Pre-Pharmacy
Prepare for Pharmacy School
Enter one of the most respected healthcare professions.
The Pre-Pharmacy program at Davis & Elkins College prepares students for admission to pharmacy school by combining rigorous science coursework with the broad liberal arts education that pharmacy school admissions committees value.
The pre-pharmacy program at D&E is housed within the Biology, Environmental Science, and Sustainability Program and the Chemistry Program, both located in the Eshleman Science Center. The center features five teaching laboratories, a prep room, balance rooms, and a fully equipped instrument room. This gives pre-pharmacy students hands-on experience with the same types of analytical tools used in pharmaceutical research and practice.
Pre-Pharmacy Preparation
Pre-Professional Track
Pre-pharmacy students typically major in biology or chemistry, which fulfill the science prerequisites required by most pharmacy schools. The pre-pharmacy track is not a standalone major, but a planned sequence of courses completed alongside a bachelor’s degree.
Students pursuing the D&E–Marshall University articulation agreement pathway spend three years at D&E completing required courses. If accepted, their first year in the Pharm.D. program at Marshall fulfills the remaining requirements for the B.S. in Biology (Pre-Medical specialization), allowing students to complete both degrees in seven years rather than eight.
Pharmacy School Admission
Admission to most pharmacy schools is based on academic achievement as indicated by grade point average, placement on the Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT), recommendations, and personal interviews. Since pharmacy schools have far more qualified applicants than they can accept, a strong and consistent academic record is essential.
The minimum requirements for admission vary by institution, but typically include English composition, biological sciences with lab, inorganic chemistry with lab, organic chemistry with lab, physics with lab, and social and behavioral sciences. Calculus is strongly recommended. The PCAT should be taken in the spring of the junior year, but only after completing the required courses in biology, chemistry, and physics. D&E faculty advisors will work with you to plan your timeline and prepare for the exam.
Courses
What We Offer
Required Science Prerequisites
(typical pharmacy school requirements)
- English Composition I & II
- Biological Sciences with Lab
- Inorganic Chemistry with Lab
- Organic Chemistry with Lab
- Physics with Lab
- Social and Behavioral Sciences
- Calculus (recommended)
Recommended Biology Courses
- Principles of Biology I & II
- Genetics
- Microbiology
- Human Anatomy
- Human Physiology
- Cell and Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Recommended Chemistry Courses
- General Chemistry I & II
- Organic Chemistry I & II
- Analytical Chemistry
- Biochemistry
- Physical Chemistry
Recommended Supporting Courses
- Calculus I
- Statistics
- Physics I & II
- Psychology (Behavioral Sciences requirement)
- Sociology (Behavioral Sciences requirement)
- English Composition I & II
Partnerships in Pre-Pharmacy Education
D&E — Marshall University School of Pharmacy Articulation Agreement
Davis & Elkins College has a formal articulation agreement with the Marshall University School of Pharmacy (MUSOP) that benefits students planning to pursue a Pharm.D. degree. As part of the agreement, MUSOP gives priority admission during each admission cycle to qualifying D&E students who select to transfer into the Pharm.D. program and meet the minimum transfer requirements.
This agreement allows students to complete both the B.S. in Biology and the Pharm.D. in seven years, rather than the eight typically needed. Students interested in this option should notify the Registrar’s Office immediately after acceptance into D&E, as the course requirements are very specific and sequential.
Careers in Pharmacy
A pre-pharmacy education from D&E, combined with a Pharm.D. from an accredited pharmacy school, opens the door to one of the most trusted, versatile, and in-demand health professions in the United States. Pharmacists consistently rank among the highest-paid and most respected healthcare professionals.
Pre-pharmacy graduates from D&E are well-positioned to compete for spots in top pharmacy programs and to launch fulfilling careers across community practice, hospital systems, pharmaceutical companies, government agencies, and academic institutions throughout West Virginia and the nation.
Career options for pharmacy graduates include:
Clinical and Community Practice
- Community/Retail Pharmacist
- Hospital/Clinical Pharmacist
- Ambulatory Care Pharmacist
- Long-term Care Pharmacist
- Home Infusion Pharmacist
- Emergency Medicine Pharmacist
- Oncology Pharmacist
- Pediatric Pharmacist
Specialized Clinical Roles
- Critical Care Pharmacist
- Psychiatric Pharmacist
- Infectious Disease Pharmacist
- Nuclear Pharmacist
- Pain Management Pharmacist
Industry, Research, and Government
- Pharmaceutical Industry Scientist/Researcher
- Drug Development Specialist
- Regulatory Affairs Specialist (FDA)
- Pharmacovigilance Specialist
- Medical Science Liaison
- Public Health Pharmacist
- Military Pharmacist
Education and Administration
- College of Pharmacy Faculty/Professor
- Pharmacy Director/Manager
- Pharmacy Benefits Manager
- Healthcare Administrator
- Clinical Pharmacy Educator
Why Pre-Pharmacy at D&E
The supportive community of the Biology and Chemistry programs and a rigorous science curriculum give you the academic foundation and laboratory skills that pharmacy school admissions committees and the PCAT are looking for. Small class sizes mean faculty know you by name and invest in your success. Dedicated advisors in the Biology and Chemistry programs will help you plan your course sequence carefully.
D&E’s formal articulation agreement with the Marshall University School of Pharmacy provides a priority-admission pathway to the Pharm.D. program. State-of-the-art laboratories and fully equipped teaching labs give you access to professional-grade analytical instruments and hands-on experience that mirrors pharmaceutical research and clinical practice. D&E’s broad liberal arts curriculum ensures you graduate as a clear communicator, critical thinker, and empathetic healthcare professional — qualities that pharmacy schools seek and that patients depend on.