Program Overview

Introduction to the Doctor of Pharmacy Program

The College of Pharmacy, also known as the Arnold & Marie Schwartz College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, offers a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree program. This program is designed to prepare students for entry-level pharmacy practice. The Doctor of Pharmacy is classified as a "doctor's degree-professional practice" by the U.S. Department of Education.

Program Overview

Students in the Pharm.D. program are eligible to receive a B.P.S. in Pharmaceutical Sciences after completing the second professional year in the Pharm.D. program. The program consists of a 2-year pre-professional phase followed by a 4-year professional phase, leading to a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree and eligibility for licensure within the profession.

Admissions Pathways

The College of Pharmacy offers various pathways for admission to the Pharm.D. program:

• Early Assurance: Admission guaranteed into the first professional year (P3) provided all progression requirements are met.
• Regular Pre-Professional Phase Admission: Offers no guarantee of admission to the professional phase (P-3). Applicants must apply for admission into the professional phase through PharmCAS.
• External students may transfer into the pre-professional phase under the general pre-pharmacy admission route of entry if seats are available or apply directly to the professional phase of the Pharm.D. program (must apply for admission into P3 through PharmCAS).

Admission Requirements

To begin the Professional Phase, a student must have satisfactorily completed all required prerequisite coursework. The college accepts approximately 250 new first-year students to the pre-professional phase and 200 applicants to the professional phase of the Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) program. Applications are accepted on a rolling (continuous) basis.

Transfer Credits

• Only pre-requisite courses with grades of 'C' or higher will be considered for transfer.
• The entire professional portion of the program must be completed at LIU; therefore, professional credits are not transferable.
• Transfer credit for Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), and College Level Examinations Program (CLEP) may be considered.

Academic Background and Experience

• Having a degree is helpful for preparing for the Professional Phase, but it is not required for entry and does not give an advantage.
• A strong academic background is the most important factor considered for admission.
• Work experience, such as being a Pharmacy Technician, is considered but does not increase chances of admission significantly.

Application Process

• Submit the PharmCAS application and supporting credentials as early as possible.
• It takes PharmCAS approximately 5-7 weeks to verify grades; therefore, the college receives the application 5-7 weeks after submission.
• PCAT scores remain valid for 3 calendar years.

FAQs

General Questions

• Q: What will happen if I am admitted and my final average falls below the requirement?
  • A: Your acceptance is contingent upon successful completion of your current academic plan. If you fail to maintain eligibility, your seat may be withdrawn.
• Q: I have been admitted to the program and have paid the tuition deposit, if I decide to defer my admission for another year am I guaranteed a seat?
  • A: Students admitted to the Professional Phase of the PharmD program may not defer enrollment.

Transfer and Credits

• Q: Will college level courses completed during high school be considered for transfer credit?
  • A: Grades of 'C' or better in appropriate coursework will be considered for transfer.
• Q: I currently attend a college of pharmacy and I want to transfer to Long Island University's Brooklyn Campus. Are my credits transferable?
  • A: Only pre-requisite courses with grades of 'C' or higher will be considered for transfer. The entire professional portion of the program must be completed at LIU; therefore, professional credits are not transferable.

Application and Admission

• Q: How do I know if the courses I have previously taken will transfer?
  • A: All courses taken at an acceptable regionally accredited institution, with grades of 'C' or higher, and that can be applied to your plan of study at LIU, are considered for transfer credit.
• Q: I am on the wait list, when will I know if I am accepted?
  • A: Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis. As space becomes available, seats will be offered to applicants on the waitlist. This process will continue until the class is filled and may continue throughout the spring and summer months.

Academic and Professional Requirements

• Q: What is a cumulative GPA?
  • A: A cumulative GPA is the result of all of your individual transcripts from each school being combined. We take the total quality points and divide it by the total number of credits to determine the cumulative.
• Q: If I have previously taken the PCAT, must I take it again?
  • A: PCAT scores remain valid for 3 calendar years. For example: A test taken in September 2016 will be considered for September 2019 entry. Scores older than 3 calendar years are not considered. We will take the highest score for an application presenting multiple valid scores.