Admissions

We are excited that you are considering the University of Charleston School of Pharmacy! To help you move quickly through the application process, please use the following checklist to ensure your application is complete.

The University of Charleston School of Pharmacy (UCSOP) operates on a rolling admissions process with interviews spanning from September through June, or until all positions are filled. Applications are accepted from PharmCAS. You must complete the applications in order to be considered for admission.

Step 1:

Complete your PharmCAS application by June 1 of your application cycle.

Step 2:

Ensure that all transcripts with documentation of your completed pre-pharmacy coursework, standardized test scores (if applicable), and two letters of recommendation have been submitted to PharmCAS for verification. One letter must be from a faculty member.

Once you have successfully moved through the application process, the Office of Enrollment & Admissions will notify qualified applicants of the opportunity to interview for a position available in the incoming class.

View our PharmCAS School Directory page here (https://www.pharmcas.org/node/32/webform/submission/64)

If you have questions about the application process, please contact us at 304-357-4889 or pharmacy@ucwv.edu.

To be considered for admission, an applicant must:

• Submit a PharmCAS application
• Successfully complete all prerequisites through an accredited college or university, with grade of a C- or above, prior to the beginning of the professional program.

While the PCAT exam is not required, applicants may take the PCAT and submit scores to strengthen their admission application, especially if one or more of the following conditions are met:

• Overall GPA below 2.75
• Downward trend in academic history, especially for science prerequisite courses

The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), Dental Admission Test (DAT), or Graduate Records Examination (GRE) may be considered in lieu of the PCAT exam. While a GPA of 2.75 or above and scores on standardized exams in the 50th percentile and above are considered competitive, all applications are individually reviewed. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their application materials early in the fall semester prior to the year they plan to enroll in the pharmacy program.

Applying  by the PharmCAS Priority Deadline of November 1, can save you time and money. Best of all, you will have the opportunity to secure your seat in our program before the rest of the applicant pool is considered. Contact the Office of Enrollment & Admissions at 304-357-4889 or pharmacy@ucwv.edu for more information about this exciting opportunity!

Visit www.pharmcas.org to start your application today

For more information or to request your UCSOP Priority Deadline Admissions Guide, please contact us at 304-357-4889 or pharmacy@ucwv.edu.

Pharmacy school prerequisites have been established to ensure applicants who enter the professional program will have the knowledge necessary to succeed. Prerequisite coursework must be successfully completed through an accredited college or university, with a grade of C- or above, prior to the beginning of the professional coursework. Completion of the majority of science prerequisites within the past seven years is preferred, but not required. If you have taken pre-requisite courses more than seven years ago, the following optional activities may be beneficial in demonstrating retention of knowledge:

• Active or more recent work in the healthcare field
• PCAT, GRE, MCAT, or DAT scores
• Successful completion of more recent coursework, preferably science-related

Courtesy Transcript Evaluations are available by emailing a copy of your unofficial or official transcripts to pharmacy@ucwv.edu or you may upload your transcripts.

Upload your transcripts

A transcript evaluation will help you find out exactly which prerequisite courses are met and which are outstanding before applying.  This step can save you time, money and stress.

Please submit any appeals or questions regarding the prerequisites coursework timeline to the Office of Enrollment & Admissions at pharmacy@ucwv.edu.

Download the Pharmacy Pre-requisites

Pharmacy Direct Program

The Department of Natural Science and Mathematics offers an undergraduate pharmacy pathway designed to facilitate admission to and success in a graduate pharmacy program. Students may choose to apply to pharmacy school after 2, 3 or 4 years of undergraduate study. Students in this concentration area will be enrolled as either Biology, Chemistry, or as a Chemistry-Biology dual major. Students that wish to continue their pursuit of a Doctor of Pharmacy degree at the University of Charleston School of Pharmacy (UCSOP) may also choose to participate in the Pharmacy Direct Program.

The Pharmacy Direct Program provides the opportunity to complete undergraduate and graduate-level pharmacy coursework in as little as six years all in one place. You’ll spend a minimum of two years as an undergraduate student and four years as a professional student pharmacist. Upon successful completion of these minimum curricular requirements, students will be awarded the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree at the end of the fourth year in the graduate-level program. Pharmacy Direct students are also guaranteed admission into the UCSCOP if the minimum criteria below are met.

