Pre-Pharmacy Program

Westminster College and Duquesne University

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Westminster's Pre-Pharmacy Program students may save time and money through our 3+4 Early Entry Pharmacy Program with Duquesne University School of Pharmacy. Students accepted to the 3+4 Pharmacy Program (also known as the Bachelor's Degree Pathway) complete three years at Westminster and begin their professional studies in Pharmacy at Duquesne in year four. Upon the successful completion of all requirements, students in the program will attain a bachelor's degree in biology, chemistry, or neuroscience from Westminster and a Doctor of Occupational Therapy from Duquesne.

Students must be accepted to the 3+4 Pharmacy Program as first-year students. Those who are accepted and successfully meet all admission requirements are given preferential consideration for admission to the professional phase of the Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) Program at Duquesne University.

Westminster students also have the option of participating in the Duquesne 2+4 Pharmacy Early-Entry Program (also known as the Professional Doctorate Pathway). Students in this program attend Westminster for two years of pre-pharmacy course work before transferring to Duquesne for 4 years of study in the School of Pharmacy. As with the 3+4 program, students must be accepted into the Program as first-year students.

Up to four (4) Westminster students may be admitted to Duquesne's School of Pharmacy through all Early-Entry Programs (3+4 and 2+4) in any given academic year, depending on space availability.

Please Note: SAT or ACT test scores are required for your application to Duquesne University's School of Pharmacy, though they are not required for your application to Westminster College.

 

Qualifications and Admissions Process for the 3+4 Pharmacy Program

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Admission Requirements for the Westminster College Pre-Pharmacy Early-Entry Program

Students must meet the following qualifications and apply to the program duing their first year at Westminster:

• Have earned a minimum 3.0 high school GPA and minimum 1130 Math + Verbal SAT or 24 ACT Composite
• Provide one letter of recommendation from a high school teacher or guidance counselor
• Demonstrate evidence of leadership potential, community service, and involvement in co-curricular activities
• Declare a major in Chemistry, Biology, or Neuroscience.
• Indicate their interest in the program to their academic advisor

Program Requirements While at Westminster

• Complete the appropriate three-year undergraduate Pre-Pharmacy curriculum for the declared major at Westminster College
• Earn a minimum grade of “C” in all Westminster College undergraduate courses
• Maintain a minimum overall GPA of 2.50 or better in all Westminster College undergraduate courses
• Apply to Duquesne University by January 15th of junior year
• Participate in an interview process with the Duquesne University School of Pharmacy faculty
• Submit a letter of recommendation from the Westminster College Pre-Pharmacy Selection Committee
• Provide evidence of leadership potential and commitment to the pharmacy profession

Preference will be granted to candidates who meet the following criteria:

• A composite PCAT score of 400 or better
• A GPA of 3.00 or higher for all science and math courses taken at Westminster College

 

Westminster Curriculum for the 3+4 Pharmacy Program

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The following is a sample Chemistry major schedule; tracks for Biology and Neuroscience majors are also available. For all three majors, individual students' schedules may vary based on interests and the schedule of course offerings. Students must successfully earn 64 or more semester hours at Westminster prior to matriculating in Duquesne University’s pharmacy program. First-Year Program (FYP) courses, Intellectual Perspectives (IP) courses, the Cluster Course (CC), which are Westminster graduation requirements, are indicated in italics.

 

For More Information

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Please contact the Chair of the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Dr. Jessica Sarver.