Preparation for Pharmacy

All accredited colleges of pharmacy require a minimum of six years of study to qualify for the pharmacy degree. The state boards of pharmacy usually require a period of practical experience in pharmacy. Students should request information concerning requirements for a certificate to practice pharmacy from the board of pharmacy in the state in which they wish to practice. In Ohio this information may be obtained from the State Board of Pharmacy, 77 South High Street, Columbus, OH 43215-6126 (http://www.pharmacy.ohio.gov).

The following are recommended by most pharmacy schools:

• Anatomy and Physiology (full year)
• Calculus
• Elective courses in social studies, literature and philosophy
• English composition
• General biology (full year)
• General chemistry with labs (full year)
• Microeconomics
• Microbiology (one semester)
• Organic chemistry with labs (full year)
• Physics (full year)
• Statistics (one semester)

Since colleges of pharmacy vary in their requirements, the pre-pharmacy student is urged to confer frequently with an advisor, particularly with respect to planning prerequisite courses for meeting the admission requirements of the preferred college of pharmacy. A list of accredited colleges of pharmacy may be obtained from the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy, 1426 Prince Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 (http://www.aacp.org). Note: Pharmacy school prerequisite courses vary, and the student is responsible for checking admissions requirements for the schools of their choice.

In addition to completing the group requirements for the degree sought, a student should plan to take the required courses to complete a major and a minor.