Pre-Pharmacy Program
Pre-Pharmacy Program
Pre-Health Professions Programs
Washington College offers both a 3:4 dual-degree program with the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy (UMSOP) and a traditional four-year Pre-Pharmacy advising program. Students interested in pharmacy should contact Martin Connaughton, Ph.D., Pre-Pharmacy Program Advisor, and Phil Ticknor, Coordinator of Pre-Health Professions Programs, to notify them of their interest and receive guidance. The Pre-Pharmacy Program Advisor works closely with students in the 3:4 dual-degree program as well as with other Pre-Pharmacy students.
3:4 Dual-Degree Program with University of Maryland School of Pharmacy
Through this program, students may earn a Bachelor of Science degree from Washington College in Biology and a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree from the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy (UMSON). This dual degree program typically requires seven years of study; the first three years are spent at Washington College and the final four at UMSOP.
Students in this program will receive their BS from Washington College after their successful completion of the first year of courses at UMSOP. To be eligible for graduation from Washington College, grades from the UMSOP must be submitted to the Washington College Registrar by the appropriate deadline.
Prospective students should contact the Pre-Pharmacy Program Advisor during the first-year orientation period and take required courses beginning with the first semester at Washington College. Each semester, students should consult with both their regular advisors and the Pre-Pharmacy Program Advisor to make sure that they are meeting all requirements of the program.
Admission to UMSOP is a separate process from admission to Washington College and it is highly competitive. Washington College students are not guaranteed positions at UMSOP. Students participating in the 3:4 Pharmacy Program should submit applications to UMSOP by February 1 of the third year at Washington College. To apply, students must have an overall cumulative grade-point average of at least 2.5, however the average grade-point average for successful applicants has been 3.5 in recent years. An admissions interview and writing assessment are required as well. Some experience in pharmacy is also strongly encouraged for a successful application. The Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT) is now optional when applying to UMSOP. Students looking for pharmacy experience can seek guidance from the Coordinator of Pre-Health Professions Programs.
At least 96 credits must be completed before beginning the UMSOP portion of the program. Students completing the 3:4 program are not required to complete a Senior Capstone Experience at Washington College.
Students seeking to complete the 3:4 program must complete specific courses at Washington College.
Four-Year Pre-Pharmacy Path
Students interested in pursuing a career in pharmacy and elect to stay at Washington College for four years may earn a four-year bachelor’s degree at Washington College in any major while completing the prerequisite courses for pharmacy school. Following graduation, students can attend pharmacy school to earn a PharmD degree. Pre-Pharmacy Students should work with the Pre-Pharmacy Program Advisor and the Coordinator of Pre-Health Professions Programs to plan coursework and seek advice when applying to pharmacy schools. Students should refer to the website for each pharmacy school to which they would like to apply and contact personnel at the pharmacy school to learn more about each program.