Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD)
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View Requirements
The first step in the admissions process is to ensure you're on track to complete both the course prerequisites and application requirements in time to apply for your preferred year of entry.
Prerequisites Courses Print prerequisite details
Move your mouse over each prerequisite below to read details regarding the requirement.
Calculus Qualifiers
- Must have 2 or more quarter courses if taken in the quarter system
Biochemistry Qualifiers
- May not be an introductory course
- Course(s) should cover the following topics: molecular biology, amino acids and proteins, enzymes, and carbohydrate and lipid metabolism
- Also accepted: One semester of biochemistry
(5 units) - Also accepted: One semester of biochemistry
(3 units) plus 1 semester of molecular biology
(3 units) - Genetics and general biology courses are not acceptable for molecular biology (see previous bullet)
Microbiology Qualifiers
- May not be an introductory course
- Medical Microbiology is preferred
Speech Communication Qualifiers
- Must be a public speaking course
- May not be an interpersonal communication course
General Chemistry Qualifiers
- May not be an introductory course
- Must be a full year sequence of lecture and lab
Organic Chemistry Qualifiers
- May not be an introductory course
- Must be a full year sequence of lecture and lab
Electives Qualifiers
- One course in two of the following three areas must be taken to satisfy this prerequisite:
- Public Speaking/Debate
- Social Science
- Economics
- No two electives can be taken from the same department
Human Physiology Qualifiers
- May not be an introductory course
- If anatomy and physiology are combined, we will accept a minimum of 5 semester units
- Must be taken out of the Anatomy & Physiology, Anatomy, Physiology, Biology or Zoology Department
Human Anatomy Qualifiers
- May not be an introductory course
- If anatomy and physiology are combined, we will accept a minimum of 5 semester units
- Must be taken out of the Anatomy & Physiology, Anatomy, Physiology, Biology or Zoology Department
College English Qualifiers
- May not be an English as a Second Language (ESL) course
- Must be taken from the English Department
English Composition Qualifiers
- May not be an English as a Second Language (ESL) course
- Must be taken from the English Department
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| College English | ||
| English Composition | ||
| Speech Communication | ||
| Human Anatomy with Lab | ||
| Human Physiology with Lab | ||
| Microbiology with Lab | ||
| General Chemistry with Lab | ||
| Organic Chemistry with Lab | ||
| Biochemistry | ||
| Calculus | ||
| Elective |
If you’d like to find out whether the courses you’ve taken or plan to take will satisfy the PharmD prerequisites you can:
- search the prerequisite database by institution.
- if your courses aren't listed in the database and you have a few courses in question, you may submit a prerequisite verification form.
- if your courses aren't listed in the database and you have numerous courses in question, or simply wish to lay out your coursework, you may instead print and submit an academic worksheet.
Admission Requirements
Test of English as a Foreign Languge (TOEFL)
TOEFL is required for all applicants submitting course work from foreign schools. A minimum score of 213 for the Computer Based test or 79 for the Internet Based TOEFL (IBT) test must be submitted by March 1 prior to matriculation. TOEFL scores are valid for two years.
Exception: The TOEFL exam will be waived for permanent and temporary residents of the United States who have completed the English and Speech prerequisites of the College from an accredited
institution in the United States.
English courses taken from foreign countries whose native language is English will be accepted (e.g.,
Canada, Australia, Great Britain, New Zealand and the British West Indies).
- Completion of prerequisite courses as outlined above
- 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours of coursework from a regionally accredited U.S. institution
- Minimum Overall GPA of 2.5 (undergraduate coursework)
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)(if applicable)
- Although not required, pharmacy experience (volunteer or work), is strongly recommended
- Although not required, we give preference to those who have earned a BS or BA (in any field)
Read FAQs or contact us with questions.
Make Yourself a Competitive Candidate
Admission to the program is extremely competitive so you should strive to not only meet, but exceed the minimum requirements. To get a feel for the competitiveness of the applicant pool we recommend that you review last year's entering class statistics and read what the admissions committee recommends you do to make yourself a competitive candidate.
Preparing and Submitting your Application
Primary (PharmCAS) Application Deadline: November 3
Secondary (WesternU) Application Deadline: November 3
You must submit both a primary application and a secondary application in order to be considered for admission. The apply now page will provide you with step-by-step instructions and an application checklist. There are a number of supporting materials that make up your completed application and it is essential that you print and carefully follow the application checklist to ensure that you properly submit these pieces by the deadline.
We are happy to answer your questions as you navigate through the process,
so please do not hesitate to contact us if we can help.