Some students may be interested in obtaining a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree along the way. The 3+1 BS in Biology with an emphasis in Biomedical Sciences degree pathway is a unique opportunity just for Pharmacy Direct students. 1 additional year of undergraduate coursework will result in two degrees upon successful completion of the required curriculum. Students would successfully complete a three-year undergraduate program and then matriculate into the UCSOP. After completion of the first year of the professional curriculum, the students will receive a BS in Biology with an emphasis in Biomedical Sciences degree. The students will then spend the next three years completing the professional curriculum for the PharmD. Of note, it may still be possible for particularly motivated students or students starting at UC with transfer or high-school credit to complete the undergraduate prerequisite coursework for the 3+1 pathway in 2 years. This will be determined on a case-by-case basis. Although obtaining a bachelor’s degree is not required, students may also elect to continue their undergraduate education beyond 2 years to obtain a BS degree prior to applying to the graduate-level PharmD program.

As a Pharmacy Direct student, in addition to the academic grid scholarship, you are eligible for a $3,000 scholarship each year of undergraduate pre-pharmacy coursework. Upon matriculation to the UCSOP, Pharmacy Direct students will be eligible for an additional SOP scholarship. Additional benefits include an invitation to join the Pre-Pharmacy Club, where students can attend programming throughout the year to:

• Learn about the profession of pharmacy and what it’s like to be a graduate student.
• Build relationships with current pharmacy faculty, staff, and students.
• Receive regular updates on pharmacy student achievements, volunteer and employment opportunities, and upcoming events.
• Obtain individualized attention to prepare for the admissions and interview process.

Pharmacy Direct students are also guaranteed a seat in the Doctorate-level pharmacy program as long as the following criteria are met:

• Maintain an overall GPA of 2.75
• Complete all prerequisite courses with a C- or better
• Maintain good academic and professional standing
• Submit an application through PharmCAS
• Successfully interview with School of Pharmacy faculty

Students that do not maintain these minimum standards are not guaranteed a seat and may need to take additional steps to gain admission, such as taking the Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT) or other eligible graduate school exam, but are still encouraged to apply to the pharmacy program.

*In addition, School of Pharmacy program requirements such as health clearances, immunizations, proof of health insurance are also required. More information will be provided prior to starting the PharmD program.

Learn More

Accepted international students should follow the requirements for admission with the additional requirements below.

1. Prior to initiating the I-20 form, the University of Charleston must receive full tuition deposit.
2. Once the deposit is confirmed, a designated school official will initiate the I-20 form.
3. When the I-20 is issued in SEVIS, you will be contacted by the designated school official to proceed in requesting your I-20 delivery. Admissions Office requires that you use University Express Mail Service to have your I-20, acceptance letter, and admissions packet be sent to you. Please note that requesting your immigration documents through University Express Mail Service is at YOUR expense. This service uses DHL and FedEx both of which require payment by credit card (Visa, Mastercard or Discover cards only).

You will be required to create your own user name and password in order to create an account. To request shipment, you will need your mailing address, e-mail address, phone number and credit card information. You may request shipment either to your foreign address or to a U.S. contact address. If your I-20 will be sent to a U.S. contact address, please include the name of the person who lives at that address. Please pay close attention to the information submitted, as errors in the credit card information or submitting incorrect or incomplete address information will result in a delay in the mailing of your I-20.

If you experience any difficulty in registering and processing the shipment, please use the “Help” link in the site for step by step instructions. If you have additional questions about how to use this service, please e-mail student.support@eshipglobal.com or go to eShipGlobal, Inc. Schedule your visa interview with the United States Consular. (Canadian residents do not need a visa, so no interview is required). For detailed information about the visa process, including a list of required documents and fees, please go to  http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types. Feel free to ask if you have any questions.

The University of Charleston requires that the student’s remaining cost of attendance be paid in full no later than the first day of class.

For more information regarding I-20’s or other immigration requirements, please contact

Director of International & ESL Programs
2300 MacCorkle Avenue, SE
Charleston, West Virginia 25304
304-357-4881

The following criteria will be considered for students currently or previously enrolled in a Doctor of Pharmacy degree program who wish to transfer into the University of Charleston School of Pharmacy (UCSOP) Doctor of Pharmacy program under Advanced Standing (P2, P3, or P4):  

1. Have met all non-coursework admissions requirements. Completion of UCSOP prerequisite coursework will be evaluated case-by-case to ensure there are no significant deficiencies in the areas of science, math, and social sciences. If significant deficiencies are identified, a remediation plan may be recommended.
2. Will have satisfactorily completed or will complete all pharmacy coursework in progress prior to matriculation.
3. While a GPA of 2.75 or above (on a 4-point scale) is considered competitive, all applications are individually reviewed in accordance with our holistic admissions process. Only grades of a “C” or higher in professional courses can be transferred.
4. Be in good professional standing and have completed at least one semester at an institution accredited by ACPE.
5. Have the ability to complete all pharmacy coursework within 6 years of the start of the original program for which credit is being granted.
   • Extenuating circumstances will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
6. Admissions with advanced standing will be considered only if space is available in the class for which the student would qualify.

