Pre-Pharmacy

Pharmacists play a vital role in healthcare by ensuring safe and effective medication use, improving patient outcomes, and promoting overall wellness in their communities. The Pre-Professional Pre-Pharmacy program at Alvernia University prepares students for admission to pharmacy schools through personalized advising, a solid foundation in the sciences, and experiential learning opportunities. Students receive guidance on completing prerequisite coursework and building a competitive profile for pharmacy school, equipping them with the knowledge and skills necessary for a rewarding career in pharmacy and healthcare.

Many students choose to major in the sciences, most often biology or biochemistry, since these programs include the prerequisite coursework required by most medical schools. Students who select a different major may do so successfully, but they will need to complete additional courses to meet admission requirements. Alvernia students also have the opportunity to apply for an early acceptance program with LECOM or pursue admission to other medical schools through the traditional 4+4 program.

Students are encouraged to join the Pre-Health Professions Club, which offers opportunities to connect with peers who share similar interests, explore different health professions, engage in community service, and build leadership skills.

In This Section

Pre-Professional Programs

Getting Started

Application Instructions: Through a rolling admission process, prospective undergraduate students — including first-year, transfer, and international students — may apply via the Alvernia web portal or The Common Application. To learn more about how to complete your application, please visit our application page.
Financing Your Education: There are options to assist in financing your education and making the tuition affordable. Visit our Student Financial Services page for a detailed overview of the process, including a link to complete the FAFSA application, as well as more information about tuition, the tuition payment plan and the tuition deferment program we offer. Alvernia’s Title IV code for the FAFSA is 003233. The Office of Student Financial Services is available to help with any questions you may have. Call 610-796-8201 or email sfs@alvernia.edu.

Graduate School Application Details

Graduate School Admission Requirements

Specific admission requirements vary per pharmacy school. You should consult with schools of interest to determine their specific admission requirements. However, most pharmacy schools require the following coursework for admission:

Suggested academic preparation

Undergraduate course work: Preparation for the study of pharmacy consists of two to three years of required undergraduate coursework or a bachelor's degree that incorporates pre-pharmacy requirements.
Most pharmacy schools require the following coursework for admission into the graduate pharmacy program – then list the courses presently on website.
Competitive academic record: Admission to pharmacy school will be partially based on academic performance, particularly in science courses. An excellent overall and science GPA will be important in the application to pharmacy school.

Entrance Exams

With the PCAT discontinued, some pharmacy programs now accept GRE scores, though requirements vary by school. More information is available on the GRE and individual program websites.

Centralized Application Service- PHARMCAS

Many pharmacy schools use PharmCAS, a web-based application that allows students to apply to multiple programs at once, including personal statements, course summaries, and extracurriculars. Some schools may also require supplemental applications. Schools not in PharmCAS accept applications directly. See the PharmCAS school directory for details.

Resources

Pennsylvania Professional Schools

Curriculum

Pre-pharmacy students typically pursue an undergraduate degree in biology or biochemistry, but some pharmacy schools accept students who study different majors. Students who plan to apply to a non-LECOM pharmacy program should check with the pharmacy programs to be sure they complete the required undergraduate coursework. Students who plan to apply to the LECOM program should major in biology or biochemistry.

Most pharmacy schools require the following coursework for admission to a graduate program:

Chemistry: 2 Semesters

General Chemistry I
General Chemistry II

Organic Chemistry: 2 Semesters

Organic Chemistry I
Organic Chemistry II

English: 2 Semesters

Math: 2 Semesters

Calculus I
Calculus II
Statistics

Biology: 3 Semesters

Principals of Biology I
Principals of Biology II
Microbiology

Physics: 2 Semesters

Physics I
Physics II

Psychology: 1 Semester

Some pharmacy schools require the following coursework for admission to a graduate program:

Anatomy and Physiology: 2 Semesters

A & P I
A & P II

Upper-Level Sciences

Biochemistry
Genetics
Cell Biology
Microbiology

Career Outlook

Pharmacists are medication specialists who provide innovative ways to keep people health. Most pharmacists work in retail pharmacy settings, hospitals, home health care facilities or in research laboratories. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of pharmacists is projected to grow 5 percent from 2023 to 2033. The median annual salary for a pharmacist in 2024 was $137,480.

Internships

With hundreds of community connections in Greater Reading and beyond, pre-professional students can complete internships in a variety of healthcare settings. Recently, pre-professional students have complete internships with:

Reading Hospital
Bryn Mawr Hospital Pharmacy Department
St. Joseph Medical Center
Phoebe Berks Nursing Home
Sinking Spring Manor Care
Country Meadows
Flying Hills Pharmacy

Note: The observational hours/shadowing requirement varies from school to school. Refer to individual program admission requirements for details.

Partnership With Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine

With a growing demand of healthcare professionals, Alvernia and Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) partnered to help prepare new doctors, dentists and pharmacists. This special Early Acceptance Program (EAP) with LECOM allows students to apply to LECOM medical, dental, or pharmacy school as early as their senior year of high school. Students who meet the requirements in high school are conditionally accepted into both Alvernia and LECOM’s program simultaneously.

Lake Erie College of Medicine (LECOM) is a private college with locations in Pennsylvania and Florida. Its main campus is located in Erie, PA, with additional locations at LECOM at Seton Hill, in Greensburg, PA and LECOM Bradenton, a branch campus in Florida.

LECOM Early Acceptance Admission Requirements

SAT score greater than or equal to 1240 (Math and Critical Reading) or ACT score greater than or equal to 26
High school GPA of 3.5 or higher
Maintain a cumulative GPA at Alvernia of 3.4 or higher and a science GPA of 3.2 or higher

Students already attending Alvernia must meet these criteria to enroll into the Early Acceptance Program.