Back to Directory
The USC College of Pharmacy operates on a rolling admissions basis, so we encourage you to apply early. Submitting your application early allows for prompt review and increases your opportunity for interview selection and admission.
Published Survey
Submission Number: 4164
Submission ID: 112
Submission UUID: e4d37e5d-639a-4f2b-a3da-ebc79973c99d
Submission URI: /publishedsurvey

Created: Sun, 08/18/2019 - 04:59
Completed: Wed, 05/20/2026 - 07:10
Changed: Wed, 05/20/2026 - 10:55

Remote IP address: 95.134.26.185
Submitted by: Anonymous
Language: English

Is draft: No
Current page: Complete
Submitted to: Published Survey

Contact Information

The USC College of Pharmacy operates on a rolling admissions basis, so we encourage you to apply early. Submitting your application early allows for prompt review and increases your opportunity for interview selection and admission.
715 Sumter Street
CLS 109
Columbia
South Carolina
29208
United States
South Carolina
Yes

Program Application Deadline

January 4, 2027
All application materials must be submitted by the final application deadline. While supporting documents (e.g., test scores, evaluations) may be received shortly thereafter, applicants are strongly encouraged to submit all materials as early as possible to avoid delays in the review of their application.
October 1, 2026
Applicants who apply by the priority deadline benefit from earlier review in our rolling admissions process, increasing their opportunity for interview invitations and admission consideration.
Yes

Program Information

Full Accreditation
Yes
Public
Yes
Semester (2 terms per academic year)
2 years
Not Required
4 years
Yes
Yes
Yes
The USC College of Pharmacy offers a degree completion option for students entering the Pharm.D. program without a four-year degree. Eligible students who complete prerequisite and Carolina Core requirements may earn a B.S. in Pharmaceutical Sciences after the second professional year. Learn more: https://www.sc.edu/study/colleges_schools/pharmacy/pharmacy_education/undergraduate/index.php
No
Yes

Last Entering Class

103
Yes

Dual and Concurrent Degrees

Yes
PharmD/MBA (Business Administration)
No
Earn your Pharm.D. and PMBA together through our partnership with the top-ranked Darla Moore School of Business. This flexible combination degree program builds clinical and business expertise, preparing you for leadership roles in healthcare, industry, and academia. More information can be found here: https://www.sc.edu/study/colleges_schools/pharmacy/pharmacy_education/pharm_d_program/combination_degree_programs/pharm_d_mba/index.php
Yes

Program Description

At the University of South Carolina College of Pharmacy, you’ll be part of a supportive community dedicated to developing the next generation of innovative, collaborative pharmacists and health care leaders. As the state’s oldest and largest college of pharmacy, we are committed to advancing health outcomes in South Carolina and beyond through education, research, and service.

Our Pharm.D. curriculum builds a strong foundation in biomedical, pharmaceutical, social, administrative, and clinical sciences, while emphasizing critical thinking, problem-solving, and evidence-based practice. Through a dynamic mix of didactic, laboratory, interprofessional, and experiential learning, students gain the knowledge and skills needed for success in today’s evolving health care landscape.

Students can further enhance their education through our Pharm.D./PMBA combination degree option, offered in partnership with the Darla Moore School of Business, as well as specialized tracks and scholars' programs in areas such as business and entrepreneurship, rural health, and leadership. Hands-on opportunities include research with internationally recognized faculty, service-learning, and engagement with innovative programs like the Kennedy Pharmacy Innovation Center and the South Carolina Poison Center.

With more than 600 experiential sites worldwide, students gain real-world experience in a variety of practice settings. Beyond the classroom, USC offers a vibrant campus life with hundreds of student organizations, major athletic events, and a location convenient to both the mountains and the coast.
Yes

GPA and Credit Hour Criteria

2.5
N/A
Applicants must meet a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 to be considered for admission. However, admission to the program is competitive, and the average GPA of admitted students is approximately 3.70. Meeting the minimum requirement does not guarantee progression in the admissions process. Application fees are non-refundable.
66
36
99
54
More information can be found at https://sc.edu/study/colleges_schools/pharmacy/pharmacy_education/pharm_d_program/admission_requirements/index.php. Applicants are encouraged to reach out to our Director of Admissions, Ms. Nikki Mellen, at any time with any questions regarding course equivalencies or to review transcripts and provide a course evaluation to ensure applicants are on track to complete the required courses before beginning the Pharm.D. program, if accepted.
Yes

