Pre-Pharmacy

Program Description 

The KU School of Pharmacy accepts approximately 150 new PharmD students each year. Candidates are encouraged to meet with a pre-pharmacy advisor each semester during the pre-pharmacy phase of study to review their academic record and prepare for the PharmCAS/PharmD application cycle.  

Admission Requirements

• All 67 pre-pharmacy credit hours may be transferred from accredited colleges and must be completed with a “C-“ grade or higher prior to entering the PharmD program.
• Students should apply for admission to the KU School of Pharmacy using PharmCAS, typically during the fall-spring sequence in which the last of the 67 pre-pharmacy credit hours will reach completion.
• See PharmCAS for application details.
• New PharmD admissions are made only for the fall semester each year.
• The minimum GPA for consideration is 2.50 overall, and 2.50 within science and math courses. Typically, KU PharmD admits average GPAs in the 3.40- to-3.50 range.
• The Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT) is not required but we welcome PCAT score reports. Three recommendations must be submitted via PharmCAS.
• Traditionally, all chemistry and biology laboratory classes in the pre-pharmacy curriculum should be completed in a live classroom/lab format. Please contact Chris Claussen with questions about alternate lab formats allowed.
• KU pre-pharmacy requirements total a minimum of 67 credit hours, which include 55 credit hours of required science, math & communication coursework, and general education coursework.

The KU PharmD degree consists of a cumulative 207+ credit hours and is designed as a 6-year (2+4) program with two+ years of pre-pharmacy coursework and four years of pharmacy school in the PharmD program. Historically, 1/3 of KU PharmD students are on the 2+4 timeline while another 1/3 started pharmacy school after completing a bachelor’s degree or higher. The remaining 1/3 are in-between.