-year program
Gaining professional development, leadership, mentorship, and network
If eligible, incoming students can earn a scholarship ranging up to $32,500, with an average scholarship over $17,000.
Tuition cost: $67,186 per year
Moved to Los Angeles from Orange County
Started research in the lab of USC Mann Associate Dean for Research Annie Wong-Beringer
Started position as Information technology (IT) liaison, a paid student worker position
Los Angeles General Medical Center rotation
Volunteered at five health fairs
Medical and Pharmacy
Student Collaboration (MAPSC) interdisciplinary clinic volunteer
“Started internship at Ralphs Pharmacy
Nominated to be a Margaret and John Biles Leadership Center student ambassador
Volunteered at two APSA health fairs
MAPSC interdisciplinary clinic volunteer
Joined MAPSC, American Pharmacy Student Alliance (APSA), Industry Pharmacists Association (IPhO) and Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP)
Founding member of Black Pharmacy Society affinity group
Part-time position at Ralphs Pharmacy
Part-time work in WongBeringer lab
My experiences at USC Mann prepared me to become a clinician-scientist. I had a desire to practice as a pharmacist while performing research that could be beneficial to patients. My rotations, work at Ralph’s Pharmacy and experience in the UCLA Hotspotters program helped me discover a love for outpatient pharmacy. During the summer, I was able to do additional rotations and work in pharmacy to supplement and practice the material I was learning in class. I also was able to perform research and sharpen my skills as well as gain new skills that helped me move my research forward.
Hosted inaugural Black Experience in Healthcare Education panel
Part-time position at Ralphs Pharmacy
Part-time work in the Wong-Beringer lab
Full-time Dean’s Summer Research PharmD Fellowship
Community pharmacy Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience (IPPE) at Clinica Romero
Hospital IPPE at Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center
Awarded American Foundation of Pharmaceutical Education Gateway to Research Fellowship
Full-time Dean’s Summer Research PharmD Fellowship
Part-time position at Ralphs Pharmacy
P3 FALL
Part-time position at Ralphs Pharmacy
Part-time work in Wong-Beringer lab
Community IPPE at White Memorial Plaza Pharmacy
UCLA Hotspotter Program participant
Recipient of the United Food and Commercial Workers
Joseph T. De Silva Scholarship
P3–P4 SUMMER
Huntington Hospital Infectious Disease APPE
Community APPE at CedarsSinai
Recipient of the United Food and Commercial Workers
Joseph T. De Silva Scholarship
Recipient of American Society for Microbiology Minority Abstract Award
Presented research at the American Society for Microbiology World Microbe Forum
Part-time position at Ralphs Pharmacy
PHD FALL 1
Started PhD program in Clinical and Experimental Therapeutics
Teaching assistant for Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacy Practice and Professionalism courses
Ambulatory care and acute care APPEs at Cedars-Sinai
Published first author research paper in the journal mSphere
Awarded Order of Arete at USC
Graduated with Doctor of Pharmacy from USC Mann
Hospital APPE at Providence
Tarzana Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Part-time position at Ralphs Pharmacy
Part-time work in WongBeringer lab
Goal: Continue to practice outpatient/ ambulatory care pharmacy
Teaching assistant for Oncology and Nonprescription Therapies courses
Received Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award
Received Culty Graduate Student Diversity Scholarship
Co-Liaison for Black Pharmacy Society Affinity Group
Panelist, Women’s Experience in Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Event (DHI x DEI x LKS)
PharmD ’22
PhD Candidate
B.S., Pharmaceutical Sciences, UC Irvine
Jessica Abraham, PharmD ’11
Director of Population Health
USC Mann
Ken Thai, PharmD ’02
CEO
986 Degrees Corporation
Jack Simityan,
PharmD ’11 Chief Pharmaceutical Officer Sortpak Rx Inc.
“After completing an ambulatory care residency at USC Mann, I was a lead pharmacist in the school’s $12 million Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation grant promoting pharmacists collaboratively working with physicians to improve health outcomes while reducing costs. This led to a managed care opportunity with what is now Optum Health, where I spearheaded multiple medication management programs. I returned to USC Mann to cultivate partnerships that develop value-based pharmacy strategies aligned with population health priorities. Working for a national leader known for its progressive curriculum and clinical excellence allows me to truly make a difference.”
“USC is definitely true to its reputation of providing broad networking opportunities. I can name so many faculty members that have served as role models and mentors in my professional career.”
“The USC Alfred E. Mann School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences prepares its students for any career they want to pursue, whether it be in clinical pharmacy, regulatory science, business or any unique path that hasn’t been explored. The curriculum is incredibly advanced and the hands-on training I received at the university is unmatched and prepared me for my path in entrepreneurship.”
Members of the PharmD class of 2028 recite the Oath of a Pharmacist during USC Mann White Coat Ceremony, a tradition which marks the start of their pharmacy education.
