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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.

Students will enter a competitive application process in the year before entering the four-year professional curriculum including completing a PharmCAS application, taking the Pharmacy College Admissions Test (PCAT) and going through the interview process.

Pre-Pharmacy program highlights:

Living-Learning Communities
Research/Academic Opportunities

At a Glance

Admission Requirements
Careers and Employers
Cost and Aid
Courses and Major Map
Fast Facts
Related Majors and Minors
Related Pathways

College/School:
School of Pharmacy
Degree Program:
None
Program:
Pre-Pharmacy

Next Steps

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

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Fast Facts

What makes Pre-Pharmacy at WVU unique?

Academic
Accreditation
Outcomes
Financial Support
Go First

100+ years of educating pharmacists.
4 international rotation experiences available (Oman, Thailand, Brazil or South Africa).
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.
2nd highest percentage of pharmacy residency matches in the nation for 2019.
6 areas of emphasis to tailor PharmD degree: Clinical Pharmacy/Residency, Gerontology/Geriatrics, Teaching, Research, Global Health and PharmD/MBA.
92% on-time graduation rate.
92.4% first-time board pass rate average over last five years.
DAP students have a seat saved for them within their respective PharmD class.
Pre-Pharmacy and DAP students who receive a scholarship of distinction 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:

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.

$99,360 Median Salary

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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 Corporate Director.

$96,540 Median Salary

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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.

$122,230 Median 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.

$78,980 Median 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?

Major Map

Check out the course requirements and suggested plan of study for WVU's Pre-Pharmacy major.

View the Major Map

For a program overview, learning goals and course descriptions, visit the course catalog.

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 for the 2020-21 academic year. Rates are subject to change. Anyone that is not a current West Virginia resident will be charged non-resident rates. That includes international students.

West Virginia Resident
Per Credit	$403
Per Semester	$4,836
Fall and Spring Semesters	$9,672

Non-Resident
Per Credit	$1,084
Per Semester	$13,008
Fall and Spring Semesters	$26,016

International
Per Credit	$1,084
Per Semester	$13,308
Fall and Spring Semesters	$26,616

Scholarship Chart

Estimate your eligibility for merit scholarships at WVU Morgantown.

Visit the Scholarship Chart

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 2021-22 academic year. They also must meet one of the following admission requirements. Interested in transferring? Review the transfer admission requirements.

Admission to the Direct Admit Pathway for Pharmacy:

GPA: 3.50
ACT Composite: 26
ACT Math: 26
SAT EBRW and Math: 1240
SAT Math: 610

Admission to the Direct Admit Pathway for Pharmacy as a test optional student.:

GPA: 3.50

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.

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Exercise Physiology
Looking for a pre-medical, pre-dental or other professional degree program? This major combines basic science knowledge with clinical applications. You'll have access to state-of-the-art facilities and the only accredited Aquatic Therapy program in the U.S.

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?

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