Admission Requirements
Admission to the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program is via the Pharmacy College Application Service, PharmCAS. Applicants must complete at least two years of study at a regionally accredited college or university (or an equivalent institution). All prerequisite courses (see below) must be completed by the time of matriculation, with grades of “C-” or better before enrollment. Prerequisites must be completed within seven years preceding matriculation. Exceptions may be considered upon review of an applicant’s full application. There is no overall minimum grade point average (GPA). A preferred minimum GPA of 2.75 is recommended for all prerequisite courses.
The admission process is holistic and will consider a variety of factors including academic record, intellectual achievements, extracurricular activities, and personal background rather than be solely based on GPA. Attendance at an interview on-site or remotely is required. Additional consideration will be given to those with community service, patient care, pharmacy, and/or military experience. The Admissions Committee consisting of faculty and current students makes all admissions decisions after reviewing the candidate’s application materials and interviewer feedback. The school focuses on maintaining a culturally diverse student population.
The PharmCAS application for admission includes the following:
- PharmCAS application fee
- Biographical data
- Postsecondary institutions attended
- Academic course history
- Work experience
- Extracurricular activities
- Personal statement
- Official transcripts from all accredited United States institutions attended
- World Education Services (WES) transcripts from foreign institutions of higher education
- Two letters of recommendation
Prerequisite Courses
All prerequisite course requirements can be found on our website.
Technical Standards
Applicants must satisfy the PharmD Technical Standards.
Other Requirements
- All pharmacy students must be able to communicate effectively in the English language, both spoken and written communications. See the Technical Standards for minimum levels of proficiency in English required.
- All admitted and enrolled PharmD students must complete a yearly Criminal Background Check and a Drug Screening from a vendor approved by the school at the student’s expense.
- All applicants must submit an up-to-date record of all required immunizations; this must be on file with the BU Decker Student Health Services Center and the Office of Student Affairs (OSA) within the SOPPS.
- Enrolled students must provide proof of health insurance or proof of BU health insurance.
- All students will be required to have their own laptop computer on entry into the pharmacy school. If you are unable to afford a computer, the OSA in the SOPPS will work with you to obtain one.
Additional Information About the Program
Program Fees
Students are required to pay fees that are associated with their professional development and requirements that are above and beyond tuition and fees charged by the University. Those fees include but are not limited to appropriate immunization costs, annual drug screening and criminal background check, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification costs, and intern licensing fees. Additionally, students must provide and pay for their own transportation and/or housing expenses for their experiential rotations.
Drug Screening
PharmD students are required to complete an annual drug screening. Students will be asked to submit to drug screening before matriculation through CertiPhi Screening Inc., and at the beginning of each academic year. The student is responsible for all costs associated with these requirements. For more information about this process and its associated fees, see the CertiPhi website.
Each student assigned to an experiential site may be required to submit to an additional drug screening. The student will comply with directions given regarding the designated vendor and any appropriate follow-up that may be required. Although variable, most required panels test for amphetamines, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, cannabinoids, cocaine, meperidine, methadone, oxycodone, opiates, phencyclidine, and propoxyphene. Costs associated with the additional testing may be incurred by the students.
Failure to comply with the drug screening requirement will result in a hold placed on the student’s account, and the student will not be allowed to go on their experiential rotations.
Criminal Background Checks
PharmD students are required to undergo an annual criminal background check. All students are required to complete a criminal background check before matriculation through CertiPhi Screening Inc., and at the beginning of each academic year. The student is responsible for all costs associated with these requirements. For more information about this process and its fees, see the CertiPhi website.
Failure to comply with the background check requirement will result in a hold placed on the student’s account, and the student will not be allowed to go on their experiential rotations.
The SOPPS requires that students disclose if they are arrested or involved in legal issues. Disclosure of such circumstances should be shared with the director of student affairs. It is imperative that these instances be disclosed in a timely fashion, as they may prevent admission to the SOPPS or may prevent licensure by a Board of Pharmacy.
Immunizations and Other Health Requirements
All pharmacy students are required to document their immunizations as directed in the appropriate SOPPS database. All pharmacy students are required to update their immunizations annually. Failure to comply with the immunization requirements will result in a hold placed on the student’s account, and the student will not be allowed to go on their experiential rotations unless an exemption form is submitted to and approved by the Office of Experiential Education.
Grading Scale
For courses that are graded on a letter scale (see below), a passing grade is defined as a C- or above. Other courses are graded as satisfactory or unsatisfactory (e.g., experiential coursework).
For the purpose of computing semester or cumulative averages, each letter grade is assigned a quality point value and a percentage range for the point value. The SOPPS percentage ranges are as follows:
| Lettter Grade |
Numeric Grade |
Percentage Grade |
| A |
4.0 |
≥ 92.5 to 100 |
| A- |
3.7 |
≥ 89.5 to < 92.5 |
| B+ |
3.3 |
≥ 86.5 to < 89.5 |
| B |
3.0 |
≥ 82.5 to < 86.5 |
| B- |
2.7 |
≥ 79.5 to < 82.5 |
| C+ |
2.3 |
≥ 74.5 to < 79.5 |
| C |
2.0 |
≥ 69.5 to < 74.5 |
| C- |
1.7 |
≥ 66.5 to < 69.5 |
| D |
1.0 |
≥ 59.5 to < 66.5 |
| F |
0.0 |
< 59.5 |
Part-Time and Non-Matriculated/Non-Degree Study
Part-time and non-matriculated/non-degree study options are unavailable.
Student Progression, Dismissal, Academic Probation, Remediation, and Professionalism Policies
For policies related to student progression, dismissal, academic probation, remediation, and professionalism, see the Student Handbook. Students are expected to progress through the PharmD program in four years while maintaining a minimum 2.50 GPA.
Student progression can be delayed due to poor academic performance, professional or academic misconduct, or student election due to medical or personal issues. However, students must complete the requirements of the PharmD degree within six years of initial matriculation. Leaves of absence, withdrawals (medical or otherwise), suspensions, and delayed progression shall be included within the six-year period.
For more information on the Doctor of Pharmacy, PharmD program, please refer to the SOPPS website. To apply to the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program, please visit the SOPPS Admissions website.
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