Bachelor of Pre-Pharmacy at The Ohio State University
The Pre-Pharmacy at The Ohio State University is a Bachelor program designed for students who want to build the knowledge and skills required for careers in this field. Delivered on campus at the Columbus campus in United States of America, the program is taught in English and takes 4 years to complete. Students study in a Full Time environment while preparing for future professional opportunities. The next intake starts on August 24, 2027.
About Bachelor of Pre-Pharmacy
Pre-Pharmacy
Campus: Columbus
Program: Pre-Professional
The mission of pharmacy practice is to help people get the best outcomes from medication therapies to achieve a healthier society. Before the Industrial Revolution, pharmacists manually compounded most medicines. With the growth of pharmaceutical manufacturing, pharmacists compounded fewer drugs and focused on safe and accurate dispensing procedures. In the Information Age, pharmacists have placed an emphasis on a practice orientation known as pharmaceutical care, which entails a shared responsibility between the patient, pharmacist and other health professionals toward achieving positive therapeutic outcomes. Pharmaceutical care inherently invokes a patient-focused orientation to pharmacy practice. Today, pharmacists provide comprehensive drug therapy management, including the provision of medications and medical devices, educating patients and other health care providers on the proper use of prescription and over-the-counter products, and monitoring the outcomes of drug therapy.
Students with a desire to help people in a health care environment and an interest in math and science will find the profession of pharmacy particularly well suited to them. Drug therapy is the most common means of treating disease. With the development of more complex and expensive therapies, the aging of the U.S. population, and the dynamic nature of the health care market, pharmacists are well positioned to help patients receive the best benefits from their medications and to reduce the estimated $177 billion spent each year in the United States due to the improper use of prescription drug products.
Pre-professional programs
Pre-professional is a category for any student who intends to enter professional school after graduating with a bachelor’s degree. Pre-health is the pre-professional program for students interested in the health professions, including dentistry, medicine, optometry, pharmacy, physical therapy and veterinary medicine. Identifying your pre-professional interest will enable your college advisor, your major advisor and your pre-professional advisor to provide you with a wide range of support to realize your goals.
Get started
Students at Ohio State pursue a Doctor of Pharmacy education after the completion of the bachelor’s degree. The undergraduate major may be in any area as long as program prerequisites are satisfied. Candidates are encouraged to consider diverse areas of study in preparation for a people-oriented profession.
The entry-level Doctor of Pharmacy is a four-year graduate professional program. Applicants must have completed a bachelor’s degree prior to PharmD matriculation. Applicants are not required to have prior pharmacy education; any undergraduate major is acceptable as long as prerequisites are met.
Admission to the Doctor of Pharmacy program is competitive and based on a faculty committee review of the following:
- performance in prerequisite course work
- cumulative and math/science grade-point averages
- Pharmacy College Admission Test scores
- communication skills
- full disclosure of prior misdemeanor or felony convictions
- personal statements completed by the applicant
- extracurricular leadership and work experience
- letters of recommendation
- personal interviews
Applications are coordinated through a centralized admissions service. For more information, visit their website at pharmCAS.org. The deadline for submitting the regular decision application is March 2, 2021. Ohio State also offers an early decision option by September 8, 2020. It is in the student’s best interest to submit application materials early in order for the Admissions Committee to make a decision about an interview invitation.
The College of Pharmacy also offers a seven-year combined undergraduate and Doctor of Pharmacy degree program for undergraduate students who are committed to pursuing a PharmD from Ohio State. The combined degree program identifies course efficiencies between the BSPS and PharmD curricula in order to provide a seamless, streamlined student learning experience.
Students pursuing this option typically complete three years of the BSPS curriculum and then matriculate into the four year PharmD program. Students will receive their bachelor's degree at the end of their first year of the PharmD program. As such, the time to both degrees is lessened by one year.
Curriculum
The professional component of the entry-level PharmD program constitutes four years of study. The first three years consist of mostly didactic course work, and the fourth year is full-time professional experience. The professional curriculum incorporates courses or series of courses in the following areas:
- Biopharmacy
- Medicinal chemistry and pharmacognosy
- Physiology
- Pharmaceutics
- Pharmacokinetics
- Pharmacology
- Pharmacy law
- Pharmacy practice
- Pharmacy management
- Therapeutics
Various courses incorporate lecture and recitation sections, case study workshops, laboratories, and field experience.
Possible careers
A graduate from the College of Pharmacy can choose from a variety of career paths tailored to individual interests and aptitudes with a choice of lucrative employment opportunities. Pharmacists in community settings provide pharmaceutical care to ambulatory patients including the provision of prescription and non-prescription drugs, medical equipment and devices, and drug-related information and educational services to patients, the public and other health care professionals. Pharmacists in institutional settings (e.g., hospitals) provide service to inpatients and are involved in the medication dispensing process, clinical services, drug information and a number of specialty practices (e.g., cardiology, psychiatry, pediatrics, oncology, nuclear pharmacy, nutritional support).
The pharmaceutical industry offers career opportunities in sales and marketing, drug research and development, quality assurance, and professional services. Faculty positions in colleges of pharmacy offer the opportunity to teach, conduct research and provide professional service. Pharmacists are employed by a number of federal agencies involved in drug regulation or national health care services. For example, the Food and Drug Administration, Drug Enforcement Agency, National Institutes of Health, Public Health Services, Veteran’s Administration and military services provide exciting career opportunities. Nontraditional areas of employment also include pharmaceutical journalism, pharmacy law and positions on state boards of pharmacy or in professional associations.
Salary estimates
In 2019, Ohio State PharmD graduates averaged $100,240. Graduates of the Doctor of Pharmacy program can expect to earn a salary of more than $100,000 in most careers.
