A career in pharmacy is rewarding and exciting. Students interested in working as a pharmacist must earn a Pharm.D. degree (Doctor of Pharmacy). This is the minimum degree one must possess to practice as a pharmacist in the United States.
The SIUE School of Pharmacy program is a 2+4 program. This means that students must first complete the 2-year Pre Pharmacy Curriculum and then, if admitted, complete the 4-year Pharm.D. program. Although the Pre Pharmacy Curriculum can be completed in 2 years, it is not required that students do so. If you have completed a Bachelor’s Degree (or another advanced degree) you must still complete the pre-pharmacy curriculum. The Pre Pharmacy Curriculum can be completed at SIUE, but students may wish to take the coursework at another higher education institution. However, we do give preference to SIUE students.
It is important to know that completion of the Pre Pharmacy Curriculum does NOT guarantee acceptance to the Pharm.D. program. Each student must apply for admission to the Pharm.D. program one year before they wish to begin the Pharm.D. curriculum. Students should work closely with their academic advisors to choose coursework and a timeline that meet their academic goals.
The SIUE School of Pharmacy Office of Student Affairs is responsible for providing information to prospective students. Telephone and in-person appointments can be arranged by calling 618-650-5150.
Directions
For driving directions to campus, click here.
Maps
To view a campus map, click here. Please note that the School of Pharmacy is #23 on the Building Key. Our address is 200 University Park Drive, Edwardsville, Illinois 62026. For a printable version, click here.
The undergraduate courses listed below are required for students interested in applying to the SIUE School of Pharmacy.
View Pre-Pharmacy curriculum equivalencies between SIUE and other colleges and universities.
Course
General Biology I with lab
General Biology II with lab
Anatomy and Physiology I with lab
Anatomy and Physiology II with lab
General Chemistry I with lab
General Chemistry II with lab
Organic Chemistry I with lab
Organic Chemistry II with lab
Calculus
Physics I with lab
Physics II with lab
English Comp I
English Comp II
Speech Communication Skills
Macro or Microeconomics
Any Philosophy Course
Humanities (e.g. Art, Music, Literature) - no studio or performance
Behavioral/Social Science (e.g. Psychology or Sociology)
For more information, please contact:
SIUE School of Pharmacy
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Edwardsville, IL 62026-2000
Phone: (618) 650-5150
Fax: (618) 650-5152
e-mail: pharmacy@siue.edu
Q: For high school students, what is the first step toward admission to the SIUE School of Pharmacy?
Take as many mathematics and science courses as you can. Even though the SIUE School of Pharmacy will not look at your high school grades, a good science/math background will prepare you for the many science courses that are included in the pre-pharmacy curriculum. You will spend at least the first two years of college completing courses in chemistry, biology, physics, and mathematics as well as completing some general education courses. Check the pre-pharmacy curriculum to see the list of courses you will be required to complete before applying to the SIUE School of Pharmacy.
Q: For college students what is the first step toward admission to the SIUE School of Pharmacy?
Begin taking courses toward completion of the pre-pharmacy curriculum. If you are taking the pre-pharmacy courses at a college or university other than SIUE, check the web site for course equivalency lists to ensure that the course(s) will meet pre-pharmacy requirements.
Q: Does SIUE admit students directly from high school to the Doctor of Pharmacy program?
No. The SIUE Doctor of Pharmacy degree is based on the 2+4 model. This means that students who are admitted to the School of Pharmacy have already completed at least two years of college coursework.
Q: Do I have to complete the pre-pharmacy curriculum at SIUE?
No. You may complete the pre-pharmacy curriculum at any regionally accredited college or university. To view pre-pharmacy curriculum equivalencies between SIUE and other colleges and universities, click here.
Q: How do I apply for admission?
Applications for the SIUE School of Pharmacy must be submitted via PharmCAS at http://www.pharmcas.org. Students should begin the application process one year before their intended start date. All applicants must submit the following directly to PharmCAS:
In addition to the PharmCAS application, the SIUE School of Pharmacy requires that each student submit a supplemental application and non-refundable fee directly to the SIUE School of Pharmacy. Students who complete the PharmCAS application will be directed to the SIUE Supplemental Application.
Q: Can I apply to the SIUE School of Pharmacy before I complete all the pre-pharmacy requirements?
Yes. You should begin the application process one year before your intended start date.
When you complete your PharmCAS application you will be required to list all completed courses, all courses in which you are currently enrolled, and all courses that you plan to take prior to beginning the Pharm.D. program. Remember, pre-pharmacy courses must be completed with a "C" or better before beginning the program and in order to be considered for admission to the professional program, the minimum cumulative, pre-pharmacy, and pre-pharmacy science and mathematics grade point averages are 2.75.
