The Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy prepares future generations of pharmacists with the knowledge and skills needed to be essential contributors to a dynamic health care arena.

Prospective students may benefit from reviewing the following responses to frequently asked questions about the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program.

Questions About Prerequisites:

Is a bachelor's degree required for admission?

No, only two years of prerequisite courses are required. Students with a bachelor's degree are not given special consideration over students who have only completed the prerequisites.

Is work experience in the pharmacy field required?

Work experience is not required for admission. However, it can show committment to the field of pharmacy or can demonstrate the well-roundedness of an applicant.

Do I need to have all my prerequisites completed before I apply?

No, as long as you complete your prerequisites by the time you begin the PharmD program. Make sure to indicate courses planned or in progress in PharmCAS.

Can I take prerequisite courses at the School of Pharmacy?

No. You must take these courses elsewhere.

What counts as a humanities/social science course?

Social science courses include journalism, fine arts, classics, modern language, music, philosophy, and speech. In addition, examples of humanities courses include accounting, ethics, anthropology, economics, geography, history, political science, psychology, and sociology.

What if my institution uses a quarter system instead of a semester system?

Multiply your number of credits by .66 to translate them into semester hours. Round partial credits of .5 and above up to the next semester hour; credits at .4 and below are rounded down.

Are there any exceptions to the time limit for chemistry and biology courses?

If you are working in a science- or health-related field, then the time requirement can be waived with successful PCAT scores.

The time requirement is counted from the most recent coursework taken. If you took your first course more than five years ago, but you have taken higher level courses more recently, the coursework is considered current.

Do you accept AP courses for prerequisites?

Yes.

Can I count my foreign credits toward the prerequisites?

Yes. You need to get your transcripts evaluated, and equivalent courses can count toward the prerequisite requirements. To learn more about the process, visit our international applicant page.