Contact Information
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If you need to post a notification below your institution name, please enter it here::
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Institution Address:
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Street 1: VCU School of Pharmacy, Office of Admissions & Student Success
Street 2: 410 N 12th St
Street 3: P.O. Box 980581
City: Richmond
State: Virginia
Zip: 23298
Country: United States

Program Location:: Virginia
Admissions Office Contact(s)::
- Name: Abigale Matulewicz, Pharm.D.
  Title: Associate Dean for Admissions & Strategic Engagement
  Office: VCU School of Pharmacy, Office of Admissions & Student Success
  Phone (Work): 804-828-3000
  Email: pharmacy@vcu.edu

Institutional Website::
- http://www.pharmacy.vcu.edu

Contact Information Video::
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I would like to mark this section as done.: Yes

Program Application Deadline
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Final Application Deadline:
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What is the final (enforced) application deadline for your program?: May 1, 2025
Final Application Deadline Description::
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Priority Application Deadline:
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What is the priority application deadline for your program? : November 1, 2024
Describe any requirements or incentives for applicants who apply by the priority deadline. :
The Nov. 1 priority deadline is non-binding and encouraged for all applicants who consider VCU their first choice pharmacy institution. Since applications are reviewed by the admissions committee in the order in which they are received, it is advantageous to submit application materials as early as possible. Applicants that submit by the Nov. 1 deadline will receive priority consideration for interview dates and admissions scholarships.


I would like to mark this section as done.: Yes

Program Information
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Please select the appropriate ACPE accreditation status for your institution from the list below:: Full Accreditation 
Satellite/Branch campuses:: Inova Campus - Fairfax, VA
Does your program follow the AACP Cooperative Admissions Guidelines?: No
Is your institution public or private?: Public
Is your institution part of an academic health center?: Yes
Academic Term Type:
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Select the appropriate academic term type for your program.: Semester (2 terms per academic year)

Program Structure: Pre-Pharmacy Coursework
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What is the minimum requirement of pre-pharmacy coursework for matriculation into your professional Doctor of Pharmacy program? : 2 years

Is a Baccalaureate degree required or preferred for admissions?: Not Required
Program Structure: Pharm.D. Program Curriculum
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What is the structure (e.g., length) of your Pharm.D. program curriculum?: 4 years

Alternative Options: Early Assurance
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Does your program offer an Early Assurance program for admissions? : No

Alternative Options: Affiliation or Articulation Agreements
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Does your program have affiliation or articulation agreements with undergraduate institutions for admissions? Contact the program directly for additional details. : Yes

Alternative Options: Bachelor’s Degree While Enrolled
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Does your program offer a student the ability to complete their bachelor’s degree while enrolled in the Pharm.D. program?: No

Alternative Options: Pathways
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Does your program offer alternative pathways to Pharm.D. degree completion? : Yes
If “Yes” to alternate pathways to Pharm.D. degree completion, check all that apply:: Geographically dispersed campuses

I would like to mark this section as done.: Yes

Last Entering Class
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Total number of Pharm.D. seats filled in the last P1 entering class:: 82
I would like to mark this section as done.: Yes

Dual and Concurrent Degrees
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Dual Degree:
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Does your institution offer a dual degree program, as defined above? : Yes
If yes, check all that apply:: PharmD/MBA (Business Administration), PharmD/MPH (Public Health), PharmD/PhD (Doctor of Philosophy)

Does your institution offer a concurrent, double, or second degree program, as defined above?: No
Provide any additional information regarding dual, concurrent, double, or second degree programs: :
More information about our dual degree offerings can be found at the following website: https://pharmacy.vcu.edu/admissions/dual-degree/ 

I would like to mark this section as done.: Yes

Program Description
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Program Description:
According to U.S. News & World Report, VCU School of Pharmacy is one of the Top 20 Pharm.D. programs in the United States. Located in the heart of Richmond, Virginia, our program provides students the opportunity to learn from dynamic faculty in a welcoming and inclusive environment that will expose them to individuals of differing perspectives, life experiences and cultural backgrounds. As one of 18 health science centers in the United States, the school's location right next door to the VCU Health System offers Pharm.D. students tremendous opportunities for interprofessional education and collaboration alongside students from VCU's Schools of Dentistry, Medicine, Nursing, Population Health and College of Health Professions.

