The USC College of Pharmacy operates on a rolling admission basis, therefore, applicants are strongly encouraged to apply as early in the admission cycle as possible ensuring review of their application early in the process, increasing chances of an interview and admission consideration.
Published Survey
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Submission information
Submission Number: 4164
Submission ID: 112
Submission UUID: e4d37e5d-639a-4f2b-a3da-ebc79973c99d
Submission URI: /publishedsurvey
Submission Update: /publishedsurvey?token=yQP4wnDx2Sq4DAyBjckw0mvumf4yMAR7HezMGulvUp8
Created: Sun, 08/18/2019 - 04:59
Completed: Mon, 06/10/2024 - 07:24
Changed: Mon, 06/10/2024 - 16:05
Remote IP address: 95.134.26.185
Submitted by: Anonymous
Language: English
Is draft: No
Current page: Complete
Webform: Pharm.D. School Directory
Submitted to: Published Survey
Contact Information
The USC College of Pharmacy operates on a rolling admission basis, therefore, applicants are strongly encouraged to apply as early in the admission cycle as possible ensuring review of their application early in the process, increasing chances of an interview and admission consideration.
715 Sumter Street
CLS 109
Columbia
South Carolina
29208
United States
South Carolina
-
Name: Nikki Mellen, M.Ed.
Title: Director of Admissions
Office: College of Pharmacy
Phone (Work): 803-777-0589
Email: mellen@cop.sc.edu
Yes
Program Application Deadline
February 3, 2025
Applicants must submit their PharmCAS application by the February 3, 2025 final deadline. Applications that are not complete and/or verified by April 1, 2025 may not be considered for an admission interview.
October 1, 2024
As the USC College of Pharmacy operates on a rolling admission basis, applicants are strongly encouraged to apply as early in the admission cycle as possible. Applicants that submit their PharmCAS application and required materials by the October 1, 2024 priority deadline ensure review of their application early in the process, increasing chances of an interview invitation and admission consideration.
Yes
Program Information
Full Accreditation
Our Greenville campus, located within the USC School of Medicine-Greenville building on the Prisma Health-Upstate campus, the largest care provider in the region. Check it out here https://youtu.be/otWh80jdrrQ
Yes
Public
Yes
Semester (2 terms per academic year)
Not Required
4 years
Yes
Yes
Yes
Eligible students are awarded the B.S. in Pharmaceutical Sciences at the end of the second professional year. This optional degree is available only to USC Pharm.D. students who have successfully completed pre-pharmacy coursework and the first two years of the professional program, as well as all Carolina Core requirements at an accredited institution. More information can be found on our website: https://www.sc.edu/study/colleges_schools/pharmacy/pharmacy_education/undergraduate/index.php
No
Yes
Last Entering Class
92
Yes
Dual and Concurrent Degrees
Yes
PharmD/MBA (Business Administration), Other Dual Degrees
PharmD/MHIT (Health Information Technology)
No
Yes
Program Description
Our faculty and staff are personally invested in your development as a health care leader. As the oldest and largest college of pharmacy in the state, our mission is to prepare the next generation of innovative and collaborative pharmacists and health scientists while pioneering clinical, entrepreneurial, and research endeavors to improve health outcomes for residents of South Carolina and beyond.
Our curriculum utilizes educational outcomes to build strong foundations in relevant disciplines, with particular emphasis on biomedical, pharmaceutical, social, administrative, and clinical sciences. Faculty serve as facilitators, guiding students to develop problem-solving, critical thinking, and evidence-based practice skills. The college incorporates didactic, interprofessional, laboratory-based, and experiential educational opportunities to create a rich, diverse learning environment.
Students may choose to apply for the opportunity to enhance their education through combination degree programs, such as the professional master’s in business administration and the master’s in health information technology. Optional track and scholars’ programs are available in the areas of business and entrepreneurship; rural health; leadership and residency preparation. Students have access to the Kennedy Pharmacy Innovation Center, the Palmetto Poison Center, and opportunities to participate in service-learning, research leading to new therapies alongside internationally renowned faculty, and the ability to learn with and from multiple other health profession students. With over 600 experiential sites around the world, our students experience first-rate and first-hand learning.
Students also enjoy university benefits of tickets to various sporting events, an option for membership in more than 500 organizations on campus, and proximity to beaches and mountains!
Our curriculum utilizes educational outcomes to build strong foundations in relevant disciplines, with particular emphasis on biomedical, pharmaceutical, social, administrative, and clinical sciences. Faculty serve as facilitators, guiding students to develop problem-solving, critical thinking, and evidence-based practice skills. The college incorporates didactic, interprofessional, laboratory-based, and experiential educational opportunities to create a rich, diverse learning environment.
Students may choose to apply for the opportunity to enhance their education through combination degree programs, such as the professional master’s in business administration and the master’s in health information technology. Optional track and scholars’ programs are available in the areas of business and entrepreneurship; rural health; leadership and residency preparation. Students have access to the Kennedy Pharmacy Innovation Center, the Palmetto Poison Center, and opportunities to participate in service-learning, research leading to new therapies alongside internationally renowned faculty, and the ability to learn with and from multiple other health profession students. With over 600 experiential sites around the world, our students experience first-rate and first-hand learning.