To be considered for admissions with advanced standing (P1 spring semester, P2, P3, or P4) students must:

1. Complete an Application of Advanced Standing Transfer from the UCSOP.
2. Submit a letter of academic and professional standing from the previous pharmacy program.
3. Submit official transcripts from the previous pharmacy program attended. Syllabi (including course schedules and topics) may be requested to determine credit equivalency per the UCSOP Transfer Credit Policy. The UCSOP Associate Dean for Academic Affairs evaluates credit equivalency; there is no guarantee of transfer into the same class previously completed at the prior pharmacy program.
4. TOEFL score may be required for international students in certain situations.
5. Submit at least one letter of reference from a practicing pharmacist.

Upon review of materials, qualified applicants will be invited to participate in an interview with two UCSOP faculty members. The full application will be reviewed by the UCSOP Enrollment & Admissions Committee, in consultation with the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, and a recommendation will be made to the Dean of the UCSOP. All final transfer admissions decisions will be at the discretion of the Dean of the UCSOP.

To fulfill the ethical responsibility of maintaining patient safety during all interactions with students and graduates, candidates and students at the University of Charleston School of Pharmacy (UCSOP) must review the following Technical Standards to determine their ability and compatibility with the requirements for the profession.

UCSOP Technical Standards

The professional program takes four years to complete (beyond the completion of 56 semester hours of pre-pharmacy/pre-requisite coursework prior to admission) and is comprised of both classroom and experiential (workplace) learning experiences.

The professional program is 146 semester credit hours over four (4) academic years.

No. You will not need to purchase a computer before you enroll. The School of Pharmacy will provide a MacBook to student pharmacists via a leasing program. This will include all software necessary for the program, as well as IT support while you are at UC. The cost is included in your tuition and fees, and you keep your computer upon graduation at no additional charge.

Yes. Faculty will be facilitating teaching and learning via technology within a wireless environment. To ensure that students get the most out of the teaching and learning process, every student is required to participate in the technology program included in the cost of tuition.

View our affording your degree page for detailed information.

We will be accepting applications for the professional program beginning in the summer. You must apply through PharmCAS (www.pharmcas.org). Application deadline is June 1st. The University of Charleston School of Pharmacy utilizes a modified rolling admissions process in which qualified students are invited for virtual/on-campus interviews beginning in September. Offers of admission to the School of Pharmacy begin in October until all seats in the class are filled. Prospective students are encouraged to apply early.

UC’s graduate students live in East Apartments, a four-story apartment building across the street from the School of Pharmacy. East Apartments offers four types of apartments:

• One bedroom/shared (1 person or married couple, 828 square feet)
• Two bedrooms (2 people, 774 square feet)
• Four bedrooms (4 people, 1,245 square feet)

Each apartment is fully furnished, with a couch, two chairs, two end tables, television stand (will accommodate a flat-screen or regular style), twin-sized bed with extra-long mattress (one-bedroom apartments have a queen-size bed), one closet in each bedroom (one-bedroom apartments have two closets), three-drawer dresser, desk, desk chair, refrigerator, stove, microwave, kitchen table, and four chairs.

Four-bedroom units have a walk-in closet, coat closet, and two bathrooms

• All utilities are included (electric, water, trash, sanitation, basic cable, internet (wired and wireless), and local telephone service.
• Two coin-operated laundry rooms are located on each floor
• Two trash rooms are on each floor
• Parking space inside the parking garage
• Several study lounges on each floor
• Multiple building entrances (entry by student ID access card only)

East Apartments has five staff members that include a Resident Director and four Community Assistants. Staff is available to assist residents with maintenance needs, lock-outs, signing of the lease, and check-in/check-out procedures. Students can choose a 9-month or 12-month lease option.                      

*Monthly apartment rates apply to summer months (May 15 – August 15)

*Academic year rates apply to a 9-month lease (August 15 – May 15)