Pharmaceutical Evaluation and Policy Graduate Program Track

The PEP Track is a research-intensive pathway within the Pharmaceutical Sciences graduate program. Trainees build expertise in pharmacoepidemiology, health economics, health technology assessment, health policy, econometrics, and the analysis of large health care databases and real-world data. Graduates pursue careers in the pharmaceutical and health care industries, academia, government, health systems, payers and managed care, consulting, and other research organizations. 

PhD Funding and Support

PhD students are supported through Graduate Research Assistantships that include:

• $35,000 annual stipend
• Tuition remission
• Health insurance

No separate application is required for Graduate Research Assistantship funding. Ph.D. applicants are automatically considered as part of the admissions process.

Graduate Research Assistants work with faculty on active research projects while developing skills in data analysis, scientific writing, manuscript development, presentations, and other aspects of the research process.

What You Will Engage In

• Real-world evidence, pharmacoepidemiology, and observational research methods
• Analysis of large health care databases using statistical programming
• Health economics, cost-effectiveness, and health technology assessment
• Health policy analysis
• Comparative effectiveness and outcomes research
• Research design, scientific communication, and mentored research

Why PEP at UAMS

• Competitive financial support for Ph.D. students, including a $35,000 annual stipend, tuition remission, and health insurance
• Funding to present research at national and international conferences
• Methods-focused training with hands-on application to real health care data
• Opportunities to work within active, interdisciplinary research programs
• Applied and mentored research experiences in academic, industry, and government settings.
• Mentored opportunities for presentations, manuscripts, and grant development
• Flexible elective training that can be tailored to individual research and career goals
• Career-ready quantitative, research, policy, and analytic skills applicable across multiple settings

How PEP Prepares You for Your Career

PEP training extends beyond the classroom. Students work closely with faculty to develop the research, communication, and professional skills needed for careers in industry, academia, government, health systems, and other research settings.

• Conduct mentored research using real-world health care data and other quantitative and qualitative research approaches.
• Develop scientific presentations and gain experience communicating research through seminars, posters, and oral presentations.
• Present research at national and international scientific conferences, providing opportunities to receive feedback, build professional networks, and engage with researchers and employers in the field.
• Develop peer-reviewed publications, including experience preparing manuscripts, responding to coauthor and reviewer feedback, and navigating the publication process.
• Gain experience with grant and proposal development and learn how research questions are translated into fundable studies.
• Work on interdisciplinary research teams with faculty, clinicians, health systems, government agencies, and other research partners.
• Build a professional portfolio of research products, presentations, publications, and analytic experience that showcase scientific writing skills and demonstrates readiness for the next stage of training or employment.