Pharmacy is the art and science of dispensing drugs and educating patients about medications and their use. In addition, pharmacists advise physicians and other health practitioners on the selection, dosages, interactions, and side effects of medications. To prepare for a career in pharmacy, a student must complete a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) or Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm. D.) degree at a professional college of pharmacy. Almost all of our students attend either the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Pharmacy (UIC), Chicago College of Pharmacy (CCP), or St. Louis College of Pharmacy (SLCP). Each offers a different program and has a different set of pre-pharmacy requirements. These three programs and their admission requirements are described below.
The University of Illinois at Chicago College of Pharmacy offers the Pharm. D. degree and requires all students to complete the equivalent of two years of pre-pharmacy study in a college or university before entering the program. An additional four years of pharmacy study is required to complete the Pharm. D. degree. Students with a 2.5 GPA or better may then apply to the College of Pharmacy and, once accepted, spend an additional four years completing the program. The Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT) is required for admission.
The Chicago College of Pharmacy, which opened in 1991, is a part of Midwestern University. CCP offers the Pharm. D. degree. All entering students must have completed the equivalent of two years of pre-pharmacy study in a college or university. Students with a 2.5 GPA or better may apply to the College of Pharmacy. The PCAT is required for admission.
St. Louis College of Pharmacy is a private, non-affiliated college which enrolls 700 students. The college offers a five-year program leading to a B.S. in Pharmacy and a six-year program leading to the Pharm. D. degree. Most students enroll in SLCP as freshmen. Students may also apply to transfer to SLCP after one or two years of pre-pharmacy studies at a college or university. If accepted, they will complete the remaining four or five years of the selected program at SLCP. The PCAT is recommended.
Other regional universities with pharmacy programs include Purdue and Butler Universities in Indiana, Drake University (Iowa), University of Iowa, and University of Wisconsin-Madison. Eastern Illinois University is not affiliated with any colleges of pharmacy and cannot guarantee admission to a professional school. Students who apply to pharmacy schools will be competing with students applying from other colleges and universities.
For additional information, please contact:
| Dr.
Kip L. McGilliard
Pre-Pharmacy Advisor Department of Biological Sciences Eastern Illinois University Charleston, IL 61920 Phone: (217) 581-6384 E-mail: klmcgilliard@eiu.edu |
Dr.
Jeffrey R. Laursen, Chairperson
Medical Professions Committee Department of Bological Sciences Eastern Illinois University Charleston, IL 61920 Phone: (217) 581-6390 E-mail: cfjrl@eiu.edu |
| General Biology w/laboratory (2 sem.) | BIO 1100* or BIO 1010, BIO 1300G* or ZOO 1020C |
| Human Anatomy (UIC & SLCP) | BIO 2200* or ZOO 2200 |
| Human Physiology (SLCP only) | BIO 2001G* or ZOO 2001C (not transferable) |
| General Chemistry w/laboratory (2 sem.) | CHM 1310G, 1315G, 1410, 1415 |
| Organic Chemistry w/laboratory (2 sem.) | CHM 2440, 2435, 2840, [2845 (SLCP only)] |
| Physics | PHY 1151G, 1152G, [1161, 1162 (UIC, CCP)] |
| Math (through Calculus) | MAT 1330, 1400, 1441G or MAT 1430*,1440G* |
| Written communication | ENG 1001G, 1002G |
| Speech communication (UIC & CCP) | SPC 1310G |
| Psychology (SLCP only) | PSY 1879G |
| Sociology (SLCP only) | SOC 2710 |
| General Education (9-12 semester hours) | (See below) |
| * New course or new course number effective Fall 1999 | |
Distribution in General Education (UIC):
General education is classified in three categories. Students must complete at least one course (3 semester hours) in each of the three areas below. The subjects listed in parentheses are examples of appropriate courses. One course must meet a cultural diversity requirement. General education requirements for CCP and SLCP are similar.
Additional elective courses may be taken to complete a total of 60 semester hours for admission to UIC.
| Yes |
| Test Date | Application Deadline | Fee |
| 10/14/00 | 9/01/00 |
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Testing Centers in Illinois/Indiana Area:
PCAT Preparation Guides:
For more information visit the PCAT
Web Site or contact:
Pharmacy College Admission Test
The Psychological Corporation
555 Academic Court
San Antonio, TX 78204-2498
Phone: (800) 622-3231
Updated 11/01/00
Many thanks to Chris McGilliard for his help in construction of this site.