Do you offer an early assurance program?
Yes - The USC College of Pharmacy offers an early assurance program known as the Gamecock Pharmacy Assurance (GPA) program for high school seniors planning to pursue a Pharm.D.

Do you offer a pre-pharmacy program?
Yes - The Pre-Pharmacy program at USC is an intense two-year undergraduate education that includes courses in life sciences, mathematics, social sciences and liberal arts. The program is an adept foundation for the rigorous Pharm.D. professional degree or the optional bachelor's degree in pharmaceutical sciences. 

Do you offer a bachelor's degree program?
Yes - Pre-pharmacy students can opt to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences as they work toward their Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) at USC. The bachelor's degree is awarded at the end of the second professional year of pharmacy school.

Are pre-pharmacy majors at the University of South Carolina more likely to be accepted to the Pharm.D. program at USC?
USC pre-pharmacy students are about two times more likely to be accepted into USC's Pharm.D. program than non-USC pre-pharmacy majors.

What is a Pharm.D. degree?
The Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree is a professional degree required for individuals pursuing a career as a pharmacist.

What is the difference between a Pharm.D. and a Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences?
While both degrees are doctorate degrees, the Pharm.D. is a professional degree that prepares students for a career in pharmacy focused on patient care and treatment. The Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences is considered a research graduate degree and allows graduates to enter the pharmaceutical industry in research, sales or consulting, or the ability to pursue research or instruction at academic institutions.

How long does it take to complete the Pharm.D. program?
Once accepted, the Pharm.D. program takes four years to complete.

Is there an accelerated program for individuals with a prior degree, non-traditional applicants, or practicing pharmacists?
No - Students must complete the full four year Pharm.D. curriculum. The Pharm.D. program is a full-time program that cannot be completed online or in a part-time capacity.

Do you offer a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy or pharmaceutical sciences?
We offer a B.S. Pharmaceutical Sciences degree to students admitted to the USC Pharm.D. program who do not already have a prior degree and meet the course requirements. The degree is awarded at the end of the second professional year.

Can you complete the Pharm.D. program online or part-time?
No - The Pharm.D. program is a full-time program that cannot be completed online or in a part-time capacity.

Can I transfer into the Pharm.D. program from another pharmacy school?
Applications for transfer students from an accredited professional pharmacy program into the USC College of Pharmacy professional Pharm.D. program will be evaluated on an individual basis.  The student applying for transfer must be in good standing in their current Pharm.D. program, must complete at least two years of study at the USC College of Pharmacy, and space must be available in the Pharm.D. program for an application to be considered. Review the process to request transfer admission in the Academic Bulletin.

Do you offer an early assurance program?
Yes - The USC College of Pharmacy offers an early assurance program known as the Gamecock Pharmacy Assurance (GPA) pathway for high school seniors.

Where will I complete my academic rotations / experiential learning?
With over 600 experiential sites around the world, from South Carolina to Alaska, Nicaragua, and Uganda, our students experience first-rate and first-hand learning through our Experiential program.

Is a laptop computer required in the Pharm.D. program?
Yes - Updated laptop specifications are provided to the incoming Pharm.D. class the Spring semester prior to enrolling in the program.

Can I establish South Carolina residency for tuition purposes?
Yes - The USC Legal Residency Office provides information regarding residency.

Where can I complete the pharmacy prerequisite requirements?
Pharmacy prerequisite courses can be taken at any accredited college or university in the U.S. You can refer to the USC Transfer Equivalency Table or contact our Director of Admissions for questions regarding pharmacy prerequisite requirements.  

How can I have coursework from a foreign college or university evaluated?
You can request a WES evaluation directly through the PharmCAS application. PharmCAS only accepts foreign evaluations from World Education Services (WES). Visit the PharmCAS page for additional information.

What grade must I earn in pharmacy prerequisite courses?
We only accept grades of C- or higher in pharmacy prerequisite courses.

Do I have to complete all 66 credit hours of pharmacy prerequisite requirements before I apply?
No - Applicants may submit both the PharmCAS and Supplemental Application prior to completing the pharmacy prerequisite requirements. Acceptance, however, is contingent upon successful completion of remaining pharmacy prerequisite requirements prior to the Fall semester in which you are applying for.

Do students with a prior degree still need to complete all pharmacy prerequisite requirements?
Yes - All 66 credit hours of pharmacy prerequisite courses must be completed with a C- or higher before beginning the Pharm.D. program, if accepted. 

Do you accept AP, IB, or CLEP scores for pharmacy prerequisite requirements?
Yes - Please refer to the USC Undergraduate Admissions Office for score requirements.

What if my institution does not offer a course that is a pharmacy prerequisite for USC?
All 66 credit hours of pharmacy prerequisite courses must be completed with a C- or higher before beginning the Pharm.D. program, if accepted. To fulfill requirements that are not offered at your institution, you will need to consider taking these courses at another institution.

Can I complete the pharmacy prerequisite courses online?
Online public speaking and lab courses may not be accepted to fulfill pharmacy prerequisite requirements. If you have specific questions, please contact our Director of Admissions.

Is there a time limit for my pharmacy prerequisites to be considered?
We have a 10-year limit on math and science courses. Exceptions to this are evaluated on a case-by-case basis - please contact the Director of Admissions.

Do I need to have a four-year undergraduate degree to apply?
No - Students are not required to complete a four-year undergraduate degree to be eligible to apply. Applicants who have completed approximately two years of undergraduate pre-pharmacy courses at any accredited college or university can apply as long as they meet the admission requirements.

