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Pharm.D. Application Process

Choose Your Path

Your journey to becoming a pharmacist starts here. The Harrison College of Pharmacy offers flexible and innovative pathways to a Pharm.D. degree, allowing students to choose the option that best fits their academic goals. From our unique Drug and Biopharmaceutical Sciences program to partnerships with Auburn colleges and other universities, these pathways are designed to provide a strong scientific foundation, personalized support, and a clear path toward a rewarding career in pharmacy.

Learn More About the Pharm.D. Curriculum
Start the Application Process
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Explore the Three General Pathways to the HCOP Pharm.D. Degree

Complete Pre-Requisites Only

 

Choose your path through the Harrison College of Pharmacy's Drug and Biopharmaceutical Sciences (DBPS) novel 2-and-Go pre-pharmacy pathway.

  • All prerequisite requirements can be met through completion of the first two years of the DBPS Program.
  • This pathway links students to the Harrison College of Pharmacy as an incoming freshman.
  • Our innovative course sequence in the second year of the B.S. program streamlines traditional prerequisites addressing principles most relevant to drug science and therapeutic drug action.
  • Students gain a stronger, more practical foundation for pharmacy training by eliminating less applicable content and emphasizing the real-world connections between chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology and physiology as well as other basic science concepts, directly focusing on the treatment of disease.

Students can complete 62-66 hours of prerequisite coursework at any accredited institution in a pre-pharmacy and/or sciences program.

Pharm.D. | Pre-Requisites
Humanities and Social Sciences (24 hours)*

  • English Composition (6 hours)
  • Additional Courses (18 hours)
    Courses that are acceptable for meeting this requirement include, but are not limited to, History, Literature, Fine Arts, Philosophy, Religion, Foreign Languages, Ethics, Speech, Communications, Economics, Political Science, Anthropology, Geography, Sociology, and Psychology.

*Applicants that will enter the HCOP with a baccalaureate degree are required to complete the English Composition requirement, but may be waived from additional Humanities and Social Science requirements.

Science and Math Core (38-42 hours)

  • General Biology (4 hours)
  • General Chemistry with Laboratory (8 hours)
  • Organic Chemistry with Laboratory (8 hours)
  • Human Anatomy and Physiology (8 hours) OR Upper Division Physiology (4 hours)**
  • Microbiology with Laboratory (4 hours)
  • Calculus (4 hours)
  • Statistics (3 hours)
  • Biochemistry (3 hours)***

**Acceptable courses include Mammalian, Vertebrate, Human, or Animal Physiology

***Microbiology and Biochemistry must be taken at a college/university that awards bachelor’s degrees

  1. These courses represent the minimum requirements for admission to the Harrison College of Pharmacy’s Doctor of Pharmacy Program. Students are advised to carefully evaluate their academic preparation for a doctoral program.
  2. Students seeking baccalaureate degrees from their undergraduate colleges/universities should follow appropriate plans of study as directed by their advisors.
  3. Undergraduate students in Biomedical Sciences at Auburn University and the University of South Alabama seeking a bachelor’s degree after enrollment in the Pharm.D. program should follow plans of study as directed by their academic advisors to assure that all degree requirements are met.

Earn a Bachelor's Degree while Completing Your Pharm.D.

 

Students can complete their B.S. while in pharmacy school through the Harrison College of Pharmacy's Drug and Biopharmaceutical Sciences (DBPS) novel 3-year accelerated track.

  • This path is for students who seek to earn a DPBS bachelor's degree in addition to their Pharm.D. degree
  • Students complete the first three years of the DBPS program, enter the Pharm.D. program, and receive their DBPS degree after completion of the first year of the Pharm.D. program and completion of DBPS research requirements
  • This pathway links students to the Harrison College of Pharmacy as an incoming freshman
  • Students take innovative courses that replace traditional coursework with a focus on the scientific principles most relevant to drug design and therapeutic action in addition to hands-on research experiences.
  • This dual pathway provides a stronger, more practical foundation for pharmacy training by reducing content less applicable to the pursuit of the Pharm D degree, and emphasizing practical connections between the foundational pharmaceutical sciences and drug therapy. This program is designed to deliver a focused and enriched academic experience and a competitive professional edge.

Students starting out in other Auburn University colleges can complete their B.S. while in pharmacy school through various agreements. Degree paths with these agreements include:

Biomedical Sciences (COSAM)

  • Students complete the first three years of the Biomedical Sciences Degree, enter the PharmD program, and receive their Biomedical Sciences degree after completion of the first two semesters of the PharmD program

Nutrition (Human Sciences)

  • Students complete the first three years of the Nutrition Sciences Degree, enter the PharmD program, and receive their B.S. in Nutrition/Nutrition Science after completion of the first four semesters of the PharmD program.