Our four-year Next Generation Pharmacist curriculum offers students an exceptional balance of practice and community engagement alongside basic and applied pharmaceutical research, creating pharmacists who are poised to be on the forefront of health care innovation. We have several dual degree programs, including Pharm.D./M.B.A., Pharm.D./M.P.H. and Pharm.D./Ph.D., alongside certificate and concentration offerings, allowing our students to forge their own paths in pharmacy with focused training in areas of interest on top of their core Pharm.D. learning. We were one of the first schools in the country to offer a four-day class schedule, with Mondays reserved for our students to pursue self-care, volunteering, 1:1 meetings with faculty, or pharmacy employment opportunities.

More information about our program, curriculum and students can be found here: https://pharmacy.vcu.edu/admissions/pharmd/

Program Description Video::
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I would like to mark this section as done.: Yes

GPA and Credit Hour Criteria
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Minimum Overall GPA:: N/A
Minimum Prerequisite GPA:: N/A
Provide any additional information regarding GPA policies for applicants::
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Total number of college SEMESTER HOURS that must be completed prior to matriculation:: 52
Total number of basic science college SEMESTER HOURS that must be completed prior to matriculation:: 40
Total number of college QUARTER HOURS that must be completed prior to matriculation:: 78
Total number of basic science college QUARTER HOURS that must be completed prior to matriculation:: 60
Provide any additional information regarding credit hour policies for applicants::
International coursework must be evaluated by WES or ECE for credit and GPA equivalency. Those reports should be sent directly to PharmCAS.

I would like to mark this section as done.: Yes

Course Prerequisites
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List of Course Prerequisites::
Course Subject: Biology/Biological Science
Course Title: General Biology I with Laboratory
Semester Hours (Min): 4
Quarter Hours (Min): 6
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Course Subject: Biology/Biological Science
Course Title: General Biology II with Laboratory
Semester Hours (Min): 4
Quarter Hours (Min): 6
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Course Subject: Anatomy
Course Title: Human Anatomy Lecture
Semester Hours (Min): 3
Quarter Hours (Min): 4.5
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Course Subject: Physiology
Course Title: Human Physiology Lecture
Semester Hours (Min): 3
Quarter Hours (Min): 4.5
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Course Subject: Microbiology
Course Title: Microbiology Lecture 
Semester Hours (Min): 3
Quarter Hours (Min): 4.5
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Course Subject: Biochemistry
Course Title: Biochemistry Lecture 
Semester Hours (Min): 3
Quarter Hours (Min): 4.5
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Course Subject: Chemistry
Course Title: General Chemistry I with Laboratory
Semester Hours (Min): 4
Quarter Hours (Min): 6
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Course Subject: Chemistry
Course Title: General Chemistry II with Laboratory
Semester Hours (Min): 4
Quarter Hours (Min): 6
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Course Subject: Chemistry
Course Title: Organic Chemistry I with Laboratory
Semester Hours (Min): 4
Quarter Hours (Min): 6
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Course Subject: Chemistry
Course Title: Organic Chemistry II with Laboratory
Semester Hours (Min): 4
Quarter Hours (Min): 6
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Course Subject: Physics
Course Title: General Physics I with Laboratory
Semester Hours (Min): 4
Quarter Hours (Min): 6
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Course Subject: Math
Course Title: Calculus
Semester Hours (Min): 3
Quarter Hours (Min): 4.5
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Course Subject: Statistics
Course Title: Statistics
Semester Hours (Min): 3
Quarter Hours (Min): 4.5
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Course Subject: English Composition / Writing
Course Title: English
Semester Hours (Min): 6
Quarter Hours (Min): 9

When do applicants need to complete all course prerequisites prior to enrollment (e.g. date or term)?:
All prerequisites must be completed before the start of the first-year fall semester (typically mid-August) and all offers of admission are contingent on successful completion of the courses listed above.

