Фβͼ Pharmacy School Prerequisites
If you are interested in becoming a ФβͼPharmacy School student, you must complete the prerequisite courses listed below before you begin your coursework in our Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program. (Includes Prerequisite Course Guides).
Prerequisite Course List
Prerequisite | Required | Recommended |
General Biology | 2 Courses (lab optional) | Foundations of Biology, Ecology, Zoology, Botany, Marine Biology, General Biology, Human Structure, Cell Biology, General Biology, Microbiology, Animal Physiology |
Advanced Biology | 2 Courses (lab optional) | Genetics, Neuroscience, Cellular Biology, Molecular Biology, Physiology, Pathophysiology, A&P 1 & 2, Bacteriology, Immunology, Biomedical Sciences, Molecular Genetics, Genomics |
Chemistry | 2 Courses (lab optional) | General Chemistry 1 & 2, Inorganic Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry |
Organic Chemistry | 2 Courses with at least 1 lab | |
Statistics | 1 Course | Intro to Statistics, Biostatistics, Data Analysis, Accounting or Business Statistics |
College Algebra | 1 Course | Must be a 100-level or higher Math course. We will also accept Calculus, Trigonometry, Calculus with Geometry |
English | 1 Course | Must be a 100-level or higher English, Literature, Reading or Writing course |
Public Speaking | 1 Course | Must be a 100-level or higher Public Speaking, Speech or Communication course |
General Education | 4 Courses | Examples include Physics, Economics, Calculus, Ethics, Humanities, Social Sciences, Religion, Studio Art, Theater |
All Prerequisites
- Prerequisites must be completed at a regionally-accredited university, college, or community college in the U.S. or Canada.
- Online and hybrid taught classes may be accepted only from a regionally-accredited university, college, or community college in the U.S. or Canada.
- Prerequisites must be completed with a grade of C or better (pass or satisfactory on a competency-based scale).
- ALL credits of Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO), or College in the Schools (CIS) credit may be accepted if it appears on a college transcript.
- English as a Second Language (ESL) and English Language Learner (ELL) classes cannot satisfy the English or Public Speaking course requirements.
- It is preferred that science prerequisite coursework be completed within 7 years of the desired year of entry. Science prerequisite coursework completed within 10 years (but longer than 7 years ago) will be considered by the Admission Committee on a case-by-case basis.
- A final official transcript will be required prior to the start of classes in the desired year of entry.
- All applicants must complete 72 credit hours of undergraduate study prior to matriculating to MCW.
Important Dates
April 1, 2025: Priority Application Deadline
June 2, 2025: Final Application Deadline
June 30, 2025: All prerequisite classes must be completed
July 7, 2025: Classes begin
Eligibility
How Do I Know if I am Eligible?
If you wish to become a ФβͼPharmacy School student, you must file an application through .
*The final application deadline for the ФβͼPharmacy School is June 2, 2025. Applications completed and submitted by this deadline will be given full consideration for admission to the ФβͼPharmacy School.
Effective March 12, 2020, completion of the Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT)/Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is not required; rather, it's optional. If you believe the PCAT/MCAT provides evidence of your academic preparedness for the ФβͼPharmD program, you are encouraged to take the PCAT/MCAT and submit your scores to PharmCAS. For example, this could apply to students at or near the minimum cumulative/prerequisite GPA requirement or students who completed science prerequisite coursework more than seven years ago.
Applicants who meet the minimum requirements and do not complete or submit PCAT/MCAT scores will receive a holistic application review and be considered competitive candidates for the Doctor of Pharmacy program.
Complete the minimum pre-pharmacy requirements at an accredited college or university in the United States or Canada.
*All pre-pharmacy requirements must be completed by the start of orientation. Students considering applying for admission to the ФβͼPharmacy School must complete 72 credit hours of undergraduate study prior to matriculating to be considered for matriculation into the program.
Achieve the minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale as calculated by the ФβͼPharmacy School. The average cumulative GPA for the most recently admitted cohort of students was 3.10.
Achieve the minimum prerequisite GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale as calculated by the ФβͼPharmacy School. The average prerequisite GPA for the most recently admitted cohort of students was 3.20.
Submit three professional or academic references by the appropriate deadline.
*Letters of recommendation must be submitted through PharmCAS.
Demonstrate the proper motivation for, and your commitment to, the profession of pharmacy through previous health-related work, volunteer experiences, research, or other related experiences.
Complete, and submit via PharmCAS, a personal statement demonstrating your written communication skills necessary to interact successfully with patients and colleagues.
Complete the ФβͼPharmacy School applicant interview process, by invitation only.
All final official transcripts can be sent electronically to: pharmacy@mcw.edu
Applicants may elect to mail official documents to:
ФβͼPharmacy School
Office of Student Affairs
8701 Watertown Plank Rd.
Milwaukee, WI 53226
An application to the ФβͼPharmacy School is considered complete when all application criteria have been submitted by the June 2, 2025 deadline.
What Happens After I am Interviewed?
After you have completed and submitted your PharmCAS application it will be reviewed by the ФβͼPharmacy School Office of Student Affairs. You may receive direct correspondence from the Office of Student Affairs if your application is missing important information or if your application requires any clarification. Applicants who successfully complete all the above criteria may be considered for provisional admission to the ФβͼPharmacy School.
The ФβͼPharmacy School has a rolling admissions decision process. Rolling admissions means your application will be reviewed shortly after a complete PharmCAS application is received. The final application submission deadline is June 2, 2025. Although incoming applications will be reviewed on a continual basis, you are encouraged to submit your application early to receive priority in selection, as interview spaces and seats in the class become limited closer to the deadline.
As part of the provisional admission process applicants must submit to a required criminal background check, drug screening and meet all immunization requirements set by the ФβͼPharmacy School.
The ФβͼPharmacy School Office of Student Affairs, Admission Committee, and Dean reserve the right at any time to rescind an offer of provisional admission to an applicant who does not meet or successfully complete the above listed criteria.
Learn More About Our Innovative Three-Year Program
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Doctor of Pharmacy
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Contact Us
If you have any questions regarding the ФβͼPharmacy School prerequisites, please contact the Pharmacy School Office of Student Affairs.
ФβͼPharmacy School
8701 Watertown Plank Rd.
Milwaukee, WI 53226
(414) 955-7476
pharmacy@mcw.edu
Angela Kowalski, MS
Enrollment Program Manager
Office of Student Affairs
(414) 955-2646
akowalski@mcw.edu
![ФβͼPharmacy School Office of Student Affairs Google map location](/-/media/MCW/Common/Google-Maps/location430435866880211208zoom15.png?w=600&h=450&mode=crop)