Pre-Pharmacy

Pharmacy at Regis

The Regis Rueckert-Hartman College for Health Professions offers a Doctor of Pharmacy degree. Please see the graduate program site for more information about the Doctor of Pharmacy Program at Regis.

For specific information regarding Regis University's Doctor of Pharmacy program, click here.

The presence of a Pharmacy School in the Regis Ruekert-Hartman College for Health Professions provides our undergraduates intending a career in Pharmacy with a special opportunity. This relationship allows Regis College students to get to know the Pharmacy faculty. This early relationship with Pharmacy faculty can provide Regis College students with valuable insights and advice.

What is Pharmacy?

Historically, the functions of the pharmacist centered on the preparation and provision of a drug product to a patient. However, in recent times, the scope of the pharmacist's activities has expanded to include consultation with physicians and other health professionals in the process of pharmacotherapeutic decision making; selecting an appropriate dosage form for a given patient; determining the dose and dosage schedule; preparing the medication for administration to the patient; providing information about the medication to the patient; advising the patient to assure the medication is used correctly for maximum effectiveness; and monitoring the patient to prevent or detect harmful side effects. Pharmacists, in collaboration with other health professionals, have the responsibility of assuring optimal outcomes from drug therapy for their patients.

The pharmacist is the most accessible member of the health care team. A pharmacist is often the first health professional with whom patients will confer regarding a health question and is likely to be the final one with whom patients consult about their medications and their use. Today's pharmacist must not only dispense prescriptions, but also communicate information and provide medication-related primary health care.

Pharmacists provide pharmaceutical care in a variety of settings. Most visible is the community pharmacist who practices in the local, independently-owned pharmacy, chain pharmacy, pharmacy department in a food or discount store, or professional health center. Other practice opportunities exist for pharmacists in hospitals, home health care, nursing homes and extended care facilities, neighborhood health centers, and health maintenance organizations. In all these practice settings, pharmacists are responsible for direct patient care. They manage systems designed to assure that each patient receives the appropriate medication in the correct form and dosage, at the correct time, and that the patient understands the intended and proper use of the medication.

Pharmacists are also employed by firms that discover, develop, and produce chemicals, prescription and nonprescription drugs, and other health products. Pharmacists in the pharmaceutical industry conduct research, develop and market products, maintain quality control, and administer programs. (Taken from the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy internet site.)

What is a Pharmacy Program Like?

The structure of the pharmacy programs vary from college to college. Some colleges require one, two, or three years of prepharmacy education, while others integrate the curriculum with all years of study in the professional college. Preprofessional education may be taken at any approved junior college or university. Additionally, some colleges offer alternative enrollment options, including part-time enrollment and year-round classes.

In July 1992, a majority of the nation's schools and colleges of pharmacy voted to move toward awarding the doctor of pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree as the only professional degree in pharmacy. In June 1997, the American Council on Pharmaceutical Education (ACPE), the accrediting agency for pharmacy programs in the United States, adopted new accreditation standards and guidelines. According to the Implementation Procedures published by the ACPE, all accreditation cycles for baccalaureate programs will expire no later than June 30, 2004. Either degree currently fulfills the degree requirements to take the licensure examination of a state board of pharmacy in order to practice pharmacy.

A Pharm.D. degree requires at least four academic years of professional study, following a minimum of two years of preprofessional study. Individual schools have specific requirements for preprofessional study.

The pharmacy curriculum is designed to produce a scientifically and technically competent pharmacist who can apply this training in such a manner as to provide maximum health care services to patients. The Pharm.D. program provides the opportunity for students to gain experience in patient-centered learning experiences and in working in close, cooperative relationships with health practitioners. It is the goal of all pharmacy schools to prepare pharmacists who can assume responsibilities in the care of patients and assure the provision of rational drug therapy.

After graduating from pharmacy school, increasing numbers of students are seeking residency training in institutional and community pharmacy practice. These residency programs may be in pharmacy practice or specialty areas, depending upon personal interests and specific career requirements. Completion of a pharmacy residency is sometimes a requirement for employment in hospital pharmacy practice or clinical faculty positions. (Taken from the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy internet site.)

Entry into a Pharmacy Program

General Prerequisites

A Bachelor's degree or a minimum number of semester hours (60-80) earned from an accredited College or University including the pre-requisite courses listed below.
Scores from the PCAT or other standardized examination .(The required examination may vary among schools.)

Prerequisite Courses*

1 year of human anatomy & human physiology -- BL 274/275 and BL 276/277
1 year of general biology with labs -- BL 262/263 & BL 260/261
1 semester of upper-division microbiology -- BL 418/419**
1 year of general and/or inorganic chemistry with labs -- CH 210/211 & CH 230/231
1 year of organic chemistry with labs -- CH 250/251 & CH 420/421
1 year of physics with Calculus with labs -- PH 304A/305A & PH 304B/305B
1 semester of statistics for sciences or mathematics -- MT 272 or MT 470A
1 semester of calculus -- MT 360A
1 semester of psychology -- PY 250 or PY 251
1 year of english composition -- CCS 200& an additional composition course
1 semester of speech communication -- COM 210
1 semester of introductory or microeconomics -- EC 200 or EC 330

*The prerequisite requirements vary somewhat among institutions.
**Microbiology is required by some Pharmacy Programs. This course is strongly recommended by most programs that do not require it.
Courses in italics are completed when the Regis College Core Curriculum is completed.

Strongly Recommended Courses in Addition to Those Above

1 semester of genetics -- BL 414
1 semester of upper-division physiology -- BL 436/437
1 year of biochemistry -- BL 452A or CH 452A and BL 452B or CH 452B

Additional Recommendations

Some experience in a pharmacy setting - the experience may be paid or volunteer but should include direct contact with a liscensed pharmacist.

Applicational Recommendations

Apply Early! - Apply early in the fall for the following year. Many school have rolling admissions. Applying near each school's deadline will mean that most of the available spots in in-coming classes will already have been filled by the time your application is received.

Links of Interest

Regis University Pharmacy School

American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP)

AACP, List of U.S. Pharmacy Schools

AACP, Pre-Pharmacy Student Information

Pharmacy College Admissions Test (PCAT)

Virtual Pharmacy Library

Colorado Pharm.D. Programs

University of Colorado - Health Sciences Center, School of Pharmacy, Denver, CO

Regis University Pharmacy School

Jesuit School Pharm.D. Programs

Creighton University - School of Pharmacy and Allied Health, Omaha, NE

Regis University Pharmacy School

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