Pharmacology courses can help you learn drug classifications, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and therapeutic applications. You can build skills in dosage calculations, understanding drug interactions, and evaluating clinical trial data. Many courses introduce tools such as pharmacological databases and software for drug analysis, that support conducting research and making informed decisions in clinical settings. By exploring these topics, you can gain a comprehensive understanding of how medications work and their impact on patient care.

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, Anatomy, Pathology, 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, Pharmacotherapy, Medical Prescription, 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, Medical Science and Research, Molecular Biology
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Duke University
Skills you'll gain: Physiology, Pulmonology, Respiration, Anatomy, Endocrinology, Cardiology, Human Musculoskeletal System, Kinesiology, Nephrology, Biology, Vital Signs, Blood Pressure, Neurology, Urinalysis
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 California San Diego
Skills you'll gain: Drug Development, Clinical Trials, Pharmaceuticals, Clinical Research, Commercialization, Pre-Clinical Development, Good Clinical Practices (GCP), Pharmacology, Regulatory Affairs, Sales Management, Intellectual Property, Biotechnology, Business Modeling, Portfolio Management, Strategic Partnership, Medical Science and Research, Promotional Strategies, Regulatory Compliance, Marketing, Business Strategy
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

American Psychological Association
Skills you'll gain: Substance Abuse, Mental Health Diseases and Disorders, Mental and Behavioral Health, Clinical Psychology, Psychiatry, Psychological Evaluations, Mental Health, Psychology, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Behavioral Health, Patient Evaluation, Diagnostic Tests, Psychotherapy, Psychiatric Assessments, Cultural Diversity, Pharmacology, Neurology, Epidemiology, Pharmacotherapy, Demography
Beginner · 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

University of California San Diego
Skills you'll gain: Drug Development, Commercialization, Pharmaceuticals, Pharmacology, Sales Management, Intellectual Property, Clinical Trials, Business Modeling, Portfolio Management, Strategic Partnership, Promotional Strategies, Business Strategy, Marketing Strategies, Market Dynamics
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 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.