General Questions
What is the Doctor of Pharmacy Degree?
The Doctor of Pharmacy degree (often abbreviated Pharm.D. or PharmD) is required to sit for the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX). The NAPLEX is one component of the licensure process required to practice as a pharmacist. The Pharm.D. is a professional degree similar to a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS). As a doctorate, it represents the increasing responsibility pharmacists have in health care systems and the high trust Americans have in pharmacists. After earning a Doctor of Pharmacy degree and passing licensure examinations, College of Pharmacy graduates can practice pharmacy anywhere in the country.
How long does it take to earn a Doctor of Pharmacy degree?
Three to four years of undergraduate pre-professional (prerequisite) coursework, followed by four academic years in the professional program. Most students need four years to complete their prerequisite courses. Thus, it usually takes eight years of college study to earn a Pharm.D. and become a pharmacist.
What is the difference between the Pharm.D. program and the Ph.D. program?
The Doctor of Pharmacy program is for people who want to work as pharmacists. The Ph.D. program is intended for people interested in careers in research.
The College of Pharmacy offers a dual Pharm.D./Ph.D. degree program for students with a strong interest in research who also want to practice as pharmacists. Contact us as pharmacy@oregonstate.edu for more details!
Does OSU have a pharmacy technician training program?
OSU does not offer a pharmacy technician program. Several Oregon colleges have pharmacy technician programs, including Chemeketa Community College in Salem, Ore.; Southwestern Oregon Community College in Coos Bay, Ore.; and Linn Benton Community College in Albany, Ore.
Applications
Does OSU use PharmCAS?
Yes. The OSU College of Pharmacy will review only complete, on-time applications submitted via PharmCAS.
Does OSU College of Pharmacy require the PCAT?
No. OSU does not require the PCAT. PCAT scores are not considered in the evaluation of applications.
Can I apply even though I did not major in pre-pharmacy as an undergraduate?
Definitely, as long as you are able to complete all the prerequisite courses by the time you plan to start the Pharm.D. program. Pharm.D. students come from a wide range of undergraduate majors.
Does OSU accept out-of-state and international students?
Yes.
Do you participate in WICHE?
Yes. Residents of Nevada and Guam may be eligible to participate in the Professional Student Exchange Program (PSEP) coordinated by the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE). Please note that the WICHE program has its own application process and deadline. Call 303-541-0214 or go to wiche.edu/psep for more information.
Is there a minimum GPA to be considered for admission?
It is recommended that applicants have a minimum prerequisite GPA of 2.75 to be competitive. Perquisite GPA is calculated by PharmCAS based on applicants' performance in prerequisite courses and will not be recalculated by the College of Pharmacy.
What is the average GPA of students admitted to the program?
The average pre-pharmacy science GPA of applicants who have been admitted to the Doctor of Pharmacy program in recent years is approximately a 3.2 (on a 4.0 scale).
When can I apply to the program?
Applications for Fall admission will be available on PharmCAS two summers before you would start the program in July. We encourage applicants to apply by the November 1st priority deadline.
Can I reapply if I am not admitted?
Yes. There is no limit on the number of times an applicant can apply to Oregon State's Pharm.D. program. Applicants who are denied admission should consider meeting with our Admissions & Recruitment Manager, Melissa Shaner (pharmacy@orgeonstate.edu), to discuss the possibility of reapplying.
How many people usually apply to the Pharm.D. program?
OSU normally receives 300-400 Pharm.D. applications each year.
How many applicants were invited for interviews?
Approximately 150-200 applicants are invited to interview each year. Interview selection is made based on several factors: prerequisite science GPA, letters of recommendation, personal statement and the OSU supplemental essay.
How many seats are available in the Pharm.D. program each year?
About 90 seats are available in each entering class.
Is a bachelor's degree required for admission?
No. A bachelor’s degree is not required for admission to the Pharm.D. program. However, the College of Pharmacy strongly recommends completing a bachelor's degree before beginning the Pharm.D. program. Applicants interested in any of our dual degrees are required to have a
Is First Aid/CPR certification required at the time of application?
First Aid/CPR certification is not required at the time of application. However, all admitted applicants must have current First Aid and Health Care Provider CPR certification prior to their first day of class in the Pharm.D. program. Entering Pharm.D. students will have the option of taking First Aid and CPR certification courses during their orientation program in September.
When will I hear back about my application?
