PharmD Admissions

Science Requirements* General Chemistry (2 semesters) Organic Chemistry (2 semesters) Anatomy & Physiology (2 semesters) General Biology I (1 semester) Microbiology (1 semester) Physics (1 semester)

Non-Science Requirements** English Composition (2 semesters) Calculus (1 semester) Statistics (1 semester) Social Sciences (2 semesters) Traditions & Cultures (1 semester) Fine Arts or Literature (1 semester) Diversity Emphasis (1 semester)

* Students transferring from other schools should check with a COP advisor for pre-approval of courses.

• Pass/fail credit will not be accepted.  (Exception: Grades of P (pass) earned in the Spring 2020 semester will be accepted toward the fulfillment of PharmD prerequisite requirements.)
• Advanced Placement Examinations (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), or College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) for college credit is acceptable for non-science prerequisite requirements and for physics
  • AP, IB, and CLEP credit will not be accepted to fulfill other science prerequisite requirements
• Students are strongly encouraged to complete all or at least some of their prerequisite coursework while enrolled as a full-time student, in order to demonstrate their ability to manage a full-time courseload.

In the case of non-science courses, the following guidelines generally apply:

• Social Sciences courses may include sociology, psychology, economics, gender or ethnic studies, political science, or communication.  A language course at the second-semester level or higher (generally 102, 201, or 202) can be used to fulfill one of the two Social Sciences requirements.  
• Traditions & Cultures courses may include humanities, anthropology, history, philosophy, and religious studies
• Fine Arts or Literature may include music, dance, art, theater, or the study of any literary form
• The Diversity emphasis requirement includes gender, race, class, ethnicity or non-western studies. It may be "double-dipped" with approved social science, traditions & cultures, or fine arts/literature course
• If you have an undergraduate degree from another school and have not completed two semesters of English composition, you must have your composition coursework approved by the English Composition Department at the University

A PCAT test score used for admission may not be more than three years old. If you take the PCAT more than once, the admissions committee will evaluate your highest score. For more information, please visit the PCAT
 

The PCAT is required for all PharmD applicants, with the exception of students who have completed the Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences degree at the University of Arizona.  Additional conditions apply.  

You must have two recommenders who have agreed to provide an online recommendation and letter submitted online via PharmCAS. A hand-delivered letter will not be accepted. Your recommenders should be people you have worked for, volunteered with under their supervision, or professors. You have the option of naming a third recommender in case one of your preferred two is not able to complete his/her recommendation on time.  

*FOR 2020-2021 PHARMCAS APPLICANTS: We will be waiving the requirement for health-care experience and community service hours for 2020-2021 PharmCAS applicants. If you are facing other challenges in meeting certain application requirements, such as availability of PCAT testing sites and dates or prerequisite courses at your current college or university, please reach out and talk with us about it. You can always contact our Admissions team at admissionsinfo@pharmacy.arizona.edu or (520) 626-0674. We know your circumstances are unique, and we want to help you with the application process as much as we can.

The admissions committee looks for evidence that applicants are acquainted with the field of pharmacy and what it means to be a health care professional. The admissions committee also evaluates applicants on community service and involvement, extracurricular activities and oral and written communications skills. All hours must be completed prior to applying for admission.

• Minimum of 40 pharmacy/health care hours AND
• Minimum of 40 hours of community involvement

The pharmacy/health care hours can be paid or volunteer, and can be completed in a variety of environments.  Examples include but are not limited to:

• traditional pharmacy setting (community pharmacy or a hospital pharmacy unit)
• working with medication policy in a regulatory agency
• employment in pharmaceutical sales
• volunteering at a poison control center
• experience as a pharmacy technician
• experience in another healthcare setting (ex: hospital care, medical clinic, nursing facility) working directly with healthcare professionals
• Healthcare-related research or lab experience

 

In addition to fulfilling all academic prerequisite requirements, students must also meet all non-academic essential qualifications in order to matriculate into the PharmD program. These include:

• A valid Level I Fingerprint Clearance Card from the Arizona Department of Public Safety. Additional background checks and drug testing may be required in order to obtain an Arizona Pharmacy Intern License and for specific clinical rotation sites.
• Fulfillment of Expanded Immunization Requirements as outlined by UA Campus Health.
• Certification that you are able to complete, with or without reasonable accommodations, the Essential Qualifications for the University of Arizona College of Pharmacy Admission, Promotion & Graduation.

You are not required to take action on these requirements until you have been admitted to the PharmD program, but you are encouraged to review the requirements prior to applying.