Can applicants use online classes to fulfill the institution's course prerequisites?:
Science Course Prerequisites with Labs: Yes
Science Course Prerequisites without Labs : Yes
Non-Science Course Prerequisites: Yes

Enter any additional information regarding online course prerequisites::
Any online prerequisite coursework must be completed at an accredited college or university.

Can applicants use pass/fail classes to fulfill the institution's course prerequisites?:
Science Course Prerequisites with Labs: Yes, but only if no letter grade option available
Science Course Prerequisites without Labs : Yes, but only if no letter grade option available
Non-Science Course Prerequisites: Yes, but only if no letter grade option available

Enter any additional information regarding pass/fail course prerequisites::
Applicants are expected to pursue standard letter grading format for all prerequisite courses. Pass/fail grading is accepted only for prerequisite courses taken during the COVID-19 pandemic (i.e. Spring 2020 - Spring 2021), where pass/fail was offered officially as part of a college or university's course grading policy.

Enter any additional information regarding course prerequisites::
Students with questions about course prerequisites can reach out to VCU's Office of Admission & Student Success at pharmacy@vcu.edu for guidance.

Due to the importance of a strong biomedical science foundation in the Doctor of Pharmacy degree program, some or all of the courses listed below are highly recommended, though not required: immunology, cell biology, genetics, molecular biology.

Link to additional course prerequisites information:: https://pharmacy.vcu.edu/admissions/pharmd/prerequisites/
I would like to mark this section as done.: Yes

Supplemental Materials
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Supplemental Requirements:
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Does your institution require applicants to submit a supplemental application or supplemental materials directly to the institution and outside of PharmCAS?: Yes
Link to Supplemental Instructions: : {Empty}

Supplemental Application Fee:
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Will your institution require a supplemental application fee?: No

Provide any additional information about the supplemental application, materials, or fee requirements::
A supplemental application is required only for invited interview candidates. The application will be provided following the scheduling of an interview.

I would like to mark this section as done.: Yes

Standardized Tests
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Standardized Tests:
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Do you accept or consider any standardized tests? Do not include immunization requirement or other similar documentation requirements.: No

I would like to mark this section as done.: Yes

Observation Hours
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Observation Hours Required:
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Does your program require pharmacy observation hours?: Recommended, but not required
Please note any additional relevant information::
Prospective students are encouraged to pursue pharmacy shadowing or work experiences; however, they are not required for admission.


I would like to mark this section as done.: Yes

Evaluations (Letters of Reference)
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Evaluations Required:
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Are evaluations (letters of reference) required by your institution?: Yes
 If yes, how many evaluations are required?: Three (3)

Please indicate your evaluation type requirements. Select all that apply.:
Clergy: NO ANSWER (evaluator type will not show on page)
Co-Worker: NO ANSWER (evaluator type will not show on page)
Employer: ACCEPTED
Faculty Advisor: ACCEPTED
Family Member: NOT ACCEPTED
Friend: NOT ACCEPTED
Health Care Professional: ACCEPTED
Pharmacist: RECOMMENDED BUT NOT REQUIRED
Politician: NO ANSWER (evaluator type will not show on page)
Pre-Health Advisor: ACCEPTED
Professor (Any Subject Area): ACCEPTED
Professor (Liberal Arts): ACCEPTED
Professor (Math): ACCEPTED
Professor (Science): RECOMMENDED BUT NOT REQUIRED
Supervisor: RECOMMENDED BUT NOT REQUIRED
Teaching Assistant: NO ANSWER (evaluator type will not show on page)

Committee Letters:
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What is your college/school policy on committee letters? : Accepted
Does it count as more than one evaluation?: Varies

Composite Letters:
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What is your college/school policy on composite letters?: Accepted
Does it count as more than one evaluation?: Varies

Provide institution specific details regarding evaluations::
Applicants are required to submit three (3) evaluations to the PharmCAS system in order for their application to be considered complete. These evaluations should ideally be completed by a:
1. Faculty member, professor or adviser (preferably in the sciences)
2. Health care professional (preferably a pharmacist)
3. Supervisor

Due to the fact that the Pharm.D. program is science intensive, it is in every applicant's best interest to receive a recommendation from an individual that can truly speak to their pursuits in that area.

