EOU offers a pre-pharmacy curriculum which prepares students for entrance into a pharmacy school. Although some pharmacy schools do not require a baccalaureate (B.A./B.S.) degree for admission, it is highly recommended that students plan to complete a bachelor’s degree prior to matriculation. EOU coursework prepares students for the Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT), which is an admission requirement for many pre-pharmacy schools. Prerequisite coursework typically includes one-year sequences of general biology with lab, anatomy, and physiology with lab, general chemistry with lab, organic chemistry with lab, and general physics with lab, in addition to courses in cell structure and function, microbiology, calculus, statistics, public speaking, general economics, general psychology, and English composition. In addition, students should plan to enroll in clinical observation courses to obtain shadowing hours as pharmacy schools encourage or require applicants to have volunteer or paid experience working with patients in a pharmacy or health-related setting (hospital, nursing home, etc.). Ongoing work or volunteer experience in a pharmacy setting may be an important factor in the admissions process. Students are strongly encouraged to work closely with their advisor when selecting appropriate coursework. Admission to pharmacy schools is highly competitive. Involvement in co-curricular activities such as internships, research, and volunteering is recommended.
PDF of Pre-Pharmacy Checksheet
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