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2023 Pharmacology & Toxicology Degree Guide

Are you interested in curing diseases? Do you want to help develop new drugs and chemicals to help save lives? If the answer is yes, Pharmacology and Toxicology could be the major for you.

This major involves the study of biology and biomedical sciences, as well as pharmacology and toxicology. These two topics work well together as you study drugs in pharmacology and poisons in toxicology. Both topics will focus on the chemical makeup and the interactions and effect these substances have on the body. Medicines need to balance risks and side effects with benefits.

Courses that are associated with pharmacology and toxicology are: biology, chemistry, biopharmacy, organic chemistry, physiology, risk assessment methodologies, medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, food toxicology, ecology, and advanced mathematics.

Concentrations within this major include: Molecular Pharmacology, Neuropharmacology, Toxicology, Molecular Toxicology, and Environmental Toxicology among others.

Pharmacology & Toxicology Degrees Decreasing

#233 Most Popular Major
1k Degrees Awarded
-11.0% Increase in Graduates

Pharmacology & Toxicology was the 233rd most popular major in the 2020-2021 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 1,042 degrees in this year alone. This represents a 11.0% reduction in pharmacology degrees awarded over the prior year's total of 1,157.

This year's Best Pharmacology & Toxicology Schools ranking compares 86 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Explore this or one of our many other custom pharmacology rankings further below.

2023 Best Colleges for Pharmacology & Toxicology
2023 Overall Best Pharmacology & Toxicology Colleges >

Best Pharmacology & Toxicology Schools by Degree

Bachelor's Degrees in Pharmacology & Toxicology
Master's Degrees in Pharmacology & Toxicology
Doctorate Degrees in Pharmacology & Toxicology

Requirements for Getting a Degree in Pharmacology & Toxicology

Accuracy and attention to detail is very important in this major. You will be exposed to the mechanics of making a medicine, as well as designing and testing drugs. It is very important to be accurate when testing results and side effects.

Like most biology majors, you will spend a lot of time working and researching in the laboratory. Here you will learn valuable techniques: how to conduct research, analyze your findings and report results. There will be a mixture of group work and independent projects. Work on your time management and communication skills to be able to meet deadlines and write clear and understandable reports.

Prior Education for a Pharmacology Program

A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for most pharmacology degree programs and many students will need a minimum GPA and SAT/ACT score depending on the school. Once you obtain your degree, additional pharmacology certifications required to pursue a career in this field.

Types of Pharmacology & Toxicology Degrees

Pharmacology degree levels vary. You can spend many years getting as high as a in pharmacology and toxicology to something that takes less time like a . Depending on the pharmacology and toxicology degree you choose, obtaining your diploma can take anwhere from 1 to 4+ years.

Degree Credit Requirements Typical Program Length
Associate Degree 60-70 credits 2 years
Bachelor’s Degree 120 credits 4 years
Master’s Degree 50-70 credits 1-3 years
Doctorate Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation At least 4 years

A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to pharmacology, with approximately 28.6% of workers getting one. Find out other typical degree levels for pharmacology workers below.

Level of Education Percentage of Workers
Bachelor’s Degree 28.3%
Doctoral Degree 21.9%
Post-Doctoral Training 21.8%
Master’s Degree 20.8%
Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) 2.3%

64.2% of pharmacology workers have at least a master's. See the chart below for the most common degree level workers in pharmacology and toxicology have received.

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This of course varies depending on which pharmacology career you choose.

Career Opportunities for Pharmacology Majors

Average Number of Jobs
$49.6k Average Starting Salary
19% Growth Job Outlook 2016-26

You will be prepared to enter multiple different careers with this degree. Many graduates use their adept research skills to work for government, medical or environmental agencies. Others work for pharmaceutical companies testing products and writing reports. You could also continue your education to become a pharmacist, nurse, physician's assistant or doctor.

High Growth Projected for Pharmacology Careers

Want a job when you graduate with your pharmacology degree? Pharmacology & Toxicology careers are expected to grow 18.5% between 2016 and 2026.

The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to pharmacology and toxicology.

Occupation Name Projected Jobs Expected Growth
Health Specialties Professors 294,000 25.9%
Medical Scientists 136,100 13.4%
Biological Science Professors 71,700 15.1%
Natural Sciences Managers 62,300 9.9%
Biological Scientists 41,800 8.0%

How Much Money Do People With a Pharmacology Degree Make?

Recently graduated pharmacology and toxicology students earned an average of $49,588 in 2019-2020. Earnings can range from as low as $18,907 to as high as $109,202. As you might expect, salaries for pharmacology graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.

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High Paying Careers for Pharmacology Majors

Salaries for pharmacology and toxicology graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers pharmacology grads often go into.

Occupation Name Median Average Salary
Natural Sciences Managers $139,680
Health Specialties Professors $122,320
Biological Science Professors $97,340
Medical Scientists $96,420
Biological Scientists $83,600

Getting Your Pharmacology & Toxicology Degree

With over 304 different pharmacology degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased pharmacology school rankings to help you with this.

Pharmacology & Toxicology is one of 14 different types of Biological & Biomedical Sciences programs to choose from.

Pharmacology Concentrations

Major Annual Graduates
Pharmacology 479
Pharmacology & Toxicology 200
Toxicology 176
Environmental Toxicology 89
Molecular Pharmacology 55

View All Pharmacology Focus Areas >

Majors Similar to Pharmacology

Related Major Annual Graduates
General Biology 107,165
Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology 14,535
Neurobiology & Neurosciences 11,615
Physiology & Pathology Sciences 8,813
Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology 7,247

View All Pharmacology Related Majors >

References

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