| 1. What degree is awarded by CSU-SOP? |
Chicago State University School of Pharmacy awards the Pharm. D. degree. The Pharm.
D. (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. |
| 2. 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. |
| 3. How often do you admit a class into the program? |
Once a year, fall semester only |
| 4. How many students are admitted each fall? |
CSU-SOP admits up to 45 students each fall. |
| 5. What is the total student to faculty ratio? |
The total student to faculty ratio is 7:1. |
| 6. Do I need to be a science major in order to apply to CSU-SOP? |
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. |
| 7. Do I need a degree in order to apply? |
A bachelor’s degree is not required. We welcome exceptional non-degree students to
apply as long as they have completed a minimum of 60 semester hours or 90 quarter
hours and meet the minimum GPA requirement. |
| 8. What are the GPA requirements for admission? |
Students must have a minimum 2.50 GPA (on a 4.00 scale) for the following GPA's: Cumulative
GPA and Prerequisite Math/Science GPA (all repeated coursework will be included).
The average GPA of the entering class was above 3.1. |
| 9. Is the Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT) Required? |
PCAT is not required. |
| 10. When will the applications be available? |
| Applications for the 2026 entering class are available via PharmCAS beginning July 10, 2025. Deadline date is June 1, 2026. |
| 11. Is an interview required? |
Yes, an interview is required (by invitation only). |
| 12. I am a high school student, how can I pursue a pharmacy career? |
You can also contact us at pharmacy-admissions@csu.edu. |
| 13. 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-admissions@csu.edu. The admissions staff will review it and let you know
whether it will be acceptable. |
| 14. 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 (preferred) or summer semester, or a student's acceptance will be jeopardized. |
| 15. What is CSU-SOP looking for in a candidate? |
|
Throughout the admissions process, CSU-SOP’s Admissions Committee will be evaluating
your application from all aspects. Your cumulative, prerequisite and prerequisite
math/science GPA's will be considered. Please note, that the Admissions Committee
will also examine any patterns in your grades. 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.
|
| 16. Transfer Admission from Another College of Pharmacy |
|
The CSU–SOP may accept transfer students from other accredited pharmacy colleges and
schools as long as these students are in good academic standing and provide reasons
for seeking a transfer. All requests for transfer information should be referred to
the CSU-SOP Office of Student Affairs so that the potential transfer applicant can
be counseled prior to submitting an application.
To be considered for transfer, a student must meet the College’s general requirements
for admission. He/she must also submit the following:
- A letter to the CSU-SOP Office of the Executive Associate Dean indicating why he/she
wishes to transfer and explaining any difficulties encountered at his/her current
institution
- A completed CSU-SOP Supplemental Application (will be provided after counsel);
- Official transcripts from all schools attended - undergraduate, graduate, and professional;
- A catalog and a detailed syllabus for any courses for which advanced standing consideration
is requested;
- A letter from the dean or designee of the pharmacy college or school in which the
student is enrolled. The letter must indicate the student’s current academic status
in good standing;
- Additional documents or letters of recommendation as determined necessary by the Executive
Associate Dean of the CSU School of Pharmacy.
If the review is positive, the Admissions Committee will interview the transfer student
applicant. The Admissions Committee will provide its recommendation for admission
to the Executive Associate Dean.
|
| 17. Who can I contact for more information? |
|
Chicago State University College of Health Sciences and Pharmacy
Douglas Hall 3083
Tel. (773)821-2679
E-Mail: pharmacy-admissions@csu.edu
|
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