Pharmacy Application Information

How to Apply

Apply to the Traditional Doctor of Pharmacy program through PharmCAS. 

• Are you transferring from another Pharmacy program? Click here for our transfer policy.
• Learn more about your PharmCAS application

• Students interested in applying to a dual degree program must be admitted and successfully complete one term in the Pharm.D. program prior to submitting an application to the second degree program. See appropriate tabs below for more details.

PROGRAM	START TERM	APPLICATION OPENS	APPLICATION DEADLINE
Traditional Doctor of Pharmacy	Fall 2022	July 14	Please contact pharmd@su.edu to inquire about applying for Fall 2022 after the deadline.
Traditional Doctor of Pharmacy	Fall 2023	July 14	June 1, 2023

Shenandoah operates on a rolling admissions process, which means that we start interviewing applicants as soon as we have a complete file. It may take up to 8 weeks for PharmCAS to forward your file to us. Therefore, the sooner you submit your application and required paperwork, the better your chances of being interviewed and/or accepted. 

Application Requirements & Program Prerequisites

Doctor of Pharmacy Prerequisites & Application Information

PCAT:  Optional

*The PCAT will remain OPTIONAL, not required. If you believe the PCAT provides evidence of your academic preparedness for the Pharm.D. program, you are encouraged to submit your scores. Please reach out to pharmd@su.edu with any questions about this change.

Official PCAT  Testing Dates

Preferred Minimum GPA:  2.5 

59 semester credit hours (SH) of prerequisites completed with a grade of “C” or better are required for entry into the program at the time of matriculation. We do not accept any science credits over 10 years old, unless you have been using the content in your current employment. Our Director of Pharmacy Admissions makes decisions regarding these credits. CLEP credits with appropriate scores may be accepted for any non-science classes

In light of recent policy shifts by colleges and universities to the COVID-19 pandemic and in alignment with Shenandoah University policy, the Bernard J. Dunn School of Pharmacy will accept the notation of “pass” on a transcript as successful completion of prerequisite coursework for any classes taken during the affected terms with appropriate documentation. 

Prerequisite Course	Semester Credit Hours
English I	3
English II	3
General Biology I + lab	4
General Biology II + lab	4
General Chemistry I + lab	4
General Chemistry II + lab	4
Organic Chemistry I + lab	4
Physics	3
Statistics	3
Economics	3
Microbiology	3
Human Anatomy & Physiology	6
Advanced Biology or Chemistry Electives**	6
Humanities**	3
Social/Behavioral Science**	3
Total Combined Hours	59

**Examples of Advanced Biology or Chemistry electives include biochemistry, cell biology, molecular biology, immunology, genetics, etc.

**Examples of Humanities include philosophy, history, art, music, religion, etc.

**Examples of Social/Behavioral Science include psychology, sociology, anthropology, political science, etc.

Pharmacy Technical Standards

Choosing your campus

Shenandoah University has two pharmacy school locations:  Winchester, VA and Fairfax, VA.  Students confirm their seats on their location of choice at the time of deposit.

Complete Application Files Only

The Admissions Committee will only consider complete files. It is the responsibility of the applicant to keep in touch with the appropriate Pharmacy Admissions Coordinator to ensure all information has been received: Debbie Lynn (Fairfax location) dlynn@su.edu or Tamara Harris (Winchester) tharris@su.edu.

Invitation To Interview

Invitations to interview are offered on a rolling basis. The Admission Coordinator for each location will assist you with the scheduling process. The interview process will include a written essay requirement and a 30 minute interview with a faculty member and a current student. Applicants will also receive a tour of the facilities and may attend a portion of a class if desired.

Admissions Status

Every effort is made to inform applicants of their admissions status within 2 -3 weeks of their interview. 

Once You Are Accepted

Your official acceptance package will provide the due date of your non-refundable $500 deposit in addition to all other requirements for matriculation.

Once enrolled to be in the program, all students are required to undergo a criminal background check, fingerprinting and random urine drug screening, as well as have up-to-date required vaccinations.