Course Prerequisites

Course Subject Course Title Semester Hours (Min) Quarter Hours (Min)
Biology/Biological Science General Biology I with Lab
(Course must be for science majors and lab must be in person)		 4 6
Chemistry General Chemistry I with Lab
(Course must be for science majors and lab must be in person)		 4 6
Math Calculus 3 4.5
English Composition / Writing English: Reading/Composition 3 4.5
Humanities Liberal Art Elective 1 3 4.5
Biology/Biological Science General Biology II with Lab
(Course must be for science majors and lab must be in person)		 4 6
Chemistry General Chemistry II with Lab
(Course must be for science majors and lab must be in person)		 4 6
Statistics Statistics 3 4.5
English Composition / Writing English: Rhetoric/Composition 3 4.5
Humanities Liberal Art Elective 2 3 4.5
Chemistry Organic Chemistry I with Lab
(Course must be for science majors and lab must be in person)		 4 6
Anatomy & Physiology Human Anatomy & Physiology I 3 4.5
Physics General Physics I 3 4.5
Economics Principles of Economics 3 4.5
Social/Behavioral Science Introduction to Psychology, Introductory Sociology, or select medical anthropology courses 3 4.5
Chemistry Organic Chemistry II with Lab
(Course must be for science majors and lab must be in person)		 4 6
Anatomy & Physiology Human Anatomy & Physiology II 3 4.5
Microbiology Microbiology 3 4.5
Communication / Speech (Verbal) Public Speaking
(Must be taken in person)		 3 4.5
Humanities Liberal Art Elective 3 3 4.5
Applicants considered competitive for admission will be on track to complete all required math and science prerequisite courses by the end of the Spring 2027 semester. Completion of all prerequisites with a minimum grade of C is required prior to P1 Welcome Week and matriculation into the Pharm.D. program in August 2027.
  • Science Course Prerequisites with Labs: No
  • Science Course Prerequisites without Labs : Yes
  • Non-Science Course Prerequisites: Varies
Online Public Speaking and laboratory courses are not accepted for fulfillment of pharmacy prerequisite requirements. For additional information, please contact our Director of Admissions at mellen@cop.sc.edu
  • Science Course Prerequisites with Labs: Varies
  • Science Course Prerequisites without Labs : Varies
  • Non-Science Course Prerequisites: Varies
Pass/fail coursework will be evaluated for prerequisite fulfillment provided that official documentation verifies a “Pass” is equivalent to a grade of C or higher at the awarding institution.
Prerequisite coursework must be completed at an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the equivalent authority in a foreign country.

Applicants completing prerequisites at the time of application should list them in PharmCAS as in-progress or planned courses.

Science prerequisites must be courses for majors.

General Biology I & II, General Chemistry I & II, and Organic Chemistry I & II must include in-person laboratory components.

Biology may also be fulfilled by Botany and Zoology with labs or Genetics and Cell Biology with labs.

The Anatomy & Physiology requirement may be met with separate Human Anatomy and Human Physiology courses.

Labs are not required for Physics, Microbiology, or Human Anatomy & Physiology I & II.

For questions or transcript evaluations, contact mellen@cop.sc.edu
https://sc.edu/study/colleges_schools/pharmacy/pharmacy_education/pharm_d_program/admission_requirements/index.php
Yes

Supplemental Materials

No
No
Yes

Standardized Tests

Yes
ACT, DAT, GMAT, GRE, LSAT, MCAT, OAT, SAT
Yes

Observation Hours

Recommended, but not required
Competitive applicants demonstrate a clear understanding of the pharmacy profession through work, volunteer, shadowing, or pharmacist interview experiences. These experiences should be detailed in the PharmCAS application and resume/CV, including setting, supervising pharmacist, dates, and hours. Applicants with pharmacy work or significant shadowing experience are encouraged to obtain a letter of reference from the supervising pharmacist.
Yes

Evaluations (Letters of Reference)

