Pharmacy
PHARMD
Why study Pharmacy?
The nationally recognized Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program at the James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy engages students in a rigorous curriculum that includes didactic coursework and experiential learning. The program offers many advantages, including small class sizes, peer mentoring, convenient access to direct patient care, experience-based learning all four years, and rotation sites all within the Greater Cincinnati region.
Admission Requirements
Minimum GPA and PCAT Requirements
A holistic approach to admissions review is used. To be considered a qualified candidate, applicants should have a strong academic background (as demonstrated by cumulative college GPA and PCAT scores); a demonstrated history of leadership and involvement in community service, student affairs, and professional affairs; strong essays and personal statement; and a broad knowledge of the pharmacy profession. A preferred GPA is a minimum 3.0.
PCAT allows students to take the exam up to five times and the college considers the highest composite.
All official college transcripts and PCAT scores must be submitted directly to PharmCAS from the institution or testing service. Not doing so will delay your PharmCAS application.
Pre-Pharmacy Courses
All or part of the Pre-Pharmacy courses 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. If admitted, courses must be completed before enrolling into the Pharmacy program.
Taking your Pre-Pharmacy courses at UC does offer you a unique advantage. As a UC student, you will have a Pre-Pharmacy advisor who is knowledgeable on the College's requirements. You will also know the exact courses that you need to take as a pre-pharmacy student at UC, and you'll feel more connected with the College through your advisor and various student organizations and events. You will also be guaranteed an interview if you have a 3.5 cumulative college GPA or above (as calculated by PharmCAS), score a 70 or better on the PCAT, and earn a "C" or better in core required courses. And if you're admitted to the PharmD program, you will have an easy transition to pharmacy school because you're already familiar with UC.
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.
Working in a Pharmacy Setting
It is strongly encouraged for students to work in a pharmacy setting or engage in pharmacy shadowing experiences before applying. This will allow students to explore the field of pharmacy to provide a knowledge base of the profession. Previous pharmacy work experience is not a requirement.
Letters of Recommendation
It is required that you submit three letters of recommendation. Suggested sources of the letters could be your academic instructors, academic advisors, Pharmacists, and employers. Letters of recommendation from politicians, friends, family members, co-workers, current students or clergy will not be accepted.
Status of Application
You can check the status of your PharmCAS application by logging into your PharmCAS application. After the college has received your PharmCAS application, it will e-mail you informing you of your application status at UC.
For more information on:
- PharmD Quality Indicators
- Performance on Pharmacy Licensure Exam (NAPLEX)
- Professional Graduation Rates and Time to Completion
Please visit the college's Office of Professional Education & Assessment page.
The pharmacy profession offers excellent opportunities for those interested in science and health care. Pharmacy is a diverse and rewarding career, with opportunities for patient care, scientific research and innovation. Registered pharmacists find careers in community pharmacy, hospital pharmacy, managed care, pharmaceutical companies, government, academia and more. Pharmacists play key leadership roles in all aspects of the health care system.
For more information on the opportunities in pharmacy, visit these related sites:
University of Cincinnati PharmD students participate in experience-based learning via 200+ pharmacy practice sites in the Greater Cincinnati area. Training sites include independently owned pharmacies and national chains as well as 15 hospitals and numerous corporations. And because the James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy is part of UC's Academic Health Center, PharmD students train alongside University of Cincinnati medical, nursing and allied health students.
Cincinnati students consistently score in the top tier of those who take the NAPLEX and MJPE examinations to become licensed pharmacists.
Connections to Pharmacy: Early Assurance Program
The Connections to Pharmacy: Early Assurance Program is a guaranteed pathway to the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree for academically strong high school students who are planning to pursue a career as a pharmacist. High school seniors who have a minimum weighted GPA of 3.5 and a minimum ACT of 26 can apply for admission into this prestigious program. The Connections to Pharmacy: Early Assurance Program begins with admission and completion of Pre-Pharmacy requirements in the UC College of Arts & Sciences.
In addition to completion of the Pre-Pharmacy curriculum, students are expected to participate in extracurricular activities that contribute to their personal development and growth. Students will be enrolled in a freshman learning community that has a pharmacy focus. Students who are admitted into the Connections to Pharmacy: Early Assurance Program and successfully complete the pre-requisite courses with a minimum GPA of 3.4, minimum science GPA of 3.0 and a minimum PCAT of 40 will complete the PharmCAS application, be invited for their admissions interview and then admitted to the UC James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy to complete the four year Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree.
Pre-Pharmacy Courses From 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.
Pre-Pharmacy Requirements
All students must complete the required pre-pharmacy requirements regardless of a previous degree. Whether you've earned the degree from a US or foreign institution, you must complete the required pre-pharmacy courses to qualify for admission consideration.
TOEFL
To be considered for admission, international students must achieve a TOEFL score of 100 or higher (internet-based).
In accordance with rules 4729-30-02, 4729-3-03, 4729-5-31, 4729-5-32 and 4729-5-34 of the Ohio Administrative Code: International applicants must establish spoken English proficiency by completing the TOEFL IBT with the following minimum scores or higher:
- Writing: twenty-four
- Speaking: twenty-six
- Listening: eighteen
- Reading: twenty-one
Application Deadlines
Regular Application Deadline: May 2nd.
The University of Cincinnati James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy’s Doctor of Pharmacy program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education, 190 South LaSalle Street, Suite 2850, Chicago, IL 60603-3499, 312/664-3575; FAX 866/228-2631, web site www.acpe-accredit.org.
As a component of accreditation, the James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy received commendation in the areas of curriculum, experiential education and student services.
Contact Information
3255 Eden Avenue
135D Kowalewski Hall
Cincinnati, OH 45229
(513) 558-0059
pharmacy@uc.edu
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Program Code: 25PHM-PHRM-PHRMD