When Applications Are Denied Admission

When applicants fail to meet criteria for admissions, a formal letter will be emailed to the applicant within 2 – 3 weeks. If more clarification is needed, applicants may contact the Director of Admissions, Katie Sanders at ksanders@su.edu.

How to Apply

Shenandoah operates on a rolling admissions process, which means that we start interviewing applicants as soon as we have a complete file. Therefore, the sooner you submit your application and required paperwork, the better your chances of being interviewed and/or accepted.

PROGRAM START TERM	APPLICATION	APPLICATION OPENS	APPLICATION DEADLINE
Fall 2022 (August)	Apply	August 2021	Priority: March 15, 2022 Final: Rolling (Applications will continue to be accepted until the 2022 cohort is filled)

 

Application Requirements & Program Prerequisites

Minimum GPA:  2.5 (preferred minimum GPA 2.5 overall)

B.S. Pharmacy Degree

PCAT:  Not Required

Program Specific PDF

The Admissions Committee will only consider complete files. It is the responsibility of the applicant to keep in touch with your Admissions Counselor to ensure all information has been received.

A complete application includes:

• Graduate Application and $30 Application Fee
• Unofficial Transcripts from all institutions of higher education where credit was received
  • All transcripts from non-U.S. based institutions must be course-by-course evaluated by a NACESor AICE academic credential evaluation company to obtain equivalency information on courses, grades, and degrees earned. 
• Two Professional Letters of Recommendation
  • References will receive an automated email invitation to complete a required form that will submit directly to your application.
  • Acceptable letters of recommendation are professional recommendations from pharmacy colleagues who can speak to your work and experience as a pharmacist. Recommendations from current students in the pathway or other applicants will not be accepted. 
• Statement of Purpose (1500 word maximum): A personal statement that describes your educational experience and professional career objectives 
• Current Resume/C.V. (Please use this template as a guide)
• Copy of Current Pharmacist License
  • Applicant must be a licensed U.S. Pharmacist with current or previous practice experience in the U.S.
• A Course-by-Course Evaluation of all transcripts from outside the United States by a NACES Approved Member

Supplemental materials can be uploaded to your application or emailed to adprocessing@su.edu. Uploaded materials are preferred. Submitting via email may delay processing time.

Most communication with applicants is done via email when possible, so please be alert for emails regarding your application. Notification generally occurs within a few weeks after you have submitted your materials.

Invitation To Interview

Nontraditional Doctor of Pharmacy Online applicants will complete an online video conference.

Admissions Status

We try to inform applicants of their admissions status within 2 -3 weeks after their interview. If you are accepted, you will receive an acceptance email followed by an official acceptance package with a deadline to submit your non-refundable tuition deposit to secure your position in the class.

Once You Are Accepted

Accepted students are required to pay a tuition deposit in the amount of $500. The fee is non-refundable and can be made online or mailed to:

When Applications Are Denied Admission

When applicants do not meet SU’s criteria for admissions, they will be denied. A formal letter of explanation will be mailed to the applicant within 2 – 3 weeks. If more clarification is needed, applicants may contact your Admissions Counselor.

Students interested in enrolling in the dual Pharm.D./MBA must be admitted and successfully complete one term in the Pharm.D. program prior to submitting an application to the MBA program.

Pharm.D./MBA Application Requirements

• Students interested in applying to the dual degree Pharm.D./MBA program must be current, full-time students in good academic and professional standing in the Bernard J. Dunn School of Pharmacy pursuing the Pharm.D. degree with a grade point average of at least 3.0.
• Possession of an undergraduate degree from a regionally/nationally accredited college or university, preferably with a GPA of at least 3.0.
• The application deadline is March 1.
• Submission of a dual degree application which includes the following:
  • Graduate Application for Admission for the MBA program. (GMAT/GRE not required)
  • Two letters of reference : One will be written by the pharmacy faculty advisor for Pharm.D./MBA students; the other should be written by a faculty member or administrator from the School of Pharmacy or other college/university previously attended.
  • A two-page double-spaced letter of intent discussing how the MBA will complement your Pharm.D. and how it will enhance your pharmacy career goals.
  • Curriculum vitae
• Potential interview with the School of Business MBA Admissions Committee.
• Completion of all required MBA foundation courses prior to starting core courses.