Applications for admissions are evaluated based upon grades earned through the fall semester proceeding the term for which you are applying. You cannot use the spring or summer terms to repeat grades earned through the fall semester proceeding the term for which they are applying. So, if you earn a "D" or "F" in a pre-pharmacy course in the fall of 2010 you will be denied admission for the fall of 2011.
Q. Can I declare my major as Pre Pharmacy?
No. Since you cannot earn a Bachelor's degree in Pre Pharmacy, you cannot major in Pre Pharmacy. Students may remain undeclared or declare a major in a department they would like to earn a degree in should they not pursue a degree in Pharmacy.
Q. Will any admissions policies and procedures change in the future?
Beginning with the fall 2012 application cycle (applications submitted in 2011 for the fall of 2012) students will be required to have completed all pre-pharmacy courses in the spring term proceeding the intended start date. For example, students applying to enter the SOP in the fall of 2012 must complete all pre-pharmacy courses in the spring of 2012.
Beginning with the fall 2012 application cycle (applications submitted in 2011 for the fall of 2012) students who have a total of five or more repeated courses within the pre-pharmacy curriculum will not be considered for admission to the program.
Q: Where can I get information about the PCAT (Pharmacy College Admission Test)?
You may call 1-800-622-3231 or visit the PCAT testing website at www.PCATweb.info. PCAT exam dates for 2010-2011 are June 19, 2010; August 21, 2010; October 17, 2010; and January 22, 2011. If you plan to apply to the SIUE School of Pharmacy for fall 2011 then you must take the PCAT no later than October 2010. Send PCAT score to PharmCAS. Do not send scores to SIUE.
Q: Can I take the PCAT at SIUE?
Yes. Please call the Testing Services Office at 618-650-2826 or visit the Testing Services Web site. You will register for the PCAT via www.PCATweb.info, and then take the test at SIUE or another test site.
Q: How are repeats calculated in my GPA?
We use the cumulative GPA, the pre pharmacy GPA, and the pre pharmacy math and science GPA for admissions decisions. If a student has repeated a course (taken the same course multiple times), the repeat is averaged for the cumulative GPA calculation. If a student has repeated a pre pharmacy course, the most recent attempt is used to calculate the pre pharmacy and pre pharmacy math and science GPA. Remember that beginning with the fall 2012 application cycle, students who have a total of five or more repeated courses within the pre-pharmacy curriculum will not be considered for admission to the program.
Q: Are residents of Illinois given preference during the admissions process?
Yes. Because we are a state supported institution, we give strong preference to residents of Illinois.
Q: How many students will be admitted to the SIUE School of Pharmacy professional program?
Seventy-five to eighty students will be admitted each fall semester. We expect that this number will remain stable.
Q: How long has SIUE offered its SIUE School of Pharmacy professional program?
The first class was admitted for the fall semester 2005.
Q: How long is the program?
Once a student is admitted into the professional program, and provided he or she maintains good academic standing, the program requires completion of 4 years of full-time enrollment. Courses will be offered during the day only and will not be available to students on a part-time basis.
Q: What type of degree will I receive?
SIUE School of Pharmacy graduates will earn the Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree.
Q: What happens if I am not admitted to the SIUE School of Pharmacy the first time I apply; may I re-apply for the next year?
Yes.
Q: What is the cost of the SIUE School of Pharmacy program?
View current tuition and fees.
School of Pharmacy
Classes of 2010 through 2014
| 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | |
| Total Students | 80 | 82 | 82 | 83 | 83 | 80 |
| Illinois | 66 | 72 | 71 | 79 | 79 | 73 |
| Southern Illinois | 42 | 40 | 32 | 46 | 52 | 58 |
| Central Illinois | 14 | 24 | 24 | 29 | 18 | 10 |
| Chicago Area | 10 | 8 | 15 | 4 | 9 | 5 |
| Other | 14 | 10 | 11 | 4 | 4 | 7 |
| Academic Averages | ||||||
| Cumulative GPA | 3.61 | 3.61 | 3.63 | 3.65 | 3.54 | 3.65 |
| Pre-Pharmacy GPA | 3.65 | 3.63 | 3.69 | 3.69 | 3.60 | 3.68 |
| Science/Math GPA | 3.61 | 3.58 | 3.63 | 3.65 | 3.53 | 3.61 |
| PCAT Score | 73.19 | 75 | 75 | 68 | 64 | 61.5 |
The Occupational Outlook Handbook
American Pharmacists Association
