Pre-Pharmacy

A pharmacist is an independent health care professional who dispenses medication prescribed by the appropriate health care provider (physician, physician assistant). The pharmacist also plays a consultative role with other health care providers, as well as provides patients with information about medications, their uses, possible adverse reactions and possible drug interactions. In addition the pharmacist may make recommendations about non-prescription drugs, home medical equipment and other health care supplies.

A pharmacist is a graduate of a college of pharmacy and has obtained a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) after 6 years of study.

The pre-pharmacy curriculum is generally two years and includes coursework in biology, chemistry, organic chemistry, mathematics and statistics as well as coursework in English, humanities, and social science disciplines. The pre-pharmacy student should contact the individual college of Pharmacy about requirements specific to that college. The student should consult with an advisor to help plan a course of study that complies with the requirements for admission to the College of Pharmacy of the student’s choice. Some colleges of Pharmacy require the applicant to take the Pharmacy College Admissions Test (PCAT) and participate in a central application service known as PharmCAS.

For more information about Pharmacy contact: American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (http://www.aacp.org); Academic Advising Center, 677-5381; Health Professions Advisor, 677-5156 or by visiting the following web site: http://admissions.usd.edu/academics/majors/pre-health-professions.cfm.