Apr 28, 2024  
2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog

Pre-Pharmacy, A.S.


Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Academic Programs

This rigorous two-year program prepares students to enter pharmacy school. Potential career tracks include community or hospital practice and ambulatory or home health care to industrial pharmacy,nuclear pharmacy and research in medicine.

USF has partnered with Midwestern University’s Chicago College of Pharmacy to grant dual admission to both the Associate program at USF and the doctoral program at Midwestern for eligible students. Dual admission and successful progression in the USF portion would exempt the student from the Pharmacy College Admissions Test (PCAT). Successful applicants will have 2 years to complete coursework at USF.

This associate degree has two available tracks:

  • Track 1: Dual Acceptance with Midwestern University’s Chicago College of Pharmacy
  • Track 2: Traditional track to any Pharmacy School.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon graduation with a A.S. degree in Pre-Pharmacy, USF students will:

  • Demonstrate proficiency in the core disciplines of physical sciences: general chemistry, organic chemistry and physics.
  • Demonstrate a knowledge of the social responsibility and ethical dimensions of problems and issues facing scientists today.
  • Demonstrate proper procedures and knowledge of regulations for safe handling and use of hazardous chemicals.

Degree Requirements

The A.S. in Pre-Pharmacy degree requires 64 credit hours:

  • 12-13 credit hours of Franciscan Core general education courses
  • 48-49 credit hours of prescribed courses in chemistry, biology and physics
  • 6 credit hours of directed electives
  • Elective courses as needed

Program of Study


The A.S. in Pre-Pharmacy requires:

Admission Requirements


Applicants must meet University of Saint Francis admission requirements. To be successful in this rigorous program, it is suggested students rank in the upper half of their high school graduation class,have a GPA of at least 2.3 on a 4.0 scale and earn a Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) re-centered score of1,000 or above (Verbal/Critical Reading and Math combined) or an American College Test (ACT) composite score of 21 or above.

Students seeking dual acceptance to USF and Midwestern University’s Chicago College of Pharmacy must:

  • be accepted to USF and Midwestern University,
  • rank in the top 20% of their high school graduating class with a GPA of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale,
  • have an ACT score of at least 25 or an SAT score of at least 1700, including the writing component, and
  • be selected for an interview by the Chicago College of Pharmacy Admission Committee.
  • complete the USF A.S. Pre-Pharmacy in two years,
  • maintain a GPA of 3.2
  • receive no grades below a “C” (students are not permitted to repeat courses for a higher grade)

Progression Requirements


Pre-Pharmacy majors must maintain a GPA of at least 2.0, and are required to earn a grade of “C” or better in all science courses required by the major, including directed electives. These science courses may be repeated only once.

Graduation Requirements


  • Participate in a weekly science seminar each semester of enrollment.

Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Academic Programs