COLLEGE OF SCIENCE & HEALTH
COLLEGE OF SCIENCE & HEALTH
Pre-pharmacy is the course of study you take to prepare for admission to pharmacy school.
Pharmacists work in retail, as part of a healthcare team in hospitals and clinics, or in industries such as pharmaceutical research and development. They are trained in preparing and dispensing medications prescribed by physicians, educating physicians and the public about pharmaceutical chemistry, proper drug usage, physiological effects, and counter indications. Not a major, per se, pre-pharmacy is rather a guiding principle for your education designed to increase your chances for admission to pharmacy school.
The Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree program requires at least 2-years of specific undergraduate college study followed by 4-academic years (or 3-calendar years) of professional pharmacy study.
The majority of programs accept students into the professional pharmacy degree program after the completion of the college course prerequisites. The majority of students enter a pharmacy program with 3 or more years of college experience. Some pharmacy admission offices require or give preference to applicants who have previously earned a baccalaureate (B.S./B.A.) degree. Individuals who hold a bachelor’s degree must still complete the full 4-academic years (or 3-calendar) years of pharmacy study.
Biology and Chemistry are popular pre-pharmacy majors because they typically fulfill pharmacy school prerequisites courses as part of the major. However, you can major in anything and still gain acceptance to pharmacy school, as long as you take the prerequisite courses and perform well.
Understanding that pharmacists need a broad understanding of science, business, and communication, pharmacy schools look for students with diverse educational experiences. For consideration for admission to most pharmacy schools, you will need at least one year of general biology with labs, one year of general or inorganic chemistry with labs, one year of organic chemistry with labs, one year of general physics with labs, one semester of statistics, one semester of microbiology, and calculus. Be sure and check with the pharmacy school you want to attend to find out their individual requirements for admission.
Lisle Campus
5700 College Rd. Lisle, IL 60532
2.5 miles east of Downtown Naperville
(630) 829-6000
Mesa Campus
225 E. Main St. Mesa, AZ 85201
(602) 888-5500
