Pre-Pharmacy

Midwestern State University (MSU Texas) offers a pre-professional programs that are designed for students interested in dentistry, medicine, pharmacy, physical therapy and veterinary school and who wish to use their undergraduate program to get the prerequisites before applying to their program and choice.

Pre-professional is not a major—it is a focus. This focus will help students pick out the courses and activities to increase their ability to be admitted to a professional program. Competition for limited spots in professional programs is high, and students will need to find ways to academically prepare and differentiate yourself for admission.

Pharmacists are partners on healthcare teams by dispensing prescription medications to patients and offering their expertise in the safe use of prescriptions. Pharmacists hold a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree. A degree in pharmacy can be applied toward direct work in a retail pharmacy environment, but many pharmacists now work in hospitals, healthcare facilities, research environments and in teaching. Currently 58% of all pharmacists are working in a retail environment and 26% work in hospitals. In the U.S. the American Pharmacists Association is the main organization supporting individuals in pharmacy.

The academic requirements for admission to pharmacy school generally include courses in general chemistry, organic chemistry, biology, anatomy/physiology, microbiology, physics, calculus, psychology or sociology, and statistics. A complete list of course prerequisites by school can be found at the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy website.

Students who are interested in going to pharmacy school typically will pursue Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry as their undergraduate program.