Study pharmacology for understanding drug actions and effects. Learn about drug interactions, therapeutic uses, and side effects.
The language used throughout the course, in both instruction and assessments.

Novartis
Skills you'll gain: Drug Interaction, Pharmacology, Pharmaceuticals, Pre-Clinical Development, Drug Development, Medication Administration, Pharmaceutical Terminology, Clinical Research, Laboratory Research
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

MedCerts
Skills you'll gain: Medical Terminology, Healthcare Ethics, Pharmacy Experience, Medication Dispensation, Pharmacist Assistance, Medical Prescription, Pharmacology, Conflict Management, Pharmacy Operations, Patient Communication, Pathology, Anatomy, Pharmacy Information System, Cultural Responsiveness, Patient Safety, Patient-centered Care, Pharmacy, Professionalism, Medical Records, Physiology
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

Johns Hopkins University
Skills you'll gain: Pharmacology, Pharmaceuticals, Patient Safety, Clinical Research, Medical Prescription, Pharmacotherapy, Clinical Trials, Epidemiology, Regulatory Compliance, Health Policy, Continuous Monitoring, Public Health, Event Monitoring, Risk Analysis
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

University of California San Diego
Skills you'll gain: Drug Development, Pharmaceuticals, Pharmacology, Pre-Clinical Development, Clinical Trials, Biotechnology, Bioinformatics, Precision Medicine, Molecular Biology
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Duke University
Skills you'll gain: Physiology, Respiration, Endocrinology, Anatomy, Pulmonology, Cardiology, Nephrology, Urology, Kinesiology, Vital Signs, Neurology, Biology, Nutrition and Diet
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Duke University
Skills you'll gain: Neurology, Physiology, Anatomy, Cell Biology, Psychology, Pathology, Molecular Biology
Advanced · Course · 3 - 6 Months

Skills you'll gain: Medication Dispensation, Pharmacist Assistance, Medical Prescription, Pharmacy Operations, Pharmacology, Patient Safety, Pharmacy, Medication Administration, Pharmaceutical Terminology, Pediatrics, Intravenous Therapy, Systems Of Measurement
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

University of Geneva
Skills you'll gain: Substance Abuse, Social Justice, Health Care, Pharmacology, Public Health, Health Policy, Healthcare Ethics, Public Policies, Policy Analysis, Community Health, Legal Risk, Advocacy, International Relations, Policy Development
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

University of California San Diego
Skills you'll gain: Drug Development, Clinical Trials, Pharmaceuticals, Clinical Research, Commercialization, Pre-Clinical Development, Pharmacotherapy, Pharmacology, Regulatory Affairs, Intellectual Property, Sales Strategy, Biotechnology, Portfolio Management, Bioinformatics, Precision Medicine, Strategic Partnership, Regulatory Compliance, Marketing, Marketing Strategies, Business Strategies
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

Johns Hopkins University
Skills you'll gain: Medication Therapy Management, Drug Development, Clinical Trials, Pharmaceuticals, Pharmacotherapy, Pharmacology, Medical Prescription, Patient Education And Counseling, Clinical Research, Pre-Clinical Development, Patient Safety, Medical Devices, Statistical Analysis, Value-Based Care, Epidemiology, Utilization Management, Health Policy, Program Evaluation, Public Health, Data Analysis
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

Skills you'll gain: Pre-Clinical Development, Drug Interaction, Clinical Trials, Pharmacology, Drug Development, Pharmaceuticals, Patient Safety, Clinical Research, Competitive Intelligence, Safety Standards, Laboratory Testing, Biochemical Assays, Medication Administration, Pharmacotherapy, Pharmaceutical Terminology, Safety Assurance, Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Laboratory Research, Chemistry
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

American Psychological Association
Skills you'll gain: Substance Abuse, Mental Health Diseases and Disorders, Clinical Psychology, Mental and Behavioral Health, Psychiatry, Psychological Evaluations, Mental Health, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Patient Evaluation, Diagnostic Tests, Behavioral Health, Psychotherapy, Psychiatric Assessments, Cultural Diversity, Epidemiology, Pharmacology, Neurology, Demography, Psychology, Pharmacotherapy
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Start by identifying your path—whether you're preparing for a healthcare career, exploring drug mechanisms, or deepening your understanding of therapeutic use.
These beginner-friendly options offer accessible entry points into how drugs interact with the body and treat disease:
Pharmacology is the branch of medicine dealing with the preparation, uses, modes of action, and effects of drugs. In this discipline, a drug is a chemical substance, typically of known structure, that produces a biological effect when administered to a living organism.
Learners interested in Pharmacology can explore its two major branches. The Pharmacokinetics branch deals with the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of drugs. The other major branch, Pharmacodynamics, refers to the molecular, biomechanical, and physiological effects of drugs.
This is a very important subject to learn for those interested in how medication alters the chemistry within our bodies. When the reasons for these alterations are understood, it’s possible to develop better drugs.
Pharmacology learners gain scientific knowledge and skills that enable them to seek a range of opportunities. Jobs directly related to a degree in Pharmacology include Academic Researcher, Analytical Chemist, Biomedical Scientist, Clinical Research Associate, Clinical Scientist in Biochemistry or Immunology, Medicinal Chemist, and of course, Pharmacologist.
Jobs where a Pharmacology degree would be useful include Higher-Education Lecturer, Medical Sales Representative, Medical Science Liaison, Neuroscientist, Patent Attorney, Regulatory Affairs Officer, Science Writer, and Toxicologist.
Any experience you have with drugs or medication can be useful when learning about pharmacology. You can gain this experience by working in a pharmacy as a technician or clerk. Even working a retail position as a cashier or salesperson in a drug store can be helpful. Otherwise, if you have a medical background at all, you may better understand any pharmacology courses you take. For example, maybe you worked as a nurse, patient technician, paramedic, or physician's assistant. You may have worked or volunteered in a doctor's office, clinic, hospital, nursing home, or rehabilitation center—anywhere that distributes medication to those who need it.
Because it involves working with exact measurements of medications and understanding how they interact with each other and with patients and diseases, a person who is precise and pays close attention to detail is well-suited for a role in pharmacology. You'll need to be good at math and counting, as well as proofreading. Being good at research and committed to a lifetime of learning are also traits needed to be successful in the field. You'll also need good written and verbal communication skills so you can record your findings and share them with your colleagues.