| Frequently Asked Questions
General Information
What degree is awarded by CSU-COP?
Chicago State University College of Pharmacy awards the PharmD degree. The PharmD. (Doctor of Pharmacy) degree is a professional degree that prepares the graduate for pharmacy practice. It is awarded after four years of pharmacy school, including one year of experiential rotations.
How long does it take to get the Pharm. D. Degree?
The PharmD requires a minimum of 6 academic years. Two years of prescribed prepharmacy courses and four years of full-time attendance in the professional program. The last year is composed of experiential rotations in pharmacy practice sites.
How often do you admit a class into the program?
Once a year, fall semester only.
How many students are admitted each fall?
CSU-COP admits 90 students each fall.
What is the total student to faculty ratio?
The total student to faculty ratio is 9.5:1.
Is CSU-COP Accredited?
Yes, CSU-COP and Chicago State University are is accredited. The Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) accredits Doctor of Pharmacy programs offered by Colleges and Schools of Pharmacy in the United States and selected non-US sites. For a Doctor of Pharmacy program offered by a new College or School of Pharmacy, ACPE accreditation generally involves three steps: Precandidate accreditation status, Candidate accreditation status, and Full accreditation status. Precandidate accreditation status denotes a developmental program that is expected to mature in accord with stated plans and within a defined time period. Precandidate accreditation status is awarded to a new program of a College or School of Pharmacy that has not yet enrolled students in the professional program and authorizes the College to admit its first class. Candidate accreditation status is awarded to a Doctor of Pharmacy program that has students enrolled but has not yet had a graduating class. Full accreditation status is awarded to a program that has met all ACPE standards for accreditation and has graduated its first class. Graduates of a class designated as having Candidate accreditation status have the same rights and privileges of those graduates from a fully accredited program. ACPE conveys its decisions to the various boards of pharmacy and makes recommendations in accord with its decisions. It should be noted, however, that decisions concerning eligibility for licensure by examination or reciprocity reside with the respective state boards of pharmacy in accordance with their state statutes and administrative rules.
The Doctor of Pharmacy program of the Chicago State University College of Pharmacy was awarded continued Candidate accreditation status during the June 22-26, 2011, meeting of the ACPE Board of Directors based upon an on-site evaluation conducted April 13-14, 2011, and discussion with University and College officials. If the program continues to develop as planned, full accreditation of the Doctor of Pharmacy program will be considered by the Board following the graduation of students from the program.
For further information, please visit the ACPE website at www.acpe-accredit.org/
Application Process
Do I need to be a science major in order to apply to CSU-COP?
No, you are not required to major in science in college to be eligible for admission to a pharmacy degree program.Biology and chemistry are common majors for pharmacy applicants because many of the course prerequisites for pharmacy are often incorporated into the standard curriculum. Student pharmacists, however; come from a wide variety of educational backgrounds, including those who majored in English, business, communications, etc.If the pharmacy prerequisite courses are not required as part of your undergraduate major, you will need to complete these courses as electives.
Do I need a degree in order to apply?
A bachelor’s degree is not required. However, more than 50% of the 2009 entering class held a bachelors degree. We welcome exceptional non-degree students to apply as long as they have completed a minimum of 62 semester hours or 89 quarter hours and meet minimum GPA requirement.
What are the GPA requirements for admission?
Students must have a minimum 2.5 GPA in math and science courses and a 2.5 cumulative GPA. However, admissions to all colleges of pharmacy are highly competitive. The average GPA of the entering class was above 3.2.
Is the Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT) Required?
Yes,
Pearson has introduced a new computer-based test (CBT) version of the PCAT. Beginning in July 2011, all candidates will take the test via computer.
Students must take the PCAT no later than September 2011 for fall 2012 admission. Information on registration and test site locations can be found at www.pcatweb.info. The CSU Code is 041.
When will the applications be available?
Applications for the 2012 entering class are available via PharmCAS June15th preceding the application year for which you are applying. More information about the centralized application service can be found at www.pharmcas.org. The CSU-COP Supplemental Applications will be available for download from the CSU website the first week of August 2011. www.csu.edu/collegeofpharmacy/studentaffairs/application.htm
Is an interview required?
Yes, an interview is required (by invitation only).
I am a high school student, how can I pursue a pharmacy career?
Contact the Office of Prehealth Professions at 773.995.3981 for information on the Pre-Pharmacy program, visit our website at www.csu.edu/collegeof pharmacy/ or attend one of our prospective student informational. Dates for an upcoming prospective student informational can be found on the events page of the college of pharmacy.
What should I do if I am uncertain whether a course counts towards a prerequisite?
Please e-mail a brief course description along with the course title and credit hours to pharmacy@csu.edu. The admissions staff will review it and let you know whether it will be acceptable.
Do all my prerequisites need to be completed in order for the Admissions Committee to make a decision on my application?
No, prerequisites can be pending when the Admissions Committee evaluates your application. An official transcript showing successful completion of all prerequisite coursework with a passing grade of “C” or better must be received by our office by the end of the spring semester or a student's acceptance will be jeopardized.
What is CSU-COP looking for in a candidate?
The mission of Chicago State University College of Pharmacy (CSU-COP) is the development of student and faculty scholars who will impact the health care needs of people in the region, state and the nation. The College will provide a strong foundation in the knowledge, integration and application of the biomedical, pharmaceutical, social/behavioral/administrative, and clinical sciences resulting in practitioners who are committed to humanistic service, capable of providing patient-centered care and leaders in advancing the pharmacy profession.
Throughout the admissions process, CSU-COP’s Admissions Committee will be evaluating your application from all aspects. Your overall GPA will be considered as well as your science/math GPA. Please note, that the Admissions Committee will also examine any patterns in your grades. Also considered in the process are the results of the Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT). There is not a particular weight assigned to GPA and PCAT scores in the admissions process; both are considered and the Committee attempts to understand how they relate to each other and what they indicate in terms of the candidate's potential for success at CSU-COP. In addition to the "numbers-side" of your application, the Committee is also looking for applicants who have researched the field, are highly motivated, and confident that pharmacy is the career they want to pursue.
CHICAGO STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF PHARMACY FACT SHEET
CLICK HERE
Who can I contact for more information?
Chicago State University College of Pharmacy
9501 S King Drive / Douglas Hall 206
Chicago, Illinois 60628-1598
Tel. 773-821-2500
E-Mail: pharmacy@csu.edu
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