Pre-Professional

Pre-Pharmacy

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At the University of Kentucky, pre-professional paths are interest areas that students complete alongside their UK Core requirements and major curriculum. Students applying to the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy may complete necessary coursework in two or three years. Students may also pursue any major as long as prepharmacy prerequisite coursework is completed. Pre-Professional Advisors offer support and guidance to University of Kentucky students from all majors interested in applying to pharmacy school. In addition to outlining necessary coursework and guiding students through application processes, Pre-Professional Advisors also direct students to University programs, such as UK Education Abroad or the Center for Community Outreach, that foster well-rounded pharmacy school applicants.

UK Pharmacy School Requirements

The following is a general outline of UK College of Pharmacy Requirements (not including UK Core or major requiremetns).  Please note UK prerequisisites may differ from other pharmacy schools:

  • Biology + lab (1 semester) BIO 148 and BIO 155
  • Microbiology + lab (1 semester) BIO 208, BIO 209 or BIO 308 + lab
  • Human Anatomy (1 semester) ANA 209
  • Physiology (1 semester) PGY 206
  • General Chemistry + labs (1 year) CHE 105/CHE 111, and CHE 107/CHE113
  • Organic Chemistry + labs (1 year) CHE 230/CHE231 and CHE 232/CHE233
  • Mathematics (1 semester - 1 year) MA 109 and MA 123 or MA 113
  • Statistics (1 semester) STA 296
  • English (1 year) WRD/CIS 110 and WRD/CIS 111
  • Business (1 semester) ECO 201, ECO 202, ACC 201 or FIN 300
  • Oral Communications (1 semester) WRD/CIS 110/111 or 112 
  • Electives - Enough hours to bring total to a minimum of 70 semester hours including the courses listed above 

​The following courses are also recommeneded or required for some pharmacy school admission:

  • Biochemistry, BCH 401G
  • Genetics, BIO 304
  • Physics, PHY 211

    Other courses to consider: courses required by major, general education courses, dual degree prerequisities, healthcare-related courses, dual degree prerequisites, healthcare-related courses such as public health, human health sciences, medical terminology, pharmacology and clinical leadership,

Visit go.uky.edu/courses to see full descriptions of these University of Kentucky courses.

 

meet with an advisor

Pre-pharmacy students should meet with a pre-pharmacy advisor at least twice during their freshman and sophomore years and at least three times during their junior and senior years. Students can schedule an appointment with an advisor in the Stuckert Career Center by emailing UKCareerCenter@uky.edu. Students with a major in the College of Arts & Sciences can also meet with a pre-health advisor by emailing ASAdvisingCenter@uky.edu.

Pre-pharmacy students are strongly encouraged to attend pre-pharmacy workshops, meetings, and events at the UK College of Pharmacy each semester. Students can meet with the UK College of Pharmacy pre-pharmacy advisor as needed by emailing Sharon Gonzales at sharon.gonzales@uky.edu. Visit pharmacy.uky.edu/pre-pharmacy for more information.


Connect

Join the pre-pharmacy listserv to receive information about upcoming events, club meetings, and tips and strategies for preparing for pharmacy school. To subscribe, send an email message to listserv@lsv.uky.edu and type “SUBSCRIBE PPADVISEES” in the body of the message.

Pharmacy at UK

Visit pharmacy.mc.uky.edu to learn more about the University of Kentucky’s College of Pharmacy, including featured events, current student testimonials and more.


Imagine Your Future

Pharmacists

Pharmacists dispense prescription medications and provide information to patients about the drugs and their use.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics | Click the link for more info.

Median Salary

$136,030

per year in 2023

Number of Jobs

334,200

in 2023

10 Year Job Outlook

8,700

new jobs (average)

Work Environment

Pharmacists work in pharmacies, including those in drug, general merchandise, and grocery stores. They also work in hospitals and other healthcare facilities that are open 24 hours. Most pharmacists work full time, and some work nights, weekends, and holidays.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

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What should I major in?

Students applying to the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy may complete necessary coursework in two or three years.  Students may also pursue any major as long as pre-pharmacy prerequisite coursework is completed. Students are encouraged to work with their Pre-Pharmacy advisor to complete required coursework.


Contact

Stuckert Career Center

408 Rose St.

Lexington, KY

Pre-Professional

Stuckert Career Center

859-257-2746