Pre-Pharmacy
Pharmacy is the health profession that links the health sciences with the chemical sciences, and it is charged with ensuring the safe use of medication. The scope of pharmacy practice includes more traditional roles such as compounding and dispensing medications, and it also includes more modern services related to patient care, including clinical services, reviewing medications for safety and efficacy, and providing drug information. Pharmacists, therefore, are experts on drug therapy and are the primary health professionals who optimize medication use to provide patients with positive health outcomes. Pharmacy is one of the most in-demand health care professions
These recommendations are for persons desiring to enter pharmacy as a profession. Currently, the entry degree into pharmacy is the doctorate of pharmacy. Pre-pharmacy students must have a sound background in math and science, which can be accomplished by majoring in either biology, chemistry, or biochemistry. Good communication skills are important, as is a broad general education in the social sciences and humanities.
More information can all be found at the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education website.
This information is provided for informational purposes. It is essential that students check the programs at the school you are interested in for current prerequisites as these are constantly changing.
George Fox University offers all of the prerequisite courses for entering pharmacy school. Students can complete three to four years at George Fox and then apply for admission to the pharmacy school of choice. Below are listed the courses required for the Pharmacy School at Oregon State University.
Biology
BIOL 331Human Anatomy and Physiology 4 BIOL 331 Human Anatomy and Physiology 4
OR
BIOL 330 Advanced Physiology 4
BIOL 440 Advanced Human Anatomy 4
BIOL 211 General Biology 4. BIOL 212 General Biology 4
BIOL 370 Microbiology 4
BIOL 420 Cell Biology 4
Chemistry – One-year general and one-year organic chemistry
CHEM 211 General Chemistry 4, CHEM 212 General Chemistry 4
CHEM 321 Organic Chemistry 4, CHEM 332 Organic Chemistry 4
Strongly recommended:
CHEM 341 Biochemistry 4
Physics – one year general Physics (algebra or calculus based)
PHYS 201 General Physics 4, PHYS 202 General Physics 4 OR
PHYS 221 General Physics w/ Calculus 4, PHYS 222 General Physics w Calculus 4
Mathematics
MATH 201 Calculus I 4
Statistics - 3 hours
MATH 240 Statistical Procedures 3
Psychology - 3 hours
PSY 150 General Psychology 3
Writing- 6 hours
WRIT 110 College Writing 3
Additional writing course
Communications
COMM 100 Introduction to Communication 3
Economics – 3 hours (choose one)
ECON 201 Principles of Microeconomics 3
ECON 202 Principles of Macroeconomics 3
Applicants must be certified in First Aid and CPR prior to beginning the Pharm.D. program.
These courses need to be completed prior to the beginning of fall classes in the professional program. A bachelor’s degree is not required for admission to the Pharm.D. program, but is preferred.