To become a pharmacist, you must earn a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree from an accredited school, which typically requires completing at least two years of specific undergraduate coursework—though some programs require a full bachelor’s degree[1].
Pharmacy school prerequisites generally include courses in biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, anatomy and physiology, microbiology, calculus, statistics, and English composition[3]. Programs may also expect coursework in economics, humanities, and behavioral or social sciences[3]. The exact course requirements and minimum GPA standards vary; for example, one program specifies a minimum cumulative and prerequisite GPA of 2.75[2].
Most pharmacy schools require applicants to complete prerequisite coursework by the time they enroll, and some recommend or require full-time semesters of upper-level (junior/senior) science courses, often with laboratory components[4]. Many students complete these prerequisites within a bachelor’s degree in fields like biology or medicinal chemistry, although some schools accept applicants after three years of undergraduate coursework if all prerequisites are met[7].
While the Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT) was historically required, as of January 2024, it is retired, and most schools no longer require it for admission[2]. Other application components may include letters of recommendation (preferably from science faculty or healthcare professionals), a personal statement, and completion of an interview[2].
Upon successfully completing the PharmD program and required experiential learning (such as supervised rotations), students are eligible to pursue pharmacist licensure by passing national and state examinations[1].
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