Pharmacists are health professionals who dispense drugs and provide patients with information about the drugs their doctors have ordered for them. Pharmacist responsibilities include a range of care for patients from dispensing medication to monitoring patient's health and progress, providing education to consumers and patients on the use of prescriptions and over-the-counter medications, and advising physicians, nurses, and other health professionals on drug decisions. Pharmacists have an in-depth knowledge of the chemistry of various drugs, how they react in humans, and how they interact with each other. Pharmacists must accurately measure and package medicine to ensure safe dosage.
Pharmacists must have a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) which is a three-five year professional degree. Once pharmacists are licensed, they typically work in pharmacies, hospitals, clinics, and research facilities. Currently, there are 129 U.S. based colleges and schools of pharmacy with accredited professional degrees.
Students apply to pharmacy school through a centralized application system called the Pharmacy College Application Service (PharmCAS). Similar to the common application for undergraduate school, students can apply to many of the pharmacy programs through a single application. However, please be aware that there is a handful of pharmacy programs that do not utilize the PharmCAS. The PharmCAS application opens mid-July.
As of Summer 2022, the PharmCAS Application cost: $175.00 for one school and $55.00 for each additional school.
It is important for students to check each school's requirements carefully as some schools will require courses not listed below. For more information about a specific program, please contact the school directly.
| General Biology with lab |
1 year |
| General Chemistry with lab |
1 year |
| Organic Chemistry with lab |
1 year |
| Physics with lab |
1 year |
| Biochemistry |
1-2 quarters |
| Anatomy and Physiology |
2 quarters |
| Microbiology |
1 quarter |
| Calculus |
1-2 quarters |
| Economics |
1 quarter |
| Statistics |
1 quarter |
| English |
2 quarters |
| Speech or Oral Communication |
1 quarter |
| Introduction to Psychology or Introduction to Sociology |
1 quarter |
Students should meet with their academic advisor and pre-health advisor each quarter to make sure they are taking the correct courses for their major/professional interest.
Below is a sample timeline for a Health Sciences major. Please be aware that Pharmacy programs do not require or prefer a specific major and the below timeline should not be used to replace meeting with an academic advisor.
Students should meet with their academic advisor and pre-health advisor each quarter to make sure they are taking the correct courses for their major/professional interest. Below is a sample timeline and should not be used to replace meeting with an academic advisor.
Accelerated 3+ pharmacy program with Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science is only available to Pathways Honors students majoring in either Health Sciences or Chemistry (BA-only).
Chicago State University
Midwestern University
Notre Dame of Maryland
Regis University
Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science
St. Louis University
University of Illinois at Chicago
The PCAT range is from 200-600 with 400 being in the 50th percentile.
Competitive Applicants:
PCAT Score National Average: 54th percentile
National Cumulative Average GPA: 3.36
National Average Science GPA: 3.23
It is important for students to check each school's requirements carefully as some schools will require information not listed above. For more information about a specific program, please contact the school directly.