Pharmacy

South University School of Pharmacy will accept only applications that are submitted through PharmCAS at: 
www.pharmcas.org.

Admission Cycle 

Students are accepted into the Doctor of Pharmacy degree program once each June.

General Admission

For optimum consideration during an admissions cycle, prospective students are encouraged to submit a completed application to PharmCAS as early as possible. Direct applications to South University will not be 
processed.  Admission to the program is competitive and will be granted on a rolling basis for applications postmarked no later than March 1 of each year.

Admission Criteria

Consideration for admission will be based on the applicant's potential for academic and professional achievement and an assessment of written and verbal communication skills, critical thinking skills, integrity, dedication, motivation, character and maturity. To be considered for admission to the Doctor of Pharmacy degree program a prospective student must: 

1. Complete or be in the process of completing a minimum of two years of pre-pharmacy course requirements (60 semester hours) at an acceptable accredited collegiate institution. The student must earn a grade of C
(2.0) or better in each prerequisite course. All pre-pharmacy coursework presented in the table below must be completed before matriculation to Doctor of Pharmacy degree program on or before May 25th of the program entrance year.

Pre-pharmacy Requirements* 

English Composition/English Literature 
3 sem. hrs. (1 sem. or 4.5-qtr. hrs.)

Arts & Humanities/Social & Behavioral Sciences
12 sem. hrs. (4 sem. or 18 qtr. hrs.)

Biology I^c 
4 sem. hrs. (1 sem. or 6 qtr. hrs.)

General Chemistry I^c 
4 sem. hrs. (1 sem. or 6 qtr. hrs.)

General Chemistry II^c 
4 sem. hrs. (1 sem. or 6 qtr. hrs.)

Organic Chemistry I^c 
4 sem. hrs. (1 sem. or 6 qtr. hrs.)

Organic Chemistry II^c 
4 sem. hrs. (1 sem. or 6 qtr. hrs.)

Human Anatomy/Physiology I^{e, f} 
3 sem hrs. (1 sem or 4.5 qtr. hrs.)

Human Anatomy/Physiology II^{e, f} 
3 sem hrs. (1 sem or 4.5 qtr. hrs.)

College Algebra or higher^d 
3 sem. hrs. (1 sem. or 5 qtr. hrs.) 

Other Math and Science Courses^e
16 sem. hrs. (5 sem. or 24 qtr. hrs.) 

1. Recommended courses in these disciplines include psychology, sociology, anthropology, philosophy, history, literature, art, music, theater, drama, business, education, government, and foreign languages.
2. General Biology II, Botany, Zoology, or similar health-foundational biology are also acceptable. These courses must include a laboratory. Applicants with an undergraduate degree or higher in biological science are exempted from Biology I and II pre-requisite requirements.
3. These courses must include laboratory. Applicants with an undergraduate degree or higher in Chemistry are exempted from Chemistry I and II pre-requisite requirements.
4. Calculus preferred.
5. Preferred courses: Microbiology, Statistic, Genetics, Cell Biology, Immunology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, or Physics.

Notes:It is recommended that the student take two science courses and at least five courses (a minimum of 17 semester hours of credit) each semester to ensure appropriate preparation for the academic challenge of the School of Pharmacy.

Course substitutions may be considered at the discretion of the Assistant Dean for Admissions of the School of Pharmacy.  

2. Earn a recommended cumulative grade point average of 2.80 (minimum 2.50) on a 4.0 scale. (A science GPA of 3.0 or better is recommended.)
3. Submit a completed Pharmacy application through www.pharmcas.org. Applications mailed directly to South University will not be accepted.
4. Submit a minimum of two letters of recommendation directly to PharmCas; however, three letters are preferred.
5. Demonstrate the oral and written communication skills required to interact with patients and professional colleagues, and expected of a professional doctoral level student.
6. Complete the South University School of Pharmacy's on campus personal interview with members of the Faculty and the Admissions Committee (by invitation only).
7. Provide directly to PharmCAS all transcripts. Transcripts for all college coursework must be submitted since academic performance for all college coursework undertaken by the student will be evaluated.
8. Applicants for whom English is a Second Language must submit to Pharm CAS a minimum paper-based TOEFL score of 550 or the electronic-based score of 79-80 to be considered for the program or completes (with a passing grade in all courses) a minimum of two (2) academic terms at a regionally or nationally accredited U.S. post-secondary institution in which instruction is delivered primarily in English.
9. International students with a current F1 Visa are eligible to apply for admission. It is preferred to have completed 30 semester hours at a regionally accredited college/university in the United States. Required pre-requisite Course work completed at international (non-US) institutions is accepted if it meets the admission requirements. Applicants who have attended international institutions must order a foreign transcript evaluation from World Education Services (WES) through the PharmCAS application. The evaluation report must include institution information, course tile, credit hours, and grades. Credit will be given only for applicable courses that can be used to fulfill prerequisites, and they may be required to completed additional courses prior to enrollment in order to fulfill any remaining prerequisites.

