According to U.S. News & World Report, VCU School of Pharmacy is one of the Top 20 Pharm.D. programs in the United States. Located in the heart of Richmond, Virginia, we welcome students from all backgrounds and experiences. As one of 18 Health Science Centers in the United States, the school's location within the VCU Health System offers Pharm.D. students tremendous opportunities for interprofessional education and collaboration. In addition to our Pharm.D. program, we offer several dual degree programs with the VCU School of Medicine, VCU School of Business, VCU Wilder School of Government & Public Affairs and VCU College of Health Professions.
Why Students Choose VCU
Our Culture
At VCU, you can expect to learn from dynamic faculty in a welcoming and inclusive environment that will expose you to individuals of differing perspectives, life experiences and cultural backgrounds.
Our Curriculum
Our curriculum offers students an exceptional balance of practice and community engagement alongside basic and applied pharmaceutical research.
Our Results
We have the highest NAPLEX pass rate in the state of Virginia and second-highest NAPLEX pass rate when compared the Top 10 Schools of Pharmacy as reported by U.S. News & World Report.
Career Opportunities
There are hundreds of career paths available to pharmacists today, and we have a diverse curriculum and experiential opportunities that will prepare you for the path of your choice. Explore some of those paths here.Dual Degree Programs
Are you a highly motivated student interested in research or looking to obtain additional experience in business, public health, health innovation or gerontology? Our combined degree programs take advantage of efficiencies in both the professional and graduate programs while maintaining sufficient rigor, scope and depth. Currently, the following combined degrees are offered jointly with the VCU School of Medicine, VCU School of Business, VCU College of Health Professions and VCU School of Nursing.
| Combined Degree Program | Program Website | Program Director |
| Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.)/Pharmaceutical Sciences, Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) | Pharmaceutical Sciences | Dr. Phillip Gerk |
| Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.)/Business Administration, Master of (M.B.A.) | Business Administration | Dr. David Holford |
| Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.)/Public Health, Master of (M.P.H.) | Public Health | Dr. Pramit Nadpara |
| Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.)/Aging Studies, Certificate in (Post-baccalaureate graduate certificate) | Aging Studies | Dr. Krista Donohoe |
Application Process
Step 1:
Schedule
an appointment to discuss your competitiveness (optional step)
Step 2:
Complete and submit a PharmCAS
Application with all supplemental materials
Step 3:
After submission, the preliminary review of application begins
Step 4:
Based on preliminary review, interview offers are extended
Step 5:
Qualified applicants will be invited to complete the interview and supplemental
application process
Step 6:
Admissions decision is made and sent to applicant
Application Requirements
- Complete PharmCAS online application with the following components
- Offical Transcript(s)
- Personal Statement
- Three Letters of Recommendation
One letter should be from a faculty member, employer and health care professional. If you are unable to secure a recommendation from a health care professional or employer, a letter from a faculty member or volunteer coordinator is acceptable.
- Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT)
Completion of the PCAT is not required for the 2022-23 admissions cycle and remains optional. Students are encouraged to take the exam under the following conditions:
- Overall GPA below a 3.0
- Prerequisites taken 5+ years ago
- Less than 50 total credit hours taken at time of application
- Downward trend in academic history
Still unsure of what to do? Don't worry — we are here for you. Please make an appointment here.
Application timeline
-
July 14, 2022
-
Nov. 1, 2022
-
May 2, 2023
Pharm.D. Tuition & Fees (2022-23)
VCU School of Pharmacy is dedicated to making a Pharm.D. degree more affordable for the pharmacists of tomorrow.
In-state
$35,433 per year
Out-of-state
$49,014 per year
Are you an out-of-state student?
Be sure to ask us if you qualify for the Explore Virginia Tuition Initiative.
Connect with us!
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VCU’s Diversity P.A.T.H.S. (Promoting Access To Health Sciences) department features programs and initiatives to support students in their journey toward a health care career. VCU School of Pharmacy has several programs at the middle school, high school and college levels for students interested in learning about pharmacy. Click the button below to learn more and find a program for you.
- Preview Day
- Pharmacy Explorers
- Pharmacy Summer Scholars
- Summer Academic Enrichment Program
Virtual Information Sessions are designed with you in mind. An admissions representative will provide insights about the pharmacy profession and VCU School of Pharmacy. Interested in meeting some of our students? We can arrange that as well! If you have a class, club or group of individuals interested in learning more about VCU School of Pharmacy, feel free to request an information session.
Open Houses are open to anyone interested in the Pharm.D. program at VCU School of Pharmacy. Attending an Open House gives you the opportunity to:
- Learn more about our Pharm.D. program
- Ask questions about the admissions process
- Tour the MCV campus
- Get a sense of student life from current Pharm.D. students
Please click on a date below to register for an Open House!
Prerequisites
Applicants for the VCU School of Pharmacy must successfully complete ALL course prerequisites by the end of the summer term before fall classes begin in the year of their admission.
52
Total number of college semester hours that must be completed prior to matriculation
30
Total number of basic science college semester hours that must be completed prior to application consideration
45
Total number of college quarter hours that must be completed prior to matriculation:
Additional Information
*** Due to the importance of a strong biomedical science foundation in the doctor of pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree program, some or all of these courses are highly recommended: genetics (3 SH), molecular biology (3 SH), immunology (3 SH) and cell biology (3 SH).
NOTE: AP (Advanced Placement tests of the College Board) and/or IB (International Baccalaureate) courses will not be accepted for science prerequisites other than physics, although higher-level courses in the same subject area may be substituted (e.g., physical chemistry for general chemistry). AP/IB credit in physics, calculus, statistics, and English will be accepted with a minimum score of 3 (AP) or 4 (IB).
If you have taken Human Anatomy and Physiology together, please take both sections to satisfy the 6 credit requirement: Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II.
| Course title | Sem. hrs | Qrt. hrs |
| Biology | ||
| General Biology Lecture | 6 | 9 |
| General Biology Lab | 2 | 3 |
| Human Anatomy Lecture (in addition, 1 SH of lab is preferred) | 3 | 4.5 |
| Human Physiology | 3 | 4.5 |
| Microbiology Lecture (in addition, 1 SH of lab is preferred) | 3 | 4.5 |
| Biochemistry Lecture | 3 | 4.5 |
| Chemistry | ||
| General Chemistry or General Inorganic Chemistry Lecture | 6 | 9 |
| General Chemistry or General Inorganic Chemistry Lab | 2 | 3 |
| Organic Chemistry Lecture | 6 | 9 |
| Organic Chemistry Lab | 2 | 3 |
| Physics | ||
| Physics Lecture | 3 | 4.5 |
| Physics Lab | 1 | 1.5 |
| Math | ||
| Calculus | 3 | 4.5 |
| Statistics | 3 | 4.5 |
| Other | ||
| English | 6 | 9 |
| TOTAL | 52 | 78 |