Do I need to have pharmacy experience to be considered for admission?
It is not required that applicants have pharmacy experience to be considered for admission. It is strongly encouraged that applicants have experience in pharmacy; this can be obtained by working or volunteering in a pharmacy, shadowing or interviewing a pharmacist, or any combination of these. 

When does the College make admission decisions?
Admission decisions are made on a rolling basis beginning in the Fall semester and continuing through late April. Applicants are not considered for admission unless they are invited for an interview and complete the interview process.

When will I be notified of an admission decision after interviewing?
Following the interview, the Admissions Committee will review your applications and interview evaluations and strives to provide an admission decision within a week of completing the interview process.

Are drug screenings and background checks required upon admission?
All students accepted into the Pharm.D. program are required to complete a background check and drug screening through the PharmCAS-preferred vendor, Certiphi Screening. Additional information will be provided to accepted students. Students are responsible for all costs associated with completion of a background check which is required upon admission. The cost of subsequent background checks is included within tuition and fees. Refer to the Academic Bulletin regarding the drug screening and background check policies for admission for information.

What should I do if I am not admitted the year I apply?
Applicants who are not accepted for admission are encouraged to improve areas evaluated in their application and reapply in the future.

How many letters of recommendation do you require?
The USC College of Pharmacy requires two letters of recommendation.

Who should I ask to write a letter of recommendation?
The individuals providing the recommendation should be able to evaluate characteristics such as empathy, ethics, intellectual ability, judgment, oral communication and reliability. These individuals should not include family members, friends, or family friends.

If I submit more than two letters of recommendation to PharmCAS will they all be reviewed?
Yes, all letters of recommendation submitted will be reviewed.

When will admission interviews take place?
Interviews for acceptance into the Pharm.D. program take place August through April.

What financial aid is available?
Scholarships are available at both the university and department level. University scholarships are awarded to both S.C. residents and nonresidents by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions based on a variety of eligibility factors. Departmental scholarships are primarily merit-based, but often financial need and other special circumstances are considered.

Pharm.D. students coordinate directly with the USC Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships to qualify for, access and claim loans that many require to finance their professional education. For questions or additional information, please contact the Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships.

How do I apply for College of Pharmacy scholarships?
To be considered for a College of Pharmacy scholarship, students must meet the minimum GPA requirement AND complete an online application each year. The application is accessible each spring and scholarship recipients are chosen between June and July.

If I currently receive an undergraduate scholarship from the University of South Carolina will I still receive that in the Pharm.D. program?
Students receiving USC scholarships at the undergraduate level are advised to refer to their scholarship agreement and consult the USC Financial Aid office to determine if their scholarship applies towards College of Pharmacy tuition.

If I currently receive a scholarship from the state of South Carolina (Palmetto Fellows, LIFE), will I still receive that in the Pharm.D. program?
Students who receive state scholarships may utilize remaining semesters of funding if they have not exceeded eight semesters of undergraduate studies prior to entry into the Pharm.D. program and conditions of the scholarship continue to be met.

Will I still be eligible for the Pell Grant during the professional Doctor of Pharmacy program?
No. As students enrolled in the Doctor of Pharmacy program are professional students, therefore they are not eligible for federal undergraduate student aid.

How does the Academic Common Market apply to a pharmacy education? 
The Academic Common Market is approved when a student wants to major in a program at USC that is not offered in the student’s home state, when the home state is part of the southern region. Therefore, this could include the time a student is enrolled as a pre-pharmacy student, as not every state has a designated “pre-pharmacy” option. However, as all states have one or more institutions that offer the Doctor of Pharmacy degree program, the Academic Common Market would not be applicable during the Doctor of Pharmacy program.

Is there a deposit required if I am accepted?
Students accepted into the Pharm.D. program pay a seat confirmation fee of $485.

What is the difference between a Pharm.D. and a Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences?
While both degrees are doctorate degrees, the Pharm.D. is a professional degree that prepares students for a career in pharmacy focused on patient care and treatment. The Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences is considered a research graduate degree and allows graduates to enter the pharmaceutical industry in research, sales or consulting, or the ability to pursue research or instruction at academic institutions.

What is the difference between the PA and the DDBS graduate program tracks?
The Pharmaceutical Outcomes Sciences track of the Ph.D. program is offered by the Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Outcomes Sciences. The Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences track of the Ph.D. program is offered by the Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences.

How long does it typically take to complete each program?
The typical length of time required to complete the Ph.D. degree in the Pharmaceutical Outcomes Sciences track is 4 years. The average length of time to complete a Ph.D. in the Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences track is five to six years.

Where do most graduating students go after completing a Ph.D. degree?
Our Ph.D. graduates typically pursue careers in academia, pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry, pharmaceutical sales, health care consulting or governmental agencies.

When are the application deadlines?
The application deadline is mid-March for the Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences (DDBS) track and mid-April for the Pharmaceutical Outcomes Sciences (CPOS) track for matriculation the following Fall semester. Candidates may apply for admission to our graduate programs at any time during the year. However, review of completed applications typically begins in January for the DDBS track and in March for the CPOS track. 

Is an M.S. degree required to gain entrance into the Ph.D. program?
An M.S. degree is not required to gain entrance into the Ph.D. program. Typically, qualified applicants will have an undergraduate degree in a health-related discipline or in the supporting sciences. Visit the Ph.D. Pharmaceutical Sciences page for additional admission requirements.

Are paid assistantships available for students in graduate programs at the College of Pharmacy?
The College of Pharmacy awards a number of instructional and/or research assistantships to graduate students. Visit the Graduate School website to learn more about paying for graduate school.