Applicants typically hear back within two weeks of their application being completed about next steps in the admissions process.
Does OSU use rolling admission?
Yes, we make offers of admission throughout the application cycle. While our final deadline is June 2, applicants should apply earlier to maximize their chances of admission.
Prerequisite Courses
Do I have to complete all of the prerequisites before I apply to the program?
You must complete all the prerequisites by the start of Fall term of the year in which you would enter the program. Therefore, you can apply while still having some prerequisites in progress. Generally, most students apply during the fall as they complete their final year of prerequisite coursework.
For example, if you are applying for Fall 2025 admission, the final application deadline is June 2, 2025. You will need to complete all the prerequisites by September 2025. Some prerequisites may be completed during summer. Please contact our Admissions & Recruitment Manager, Melissa Shaner (pharmacy@oregonstate.edu), to discuss completing the prerequisites during the summer before you start the program.
Can I take the prerequisites at another university or community college?
Yes. Prerequisites can be completed at any accredited college or university.
Upper-division level coursework is strongly encouraged for several prerequisites. Whether you are attending Oregon State University or another institution, it is important to plan your program of study with an academic advisor at your institution and our Admissions & Recruitment Manager, Melissa Shaner (pharmacy@oregonstate.edu).
How can I find out if the courses I've taken fulfill the prerequisites?
We encourage prospective students to submit a request for a transcript evaluation to determine how your coursework applies to the Pharm.D. prerequisites.
Instructions for requesting a transcript evaluation:
Submit copies of your transcripts via e-mail to pharmacy@oregonstate.edu. Unofficial transcript copies are sufficient for the informal evaluation. Include your full name and e-mail address so results can be communicated to you. Make sure your unofficial transcripts include the name of your college or university, the name and number of each course you took, and the grade you received in each course. It is also helpful if you include a link to your college or university's course catalog.
Allow 2-4 weeks to receive the results of your evaluation. Results will be sent by e-mail to the address you provided. Transcripts will not be returned.
Do my prerequisite courses expire after a certain amount of time?
As a general rule, upper-division science coursework should be no more than seven years old at the time of application. However, each situation is reviewed on an individual basis. Please contact the College of Pharmacy at pharmacy@oregonstate.edu for more information.
Can I take my prerequisite courses pass/no-pass or credit/no-credit?
No, we require a letter grade for all prerequisite coursework.
What is the minimum grade required for a prerequisite course?
Prerequisite courses must be completed with a minimum of C- grade on a 4.0 scale. Any prerequisite course that is a D+ or below must be retaken.
I took the prerequisites outside the United States. Will they count?
Courses completed outside the U.S. may or may not fulfill OSU’s Pharm.D. prerequisites. The answer varies depending on the course content, the date completed, and the country in which the course was taken. It is extremely rare for foreign credits to fulfill all the Pharm.D. prerequisites, and it is strongly recommended that applicants in this situation plan to complete the upper-division prerequisites (organic chemistry, microbiology, biochemistry, anatomy and physiology) at a U.S. college or university.
For specific information about foreign credits for Pharm.D. prerequisites, applicants can submit a request for transcript evaluation to pharmacy@oregonstate.edu.
Letters of Recommendation
How many letters of recommendation are required when I apply for admission?
You must submit at least two recommendation letters with your Pharm.D. application. A maximum of four letters will be accepted. Letters must be submitted directly to PharmCAS and received by the application deadline. Visit pharmcas.org for details. Letters submitted directly to OSU will not be accepted.
Who should write my letters of recommendation?
People who know you well and can comment on the qualities that will make you a successful pharmacist. Professors, employers, and practicing pharmacists are good sources of recommendations.
Family members or friends should not write letters of recommendation for you regardless of their involvement in the medical community and will not be accepted.
Interviews
Is an interview required for admission?
Yes. Interviews are conducted via Zoom.
Who will interview me?
A combination of faculty members, students, and staff participate in the interview process.
What should I wear?
Professional attire.
What will they ask me?
You can expect to be asked questions designed to gauge your communication abilities, leadership, integrity, intellectual curiosity, and motivation.
Financial Aid and Costs
What scholarships and financial aid are available for students?
The College of Pharmacy awards more than $600,000 in scholarships each year. These scholarships are largely only available to Pharm.D. students after successful completion of the first year. You can find more information on scholarships available to incoming students here.