Yes
Two (2)
  • Clergy: CONDITIONALLY ACCEPTED
  • Co-Worker: ACCEPTED
  • Employer: ACCEPTED
  • Faculty Advisor: ACCEPTED
  • Family Member: NOT ACCEPTED
  • Friend: NOT ACCEPTED
  • Health Care Professional: CONDITIONALLY ACCEPTED
  • Pharmacist: CONDITIONALLY ACCEPTED
  • Politician: CONDITIONALLY ACCEPTED
  • Pre-Health Advisor: ACCEPTED
  • Professor (Any Subject Area): ACCEPTED
  • Professor (Liberal Arts): ACCEPTED
  • Professor (Math): ACCEPTED
  • Professor (Science): ACCEPTED
  • Supervisor: ACCEPTED
  • Teaching Assistant: ACCEPTED
Not Accepted
Not Accepted
Two electronic evaluations (letters of recommendation) must be submitted through PharmCAS. Evaluations from family members, friends, or family friends are not accepted. Recommenders should be able to speak to qualities valued by the Admissions Committee, such as empathy, ethics, intellectual ability, judgment, communication skills, and reliability. Evaluations are appropriate only if the recommender knows you well enough to assess these characteristics.
Yes

Residency

Yes
No
As a state-assisted institution, we give preference to in-state applicants, defined in the admissions context as South Carolina residents and non-South Carolina residents who are attending a South Carolina college or university. Residency determinations for tuition purposes are set by the Office of the University Registrar; more information can be found on their website at https://sc.edu/about/offices_and_divisions/registrar/residency_and_citizenship/residency/index.php.
Yes

International Applicants

Yes
US Citizens, US Permanent Residents, Foreign (non-US) Citizens with a Visa, Other Non-Citizens (e.g. DACA Students)
Send a foreign transcript evaluation report (FTER) to PharmCAS
Foreign transcript evaluation reports must be submitted through PharmCAS. After application verification, coursework is reviewed by the College to determine equivalency and applicability to prerequisite requirements. Only courses completed with a grade of C or higher will be considered. English/literature and public speaking prerequisites must be completed at a U.S.-accredited college or university and may not be taken online. For more information about international applicant requirements, visit: https://sc.edu/study/colleges_schools/pharmacy/pharmacy_education/pharm_d_program/application_process/index.php
Yes
International applicants whose native language is not English must satisfy the University's English language proficiency requirement by meeting one of the following:
1) TOEFL Internet-Based score of at least 77
2) TOEFL Paper-Based score of at least 550
3) IELTS score of at least 6.5
4) PTE Academic English score of at least 53
5) Duolingo score of at least 115

Exemptions may apply for applicants who have completed the equivalent of English 101 and 102 at a U.S. institution with grades of B or higher, are from a country on USC’s exemption list, or graduated from a U.S. high school.

For questions regarding this requirement, please contact the Director of Admissions at mellen@cop.sc.edu
No
Details on Post-B.S. Pharm.D. Programs
No
Yes

Interviews

Individual applicants with two or more interviewers
No
As required by ACPE, standardized interviews are part of the admissions process to assess qualities such as self-awareness, leadership, innovation, entrepreneurship, and professionalism. Interviews are by invitation only and are typically held on select Mondays in September through April. An interview invitation does not guarantee admission. Applicants not selected for an interview will not be considered. The interview day typically consists of a half-day of activities including a program overview, interview, and college tour.
https://sc.edu/study/colleges_schools/pharmacy/pharmacy_education/pharm_d_program/application_process/index.php
Yes

Accepted Applicants

Yes
No
As a participant in the AACP Cooperative Admissions Guidelines, we follow established deposit policies. Two non-refundable deposits totaling $485 are required: a $200 deposit due within two weeks of acceptance, and an additional $285 due after March 1. Applicants admitted after March 1 must submit the full $485 within two weeks. Deposits are non-refundable and will be forfeited if a student does not enroll, including failure to meet prerequisites or other admission requirements.
2027-08-16
The first day of classes for Fall 2027 is tentatively scheduled for August 16, 2027. Accepted students are also required to attend P1 Welcome Week, currently scheduled for August 9–13, 2027. Additional details will be provided during the Spring 2027 semester. Please note that all dates are subject to change.
No
Yes

Background Checks and Drug Screenings

Yes
Yes
Yes