PharmD Prerequisites

PharmD Prerequisites | Additional Information

As part of the admissions process, all applicants seeking admission to the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program must submit a PharmCAS application that includes official transcripts and 2 letters of reference.

The Pharmacy College Admissions Test (PCAT) is not required.

School admission is contingent on completion of 63 semester hours of coursework from an institution(s) accredited by an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education, including the prerequisites outlined below, is required prior to matriculation. Applicants should have no more than two (2) outstanding prerequisites planned for completion in the summer prior to enrollment. Your PharmCAS application must include a plan for completing the remaining prerequisites.

Prerequisites for Mercer’s PharmD Program

• Two-course general chemistry series with labs
• Two-course organic chemistry series with labs
• Two-course general biology series with labs
• Two-course series of human anatomy and physiology (labs optional)
• One course of microbiology (lab optional)
• Two-course English composition or intensive writing course series
• One calculus course
• One statistics or biostatistics course
• One economics course
• one speech course
• Two humanities elective courses*
• Two social/behavioral science elective courses*

* At least one elective course must focus on cultural diversity. Examples of courses that fulfill this prerequisite are sociology, cultural anthropology, cultural geography, world literature, world religions, gender studies, or cultural studies in specific languages other than the student’s native language.

Notes about prerequisites and admission requirements

Prerequisite course grades must be a C (2.0 GPA) or better for pharmacy school.

All science prerequisites must be fulfilled by courses intended for science majors.

General biology prerequisites can be fulfilled with courses in:

Humanities electives may be chosen from one or more of these areas:

Social/behavioral science electives may be chosen from one or more of the following areas:

Additional admissions guidelines

• The Admissions Committee prefers applicants to have cumulative undergraduate and science GPAs of at least 3.0.
• The Admissions Committee considers multiple factors in selecting candidates for the future practice of pharmacy including, but not limited to, academic background, extracurricular or community activities, pharmacy, or other work experience.
• Qualified applicants will be invited to campus for a personal interview.
• Three (3) letters of recommendation are required.
• Applicants must use PharmCAS, a pharmacy college application service.

Accepted applicants must:

• Have completed all prerequisite courses with a grade of C or better prior to enrollment in the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program.
• Comply with requirements regarding health insurance and immunizations, background checks, and drug screening, and they must attest that they meet all Technical Standards prior to their enrollment in the program. Failure to successfully comply with the required items for enrollment will result in the offer of admission being rescinded.

More Information

For more information and answers about admission requirements to pharmacy school, please contact:

Jordana Berry
Director of Admissions, Mercer University College of Pharmacy
(678) 547-6182
email