Pre-Pharmacy, Associate of Science Degree in Science and Mathematics

A Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) is the minimum educational level required of anyone who wishes to practice as a pharmacist. Usually, this degree is obtained after five or (commonly more) six years of study beyond high school. Preparation for a program in pharmacy includes study in chemistry, biology, mathematics and physics.

This two-year degree gives students the prerequisites usually necessary for transfer into a PharmD program as a junior. Check the websites of the colleges you are considering, as prerequisites may vary slightly and other requirements may be needed for admission, such as Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT).

Careers in the health professions continue to have better than average employment projections. Educational requirements, particularly in the sciences, are rigorous and precise and admission to programs in Pharmacy is very competitive. Although RVCC students have successfully transferred into a number of PharmD programs, many students apply for a relatively small number of transfer admissions, particularly in the immediate area. Students are therefore encouraged to seek the assistance of the College’s transfer counselors to identify transfer institutions offering appropriate PharmD programs. Also, for more information, please refer to the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) website at http://www.aacp.org/about/Pages/Vitalstats.aspx.

Graduates are able to:

• exhibit an understanding of scientific methods
• use the theories and concepts of modern chemistry, biology and physics to analyze and solve scientific problems
• perform laboratory experiments using modern equipment and techniques
• communicate the results of their analyses, laboratory investigations and literature searches in an appropriate professional writing style
• understand both the historical perspective of the chemical and biological sciences, and their relationship to the modern world