Exceptions to the Minimum CGPA

Applicants with CGPAs lower than the stated program minimum may be considered for admission with significant evidence of academic and professional potential demonstrated by the career and/or personal accomplishments indicated in the career résumé (including a personal statement of academic and professional goals), and academic or professional letters of recommendation. Exceptions must be recommended by the School of Pharmacy Assistant Dean for Admissions, Chair of the Admissions Committee, or School Dean.

Technical Standards for Doctor of Pharmacy Degree Program Admission

The educational mission of the South University School of Pharmacy is to prepare pharmacists for life-long learning in the practice of collaborative patient-centered care, and promote excellence in teaching, scholarship and service. 

Students admitted to the Doctor of Pharmacy degree program must also meet the technical standards for admissions. These technical standards outline the essential functions that candidates for the Doctor of Pharmacy degree must be able to perform. These essential functions reside in the following categories: Observation, Communication, 
Sensory/Motor, Intellectual, and Behavior/Social. However, it is recognized that degrees of ability vary among individuals. The South University School of Pharmacy is committed to supporting its students by any reasonable means to complete the course of study leading to the Doctor of Pharmacy degree. 

• Observation: A candidate must be able to observe demonstrations and experiments in the basic sciences, including, but not limited to, physiological and pharmacological demonstrations in animals, evaluation of microbiological cultures, and microscopic studies of microorganisms and tissues in normal and pathological states. A candidate must be able to observe a patient accurately at a distance and close at hand. In detail, observation necessitates the functional use of the sense of vision and other sensory modalities.
• Communication: A candidate must be able to communicate effectively and sensitively with patients. The focus of this communication is to elicit information, describe changes in mood, activity and posture, and perceive nonverbal communication. Communication includes speech, reading, writing, and computer literacy. A candidate must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in oral and written forms with all members of the healthcare team in a timely manner.
• Sensory/Motor: A candidate must have sufficient motor function to elicit information from patients by physically touching patients, e.g. assessing range of motion of a joint, taking blood pressure readings, taking a pulse reading. A candidate must be able to execute motor movements to provide general care and emergency treatments to patients, e.g. first aid treatments, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). A candidate must be able to execute motor movements required in the compounding of medications inclusive of using techniques for preparing sterile solutions, e.g., parenteral or ophthalmic solutions. Such actions require coordination of both gross and fine muscular movements, equilibrium, and functional use of the senses of touch and vision.
• Intellectual (Conceptual, Integrative, and Quantitative Abilities): A candidate must have the ability to measure, calculate, reason, and analyze. A candidate must be able to synthesize and apply complex information in a timely manner. A candidate must be fully alert and attentive at all times in clinical settings.
• Behavioral/Social Attributes: A candidate must possess the emotional health required for full utilization of his or her intellectual abilities, the exercise of good judgment, and the prompt completion of all responsibilities attendant to the interaction with patients. A candidate must possess the ability to develop mature, sensitive, and effective relationships with patients. A candidate must be able to tolerate physically taxing workloads and to function effectively under stress. A candidate must be able to adapt to changing environments, to display flexibility and learn to function in the face of uncertainties inherent in the clinical problems of many patients. A candidate must possess compassion, integrity, interpersonal skills, and motivation to excel in pharmacy practice.

Requirements for Matriculation Applicants who have been accepted into the Doctor of Pharmacy program must fulfill the following before they can officially enter the program: 

• Remit the $500 acceptance fee by the date designated in the acceptance agreement. The entire acceptance fee is credited to the first quarter's tuition.
• Submit a college transcript after each term completed following acceptance.
• Submit self-certification of high school graduation or GED completion.
• Submit proof of immunization or for immunity to Measles/Mumps/Rubella (MMR), Varicella (Chickenpox), Tetanus/Diphtheria, and Hepatitis B. In addition, students must complete the annual Tuberculin Test (PPD). An Immunization Clearance Form provided as part of the acceptance package must be completed and returned along with other immunization documentation.
• Present a Basic Adult Life Support certificate.
• Submit proof of medical insurance coverage.
• Satisfactorily complete a Background check.

Complete additional coursework if required by the Admissions Committee and submit additional documents as requested by the Office of Admissions.

Failure to comply with these requirements may result in forfeiture of your acceptance.

Laptop Computer Requirement

Laptop computers are required for use in the multimedia classroom. All students are required to have a laptop computer with Internet access and CD Rom which meets university specifications. Purchase of a new laptop is not recommended until just before matriculation into the program so that performance vs. cost can be optimized. Students may buy any laptop that meets the minimum computer specifications which are set by the school in the spring of each year.

For additional admissions information please see the admissions section here.