Requirements and Admission Criteria for Bachelor of Pre-Pharmacy at The Ohio State University
Entry Requirements
Criteria of our holistic review, in no particular order.
Successful completion of university preparatory courses
High school performance (class rank or GPA), including participation in accelerated programs like Honors, AP and IB; Ohio State does not have minimum requirements for class rank or GPA
Standardized test score (ACT or SAT); Ohio State does not have minimum requirements for ACT or SAT scores
Ohio State has adopted a TEST-OPTIONAL policy for 2022 applicants. Learn more.
Ability and desire to contribute to and engage with a diverse campus community
Experiences that demonstrate leadership or engaged involvement (e.g., co-curricular activities, work experiences or military service)
Status as a first-generation university student
Demonstration of outstanding talent in a particular area
High school performance if adversely affected by physical, mental or learning environment factors
Eligibility for and likelihood of benefiting from organized support services at Ohio State
Enrollment in your intended major
Once it is determined that you are admissible, you will be considered for enrollment in the college of your intended major. Read about
English Requirements
- IELTSMin 6.5
- TOEFLMin 79
English Program Requirements
we require evidence of English language proficiency, unless you have completed three full years of school at a U.S. regionally accredited high school or if you are a citizen of, or have received a bachelor’s degree from, Australia, Belize, British Caribbean, British West Indies, Canada (except Quebec), England, Guyana, Ireland, Liberia, New Zealand, Scotland, the United States or Wales.
Tuition and Fee Information for Bachelor of Pre-Pharmacy at The Ohio State University
How to Apply for Bachelor of Pre-Pharmacy at The Ohio State University
How do I submit scores?
Ohio State has adopted a TEST-OPTIONAL policy for 2022 applicants. Learn more.
Tips for sending scores to Ohio State
Scores must come directly from the testing agency. When you register for the ACT or SAT, indicate that you want your scores sent to Ohio State.
If you already took the test but didn't send your scores to Ohio State, you can order them for a fee. Order in advance to be sure scores reach us by the application deadline.
We must receive standardized test scores by your application deadline (either November 1 or February 1 for autumn semester applicants).
October 2 (SAT) and October 23 (ACT) are your last 2021 test dates if you want your scores to be considered for our November 1 early action deadline. Important! If you plan to test on those dates, you must request that Ohio State receive scores when you register for the test. And please note: If you choose to have your scores considered, you won’t be able to review scores from these dates prior to submitting your application by the November 1 deadline.
Applicants who will have been out of high school for two or more years by their term of enrollment are not required to submit scores.
Is the essay required?
The essay is not required for either the ACT or SAT.
Should I take a standardized test more than once?
Ohio State looks at the highest composite score from a single test date. Taking the test (and having scores sent to us) more than once, while not required, may work to your advantage.
How does Ohio State look at scores?
When considering students for admission or Honors and Scholars selection, we consider the best official composite / combined score from a single test administration. Ohio State does not mix sub-scores from multiple tests.
These items plus the Common Application (STEP 3) make up a complete application. We must receive all items by the deadline to consider your application on time.
Official transcripts
High school transcripts
Request that your high school or secondary school send transcripts / documents / official copies of examination certificates for coursework from the final four years (grades 9-12) to Ohio State.
How to send your transcripts to Ohio State:
Your high school counselor can upload the transcripts / documents / official copies of examination certificates using Common App, Naviance or other secure electronic delivery service.
Your high school counselor can email the transcripts to [email protected].
If electronic submission is not possible, please mail your official transcripts to our express mail address.
Faxed transcripts will not be accepted.
Foreign language documents must be translated into English by the issuing institution, an authorized translator or a teacher of the language. Any additional requirements will be posted to your Applicant Center, so be sure to check your application status regularly after you've applied.
Official ACT or SAT scores
Ohio State has adopted a TEST-OPTIONAL policy for 2022 applicants. Learn more.How do I submit my scores?
We must receive your official ACT or SAT score sent electronically directly from the testing agency. Scores from transcripts will not be considered. Read more about score requirements in STEP 1.
Optional: Recommendation from a teacher or counselor
While not required, your counselor may send a maximum of two letters of recommendation electronically through the Common Application.
If an electronic option isn’t available, your counselor may email your letter(s) to
[email protected]; the letter must include your first and last name and OSU ID number, found on the email we send acknowledging receipt of your application. Letters sent via email are subject to sender verification.
Official proof of English language skills
You must request that your testing agency send official scores electronically to Ohio State demonstrating the English proficiency level outlined below:
TOEFL (internet-based test or internet-based test Home Edition*): 79 or higher
IELTS or IELTS Indicator*: 6.5 or higher
ACT: 21 or higher on the English section
SAT: 27 or higher on the Reading Test
Duolingo*: 105 or higher
You are exempt from this requirement if you have completed three full years of school at a U.S. regionally accredited high school or if you are a citizen of, or have received a bachelor’s degree from, Australia, Belize, British Caribbean, British West Indies, Canada (except Quebec), England, Guyana, Ireland, Liberia, New Zealand, Scotland, the United States or Wales.
Ohio State has an intensive English program for students who wish to improve their language skills called the American Language Program. A separate application is required for this program. Ohio State does not offer conditional admission to students who enroll in the American Language Program.
*To accommodate applicants affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, The Ohio State University will accept Duolingo, the IELTS Indicator and the TOEFL internet-based test Home Edition from any international student applying for spring 2022 or autumn 2022 admission. All Duolingo test takers are required to take an English placement exam upon arrival to campus. TOEFL Home Edition and IELTS Indicator test takers are required to take an English placement exam upon arrival unless they qualify for a TOEFL or IELTS score exemption.
United States of America, Columbus