Pre-Pharmacy
Pre-Pharmacy
As you become a pharmacist, you'll primarily provide information about different medications and methods of treatment that follow drug therapy protocols and fit patients' needs, improve their health, and ensure safety.
Why Consider Pharmacy?
The majority of students enroll in pharmacy school because they want to help others by treating and preventing diseases. You must also have an interest in math and sciences, a passion for building relationship with others, want flexibility in career choice and to pursue a career with a unique approach to Healthcare.
Explore: Pharmacy Pathways
Become a student at USM and obtain the necessary requirements to apply to pharmacy programs, with the guidance of our pathways expert!
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Undergraduate Credit Required |
Bachelor’s degree |
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Entrance Exam |
GRE |
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Professional Schooling Required |
4 years of professional school; Pharm D. – Doctorate of Pharmacy |
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Professional Organization Website |
Here are some of the local or surrounding area professional schools:
- William Carey University (Biloxi, MS)
- University of Mississippi "Ole Miss" (Oxford, MS)
- Auburn University (Auburn, AL / Mobile, AL)
- Xavier University (New Orleans, LA)
- Program Directory
Navigating the Application Process
Beginning early with the application process allows students to structure an academic plan of study. Pharmacy schools are highly competitive, but have relatively similar requirements for admission that we can help prepare you for, including competitive scores from the nationally administered Pharmacy College Admissions Test (PCAT), shadowing hours, active participation in community service, possible dexterity tests, and more!
We encourage you to contact our pathways expert to support you in your professional development endeavors.
Some students already have a B.A. or B.S. or above and decide to pursue becoming a pharmacist. It is recommended that such students visit the pre-professional office for additional advisement. It is common for these students to take their missing prerequisite courses for pharmacy school here at USM as post-baccalaureate students, work on the other non-course requirements while taking courses, prepare for and take the PCAT, and then apply to pharmacy school(s).
Some students may choose to pursue a second major, while others enroll in prerequisite courses as a non-degree-seeking student. In either case, students must go through the University's Undergraduate Admissions office to be either admitted (new students) or re-admitted (former students) prior to enrollment.
Students must consult the specific admission requirements and application deadlines for the school(s) to which they plan to apply.
- English Composition – ENG 101 & ENG 102
- General Education courses – 12 hours
- General Chemistry - CHE 106/L & 107/L
- Organic Chemistry - CHE 255/L & 256/L
- Public Speaking - CMS 111
- Economics - ECO 202
- General Biology - BSC 110/L & 111/L
- Calculus - MAT 167
- General Physics - PHY 111/L
- Statistics - PSY 360 or MAT 115
- Human Anatomy & Physiology – BSC 250/L & BSC 251/L
- Social Sciences – PSY, SOC, ANT, PS – 6 hours
Each pharmacy school has their own testing and course requirements. The PharmCAS application deadline is March 1 for regular admission. It is best to apply well before the deadline due to some schools' rolling admissions policies.
What Should I Major In?
The “pre-pharmacy curriculum” is just a list of courses that are required for admission to Pharmacy school. It is NOT an academic major, a minor, or an emphasis area. Prerequisite courses can vary between pharmacy schools, so it is important to check with individual schools about their requirements and deadlines.
Pharmacy schools do not require a particular major—pursue a major in which you feel the most comfortable with! Explore related majors:
