Skip to main content

Pre-PharmacyMajor

To prepare for the professional pharmacy curriculum, you must complete a pre-pharmacy curriculum that emphasizes the biological and chemical sciences. You’ll also take a variety of courses in the arts, humanities and social sciences.

By the numbers100

Over 100 years of educating pharmacists

Overview

What is Pre-Pharmacy at WVU like?

Description

The PharmD program at WVU is classified as a "2+4" program — meaning students need a minimum of two years of undergraduate prerequisites prior to starting the professional curriculum.

High-achieving, first-time freshmen have the opportunity to participate in the School's Direct Admit Pathway (DAP). The DAP program offers early assurance and prepares students for the PharmD admissions process.

Students who do not qualify for DAP should complete the courses listed in the PharmD plan of study through the Healthcare Pathway with Pharmacy Interest major or other science-based majors such as biology, chemistry or biochemistry.

Students begin the PharmD admissions process in the year before entering the four-year professional curriculum including completing a PharmCAS application and interviewing if deemed a competitive applicant. The Pharmacy College Admissions Test (PCAT) is optional. Application review is holistic, and a full list of necessary materials for evaluation are found on the PharmD Admissions page.

Pre-Pharmacy program highlights:

Living-Learning Communities
Research/Academic Opportunities

At a Glance

Admission Requirements
Careers and Employers
Cost and Aid
Courses and Plan of Study
Fast Facts
Related Majors and Minors
Related Pathways

College/School:
School of Pharmacy
Division:
Department:
Degree Designation:
Degree Program:
None
Program:
Pre-Pharmacy

Next Steps

Interested in this major? Here are some suggested next steps:

Apply Now Request Info Virtual Tour Visit WVU

Fast Facts

What makes Pre-Pharmacy at WVU unique?

Academic
Accreditation
Outcomes
Financial Support
Go First

100+ years of educating pharmacists.
7:1 student to faculty ratio.
DAP students receive in-class online Kaplan PCAT preparation as a part of their exclusive course work.
The Doctor of Pharmacy program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education.
5 areas of emphasis to tailor PharmD degree: Advanced Clinical Practice, College Teaching in Pharmacy, Geriatric Pharmacy, Global Health and Translational Pharmacy Research.
89% first-time board pass rate (6 percentage points above the national average).
DAP students have a seat saved for them within their respective PharmD class.
Top 9% in the nation for PGY-1 residency placement.
Pre-Pharmacy and DAP students who receive a merit scholarship may use all four years of their award — even during the professional program.
Conduct research at an R1 Doctoral University, the highest research activity as described by the Carnegie classification of higher education.
WVU School of Pharmacy is ranked among the top 25% by U.S. News & World Report.

Research and Academic Opportunities

Upon entering the PharmD program, students will have an opportunity to join several professional programs, including:

Kappa Psi
Lamda Kappa Sigma
Phi Lamda Sigma
Rho Chi
National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA)

Living-Learning Communities (LLCs)

Live, study and pursue outside-the-classroom learning in a residence hall community that shares your interests:

Transfer Articulation Agreements

To simplify the transfer process, we have formal agreements with certain institutions. These agreements outline the courses you should take to prepare for transferring to WVU. Review the full list of transfer articulation agreements to see if your institution is listed.

Student Organizations

Connect with other students who share your academic interests as a member of:

Academy of Student Pharmacists

View all of the student organizations you can join.

Careers

How does this degree prepare students for a career?

Possible Careers

Wondering what you can do with a degree from WVU's Pre-Pharmacy major? Check out these ideas from WVU Career Services and the Occupational Information Network (O*NET). A median salary is the midpoint of what people typically earn—half of those surveyed earned above the median salary, and half earned below.

Bright Outlook
Green Occupation
Requires a Graduate Degree

Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in health specialties, in fields such as dentistry, laboratory technology, medicine, pharmacy, public health, therapy and veterinary medicine.
Possible job titles for this career include: Assistant Professor.
$102,720Median Salary

Learn More
Medical and Health Services Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate medical and health services in hospitals, clinics, managed care organizations, public health agencies, or similar organizations.
Possible job titles for this career include: Health Information Management Director.
$104,830Median Salary

Learn More
Pharmacists

Dispense drugs prescribed by physicians and other health practitioners and provide information to patients about medications and their use. May advise physicians and other health practitioners on the selection, dosage, interactions, and side effects of medications.
Possible job titles for this career include: Clinical Pharmacist.
$132,750Median Salary

Learn More
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical & Scientific Products

Sell goods for wholesalers or manufacturers where technical or scientific knowledge is required in such areas as biology, engineering, chemistry, and electronics, normally obtained from at least 2 years of post-secondary education.
Possible job titles for this career include: Account Manager.
$97,710Median Salary

Learn More

This page includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license.

Employers

Graduates from this major have gone to work at:

Courses

What are the courses like in Pre-Pharmacy at WVU?

Plan of Study

Check out a program overview, learning goals, course descriptions and suggested plan of study for WVU's Pre-Pharmacy major.

View the Plan of Study

Popular Courses

CHEM 233:
Organic Chemistry

Basic principles of organic chemistry. Modern structural concepts, the effect of structure on physical and chemical properties, reactions and their mechanisms and application to syntheses. (3 hr. lec.) (Students may not receive credit for CHEM 233, CHEM 234, and for CHEM 231.)

CHEM 235:
Organic Chemistry Laboratory

PR or CONC: CHEM 233. Fundamental organic reactions and the preparation of organic compounds. (3 hr. lab.)

MICB 200:
Medical Microbiology

Provides basic background in medical microbiology. Emphasis is on basic structure of all microorganism groups including bacteria, fungi, viruses, protozoa and helminths; epidemiology, immunology, and infectious disease.

PSIO 241:
Elementary Physiology

(For undergraduate students in paramedical sciences and nursing students on regional campuses.) Systematic presentation of basic concepts.

Cost and Aid

How much does Pre-Pharmacy at WVU cost? And how can you save?

Tuition and Fees

Estimated rates are available on our tuition website. Anyone who is not a current West Virginia resident, including international students, will be charged non-resident rates.

View Tuition and Fees

Scholarships

Estimate your eligibility for merit scholarships at WVU Morgantown.

Find Scholarships

Net Price Calculator

Estimate your cost of attendance and eligibility for financial aid and scholarships at any WVU System campus.

Visit the Net Price Calculator

Ways to Save

Here is a way for you to save on the cost of attending WVU in addition to university scholarships.

Transfer Articulation Agreements

To simplify the transfer process, we have formal agreements with certain institutions. These agreements outline the courses you should take to prepare for transferring to WVU.

Review the full list of transfer articulation agreements to see if your institution is listed.

Learn How to Transfer Course Credits

Requirements

What are the requirements to apply for Pre-Pharmacy at WVU?

To be admitted to WVU's Pre-Pharmacy major, first-time freshmen must meet WVU's first-time freshman admission requirements for the 2024-25 academic year. They also must meet the following admission requirement. Interested in transferring? Review the transfer admission requirements.

Requirements for admission to the Direct Admit Pathway for Pharmacy:

GPA: 3.50
ACT Math: 26
SAT Math: 610
ALEKS: 65

If you don't meet the admission requirements for WVU's Pre-Pharmacy major, check out some related programs.

Related Majors and Minors

What other options does WVU have?

Biochemistry
The path to medical, dental, pharmacy or graduate school starts here. Biology, chemistry, mathematics and physics courses will challenge you in the classroom, while you pursue solutions to the world’s biggest issues in the lab — and build the foundation you need for professional or graduate school.

Learn More
Chemistry
When you understand chemistry, you begin to understand the extraordinary nature of the world down to its most basic particles. Chemistry is the science of the materials we use, the medicine we take, the environment we live in and the food we eat.

Learn More
Exercise Physiology
Exercise Physiology is an exceptional foundation for postgraduate study in medicine, dentistry and allied health fields, through a customizable major that aligns your interests with the foundational science knowledge needed to excel.

Learn More

Related Pathways

What majors share similar career interests with this major at WVU?

Healthcare
Learn to prevent, diagnose and treat medical conditions – or work in research, technology and other roles in health and wellness organizations.

Learn More

Next Steps

I like this major. What are the next steps?

Apply Now

Your first step to becoming a Mountaineer is applying for admission. Our online application makes the process as convenient as possible.

Request Information

Want to know more about Pre-Pharmacy at WVU? Fill out the Request Information form to receive more information about the program and life at WVU.

Visit WVU

It's the next-best thing to being here – you can virtually tour residence halls and the WVU Morgantown Campus.

Virtual Tour Visit WVU

Information for

Interested in talking to someone about WVU?

Connect with Your Admissions Counselor

Schedule a Call with a Student Ambassador

Contact WVU Admissions