Many Doctor of Pharmacy students receive federal financial aid through Oregon State University. Information on financial aid (grants, loans and scholarships) available through Oregon State University can be found at https://financialaid.oregonstate.edu/.
Additional information about financial aid opportunities for pharmacy students is available through the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy online.
How much does tuition cost?
How can I gain Oregon residency?
It is very rare for students to obtain Oregon residency once they enroll in coursework. Information regarding Oregon residency requirements can be obtained from the OSU Office of Admissions at: https://admissions.oregonstate.edu/residency.
Facts about OSU Pharm.D. Program
How many Doctor of Pharmacy students are Oregon residents?
Approximately 65% to 70% percent are considered Oregon residents for tuition purposes.
What is the gender breakdown in the program?
Recent entering classes have been 35% to 40% male and 60% to 65% female.
What is the average age of students in the program?
The average age of students when they begin the program is 24 to 26. Many begin immediately after their undergraduate studies, but there are also many students who start the program later in their careers and are student parents.
How do OSU graduates do on the NAPLEX and MPJE exams?
Quite well! Our students consistently perform at or above the national average. Read more about the success of our students.
Transfer Students
Can I transfer into the Pharm.D. program?
The College of Pharmacy will consider applications from students currently enrolled in another Doctor of Pharmacy program who wish to transfer to OSU. Students may only transfer at the beginning of the fall term and must meet with our Admissions & Recruitment Manager, Melissa Shaner (pharmacy@oregonstate.edu), prior to applying. You can read more about our Pharm.D. Transfer process here.
International Students
Are international students admitted to the Doctor of Pharmacy program?
Yes. Like all students, international applicants to the Pharm.D. program must complete the Pharm.D. prerequisite courses to be eligible for admission. Our admissions committee strongly encourages international applicants to complete some of their prerequisite coursework in the United States. Contact Melissa Shaner at pharmacy@oregonstate.edu for more information.
Will my coursework in another country help me fulfill the Doctor f Pharmacy program prerequisites?
Courses completed outside the U.S. may or may not fulfill OSU’s Pharm.D. prerequisites. The answer varies depending on the course content, the date completed, and the country in which the course was taken. It is extremely rare for foreign credits to fulfill all the Pharm.D. prerequisites, and it is strongly recommended that applicants in this situation plan to complete the upper-division prerequisites (organic chemistry, microbiology, anatomy, biochemistry, and physiology) at a U.S. university.
For specific information about international credits for Pharm.D. prerequisites, applicants can submit a request for transcript evaluation to pharmacy@oregonstate.edu.
I have a bachelor of pharmacy degree from another country. Can I apply to the Pharm.D. program?
All applicants to the Pharm.D. program must complete the Pharm.D. prerequisite courses to be eligible for admission. While courses completed in a foreign bachelor of pharmacy program may fulfill some of the Pharm.D. prerequisites, it is extremely uncommon for the previous coursework to fulfill all requirements. It is strongly recommended that applicants in this situation enroll at a U.S. university to complete the upper-division prerequisites (organic chemistry, microbiology, physiology, biochemistry, and anatomy).
How should I handle my international transcripts when applying?
Applicants are instructed not to list individual foreign courses on the PharmCAS application (unless they are credits from a Study Abroad program). Applicants should send transcript evaluation reports (NOT original or copies of their foreign transcripts) to PharmCAS before the application deadline.
An official, translated copy of the transcript will be required by OSU’s Office of Admissions if the applicant is admitted to the Pharm.D. program. Please note, processing time for foreign transcripts is quite long. International applicants are strongly encouraged to apply early in the application cycle.
Health Requirements
Do I need any immunizations or certifications before beginning the program?
Because student pharmacists work in health care settings, it's especially important that they complete immunizations to protect themselves and their patients. You can read about the College of Pharmacy's immunization requirements in the Pharm.D. Student Handbook. These requirements can generally be completed after you are admitted to the Pharm.D. program.
Do I need health insurance as a student?
Yes. Because they work in health care settings, student pharmacists are exposed to more health risks than a typical university student. Furthermore, many experiential education sites require participants to have health insurance. Therefore, all Doctor of Pharmacy students are required to have high-quality health insurance. Students must either participate in OHSU's student health insurance program or request a waiver. Waivers can be requested by students who already have health insurance (such as a parent or partner's group medical insurance plan) and whose coverage meets specific criteria. Students who anticipate requesting a waiver should carefully review the detailed information and waiver criteria on the OHSU student health insurance program website.