Resources for Prospective Students

Entry-Level and Advanced Standing Pharm.D. Programs Overview

M.S. in Pharmaceutical Affairs

Ph.D. and M.S. in Pharmaceutical Sciences - Drug Development (Pharmaceutics)

Ph.D. and M.S. in Pharmaceutical Sciences - Molecular Medicine and Pharmacogenomics

Ph.D. and M.S. in Pharmaceutical Sciences - Social and Administrative Pharmacy

 Pharm.D. Admissions Requirements and Procedure Video

PharmCAS Tutorial

PharmCAS Verification Process

Click on the image to view the video (opens in a new window)

 

 Graduate Program Admissions Requirements and Procedures Video

If you’d like some guidance on the prerequisites needed for your intended program, we’re here to help. We offer virtual advising meetings with our admissions teams for all prospective students.

 Schedule an advising meeting

PharmCAS and PharmGRAD require official transcripts (or foreign credential evaluations), professional recommendations, and proof of English proficiency. Once you submit your application, all required documents, and the application fee, the verification process typically takes 2–4 weeks.

After your application is complete, the admissions team conducts a holistic review. We consider academic factors such as GPA and coursework, as well as non-academic factors including your essays, experiences, recommendations, extracurricular involvement, and interest in the profession.

We believe it is important to review applicants as whole individuals, not just based on grades. Academic and non-academic factors are weighed, as they help us understand your potential impact on our campus, your leadership qualities, and your commitment to pharmacy.

If your background aligns with our program, you may be invited to a Zoom interview. Please note that interviews are not guaranteed for all applicants, and not all interviewed applicants are admitted. Final decisions after the interview may take up to two additional business weeks.

The Pharm.D. Entry-Level pathway is a four-year program for students beginning their pharmacy education. The Pharm.D. Advanced Standing pathway is a three-year program designed for international students. Both pathways lead to pharmacist licensure.

To apply for the Advanced Standing pathway, applicants must hold a pharmacy degree from a foreign university. Applicants who graduated from pharmacy school 10 or more years ago must also meet one of the following requirements:

• Option A: Complete two upper-level (3000–4000 level) science courses in the U.S., or one upper-level science course and one upper-level statistics course, within the last 10 years; or
• Option B: Show active practice as a licensed pharmacist for more than 50% of the time since graduation. Proof of employment, including dates and roles, must be provided in a letter from the employer.

You can find more information about the Pharm.D Entry Level program here, and more information about the Advanced Standing Program here.

While NSU does not offer application fee waivers or coupon codes, applicants using PharmCAS may qualify for an alternative option. PharmCAS offers fee waivers designed to help eligible applicants who may experience financial barriers. 

Please note that PharmGRAD does not offer application fee waivers or coupon codes.

More information on application fee waivers

To ensure a smooth application process, please submit all admissions documents directly to PharmCAS or PharmGRAD.

 

If you have questions about your application documents, please first verify their status in your PharmCAS or PharmGRAD portal. If a required document is listed as missing or has not been received, please contact PharmCAS directly for assistance.

An Academic Update occurs after you have submitted your PharmCAS application. It allows you to update your college coursework with newly completed courses, grades, and planned or in-progress coursework.

Please keep the following in mind:

• PharmCAS will email you when the Academic Update period opens and provide the applicable dates and instructions.
• PharmCAS does not update your coursework automatically. You are responsible for completing the Academic Update.
• Courses previously reported and verified as completed cannot be changed.
• If you have received only some grades for a term, wait until all grades for that term are available before adding the courses.
• You cannot edit courses or academic terms that PharmCAS has already verified.

More information on Academic Updates

Please note that letters of recommendation are no longer required for admission to our program. Instead, applicants must request professional recommendations through the PharmCAS / PharmGRAD standardized rating system as part of the application process.

These recommendations should be submitted directly to PharmCAS / PharmGRAD and may come from one of the following sources:

• A Pre-Professional Committee letter
• A professor familiar with your academic abilities
• A healthcare professional or employer who can speak to your qualifications 

It is important that this section is completed accurately and submitted by the appropriate individuals in order for your application to be reviewed. 

More information on professional recommendations

You will be asked to select your preferred campus in PharmCAS. Placement at your first-choice campus is not guaranteed, as space is limited.

• Select Your Preferences: Choose both a first-choice and second-choice campus.
• Application Review: Your application will initially be reviewed for your first-choice campus, based on seat availability.
• If Your First Choice Is Full: We will notify you and give you the option to switch your application to your second-choice campus or remain under consideration for your first-choice campus, when applicable.

Selecting your campus preferences carefully helps us understand where you would like to attend while allowing you to consider other options if your preferred campus reaches capacity.

Due to limited space and the competitive nature of the Puerto Rico campus, applicants and incoming students may not request a campus transfer from the Davie/Fort Lauderdale campus to the Puerto Rico campus until classes begin.

After classes begin, enrolled students who wish to request a campus transfer should review the Request for Campus Transfer Policy on page 106 of the 2025–2026 College of Pharmacy Student Handbook.

Please refer to the campus transfer policy below for additional information.

"Pharm.D. students requesting a permanent campus transfer must complete a Request for Campus Transfer Form outlining the reason for the request between April 1 and April 15 of their first or second academic year. Applications are accepted only during the dates listed and are reviewed on a case-by-case basis, not on a first-come, first-served basis. Students must meet with the assistant dean, director of student affairs/services, or director of academic support services at their home campus to discuss and submit a request. Approved transfers will be effective in the following fall semester only. Submission of a request does not guarantee approval, as space is limited at each campus."

Priority Application Deadline

The Priority Application Deadline allows you to apply early and may qualify you for school-specific benefits such as earlier application review, interview consideration and scholarships. While it is not required, applying early is strongly encouraged.
 
Final Application Deadline

The final application deadline is the last day PharmCAS can receive your application with all of the required materials. Applications received after this date will not be considered.

Apply early! Submitting your application at least two to three weeks before the final deadline gives PharmCAS enough time to process and verify your materials, ensuring your application is reviewed on time.
 
More information on deadlines