Prospective Pharm. D. Student

Pre-pharmacy Requirements

The pre-pharmacy curriculum consists of 83 quarter hours (56 semester hours) of required courses and at least 18 quarter hours (12 semester hours) of elective courses. The curriculum takes approximately two years to complete and prepares students for entry into the Doctor of Pharmacy program. Pre-pharmacy coursework must be completed before beginning the PharmD program and all coursework must be completed within the last seven years.

Pre-pharmacy courses cannot be taken on a pass/fail basis, and must have a grade of "C" or better. Survey courses, courses listed for non-science majors, and courses in which a grade of "C-" or below was earned are not acceptable. All or part of the pre-pharmacy curriculum can be completed at the University of Cincinnati or at another accredited college or university. The College recommends that you complete the pre-pharmacy curriculum at a 4-year college or university.

Students who are not completing the pre-pharmacy curriculum at the University of Cincinnati are encouraged to consult the James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy (pharmacy@uc.edu) for guidance on what courses to take. Students completing the pre-pharmacy curriculum at select colleges or universities in Ohio or Kentucky can use the u.select Web site to determine which courses are equivalent to UC's pre-pharmacy curriculum.

Required Courses

Elective Courses

A minimum of 18 quarter hours (12 semester hours) of general education elective courses are required as part of the pre-pharmacy curriculum. These courses prepare graduates to contribute and thrive in a global, diverse and technological society. General education credit will be granted for courses completed in the Arts & Humanities and Behavioral & Social Sciences. At least 9 quarter hours must be completed in the Arts & Humanities and 9 quarter hours must be completed in the Behavioral & Social Sciences. In addition, at least one course in Arts & Humanities and one course in Behavioral & Social Sciences must focus on diversity and culture and/or social and ethical issues.

Humanities & Arts

Examples include but are not limited to classics, literature, foreign languages, philosophy, linguistics, rhetoric, dance, drama, music, visual arts, and history. At least one course must focus on diversity and culture and/or social and ethical issues.

Behavioral & Social Sciences

Examples include but are not limited to communication, cultural anthropology, economics, human geography, planning, political science, psychology, and sociology. At least one course must focus on diversity and culture and or social and ethical issues.

To graduate from the College of Pharmacy, students must have completed at least 24 quarter (16 semester) hours of general education electives. Credit hours earned during the pre-pharmacy curriculum will count towards this requirement.

Advanced Placement (AP) Credit

Students who have earned an acceptable score on an AP exam may receive credit for pre-pharmacy requirements. To view UC's AP exam score requirements and the course equivalencies, click here. Students should contact the College to be advised on which pre-pharmacy courses may be exempt by AP exam scores, and which courses should be repeated even if an acceptable score is achieved.

Foreign Pre-Pharmacy Coursework

Some pre-pharmacy requirements may be completed at a foreign institution. Students who have completed equivalent pre-pharmacy courses at a non-US institution should have foreign transcripts evaluated by World Education Services (WES). Students are advised to e-mail (pharmacy@uc.edu), mail, or fax (513-558-4372) a copy of the WES evaluation to the College to determine if the foreign coursework is acceptable, or if additional courses must be completed.

Students who have completed a pharmacy or related degree program at a foreign institution are NOT exempt from the required pre-pharmacy requirements. All students must successfully complete all of the required pre-pharmacy courses.

Pre-Pharmacy at UC

Students who wish to complete the pre-pharmacy courses at UC should contact the Office of Admissions to determine admission eligibility and requirements. The College of Pharmacy is not responsible for the admission of pre-pharmacy students to the University.