Prerequisite Education Requirement
Prerequisite Courses to be completed prior to matriculation into PharmD Program:
| PREREQUISITE |
Quarter Hours |
Semester Hours |
| General Inorganic Chemistry with Laboratory | 12 | 8 |
| Organic Chemistry with Laboratory | 12 | 8 |
| General Biology with Laboratory | 12 | 8 |
| Microbiology with Laboratory | 4 | 3 |
| Human Anatomy* with Laboratory | 4 | 3 |
| Human Physiology* with Laboratory | 4 | 3 |
| Calculus | 4 | 3 |
| Principles of Economics (Macro and Micro) | 4 | 3 |
| Statistics | 4 | 3 |
| Psychology/Sociology | 4 | 3 |
| Public Speaking | 4 | 3 |
| English Composition | 4 | 3 |
| Other Humanities and Social/behavioral Science | 8 | 6 |
| TOTAL | 80 | 57 |
*If combined Anatomy & Physiology course, must be a minimum of 5 semester units.
• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) – International applicants whose native language is not English will be required to have a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) composite Score of 100 (iBT) or 250 (CBT) unless they earned a baccalaureate degree from an appropriately accredited college / university in the United States or other countries in which the native language is English.
• Background/Drug Testing
AUHS School of Pharmacy requires a background check and drug testing for admission. Criminal background checks and/or drug testing are also required for placement at clinical facilities/pharmacy practice sites. In addition, the California Board of Pharmacy requires all admitted students to be fingerprinted for criminal background checks and for California licensure. Students must hold a valid license from the Board of Pharmacy to participate in the clinical portions of the PharmD program. Please refer to page 37 of this catalog for additional information on “Background Check Policies).
• Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT) – not required but recommended.
• Pharmacy Experience – not required although pharmacy experience (volunteer or work) is strongly recommended.
• Submission of ALL application materials by the application deadline including:
a) PharmCAS complete application
b) Three completed recommendation forms, one from an instructor, one from a health care provider and the 3rd from either of the above or from an employer. Recommendation letters from friends and family members are not accepted
c) Personal Statement
The personal statement reveals your thoughts about your strengths as a person as well as areas of personal development you believe you need to improve. The essays communicate your motivation, goals, circumstances, and experiences related to a pharmacy career
Requirement for Licensing in the Program Career Field: There are numerous eligibility requirements for licensure depending on the student’s field of study. Regulations vary from state to state, and students are encouraged to carefully read the requirements and conduct further research.
Pharmacy career field – https://www.pharmacy.ca.gov/