I would like to mark this section as done.: Yes

Residency
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Is preference given to state residents?: No
Is preference given to residents of other states?: No
Additional information about the program’s state residency requirements::
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I would like to mark this section as done.: Yes

International Applicants
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Does your institution consider foreign citizens (excluding Canadian citizens)?: Yes
Select the citizenship types eligible for admission:: US Citizens, US Permanent Residents, US Temporary Residents, Canadian Citizens, Foreign (non-US) Citizens with a Visa, Foreign (non-US) Citizens, Other Non-Citizens (e.g. DACA Students)
Policy for accepting non-U.S. coursework (excluding study abroad):: Send a foreign transcript evaluation report (FTER) to PharmCAS 
Other clarifying information, if necessary::
Our program only accepts foreign transcript evaluations done by WES. The WES report should be sent directly to PharmCAS so that it is included as part of your overall application.

Non-native speakers must submit official TOEFL scores?: Yes
If the TOEFL is required for non-native English speakers, provide additional details about the requirement below: :
A recent TOEFL score (within the last two years) must be submitted to PharmCAS for applicants who have a language other than English as their first language AND who have resided in the U.S.A. for fewer than 10 years. We also recommend a TOEFL score for those who show a deficiency in English. A minimum score of 80 on the TOEFL iBT is required.

Post-B.S. Pharm.D. Programs for Current Pharmacists Licensed in the U.S.:
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Does the institution offer a post-B.S. Pharm.D. program for current pharmacists who are already licensed in the U.S.? : No
Details on Post-B.S. Pharm.D. Programs [1]

[1] https://www.pharmcas.org/school-directory/explore-and-compare/post_bs_programs

Programs for Foreign-educated Pharmacists without a U.S. License:
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Does the institution consider foreign-educated pharmacists WITHOUT a U.S. license for admission to the entry-level Pharm.D. program?: Yes
Enter any additional information for foreign-educated pharmacists without a U.S. license who are interested in the entry-level Pharm.D. program.:
VCU School of Pharmacy does not provide any assistance with the FPGEC certification process.

Foreign-educated pharmacists are encouraged to apply for and complete our entry-level, four-year Doctor of Pharmacy program and are expected to meet the standard international student Pharm.D. admission requirements, including WES transcript evaluation and minimum competency TOEFL score.  


I would like to mark this section as done.: Yes

Interviews
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Interview Format:: Individual applicants with one interviewer, Individual applicants with two or more interviewers
Does the institution offer an online interview option?: Yes
Briefly describe your institution's interview process::
Applicants selected for an interview will be contacted by phone to arrange an on-site or virtual interview appointment. A typical interview session includes an overview of VCU School of Pharmacy; a tour of the school and campus; panel opportunities with current students and our faculty and alumni; interviews; and a written assessment.

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I would like to mark this section as done.: Yes

Accepted Applicants
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Deposits:
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Is a deposit required to hold an acceptee's place in the class?: Yes
Is the deposit refundable for any period of time?: No
Enter details on the deposit (e.g. amount) and deposit refund policies::
A $500 enrollment deposit is required and is nonrefundable. The deposit is applied to the first tuition bill.


Date of first day of classes and/or matriculation for the next entering class:: 2025-08-18
Additional details for accepted applicants::
In-person required orientation for first-year students is tentatively scheduled for August 11-15, 2025.

Are accepted applicants required to have CPR certification prior to matriculation?: No
I would like to mark this section as done.: Yes

Background Checks and Drug Screenings
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Is your institution participating in the PharmCAS-facilitated Criminal Background Check (CBC) Service?: Yes
Is your institution participating in the PharmCAS-facilitated Drug Screening Service?: No
I would like to mark this section as done.: Yes