Program Overview

College of Pharmacy

The University of Houston College of Pharmacy offers a curriculum leading to the Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree.

Prospective Students

Prospective students can be admitted into the UH College of Pharmacy either through the UH-STC Pre-pharmacy Cooperative Program or by application directly to the University of Houston after completion of the Pharm.D. prerequisites.

UH-STC Pre-pharmacy Cooperative Program

The UH-STC Pre-pharmacy Cooperative Program is a cooperative program between the University of Houston College of Pharmacy and South Texas College. The purpose of the program is to facilitate access to the UH College of Pharmacy by providing opportunities to fulfill prerequisite courses at South Texas College.

What the Program Offers

• A seat reserved for the student within the incoming Fall class
• Mentoring and personal assistance to prepare for UHCOP while completing the Pharm.D. prerequisites
• Career counseling
• Mentoring and networking with local alumni
• Admission to UHCOP if all program requirements are met
• Meetings with UHCOP Admissions staff each semester to enhance student preparation for UHCOP
• Personal visits to UHCOP once a semester during the academic year
• Shadowing current Pharm.D. students at UHCOP during the academic year

Admission to the Program

There are two ways to be admitted into the UH-STC Pre-Pharmacy Cooperative Program: Early Review or Final Review.

• Early Review:
  • Earned an SAT or ACT score equal to or greater than the mean score for the state of Texas
  • Admitted to South Texas College as an incoming freshman
  • Completed a minimum of 12 and no more than 30 semester hours at South Texas College, including one math and one science course during the fall semester
  • A 3.2 grade point average overall and a 3.2 grade point average in math/science courses is recommended
  • Apply to the UH-STC Pre-Pharmacy Cooperative Program no later than March 31 of the freshman year
  • Interview with UHCOP upon invitation by the Director of Pharmacy Admissions subsequent to receiving a completed application packet
• Final Review:
  • Admitted to South Texas College
  • Completed no more than 45 semester hours, at least 15 semester hours must have been completed at South Texas College
  • Completion of one math and four science prerequisite courses
  • A 3.2 grade point average overall and a 3.2 grade point average in math/science courses is recommended
  • Apply to the UH-STC Pre-Pharmacy Cooperative Program no later than March 31
  • Interview with UHCOP upon invitation by the Director of Pharmacy Admissions subsequent to receiving a completed application packet

Application Process

To apply for admission to the program, students must:

• Submit the completed UH-STC Pre-Pharmacy Cooperative Program Application
• Submit the $100.00 application fee
• Submit official final transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
• Submit an official final high school transcript
• Submit a personal statement, 1-2 pages in length, typed, double-spaced, on why they chose pharmacy as a career and what distinguishes them from other students
• Provide three letters of reference forms from three of the following sources: a high school teacher/counselor, a college professor/academic advisor, a pharmacist, or a personal reference

Requirements for Accepted Students

Students accepted to the UH-STC Pharmacy Cooperative Program must:

• Sign a contract with UHCOP which specifies the requirements of the program
• Continue attending South Texas College and work toward an Associate of Science Degree
• Maintain a minimum cumulative UH prerequisite GPA of 3.2 and UH prerequisite math/science GPA of 3.2
• Continue completing UH prerequisite courses
• Meet with the UH-STC Pharmacy Cooperative Faculty Director at South Texas College at least twice per semester during the academic year
• Make a personal visit to the UHCOP once a semester during the academic year
• Meet with the UHCOP Director of Pharmacy Admissions at least once per semester during the academic year
• Shadow a current Pharm.D. student once a semester at the UHCOP during the academic year
• Provide updated transcripts of all undergraduate courses and grades each semester to the UH College of Pharmacy

Entrance into the Pharm.D. Program

To enter the Pharm.D. program as a Co-op student, students must:

• Maintain a full-time Fall and Spring student status, including a minimum of one science course each semester
• Earn an Associate of Science Degree from South Texas College
• Provide official transcripts of all undergraduate courses and grades
• Complete an official PharmCAS application and supporting documents to the UH College of Pharmacy prior to posted deadline(s)
• Admission will be looked at on an individual basis, but students must begin UHCOP coursework within 5 years of their initial enrollment at STC
• Evaluation of additional factors, including aptitude, integrity, personal and emotional characteristics that are considered necessary for the student to become an effective pharmacist
• Summer internship may be required in future years
• As a seat within the Pharm.D. class is reserved for the student, accepted students cannot apply to other Pharm.D. programs