Students also enjoy university benefits of tickets to various sporting events, an option for membership in more than 500 organizations on campus, and proximity to beaches and mountains!
Yes
GPA and Credit Hour Criteria
2.5
N/A
Applicants are responsible for verifying that they meet the minimum GPA requirements before applying. The application fee will not be refunded if the application requirements are not met.
66
36
99
54
More information can be found at https://sc.edu/study/colleges_schools/pharmacy/pharmacy_education/pharm_d_program/admission_requirements/index.php. Applicants are encouraged to reach out to our Director of Admissions, Ms. Nikki Mellen, with any questions regarding course equivalencies or to review transcripts and provide a course evaluation to ensure applicants are on track to complete the required courses before beginning the Pharm.D. program, if accepted.
Yes
Course Prerequisites
| Course Subject | Course Title | Semester Hours (Min) | Quarter Hours (Min) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biology/Biological Science | General Biology I with Lab | 4 | 6 |
| Chemistry | General Chemistry I with Lab | 4 | 6 |
| Math | Calculus | 3 | 4.5 |
| English Composition / Writing | English: Reading/Composition | 3 | 4.5 |
| Humanities | Liberal Art Elective 1 | 3 | 4.5 |
| Biology/Biological Science | General Biology II with Lab | 4 | 6 |
| Chemistry | General Chemistry II with Lab | 4 | 6 |
| Statistics | Statistics | 3 | 4.5 |
| English Composition / Writing | English: Literature/Composition | 3 | 4.5 |
| Humanities | Liberal Art Elective 2 | 3 | 4.5 |
| Chemistry | Organic Chemistry I with Lab | 4 | 6 |
| Anatomy & Physiology | Human Anatomy & Physiology I | 3 | 4.5 |
| Physics | General Physics I | 3 | 4.5 |
| Economics | Principles of Economics | 3 | 4.5 |
| Social/Behavioral Science | Introduction to Psychology, Introductory Sociology, or select medical anthropology courses | 3 | 4.5 |
| Chemistry | Organic Chemistry II with Lab | 4 | 6 |
| Anatomy & Physiology | Human Anatomy & Physiology II | 3 | 4.5 |
| Microbiology | Microbiology | 3 | 4.5 |
| Communication / Speech (Verbal) | Public Speaking | 3 | 4.5 |
| Humanities | Liberal Art Elective 3 | 3 | 4.5 |
Successful candidates for interview consideration have completed at minimum the first-year pharmacy prerequisite science courses to include General Biology and General Chemistry sequences. Applicants are expected to have completed all math and science prerequisite courses by the end of the spring term prior to enrollment. With approval, summer courses may be allowed; however, all courses must be completed with a C- or higher prior to the start of the term in mid-August.
- Science Course Prerequisites with Labs: Varies
- Science Course Prerequisites without Labs : Yes
- Non-Science Course Prerequisites: Varies
Online Public Speaking and lab courses may not be accepted to fulfill pharmacy prerequisite requirements. If you have specific questions, please reach out to our Director of Admissions at mellen@cop.sc.edu.
- Science Course Prerequisites with Labs: Varies
- Science Course Prerequisites without Labs : Varies
- Non-Science Course Prerequisites: Varies
Pass/Fail courses will be evaluated for fulfilling pharmacy prerequisite requirements if documentation is provided showing that a ‘Pass’ indication at the institution is equivalent to a C- or higher.
Science courses must be for majors. General biology I and II, general chemistry I and II and organic chemistry I and II courses must include a laboratory component. With PRIOR APPROVAL from the College of Pharmacy, you may substitute two general biology courses with a combination of 1) botany and zoology or 2) genetics and cell biology. We do NOT require a lab component for physics, microbiology or anatomy and physiology I and II. We will accept a combination of a separate human comparative anatomy course (3 credit hours) and human physiology course (3 credit hours) to fulfill the 6-credit hour Anatomy and Physiology I & II requirement. The Psychology requirement may be fulfilled by Intro to Sociology or courses included in the USC Medical Anthropology minor. Liberal Art electives include courses such as: art, ethics, creative writing, fine arts, languages, music, religion, theater, anthropology, additional economic courses, geography, history, political science, sociology, and women's studies. For any questions regarding prerequisite course requirements or for a transcript evaluation, please contact our Director of Admissions at mellen@cop.sc.edu.
Yes
Supplemental Materials
No
No
Yes
Standardized Tests
Yes
ACT, DAT, GMAT, GRE, LSAT, MCAT, OAT, SAT
Yes
Observation Hours
Recommended, but not required
Prepared applicants are those that have an understanding of the pharmacy profession. Applications are examined for exposure to the pharmacy profession (i.e., working/volunteering in a pharmacy setting, shadowing/interviewing pharmacists) as an indication of the applicant's motivation and familiarity with the realities of pharmacy as a career. Details of these experiences (i.e., setting, pharmacist, dates, hours, etc.) should be included in the PharmCAS application and on resume/CV.
