Education

Interdisciplinary approach

Education is a highly interdisciplinary endeavor at UCSF — a natural outgrowth of UCSF’s hallmark interdisciplinary approach to research.

The education of health professional students is becoming increasingly interdisciplinary as issues of health care cost, quality, access, and disparities in the United States call for dramatic changes in how care is delivered.

Degree Programs

  • PharmD

    The UCSF doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) degree curriculum is a science-based, integrated, experiential course of study that prepares ambitious minds for diverse and dynamic careers in pharmacy and beyond.

  • Master of Science in AICD3

    The Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence and Computational Drug Discovery and Development (AICD3) graduate degree program trains students to apply computer science, data science, statistical analysis, machine learning, and other data-driven methods to redefine the discovery and development of new drugs and therapies.

  • Master of Translational Medicine

    The Master of Translational Medicine (MTM) degree program, which is co-directed by the school, trains students to apply translational research and engineering approaches to solve fundamental problems in health care delivery.

Combined Degree Programs

  • PharmD-PhD

    Due to the growing need for clinical scientists in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries to design and carry out clinical studies. UCSF is one of only a few universities in a position to train top-flight PharmD-PhD scientists.

  • PharmD-MSCR

    The Training in Clinical Research (TICR) program offers students in our PharmD program the opportunity to earn a master of science in clinical research (MSCR) degree.

  • PharmD-MS in AICD3

    Our Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence and Computational Drug Discovery and Development (AICD3) program can be combined with the PharmD program in a sequential manner.

PhD Degree Programs

The School of Pharmacy administers five PhD degree programs that sit under the broader umbrella of the Quantitative Biosciences Consortium (QBC), which promotes an interdisciplinary approach to science and education. The programs are delivered by faculty members in the School of Pharmacy and the School of Medicine. All are offered by the Graduate Division. For more information, see all Graduate Division Programs.

Postdoctoral Programs

  • Pharmacy residency

    Offers first-year general practice and second-year specialty residencies, administered by the UCSF Health Pharmacy Enterprise in partnership with Department of Clinical Pharmacy faculty.

  • Fellowship programs

    Fellowships provide early-career PharmD, PhD, and MD graduates with specialized training ranging from the lab to the clinic, company, and government agencies.

Career-Development Courses

The school shares its expertise nationally and internationally through the following courses, offered to professionals in industry, regulatory agencies, academia, and health care.

  • Medical product development

    American Course on Drug Development and Regulatory Sciences course provides education and training in the field of medical product development at an advanced level. It provides an opportunity to gain in-depth knowledge while building an international network. 

  • Tobacco cessation

    Rx for Change: Clinician-assisted tobacco cessation is a comprehensive training program that equips health professional students and practicing clinicians, of all disciplines, with evidence-based knowledge and skills for assisting patients with quitting.