This path is for students who seek to earn a bachelor’s degree from an institution other than Auburn University, in addition to their PharmD degree. HCOP has developed agreements with various institutions for 3+1 programs. Students can complete three years in these various programs, enter the Pharm.D. program at HCOP and receive their respective B.S. degree from their original institution after a specified duration in the Pharm.D. program. Partner universities include:

University of South Alabama

Auburn University-Montgomery

  • B.S. in Chemistry
  • B.S. in Biology

University of North Alabama

  • B.S. with area of focus in Chemistry or Biology

University of West Alabama

  • B.S. in Chemistry

Georgia College

  • B.S. in Science

Enter With a Bachelor's Degree

 

This path is for applicants who have completed a bachelor’s degree or will complete a bachelor's degree prior to entering pharmacy school. The required Pharm.D. prerequisites must be completed prior to entry into the program. Check with a member of the Office of Admissions for information on prerequisite courses that may be waived.

Pharm.D. | Pre-Requisites
Humanities and Social Sciences (24 hours)*

  • English Composition (6 hours)
  • Additional Courses (18 hours)
    Courses that are acceptable for meeting this requirement include, but are not limited to, History, Literature, Fine Arts, Philosophy, Religion, Foreign Languages, Ethics, Speech, Communications, Economics, Political Science, Anthropology, Geography, Sociology, and Psychology.

*Applicants that will enter the HCOP with a baccalaureate degree are required to complete the English Composition requirement, but may be waived from additional Humanities and Social Science requirements.

Science and Math Core (38-42 hours)

  • General Biology (4 hours)
  • General Chemistry with Laboratory (8 hours)
  • Organic Chemistry with Laboratory (8 hours)
  • Human Anatomy and Physiology (8 hours) OR Upper Division Physiology (4 hours)**
  • Microbiology with Laboratory (4 hours)
  • Calculus (4 hours)
  • Statistics (3 hours)
  • Biochemistry (3 hours)***

**Acceptable courses include Mammalian, Vertebrate, Human, or Animal Physiology

***Microbiology and Biochemistry must be taken at a college/university that awards bachelor’s degrees

  1. These courses represent the minimum requirements for admission to the Harrison College of Pharmacy’s Doctor of Pharmacy Program. Students are advised to carefully evaluate their academic preparation for a doctoral program.
  2. Students seeking baccalaureate degrees from their undergraduate colleges/universities should follow appropriate plans of study as directed by their advisors.

Before You Apply

HCOP PharmCAS Page

Before starting your PharmCAS application, review the information below to help ensure you're ready to apply.

You Can Apply Before Completing Your Prerequisites

You do not need to complete all prerequisite courses before submitting your application. Applicants are encouraged to apply while completing their remaining required coursework, provided all prerequisites are successfully completed before enrolling in the PharmD program.

Review the Prerequisite Courses

Before applying, review the prerequisite course requirements to confirm you have completed—or have a plan to complete—all required coursework before beginning the program.

Pharmcas website screenshot

Minimum GPA Requirement

Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale to be considered for admission. While meeting the minimum GPA requirement makes you eligible to apply, admission is competitive, and successful applicants often exceed the minimum.

No Bachelor's Degree Required

A bachelor's degree is not required for admission. Students may apply after completing the required prerequisite coursework.

PCAT Not Required

The Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT) is not required for admission to the Auburn University Harrison College of Pharmacy.

Letters of Recommendation

Two letters of recommendation are required:

  • One from a professor who has taught you in a college-level math or science course.
  • One from an individual who can speak to your character and potential for success, such as an employer, advisor, pharmacist, healthcare professional, coach, pastor, or instructor.

Committee or composite letters are also accepted.

Admissions Process

Admission decisions are based on a comprehensive review of each applicant. In addition to academic performance, the Admissions Committee considers:

  • Leadership and campus involvement
  • Healthcare, pharmacy, research, and work experiences
  • Volunteer and community service
  • Letters of recommendation
  • Personal statement
  • Interview performance
  • Professionalism, communication skills, and commitment to the pharmacy profession

Rolling Admissions

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis throughout the admissions cycle. Because interview invitations and admission offers are extended throughout the year, applicants are encouraged to apply early.

Interview Process

Selected applicants will be invited to participate in an interview. The interview is a required part of the admissions process and provides an opportunity for the Admissions Committee to learn more about each applicant beyond their application.

Transfer and International Coursework

If you have completed coursework at multiple institutions, through dual enrollment, at a community college, or internationally, please review our prerequisite policies or contact the Office of Recruitment and Admissions with any questions before applying.

Questions?

Our Recruitment and Admissions team is here to help. If you have questions about prerequisites, competitiveness, the application process, or preparing your application, please contact us before submitting your application.

Ready to Apply?

The Auburn University Harrison College of Pharmacy uses the Pharmacy College Application Service (PharmCAS)for all Pharm.D. applications.

Start Your PharmCAS Application → https://www.pharmcas.org

Last Updated: July 22, 2026
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