Pharmacy, Pharm.D.

Prerequisite Course Requirements

• Complete a minimum of 60 semester credit hours (or equivalent) including the required prerequisite subjects listed below.
  • All required (prerequisite) courses must be completed with a letter grade of C- or better prior to entrance into the professional pharmacy program. 
  • Achieve a recommended cumulative GPA of 2.50 (on a 4.00 scale) and a recommended prerequisite science and math GPA of 2.50 (on a 4.00 scale) in the required science and math pre-pharmacy course curriculum (indicated * in the course list below); The student must achieve a minimum GPA of 2.5 (cumulative and prerequisite science and math) prior to matriculation into the program.
  • Grades from all attempts of repeated coursework will be included when calculating the cumulative and prerequisite science and math coursework grade point average. It is preferred that science and math prerequisite coursework be completed within the last 5 years. Prerequisite coursework older than 10 years will be considered on a case by case basis. 
• Reflect a people/service orientation through community service or extracurricular activities; Reflect proper motivation for and commitment to the pharmacy profession as demonstrated by previous work, volunteer, or other life experiences; 
• Possess the oral and written communication skills necessary to interact with patients and colleagues; 
• Complete CSU-SOP’s interview process (by invitation only); 
• Students can opt to submit a PCAT score, although it is not required for application review; 
• AP (Advanced Placement) or CLEP credit is accepted but must appear on previous transcripts. 
  • English (composition): 2 courses
  • Biology (with laboratory): 2 courses
  • Anatomy & Physiology, human or mammalian: 2 courses
  • General Chemistry (with laboratory): 2 courses 
  • Organic Chemistry (with laboratory): 2 courses 
  • Physics (May be non-calculus based): 1 course
  • Calculus (may include business or life sciences): 1 course
  • Oral Communication (speech):1 course
  • Statistics: 1 course

• Other General Education coursework to reach 60 credits (recommended courses to include economics and a social science (psychology, sociology, anthropology, or political science)

CSU PharmD Professional Curriculum (138-145 Credit Hours)

PharmD students may choose to pursue one of the following concentration areas:

• Public Health or
• Business Administration

Additionally, students have the option to earn a graduate degree in

• Master of Business Administration (MBA) or
• Master of Science in Public Health (MPH)

Students must apply to the MBA or MPH program during their P4 year; matriculation into the MBA or MPH program occurs after the PharmD degree completion. Please see the program advisor for more details.

Professional Electives

During their years of study at the CSU PharmD program, students complete a minimum total of 8 credit hours of approved pharmacy electives. A minimum of 2 credit hours must be completed in the P-2 Spring, P-3 Fall, and P-3 Spring semesters.

Professional Practice Experiences

Students must successfully complete 40 credit hours of practical experience during the academic program. Students are required to complete 10 credit hours of introductory pharmacy practice experiences during the first through third professional years and 30 credit hours of advanced pharmacy practice experiences during the fourth professional year. During these experiences, students will spend time in a variety of pharmacy practice settings to develop the necessary skills for contemporary pharmacy practice.

The CSU PharmD program reserves the right to alter its curriculum, however and whenever it deems appropriate.

Graduation Requirements

To qualify for graduation, a student must fulfill the following requirements:

• Successfully complete the program of professional and experiential course work as approved by the CSU PharmD program Faculty and Dean.
• Attain a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 (C) for all professional course work at the CSU PharmD program.
• Complete, at a minimum, the last two didactic semesters and all advanced pharmacy practice experiences at the CSU PharmD program.
• Successfully complete a capstone project in the fourth professional year.
• Successfully complete all non-course requirements as approved by the CSU PharmD program Faculty and Dean.
• Settle all financial accounts with the institution; and
• Attend the commencement exercises, unless excused by the Dean of CSU PharmD program.

Candidates for graduation must be of good moral character consistent with the requirements of the pharmacy profession and the CSU faculty. It is the position of the faculty that anyone who illegally uses, possesses, distributes, sells, or is under the unlawful influence of narcotics, dangerous drugs, or controlled substances, or who abuses alcohol or is involved in any conduct involving moral turpitude, or fails to meet the ethical and moral requirements of the profession may be dismissed from any program or denied the awarding of any degree from CSU PharmD program.