Preparing for a Career in Pharmacy
Once you have decided to pursue a career in pharmacy, you should:
- Read the Pre-Healthcare FAQ that provides general advice for students considering healthcare careers.
- Familiarize yourself with the information on this page.
- Visit the following website for more information:
- American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP)
Learn more about the the national organization representing the interests of pharmacy education and educators and its commitment to excellence in pharmacy education.
- American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP)
- Visit the bulletin board opposite room 112 Pearson Hall for announcements of upcoming Miami Pharmacy Club meetings.
- Try to attend the meetings of and consider joining the Miami Pharmacy Club. This student-run organization is there to help you attain your goal of becoming a pharmacist.
For any questions you have about preparing for a career in pharmacy, please contact:
Dr. Michael Robinson
258 Pearson Hall
(513) 529-2353
robinsm5@MiamiOH.edu
Pre-Pharmacy Coursework
| Subject | Courses |
|---|---|
| English | 1 year or equivalent |
| Calculus (1 or 2 semesters) |
MTH 151 or 153, 251 |
| Statistics (1 semester) |
STA 261 |
| Biology (1 year) |
BIO/MBI 115, 116 |
| Microbiology (1 semester) |
MBI 201 |
| Physiology (1 or 2 semesters) |
BIO 305, 45x |
| Human Anatomy (1 semester) |
BIO 201 |
| General Chemistry (1 year) |
CHM 141, 144 and CHM 142, 145 |
| Organic Chemistry (1 year) |
CHM 241, 244 and CHM 242, 245 |
| Biochemistry (1 semester) |
CHM 432 or 332 |
| Physics (1 year) |
PHY 161, 162 or PHY 191, 192 |
| Psychology (1 semester) |
PSY 111, 112 |
Additional Requirements
Many schools do not require all of these courses. Others may require or recommend additional courses or training in areas such as:
- quantitative analysis/analytical chemistry
- microeconomics
- interpersonal communication
- technical writing
Because requirements are not standardized, it is very important to contact every school of interest.
Applying to Pharmacy School
Admission to pharmacy schools is competitive and schools choose among many qualified applicants. Evaluation of candidates is based on largely objective criteria. A high overall GPA and sciences GPA are important. Other important factors are:
- competitive Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT) scores
(if required by the schools to which you are applying) - strong letters of reference
- evidence of leadership potential as demonstrated by a few carefully chosen extracurricular activities
- well-developed interpersonal skills
- a demonstrated experience and/or interest in pharmacy (such as membership in the pharmacy club or employment in a pharmacy setting).
Many schools require application through the PharmCAS (Pharmacy College Application Service), a centralized application service for applicants applying to colleges and schools of pharmacy.
Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT)
Many (but not all) schools require the PCAT, which is given three times each year (October, January, and April). Most students take this in April of their junior year and they make retake the exam without penalty.