How to Apply

Students interested in applying to the Pharm.D./MBA program should contact Alla Marks at amarks@su.edu. If eligible, she will provide the direct application link.

How to Apply

Students interested in enrolling in the dual Pharm.D./Master of Public Health must be admitted and successfully complete one term in the Pharm.D. program prior to submitting this dual degree application to the Pharm.D./MPH program. 

Apply to the Traditional Doctor of Pharmacy program through PharmCAS.

• Learn more about your PharmCAS application

Apply to the Master of Public Health program using the using the dual degree Pharm.D./Public Health application.

• Dual Degree Pharm.D./MPH program specific PDF

PROGRAM	START TERM	APPLICATION OPENS	APPLICATION DEADLINE
Traditional Doctor of Pharmacy	Fall 2022 (August)	July 14, 2021	June 1, 2022
MPH	Summer 2023 (May)	Fall 2022	April 15, 2023

Shenandoah operates on a rolling admissions process, which means that we start interviewing applicants as soon as we have a complete file. It may take up to 8 weeks for PharmCAS to forward your file to us. Therefore, the sooner you submit your application and required paperwork, the better your chances of being interviewed and/or accepted.

Pharm.D./MPH Application Requirements & Program Prerequisites

• Full-time student status in good academic and professional standing in the Bernard J. Dunn School of Pharmacy pursuing the Pharm.D. degree with a grade point average of at least 3.0.
• Submission of an MPH application during P1 Spring term which includes the following:
  • Graduate Application for Admission for the MPH program.
  • One letter of reference : written by a Shenandoah Pharmacy faculty member.
  • Personal statement that describes the applicant’s education, experience, and professional career objectives (1500 word maximum).
  • Curriculum vitae
• Potential interview with the MPH Admissions Committee.
• Admitted students enroll in PH 501 in first semester.

More information can be found on the Pharm.D./M.S. in Pharmacogenomics and Personalized Medicine Dual Degree Program website or in our informational flyer. Please direct questions about the program to PGxMasters@su.edu. 

Application Requirements

Students interested in applying to the dual Pharm.D./M.S. program must successfully complete three terms in the Bernard J. Dunn School of Pharmacy Pharm.D. Program in the traditional Pharm.D. program (see Doctor of Pharmacy application and admissions requirements above) prior to submitting an application to the Pharmacogenomics and Personalized Medicine (PGPM) program.

Application deadline: January 15.

PGPM courses begin in the Summer semester (May) and run for 12 weeks.

Admission and application requirements for Pharm.D./M.S. in PGPM dual degree students:

• Full-time second professional year (P2) Pharm.D. student status in the Bernard J. Dunn School of Pharmacy (traditional pathway) 
  • Good academic and professional standing 
  • Cumulative Pharm.D. GPA ≥ 3.00 strongly preferred
  • Cumulative sub-area (PHAR 534, PHAR 600, PHAR 668) GPA ≥ 3.0 strongly preferred
• Submission of program application consisting of:
  • Graduate Application through the Graduate Admissions Office
  • Official transcripts from ALL current and previous schools

• • • The university can retrieve official transcripts submitted with your Pharm.D. application and from Shenandoah University

• • Current Curriculum Vitae
  • Personal Statement (750 words maximum, approximately one page) answering one of the following questions: 

• • • What area of Pharmacogenomics and Personalized Medicine most interests you?
    • What is your career aspiration with a Pharm.D./M.S. in Pharmacogenomics and Personalized Medicine?

Note: Your personal statement will be processed using plagiarism detection software

How to Apply

Students interested in applying to the Pharm.D./M.S. in PGPM will be provided a link to the online application to the annual dual degree information session. Please contact PGxMasters@su.edu or SUGradAdmissions@su.edu if you have any questions about applying. 

Pharm.D./M.S. in PGPM Program Specific PDF