Undergraduate Pre-Pharmacy Program

The Pre-Pharmacy Program at Palm Beach Atlantic University is a part of the undergraduate program of the university. Pre-pharmacy students are classified as majoring in Medicinal and Biological Chemistry with a Pharmaceutical Concentration. The major in Medicinal and Biological Chemistry with a Pharmaceutical Concentration incorporates most of the pre-professional course requirements for admission to the Doctor of Pharmacy degree program. Each pre-pharmacy student is assigned a faculty advisor from among the full-time chemistry faculty, who assists in providing the student a successful pre-pharmacy experience.

The major in Medicinal and Biological Chemistry with a Pharmaceutical Concentration provides the pre-pharmacy student with considerable flexibility. A student can:

• Apply for admission to the school of pharmacy in the fall semester prior to the fall you wish to begin pharmacy school.
• Complete the three-year undergraduate portion of the Medicinal and Biological Chemistry with a Pharmaceutical Concentration program, apply to the Gregory School of Pharmacy, and upon completing the first year of the pharmacy program, receive the Bachelor of Science in Medicinal and Biological Chemistry with a Pharmaceutical Concentration degree.
• Complete the four year Medicinal and Biological Chemistry with a Biological Concentration program, and apply for admission to the School of Pharmacy.

The description of the Major in Medicinal and Biological Chemistry with a Pharmaceutical Concentration  and with a Biological Concentration  can be found within the Chemistry/Physics section of the Programs of Study .

Guaranteed Interview Program

Palm Beach Atlantic University offers a “Guaranteed Interview” for admission to the Gregory School of Pharmacy for full-time PBA students who complete the pre-professional requirements below:

1. Be accepted and currently enrolled in the undergraduate program at Palm Beach Atlantic University.
2. Complete the PharmCAS application for admission into the Gregory School of Pharmacy by February 1st of the year seeking admission into the Gregory School of Pharmacy.
3. Complete the pre-professional requirements (see below) with a minimum grade point average of 3.4 for both cumulative and science courses. All pre-professional coursework must be completed by May of the year seeking admission into the Gregory School of Pharmacy. Exceptions may be granted on a case by case basis.
4. Take the Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT). The PCAT must be taken no later than the January test date. A minimum PCAT score of 70 (composite) is required for the guaranteed interview.
5. Provide three letters of recommendation. These should be from professors, academic advisors, employers, or supervisors of volunteer activities. (A letter from a registered pharmacist is recommended, but not required.)
6. Students who transfer to PBA but complete less than one full academic year at PBA, or students who attend PBA but do not fulfill the guaranteed interview for admission requirements, are not eligible for the Guaranteed Interview Program. Under these conditions, students must apply through the Pharmacy College Application Service (PharmCAS).

Pharmacy College Admission Test

The Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT) should be taken in October, but no later than January, of the year seeking admission into the School of Pharmacy. There is no minimum score required for the PCAT, but the average profile for admitted students is mid 50’s - mid 60’s.

Interview/Admissions Committee

Qualified applicants (students in the year prior to matriculation into the School of Pharmacy) will be invited for a campus interview with the School of Pharmacy. Interview Days include a team interview, meeting with the Dean and current students, Pharmacy Chapel and a tour of the PBA campus and Gregory Hall. The Student Recruitment and Admissions Committee (SRA) will review the candidate’s application and make recommendations to the Dean.

Pharmacy Transfer Students

Students who transfer to Palm Beach Atlantic University to complete their pre-pharmacy undergraduate requirements MAY be eligible for participation in the Guaranteed Interview Program. To qualify, see above requirements.

Pre-Professional Course Requirements

Admission to the Doctor of Pharmacy degree program requires 66-67 semester hours of pre-professional education at an accredited college or university. Minimum specific course requirements are:

1. Complete the pre-professional requirements as outlined below. All pre-professional coursework must be completed by May of the year seeking admission into the Gregory School of Pharmacy. Exceptions may be granted on a case by case basis.
2. Grades below “C-” cannot be accepted toward completion of these requirements. A failed course taken at a previous institution may be retaken at PBA.
3. The minimum cumulative and science (Chemistry, Biology, and Math) grade point average (GPA) requirement is 2.75. Exceptions can be made on a case by case basis.
4. Take the Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT). The PCAT must be taken no later than the January test date of the year you wish to begin pharmacy school.
5. All science courses must include a laboratory, with exception to Biochemistry.