Pre-Pharmacy

2 Years of Undergrad + 4 Years of PharmD = 6 Years Total

Apply for Pharm.D. enrollment during the fall of your sophomore year. This is a rigorous, fast-paced track best suited for mature high achievers who are coming in with credit hours, willing to sacrifice some aspects of the typical undergraduate experience and driven to start their careers early. Students accepted with the minimum number of hours typically demonstrate excellent GPAs exceeding the 3.2 average for enrolled students. Students participating in the fast track will typically only complete the following courses:

• General Chemistry I and II with labs (8)
• Organic Chemistry I and II with labs (8)
• Microbiology with lab (4)
• Biology I and II with labs (8)
• College Algebra (3)
• Statistics (3)
• English Comp I and II (6)
• Speech/Communications (3)
• Electives - Humanities/Social Science (12)
• Additional Electives (6)

3 Years of Undergrad + 4 Years of PharmD = 7 Years Total

Lipscomb University offers 4 different 3+1 Pathways that many Pre-Pharmacy students choose to enroll in. 

What is a 3+1 Program?

Students who participate in 3+1 programs will complete 3 years of and the first year of the PharmD program works like dual enrollment. This allows you to earn a bachelor’s degree at the end of your P1 pharmacy year.  This is an ideal track for those who want a fuller undergraduate experience, more flexibility in course scheduling and time for some pharmacy experience. Students in this track typically have a GPA that matches or exceeds our enrolled student average of 3.2 or better.

3+1 Programs Offered at Lipscomb

• Biology - Pharmacy  3+1 Program 

• Chemistry - Pharmacy 3+1 Program
• Biochemistry - Pre-Pharmacy Emphasis 3+1
• Health Science 3+1

4 Years of Undergrad + 4 Years of PharmD = 8 Years Total

Earn a bachelor’s degree before entering the Pharm.D. program. This is an ideal track for students who want the complete undergraduate experience, flexibility in major selection and work experience, and the most upper division coursework preparation for the rigorous Pharm.D. curriculum.  Extra coursework and a bachelor’s degree can help a student whose GPA may be below the 3.2 GPA average for accepted students.

Any major is acceptable as long as the prerequisite courses have been met. The majority of enrolled students major in Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry or Heath Sciences because they like the courses and the upper level courses in those related majors provide a solid foundation for the pharmacy curriculum. However, we also have students with majors in everything from Accounting to Spanish to Psychology.

College of Pharmacy Office of Admissions & Student Affairs

The Office of Admissions & Student Affairs within the College of Pharmacy is open to any student considering pharmacy. They can connect you with pharmacy faculty members to discuss different career paths, and with current student pharmacists.

The Health Professions Advising Office 

The Health Professions Advising Office is located in McFarland Science Center and is open to any student applying to a professional program. They assist with recommendation letters, questions about finding programs in which to apply and the application process itself.

Pre-Pharmacy Society 

The Pre-Pharmacy Society is sponsored through the College of Pharmacy and connects students to pharmacist mentors, student pharmacists, professional development opportunities and guidance throughout the admissions process.

• Attain a cumulative GPA of 3.5 for all high school coursework.
• Apply and be accepted for admission to Lipscomb University as a freshman student.
• Request inclusion into the Early Assurance Program through your Lipscomb undergraduate application prior to beginning freshman year.
• Complete a successful in-person interview with the College of Pharmacy during a campus visit for conditional acceptance to the program.

• Complete all math and science prerequisites at Lipscomb University under the guidance of your pre-pharmacy advisor. 
  • Advanced Placement (AP) credits accepted by Lipscomb University meet this requirement. 
  • Prerequisites completed at other regionally accredited post-secondary institutions require approval from the Office of Academic Affairs in the College of Pharmacy.
•  Attain a minimum cumulative GPA of at least 3.25 in all coursework and a math and science GPA of at least 3.0.
• Begin the Pharm.D. program no later than three years after beginning pre-pharmacy coursework.
• Adhere to the Code of Conduct at Lipscomb University.
• Meet with a College of Pharmacy faculty mentor one time each semester.
• Participate in designated EAP events for personal/professional development.
• Apply through PharmCAS by January 1 prior to the fall of desired entry.
• Complete a successful interview for final acceptance to the Pharm.D. program.

• The College of Pharmacy will provide a PharmCAS coupon code to cover the $175 cost for participating Lipscomb students
• Undergraduate merit scholarships may follow up to their full 4 year awarded value.
• Qualifies the 2-4 student for up to a $10,000 scholarship divided over two years beginning in the third year of Pharm.D. enrollment.  A cumulative GPA of 3.4 or higher is required to maintain this scholarship.
• Qualifies the 3+1 degree seeking student for up to a $27,000 scholarship divided over the  three years of Pharm.D. enrollment.  A cumulative GPA of 3.4 or higher is required to maintain this scholarship.
• Students may participate in the American Pharmacists Association Academy of Student Pharmacists (APhA-ASP) and/or the American Association of Pharmaceutical Sciences (AAPS).  
• Exempts the student from taking the Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT)