R. Kiplin Guy, Ph.D., is Dean of the College of Pharmacy.

The College of Pharmacy offers a professional degree program, a four year curriculum leading to the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD). The PharmD degree allows one to sit for the national licensing exam to become a licensed, practicing pharmacist. The College of Pharmacy also offers training for postdoctoral and research fellows, residency programs and graduate training (Ph.D.) in all areas of the pharmaceutical sciences and in pharmaceutical outcomes and policy through the Graduate School. The professional program is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education and satisfies all educational requirements for licensure. Residency programs are accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP).

Admissions Overview - PharmD Program

The College of Pharmacy’s primary mission is to develop pharmacy practitioners and research scholars to improve patient outcomes and human health. The College recognizes that a geographically and culturally diverse student body contributes to more robust exchange of creative ideas and experiences, one that benefits all students. The UK College of Pharmacy, therefore, strives to admit a talented and diverse student body that enhances the educational process while serving the needs of the Commonwealth and the pharmacy profession.

Admission to the professional program is competitive. The number of students admitted to the Doctor of Pharmacy program depends upon the availability of resources such as faculty, clinical facilities and space for implementation of a quality educational program. Consideration for admission will be based on a holistic review of the applicant’s previous academic record, potential for academic achievement, assessment of communication skills, contribution to diversity, integrity, commitment, motivation, character, maturity and emotional stability. Each applicant must have the physical, mental and emotional ability to learn and accomplish those competencies required of a pharmacy practitioner, as well as the character and thought processes necessary to make professional judgments that benefit the patient.

The Admissions Committee believes the applicant should base a decision to enter the pharmacy profession on more solid reasoning than merely an interest in science courses. The applicant should research opportunities available to pharmacy graduates, services provided by pharmacists and obligations of pharmacy practitioners to the people they serve.

Work experience is not a requirement for admission. However, applicants are strongly advised to shadow a pharmacist and volunteer in a pharmacy or health care environment prior to entering a pharmacy program. Students who have prior work, shadowing or volunteer experience in a pharmacy setting generally enhance their performance during the admissions interview process and in the PharmD program if later admitted.

The Admissions Committee cannot consider applications from students in other colleges of pharmacy when the applicant has previously been denied admission to the UK professional program or when the maximum number of students is already enrolled in the program.

Individuals who have been dropped for academic or other reasons applying for reinstatement in the College will have their application considered, but on a competitive basis with new applicants. Students applying for admission should be able to meet the technical standards for students in the College. These standards should be reviewed in the College Bulletin, under “Academic Progress and Promotion.”

Any student may be denied admission or permission to continue enrollment in the College of Pharmacy if, in the opinion of the faculty, the moral or ethical character of the student casts grave doubts upon his or her potential capabilities as a pharmacist. Any type of involvement in the illegal use of drugs or other illegal or unethical acts relating to the practice of pharmacy are examples of incidents which would provide cause for considering denying admission or for dismissal of a student from the College.

Academic Preparation - PharmD Admission Requirements

A minimum of 70 semester credit hours of prepharmacy course work is required for admission. Approximately 45-55 of those hours are in required subjects; the remaining credit hours can be elective courses of the student’s choice. Students are encouraged to take elective courses that satisfy their major requirements. Highly recommended electives include biochemistry, genetics, and physics. Other electives to consider: courses required by major; UK Core courses; PharmD Dual Degree prerequisites (if needed); medical terminology; healthcare-related courses; undergraduate courses in Human Health Sciences (HHS), Public Health (CPH), Clinical Leadership and Management (CLM).

Prepharmacy courses should be completed by the end of the spring semester prior to the desired fall enrollment. If admitted, a student may petition the Admissions Committee to determine if a prerequisite may be completed during the summer prior to College of Pharmacy matriculation. See the chart below for the number of semester credit hours required in each prepharmacy subject area and the exact courses as offered at UK. Students may complete the prepharmacy course work at any regionally-accredited college or university.

English Requirement for Students Interested in Pharmacy

UK students must take courses which satisfy the Composition and Communications I and II requirements. Non-UK students must take two semesters of English writing/composition and one semester of basic public speaking.

PharmD Admission Requirements: Suggested Prepharmacy Schedule

Below is a suggested three-year schedule for UK students on a prepharmacy track. For a two-year, more aggressive prepharmacy schedule, contact the Prepharmacy Advisor at: pharmacyadvising@uky.edu.

Grades

Grades: Please note that a grade of D is not acceptable in any required prepharmacy course. Applicants should repeat such courses to receive a C average or better to improve their chances for admission. Most applicants are still completing prepharmacy courses when admission decisions are made. Acceptance is contingent upon continued strong academic performance. Any decline in academic performance, failure to complete the required courses, or a relevant change in status may result in an offer of admission being rescinded. If a grade of D or lower is earned in any required course after an offer of conditional admission has been made, the student must notify the Director of Enrollment Management immediately.

Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT)

The UK College of Pharmacy no longer requires the PCAT for admission to the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program.

Structured Admissions Interview

To be considered for admission, applicants must be selected for and complete a structured interview process. Interview selection is based on information submitted during the application process. The interview itself is structured to assess the applicant’s communication skills, confidence, integrity, maturity, commitment to the field of pharmacy, motivation, character and ability to interact with others. Students selected for an interview can expect to spend about four hours interviewing. The interview is structured to follow the style of the multiple mini interview (MMI). Students will be interviewed by faculty, practitioners and current students in the format of both individual interviews and collaborative scenarios with other interviewees.

Note: Interview dates for each admission cycle are set in early summer by the College of Pharmacy Admissions Office (dates may vary annually; it is strongly suggested that candidates apply by August 5 for maximum consideration).

Applicants are strongly encouraged to begin the application process 13 months (July) in advance of intended start date or as soon as possible thereafter due to a rolling admissions process.

Rolling Admissions Process/Application Timelines

Rolling Admissions: Please note that the UK College of Pharmacy uses a rolling admissions process. The College screens applications, schedules interviews and makes acceptance decisions on a continual basis, which makes it necessary to complete the application process as early in the admissions cycle as possible. Review of applications specifically begins with Early Decision in late August/early September.

Priority Consideration: Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply by August 5 for priority consideration. Many positions in the class will be filled through the priority consideration process. Priority consideration applications receive maximum consideration. The deadline for priority consideration applications is September 5.

Required Admission Applications, Documents and Verification Process

1. UK College of Pharmacy Application Fee - https://pharmacy.uky.edu/admission-aid.

Note: Deadlines for receipt of application materials may vary annually depending on PharmCAS requirements. For the most current listings of application deadlines and procedures, review both the PharmCAS and UK College of Pharmacy websites in June, approximately 14months prior to intended start date.

Admission Committee Decisions/Conditional Acceptance

The Admissions Committee convenes and admission decisions are made at the conclusion of each round of interviews. Selected candidates are then “conditionally accepted” based on a holistic review of GPA (weighing the science GPA most heavily), interview performance, references, leadership/volunteer/service activities, written essays, character, contribution to diversity and an assessment of other characteristics as described under “Admissions Overview.” The total number of students admitted each year will depend upon the availability of resources.

All acceptances remain conditional until final matriculation and fall enrollment in classes.

Final Matriculation/Fall Enrollment Requirements

Before final matriculation and fall enrollment can be approved, all conditionally accepted students must submit a non-refundable tuition deposit, signed copies of specified acceptance forms, pass a criminal background check/drug screen with acceptable results, attend orientation programs and meet other enrollment requirements as set forth by the College prior to the first day of classes.

Individuals who are being reinstated to the full course of study following their removal for academic or other reasons must also submit a nonrefundable tuition deposit.

Criminal Background Check and Drug Screen: Applicants should be aware that both criminal background checks (CBC) and drug screens (DS) are becoming common requirements for participation in specific course work in the College of Pharmacy and for eventual licensure as a pharmacist. As a result, CBC/DS are requirements for those students conditionally accepted for admission and must be completed with satisfactory results prior to matriculation to the College. Instructions for completion of CBC/DS requirements will be forwarded immediately following conditional acceptance to the College. The CBC/DS will be annual requirements for all PharmD students enrolled in the College. The types of tests required as well as the cost involved are subject to change and beyond the control of the College of Pharmacy. The expense for background checks and drug screens will be borne by the individual applicant and/or student.

To view the official UK College of Pharmacy Criminal Background Check/Drug Screen Policy, visit:http://pharmacy.uky.edu/pharmd-admissionsteps.

Student Assessment

PharmD students are formally assessed at the conclusion of the second and third professional years through the MileMarker1 and MileMarker2 examinations. These exams allow students to gauge their progress and learning across a professional year and will afford the ability to identify potential areas of weakness that could be remediated before progression to the next professional year.

General/Contact Information

For questions concerning admission, prepharmacy course work or a visit to the College, contact:

University of Kentucky
College of Pharmacy
Academic and Student Affairs
Lee T. Todd, Jr. Building
Suite 114
Lexington, KY 40536-0596
Phone: 859-323-2755
http://pharmacy.uky.edu/
pharmacyadvising@uky.edu

Prerequisite changes affecting first-time freshmen are reflected below. Prerequisite listings for all students are available at http://pharmacy.uky.edu/pharmd-professional-program/pre-pharmacy.

Programs

• PharmD Admission Requirements: Suggested Prepharmacy Schedule