Why study Pre-Pharmacy?

Pharmacists play a critical role in modern health care, dispensing drugs prescribed by physicians and other health practitioners and providing information to patients about medications. They advise physicians and other health practitioners on the selection, dosages, interactions and side effects of medications. Pharmacists also monitor the health and progress of patients in response to drug therapy to ensure the safe and effective use of medication.

Pre-Pharmacy is a pre-professional track that consists of courses in biology, chemistry, physics and mathematics that are required for application to a four-year doctor of pharmacy degree program. This pre-pharmacy non-degree program is specifically designed for students planning to apply to the PharmD program at the UC James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy. Additional coursework may be required for students planning to apply to PharmD programs at other institutions. 

Pre-pharmacy students attending the UC Clermont campus are encouraged to work with their major advisor and the Pre-Professional Advising Center to be sure you are the most prepared applicant.  

Career Possibilities

You must complete your doctorate (PharmD) to become a pharmacist. The profession of pharmacy offers excellent opportunities to those interested in science.

Registered pharmacists find careers in the areas of community/retail pharmacy, hospital pharmacy, wholesaling of drug products, pharmaceutical manufacturing, scientific research, government work and teaching. Community pharmacy affords pharmacists an opportunity to become owners of their own businesses. Positions are also available in drug product wholesaling, which has become an important part of the industry’s distribution method.

The manufacturing of drug products is one of the largest industries in the US, requiring astute attention, accuracy and scientific skill. Every manufactured drug product must be carefully compounded, tested and analyzed before it is offered to the public. Manufacturers also employ pharmacists as medical service representatives who provide drug, clinical and other information to health professions.

Read more about career outlook in pharmacy from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Major Maps

• Guide: 2024-2025 Pre-Pharmacy (AX)

Advising

Academic advising is an essential part of your educational experience.

We are committed to providing advice and assistance throughout your academic journey. You and your advisor work together to create an academic plan based on your goals. 
 
Questions? Email us at clermont.advising@uc.edu or call 513-558-8317 to schedule an appointment.

UC Advantages and Special Opportunities

UC Clermont students have access to free tutoring and academic support services through Learning Commons. The Learning Commons provides centralized academic support for all University of Cincinnati students by bringing together faculty, best-practices in teaching and learning, and hundreds of outstanding peer educators to create flexible academic success programming. Free services available to UC Clermont students include academic coaching, group review sessions, success skills workshops, and tutoring in writing, math, science and more. Services are available on-campus or virtually. Visit the Learning Commons webpage for more information or schedule an appointment online.

Academic Coaching – Academic coaches help students get organized and learn to be efficient and effective with their study time during one-on-one sessions. Academic Coaches work with students on new strategies or exercises to try before the next meeting and later meetings allow tailoring new approaches to develop the best study and test taking habits for unique goals and strengths. Schedule one-hour sessions as often as once per week.

Academic Writing Center (AWC) – The Academic Writing Center (AWC) offers tutoring for all stages of the writing process, from brainstorming to incorporating research. The AWC is not course-specific and can help with discipline-specific documents, as well as non-course-based writing. Schedule a one-on-one appointment with a trained writing tutor or submit a paper online for feedback within 48 hours.

Group Review Sessions (GRS) – Group Review Sessions (GRS) are small study groups, led by a peer leader, that meet to review content that is covered in course-supported lectures each week. Find the list of supported courses on the Learning Commons website.

Math & Science Support Center (MASS) – The MASS Center offers virtual study tables for many undergraduate mathematics and science courses. Study tables provide a collaborative learning space so that students can learn from their peers who have excelled (the table leader) as well as their fellow class members attending the study table. No appointment is necessary for these scheduled group study sessions. You can view the up-to-date study table schedule on the Learning Commons website.

Peer Tutoring – Peer tutoring sessions are one-on-one with a subject-specific tutor to answer questions and help you master content in more than 200 undergraduate courses, including subjects such as math, science, languages and business. Schedule appointments up to 7 days in advance for one-hour, 90-minute or two-hour session. If you notice your desired course is not offered, please let us know.

Preparatory Composition – Students enrolled in UC Clermont Preparatory English (ENGL0099) courses have dedicated support from professional tutors. Information about these services and how to connect with the tutor is included in the course syllabus.

Success Skills Workshops – Success Skills Workshops are free one-hour sessions that focus on skills students need to be successful in college (study skills, note-taking, motivation, etc.). While there is no shortcut to success, the goal of the workshops is to empower students to identify and apply academic habits and soft skills through a deeper understanding and purpose of them. When students RSVP for a workshop, they will be able to register for the upcoming workshops one at a time and up to nine days prior to the workshop date.

Canvas Navigator Workshop – Designed to help students who are new to college and need help navigating their coursework online. The workshop shows students how to access their course materials, publisher homework, quizzes, textbooks, academic services like tutoring, and more. Students who attend this workshop can expect to gain clarity on what they need to do on a weekly basis to stay on track with their course work throughout the semester, which helps students stay motivated leading to greater confidence and success in their courses.

Math Placement Test Workshop – Offered to prospective and current UC students who want to brush up on their math skills before taking the Math Placement Test. The free synchronous online workshop is led by a UC Clermont professional tutor. The three-week workshop series is offered monthly except in January. It is recommended that students sign up for all three weeks to get the maximum benefit from these workshops.

Math for Science Students Workshop – Designed for students enrolled in entry-level biology and chemistry courses, these workshops cover foundational math concepts that students need to success in their science courses. The synchronous online workshops are led by a UC Clermont tutor. The workshop repeats each week starting the week before classes begin and continuing through week 3 of the semester.

Admission Requirements

This program is open to all students with a high school diploma or GED and the desire to succeed in college. Although admission is open, students accepted into the program must meet the academic standards of the program to advance to upper levels of study.

As a first-year student, you will need to take an English and mathematics placement test if you have not obtained the minimum ACT/SAT score required for exemption. These tests do not affect your admission; however, the results are essential for your proper placement in classes. You must complete placement tests before you register for English or mathematics courses. All placement tests are given free of charge.

Transferring to UC Requirements

We accept transfer applications all year long, and you may start any semester, provided your transcripts arrive in time to be evaluated before the start of the semester you wish to attend.

If you have not taken college-level mathematics or English, you will need to take the placement test.

Your college GPA will start fresh upon admission to the University of Cincinnati. However, please keep in mind that UC College of Pharmacy will use your “net” (combined) college GPA and will average all of your science and math GPA grades for admission consideration into the PharmD program.

Changing Majors within UC Requirements

Other UC students may transfer into Clermont College by completing the application for change in college and program. Current UC students are welcome to contact the UC Clermont Admissions office at (513) 732-5319 with questions about the change in college application process. Students are urged to see their advisor before transferring into a different major to minimize any impact on degree progress.

International Student Requirements

You must demonstrate English proficiency. You must also meet admissions deadlines and visa requirements, and provide documentation of sufficient funds before we can complete your admission. Please call the International Admissions Office (513) 556-2069 for details or email with questions.

Learn more about becoming an international student at UC Clermont.

Graduation Requirements

In order to graduate from UC Clermont, a student must:

• Complete all required course work and program requirements.
• Obtain at least a 2.0 university grade point average.
• Be in good academic standing; that is, not on academic or disciplinary probation or suspension.
• Meet the college's residency requirement of 20 semester credit hours.
• File formal application for the degree by the posted semester of graduation deadline.

Application Deadlines

For specific deadline information, visit the Admissions webpage.

Accreditation