Pharmacy
Overview of Field
Pharmacists are medication experts who enhance patient care and promote wellness. You will use your professional knowledge as a pharmacist to prepare and dispense prescriptions, ensure medicines and doses are correct, prevent harmful drug interactions, and counsel patients on the safe and appropriate use of their medications. As a pharmacist, you will have unique and specialized expertise about the composition of medicines, including their chemical, biological, and physical properties, as well as their manufacture and use. Other health care professionals will rely on you to select and administer medications that offer the best results and quality of life for a particular patient. As a pharmacist you may prepare personalized medications, participate in patient rounds at the hospital, reduce the spread of infections, conduct research or clinical trials, or focus on a specific patient population or disease state (e.g., diabetes, heart disease, asthma, HIV, and pain management). Be a pharmacist and help people live better, healthier lives.
Career Exploration
- Ambulatory Care Pharmacist
- Cardiology Pharmacist
- Community Pharmacist
- Compounding Pharmacist
- Geriatric Pharmacist
- Hospital Pharmacist
- Infectious Disease Pharmacist
- Nuclear Pharmacist
- Oncology Pharmacist
- Pediatric Pharmacist
- Industry Pharmacist
- Poison Control Pharmacist
- Psychiatric Pharmacist
- Veterinary Pharmacist
- Emergency Medicine Pharmacist
Applying to Pharmacy Graduate Programs
Most Doctor of Pharmacy programs receive applications for admission and applicant credentials exclusively through the Pharmacy College Application Service (PharmCAS), provided by the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP).
Common Pre-requisites:
- 2 semesters Biology/Biological Science w/ Labs
- Microbiology w/Lab
- Human Anatomy & Physiology w/Lab
- Genetics, Molecular Biology or Biochemistry
- 2 semesters General Chemistry w/Labs
- 2 semesters Organic Chemistry w/Labs
- General Physics w/Lab
- Calculus
- Statistics
The University of Louisville wants to support you with your career goals! Many of your required pre-requisites for your pre-health path can be completed right here at UofL in conjunction with your current academic program plan. Meet with your academic advisor for more information. In addition, consult the specific program you are applying to for pre-requisite requirements.
A Bachelor’s degree is not required for admission. 62 semester hours of non-remedial coursework must be completed from a regionally accredited United States college.
Entrance Exam
Varies by school, most do not have entrance exam requirements.
The final PCAT testing cycle will be offered during the 2023–2024 admissions cycle. No PCAT testing dates will be offered during the 2024–2025 admissions cycle or beyond.
Getting Involved
Pre-Pharmacy Club of the University of Louisville The Pre-Pharmacy Club is dedicated to educating University of Louisville students about pharmacy and related fields and assisting students in navigating the Pharmacy school admissions process. E: mtgran01@louisville.edu P: 7088709219
These student organizations are active as of Fall 2023. You can find all active student organizations by visiting engage.