Yes
Evaluations (Letters of Reference)
Yes
Two (2)
- Clergy: CONDITIONALLY ACCEPTED
- Co-Worker: ACCEPTED
- Employer: ACCEPTED
- Faculty Advisor: ACCEPTED
- Family Member: NOT ACCEPTED
- Friend: NOT ACCEPTED
- Health Care Professional: CONDITIONALLY ACCEPTED
- Pharmacist: CONDITIONALLY ACCEPTED
- Politician: CONDITIONALLY ACCEPTED
- Pre-Health Advisor: ACCEPTED
- Professor (Any Subject Area): ACCEPTED
- Professor (Liberal Arts): ACCEPTED
- Professor (Math): ACCEPTED
- Professor (Science): ACCEPTED
- Supervisor: ACCEPTED
- Teaching Assistant: ACCEPTED
Not Accepted
Not Accepted
Two electronic evaluations (letters of reference/recommendation) are required to be submitted through the PharmCAS application. Inappropriate evaluations include those written by any family members, friends, or family friends. Evaluations that are conditionally accepted, are appropriate if the individual can speak to the characteristics evaluated by the Admissions Committee such as empathy, ethics, intellectual ability, judgment, oral communication, reliability. If individuals do not know you well enough to speak to such characteristics, they would be considered inappropriate evaluations.
Yes
Residency
Yes
No
As a state-assisted institution, we give preference to in-state applicants, defined in the admissions context as South Carolina residents and non-South Carolina residents who are attending a South Carolina college or university. Residency determinations for tuition purposes are set by the Office of the University Registrar; more information can be found on their website at https://sc.edu/about/offices_and_divisions/registrar/residency_and_citizenship/residency/index.php.
Yes
International Applicants
Yes
US Citizens, US Permanent Residents, Foreign (non-US) Citizens with a Visa, Other Non-Citizens (e.g. DACA Students)
Send a foreign transcript evaluation report (FTER) to PharmCAS
Foreign transcript evaluation reports must be sent to PharmCAS. Once an application is verified, coursework will be evaluated at the college level to determine equivalency and applicability to pharmacy prerequisite courses. Courses must have been completed with a C- or higher to be considered equivalent and/or applicable to a pharmacy prerequisite requirement. English language/literature and public speaking pharmacy prerequisites must be completed at a college or university accredited in the United States, excluding courses delivered via electronic media. More information regarding requirements for international students can be found on our website at https://sc.edu/study/colleges_schools/pharmacy/pharmacy_education/pharm_d_program/application_process/index.php.
Yes
International students must be proficient in English. Proficiency is measured through the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). A score of at least 550 on the paper based exam, a 77 on the internet based TOEFL, or 210 on the computer-based TOEFL is required. Alternatively, USC will accept a score of at least a 6.5 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or a score of at least a 53 on the PTE Academic Test.
If you have taken the University of South Carolina's equivalent of English 101 and 102 at a US Institution of higher education and received a letter grade of ‘B’ or higher in each course, you may be exempt from submitting additional forms of English proficiency. Please contact our Director of Admissions at mellen@cop.sc.edu if you have questions regarding this requirement.
If you have taken the University of South Carolina's equivalent of English 101 and 102 at a US Institution of higher education and received a letter grade of ‘B’ or higher in each course, you may be exempt from submitting additional forms of English proficiency. Please contact our Director of Admissions at mellen@cop.sc.edu if you have questions regarding this requirement.
Yes
Yes
Interviews
Individual applicants with one interviewer
Yes
As expected by ACPE, standardized interviews are conducted as part of the admissions process to assess characteristics including self-awareness, leadership, innovation, entrepreneurship, and professionalism. Interviews are by invitation only (sent via email to PharmCAS email) and are typically scheduled August through April. An invitation to interview does not guarantee admission or imply any specific action on the part of the Admissions Committee. Not all applicants are invited to interview; applicants not selected for an interview will not be considered for admission. The interview day is approximately half-day and consists of an overview of the program by an administrator, two 30-minute one-on-one interviews, and a tour of the college.
Yes
Accepted Applicants
Yes
No
As a participating school in the AACP Cooperative Admissions Guidelines, we adhere to deposit guidelines. There are two non-refundable deposits that total $485.00: 1) When accepted to the University of South Carolina College of Pharmacy, students must submit a $200 admission deposit within 2 weeks of acceptance notification. 2) After March 1, students are required to pay the additional fee of $285.00. If students are admitted after March 1, the $485.00 must be paid in full within 2 weeks of acceptance notification. The fee(s) will be forfeited for students not enrolling in the College of Pharmacy for the term in which they were admitted.
2025-08-25
The first date of class for Fall 2025 is scheduled for August 25, 2025, please note that this date is subject to change. Accepted students are also required to attend an Orientation that will occur before the start of classes in August. Accepted students will receive additional information regarding dates, etc. during the Spring 2025 semester.
No
Yes
Background Checks and Drug Screenings
Yes
Yes
Yes