Colleges and schools of pharmacy offer the Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree program in various lengths and structures. Students in all programs begin the professional phase of the Pharm.D. curriculum after they have successfully completed all pre-pharmacy coursework. Pre-pharmacy course requirements vary by institution. Pharmacy schools may give preference to pre-pharmacy students who are enrolled in the same institution and may offer the Pharm.D. degree program in more than one structure, including “early assurance”. See the descriptions below.
0–6/7 Program Structure
Program structure includes 2–3 years of pre-pharmacy study followed by 4-years of professional study leading to a Pharm.D. degree after a total of 6–7 years. Students are admitted directly from high school and may advance to the professional phase of the program via an expedited process, if they successfully complete all of the program’s pre-pharmacy and interview requirements. The majority of seats in the Pharm.D. program are filled with students admitted via the 0–6/7 program. If not all Pharm.D. seats are filled, regular applicants may also apply.
2–3 Program Structure
Program structure includes a minimum of 2-years of pre-pharmacy study followed by 3-years of accelerated professional study leading to a Pharm.D. degree. The professional curriculum is scheduled year-round, so students may complete the Pharm.D. degree within a shorter timeframe.
2–4 Program Structure
Program structure includes a minimum of 2 years of pre-pharmacy study followed by 4 years of professional study leading to a Pharm.D. degree.
3–4 Program Structure
Program structure includes a minimum of 3 years of pre-pharmacy study followed by 4 years of professional study leading to a Pharm.D. degree.
4 Program Structure
Program structure includes 2–4 years of pre-pharmacy study followed by 4 years of professional study leading to a Pharm.D. degree.
Early Assurance
Early assurance pathways are often offered in conjunction with other types of Pharm.D. program structures (2–3, 3–4, or 4). Colleges and schools of pharmacy will generally invite selected students to participate or enroll in this pathway during their first 1–2 years of college. Early assurance students may advance to the professional phase of the Pharm.D. program via an expedited process, if they successfully complete all of the program’s pre-pharmacy and interview requirements. Pharmacy schools do not typically fill all or the majority of seats in the Pharm.D. program with early assurance students and will also encourage regular applicants to apply.