The Pre-pharmacy Program

The Pre-pharmacy major serves the role of a preparatory major for the Doctor of Pharmacy (professional) program at the Purdue University School of Pharmacy. For admission into the professional curriculum leading to the Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.), completion of the entire Pre-pharmacy program is required. This typically takes two years of study, after which successful applicants to the Pharm.D. program continue their studies for an additional four years, for a minimum of six years of college. Admission into and completion of the Pre-pharmacy program does not guarantee admission into the Doctor of Pharmacy Program at Purdue. The entire curriculum, including the Pre-pharmacy portion, is highly structured, allowing time for only a modest amount of elective study. If you are considering a career as a pharmacist and would like more information to help you in your decisions, see our web pages on Becoming a Pharmacist and Career Options and Job and Salary Outlook for Pharmacists.

The Pre-pharmacy major is not intended for students interested in the BS in Pharmaceutical Sciences (BSPS) program. However, it is possible to pursue dual degrees (BSPS and Pharm.D.). If you are interested in this, you must discuss this with your Pharmacy School academic advisor.

Usually students are admitted into the Pre-pharmacy program as their first college experience, although students may transfer from other majors at Purdue or other colleges and Universities. Students planning to complete the Pre-pharmacy program and pursue a Pharm.D. should consult the detailed information about admissions to the Pre-pharmacy Program at Purdue University.

Students intending to pursue a Pharm.D. should consult the detailed description of the pre-pharmacy curriculum which shows the required courses. However, in order to complete the Pre-pharmacy and Pharm.D. programs in a total of six years, it is essential that students in Pre-Pharmacy work towards completing the General Education Electives and Professional/Career Related Electives that are required for completion of the Pharm.D. program.

Once a student is admitted to any of the Pharmacy undergraduate or professional programs (including the pre-pharmacy major), he or she is assigned an individual academic advisor. All advisors in the School of pharmacy are part of the Office of Student Services (OSS). Advisors help in planning schedules and must approve the courses which each student selects at registration (students in this program are required to meet with their advisor every semester as part of the regular registration process). They advise on electives and assist in determining the best schedule for a student to take. The advisor is the first person to go to when a student is having academic or personal problems, and should be considered a personal friend. Remember, your advisor is interested in you, and has the experience and ability to give you help when you need it.

The University Undergraduate Admissions office maintains an estimate of costs of attendance. However, the Univeristy's fee structure is complex, and depends in part on which semester you first enrolled at Purdue. Please see the Bursar's list of tuition and fee rates for more information.