Most Affordable Online Doctorate In Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) Programs of 2024

Programmatic Accreditation: Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education

Cost:
In-State | $39,910 per year
Out-of-State | $39,910 per year

Credits to Graduate: 145

Creighton University's Pharm.D. prioritizes flexibility with on-campus, online, and hybrid learning options. 

Students learn how to provide patient-focused, evidence-based care during the four-year program. Topics covered include patient assessment, pharmacotherapeutics, immunopharmacology, and biotechnology. 

The program requires five advanced pharmacy practice experiences that could include training in acute care, ambulatory care, and medication therapy management. The college partners with about 1,000 practice sites across the United States, giving enrollees many choices for their experiential learning. 

Distance learners make five visits to the campus in Omaha for an orientation, commencement ceremony,  and other activities. Admission requires at least 63 semester hours of prerequisite coursework.

Programmatic Accreditation: Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education

Cost per Credit:
In-State | $1,914
Out-of-State | $1,914

Credits to Graduate: 142

Duquesne University's online Pharm.D. program (OPP) offers the best of both worlds with an online program that includes limited instruction on campus in Pittsburgh. The program prepares enrollees to sit for the North American pharmacist licensure examination.

OPP offers a customizable pharmacy education with six concentrations: acute care, geriatrics, and ambulatory care. Student pharmacists earn certificates like immunization and tobacco treatment specialist, and can opt to pursue others such as diabetes care or substance use disorders. 

The program provides 1,784 hours of experiential education in various practice settings. Admission requires prerequisite coursework from an accredited four-year institution in the United States.

Programmatic Accreditation: Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education

Cost per Credit:
In-State | $27,484
Out-of-State | $27,484

Credits to Graduate: 65

Practicing pharmacists can pursue Howard University's nontraditional doctor of pharmacy entirely online. The program admits American and Canadian pharmacists with a U.S. pharmacy registration/license. Students complete the competency-based curriculum in 2.5-3 years as part of a cohort.

The 18-month program includes coursework in disease state management instruction. A six-month experiential learning component requires up to 1,440 hours in community, ambulatory care, acute care/medicine, and institutional/management clinical rotations.

Pharmacists begin the program with a three-day orientation covering clinical concepts and the online delivery format.

Programmatic Accreditation: Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education

Cost:
In-State | $29,600-$30,000 per year
Out-of-State | $29,600-$30,000 per year

Credits to Graduate: 136.25

Earning Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine's online Pharm.D. positions graduates for licensure to practice pharmacy in the United States. Students complete the four-year program as part of a cohort. An introduction to pharmaceutical sciences lays the foundation for more advanced knowledge and clinical training. 

Students learn pharmacotherapeutics, clinical pharmacokinetics, management, and patient safety. Participants supplement online learning with in-person casework and laboratory work completed during annual residencies on the Bradenton, Florida, or Erie, Pennsylvania, campuses. 

The program only enrolls U.S. citizens and U.S. permanent residents. Admission requires 54 credits of prerequisite coursework.

Programmatic Accreditation: Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education

Cost per Credit:
In-State | $1,110
Out-of-State | $1,110

Credits to Graduate: 43

The nontraditional doctor of pharmacy (NTDP) at MCPHS is designed for pharmacists licensed to practice in the United States. The part-time online format allows pharmacists to continue their employment. Enrollees begin the program with an on-campus orientation in Boston. 

Key NTDP topics include pharmacotherapeutics practice, clinical pharmacokinetics, and drug literature resources and evaluation. Up to four 160-hour clinical rotations provide practical experience in ambulatory care, community, health systems, and internal medicine in the pharmacist's state of licensure. 

Prior work experience and other qualifications could lead to the pharmacy school waiving up to three rotations. Admission requires a BS in pharmacy and employment in a patient-care setting. 

Programmatic Accreditation: Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education

Cost per Credit:
In-State | $1,233
Out-of-State | $1,233

Credits to Graduate: 151

Saint John Fisher College's online Pharm.D. prepares enrollees for pharmacist licensure in New York State. The curriculum aligns with the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education's standards. It includes coursework on biosystems, state and federal pharmacy law, and applied pathophysiology and therapeutics. 

More advanced courses teach students how to compound pharmaceuticals and apply their knowledge and skills in pharmacy practice. Students supplement online learning with six campus immersions and 11 clinical rotations totaling 2,000 hours. 

The online Pharm.D. format offers small, live classes and downloadable videos, transcripts, and assignments. Admission requires pre-professional education from an accredited college.

Programmatic Accreditation: Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education

Cost:
In-State | $43,150 total program costs
Out-of-State | $43,150 total program costs

Credits to Graduate: 53

Shenandoah University's nontraditional doctor of pharmacy offers a pathway for licensed pharmacists to advance their education part time. Employed pharmacists can complete this degree online with access to streaming/downloadable lectures and other course material. Enrollees must participate in one on-site clinical assessment.  

The 53-credit curriculum covers applied pharmacokinetics and pharmacogenomics, patient assessment, and drug literature analysis/interpretation. The curriculum's integrated pharmaceutical care and science course series provides training in various specialties. 

Pharmacists complete advanced pharmacy practice experiences in ambulatory care, inpatient acute care, and other areas. Admission requires a license to practice in the United States.

Programmatic Accreditation: Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education 

Cost per Credit:
In-State | $1,353
Out-of-State | $1,719

Credits to Graduate: 65

The North American-Trained Pharm.D. (NTPD) at CU Denver enrolls pharmacists licensed to practice in the United States or Canada. Students complete the degree online in 2.5-6 years. NTPD requires didactic coursework and experiential training in pharmacotherapy, pharmacogenomics, ambulatory care, hospitals, and health system.

Elective coursework provides advanced training in innovation, entrepreneurship, or critical care. A notable elective gives pharmacists a peek into the inner workings of the pharmaceutical industry.

During a clinical capstone, students use their knowledge to address complex patient scenarios. Admission requires a pharmacy bachelor's degree from the United States, Canada, or another country.

Cost per Credit:
In-State | $2,163
Out-of-State | $2,163

Credits to Graduate: 64

The University of Southern California's doctor of regulatory science (DRSc) is offered by the school of pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences. A first-of-its-kind program, the DRSc typically enrolls students with 10-15 years of work experience in the product regulation industry. 

The 64-unit professional doctoral degree provides training for senior roles in academia, the life sciences industry, and the public sector. The curriculum examines project lifecycle strategy, project and personnel management, and global regulatory strategy and policy. Enrollees can take classes on campus or online, and they complete the degree in 4-5 years on average.