International applicants
International students are eligible to apply to the Pharm.D. program provided that they meet the following requirements:
- TOEFL is required with a minimum score as follows: Internet-based test: 80 or Paper-based test: 550. Scores are based on the TOEFL Internet-based Test Score Comparison Tables, published by ETS (Educational Testing Services 2005). Official scores are valid for only two years and must be submitted by the application deadline. The TOEFL does not need to be retaken if an applicant completes a bachelor's degree in a native English-speaking country. Such degree must be awarded by the time of application. Native English-speaking countries include only the following: U.S., Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. Send TOEFL scores directly to PharmCAS.
- International applicants must meet all established application criteria:
- PharmCAS application deadlines
- Three recommendation letters
- Prerequisites
- Personal statement
- Foreign transcript review (see below)
- If offered admission, all students including international applicants must provide proof of protection against a number of vaccine-preventable diseases and documentation regarding surveillance for tuberculosis.
Foreign transcripts
ALL transcripts for coursework completed at foreign colleges or universities must be translated and evaluated course-by-course by a certified agency. The VCU School of Pharmacy will only accept evaluations from the following certified agencies: Educational Credentials Evaluations (ECE) or World Education Services (WES). These transcripts and evaluations are required.
To obtain additional information or download the application form online, please contact any of the following certified agencies:
Educational Credential Evaluators Inc. (ECE)
P.O. Box 514070
Milwaukee, WI 53203-3470
414-289-3400
E-mail: eval@ece.org
Website: www.ece.org
World Education Services (WES)
P.O. Box 745, Old Chelsea Station
New York, NY 10113-0745
1-800-937-3895
E-mail: info@wes.org
Website: www.wes.org
Graduates of a school of pharmacy outside of the U.S.
(Foreign graduate students)
International students who hold a five-year undergraduate pharmacy degree conferred by a recognized school of pharmacy outside the United States, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico may consider the option of taking the Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Equivalency Examination (FPGEE) in lieu of pursuing the Pharm.D. program.
The Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Examination Committee (FPGEC) operates under the auspices of the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP). NABP provides the FPGEC Certification Program as a means of documenting the educational equivalency of a candidate's foreign pharmacy education, as well as the license or registration. Candidates are also required to pass the FPGEE, the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), and the Test of Spoken English (TSE). The FPGEC Certificate allows foreign graduates to partially fulfill eligibility requirements for licensure in the states that consider the certification.
Individuals who wish to obtain more information about this option are advised to visit the NABP website or contact the Virginia Board of Pharmacy at (804) 367-4456.
International students who hold a four-year undergraduate pharmacy degree from a school of pharmacy outside the United States, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico are not eligible to complete the FPGEE option and will have to complete a Pharm.D. program in the U.S. in order to become licensed to practice pharmacy in the U.S. Such a degree holder who is interested in the VCU Pharm.D. program will have to have their credits evaluated via ECE or WES (see above) or complete prerequisites at a college, university or community college in the U.S. as well as meet all other application requirements and standards.
Contact us
Office of Admissions and Student Success
VCU School of Pharmacy
410 N 12th St, Box 980581
Richmond, VA 23298-0581
Phone: (804) 828-3000
Email: pharmacy@vcu.edu