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Overview

Pharmacists dispense prescription medications to patients, offering education to patients about these medications and clarifying information from patients' primary physicians. Pharmacists also monitor patients for drug reactions and progress, thereby helping to ensure that patients’ medications are working effectively and safely. Pharmacists work in hospitals and independently owned pharmacies. 

The Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) is achieved after completing a four-year, full-time educational program as well as state licensure requirements.

Here you will find information about pre-pharmacy required coursework, required tests for admission to Pharm.D. programs, and additional helpful links about the pharmaceutical field.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for pharmacists is projected to grow by 25% between 2010 and 2020.

Coursework

Many pharmacy schools require the following coursework for admission. However, pharmacy school pre-requisites vary so be sure to check with individual schools about their admission requirements.


Biological Sciences

Many pharmacy schools require coursework in general biology as well as anatomy and physiology. At Edgewood, these courses include:

  • Bio 151 General Biology: Cell Biology and Ecology (or)
  • Bio 181 Honors General Biology: Cell Biology and Ecology
  • Bio 152 General Biology: Genetics and Evolution (or)
  • Bio 182 Information Flow in Living Systems – Honors
  • Bio 210 Anatomy and Physiology I
  • Bio 211 Anatomy and Physiology II

Behavioral Sciences

Some pharmacy programs require courses in the social sciences, psychology, and/or economics.. At Edgewood, these courses include:

  • Econ 256 Principles of Microeconomics
  • Psy 101 General Psychology
  • Soc 201 Introduction to Sociology

Chemistry

Most pharmacy schools require at least two semesters of general chemistry and two semesters of organic chemistry. Here is the recommended sequence of courses at Edgewood:

  • Chem 120 General Chemistry I
  • Chem 121 General Chemistry II
  • Chem 321 Organic Chemistry I
  • Chem 323 Organic Chemistry II

English

Many pharmacy schools require 6 credits of coursework in English literature and composition. Some also require a course in public speaking.


Mathematics

Most pharmacy schools require at least one semester of calculus and one semester of statistics. At Edgewood, such courses include:

  • Math 231 Calculus I
  • Math 121 Statistics

Physics

Many pharmacy schools require a one-year, or 8-credit, physics sequence. At Edgewood we recommend either of the following two sequences (the second-sequence, Phys 201 and 202, is calculus-based):

  • Phys 130 and 131 General Physics I and II
  • Phys 201 and 202 College Physics I and II

Relevant tests

Most pharmacy schools require the Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT), which tests the following areas: verbal ability, biology, chemistry, reading comprehension, quantitative ability, and writing.

The PCAT is computer-based and is administered in July, September, and January.