Admissions

The Nova Southeastern University College of Pharmacy offers information sessions to help educate prospective students on the profession and as to how our college can help prepare you for a career in Pharmacy.

Admission Requirements - applicants entering the Pharm.D. Program

All standardized exams (e.g. PCAT, DAT, GRE, MCAT, OAT etc.) for entrance into the College of Pharmacy are recommended, but not required. Scores must be no more than three years old at the time of the applicant's interview. 

The College of Pharmacy selects students based on pre-pharmacy academic performance, Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT) scores (recommended, but not required), admissions interview, written applications, and letters of recommendation.

1. Prior to matriculation, all applicants must successfully complete a minimum of 66 semester hours of coursework at an accredited college or university including the following:

2. Applicants with a minimum of 66 semester hours of completed pre-requisites (or in progress of completing their pre-requisites) are recommended to have a

   • Preferred minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale
   • Required minimum science GPA of 2.3 on a 4.0 scale
   • Required minimum mathematics GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale.

3. Applicants with a master’s degree and completed pre-requisites (or are in progress of completing the minimum prerequisites) are recommended to have a

   • Preferred minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale
   • Preferred minimum science GPA of 2.3 on a 4.0 scale
   • Preferred minimum mathematics GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale.
4. Three letters of recommendation, on official letterhead with a signature, from two science professors and either
   • a liberal arts professor
   • a pharmacist or health care provider
   • a pre-professional committee member
5. Proof of English proficiency (required of nonnative English speakers)
   • TOEFL: minimum score of 80 on the Internet-based test or 213 on the computer-based test
   • IELTS: minimum score of 6.0 on the test module
   • Duolingo: minimum score of 105 on the Internet-based test
   • Candidates may also demonstrate English proficiency by successfully completing a Baccalaureate, professional or Master's degree in the United States, or two college-level English composition courses at a regionally accredited college or university with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale.
   • *Scores may be no more than two years old at the time of interview.
   • *Countries exempt from English Proficiency Test: Great Britain, Ghana, Nigeria, Jamaica, English speaking parts of Canada.

PART ONE: Apply with PharmCAS

NSU College of Pharmacy participates in the Pharmacy College Application Service. Applicants must submit a PharmCAS application electronically no later than May 1. The Office of Admissions processes the applications on a rolling basis;  therefore, it is in the best interest of the applicant to apply early.

1. Complete PharmCAS application
   NSU College of Pharmacy uses the PharmCAS centralized online application. Start yours here: https://www.pharmcas.org/
   * Complete information on PharmCAS application fees and fee waivers can be found here: https://help.liaisonedu.com/PharmCAS_Applicant_Help_Center/Starting_Your_PharmCAS_Application/Getting_Started_with_Your_PharmCAS_Application/5_PharmCAS_Application_Fees_and_Fee_Waivers. 
2. Request your transcripts
   Request transcripts to be sent to PharmCAS for all colleges and universities attended.
   PharmCAS accepts WES foreign evaluations. Other NACES foreign evaluation agencies should be sent directly to NSU. Please see address below.
   Complete instructions can be found here: https://www.pharmcas.org/application-instructions/transcripts
   
3. Optional, PCAT or other standardized exams scores
   Complete instructions can be found here:  https://www.pharmcas.org/application-instructions/standardized-tests
   
   
4. If applicable, English Proficiency test scores
   PharmCAS accepts TOEFL scores. EILTS or Duolingo scores can be sent directly to NSU. Please see address below.
   Complete instructions can be found here: https://www.pharmcas.org/application-instructions/standardized-tests.
   
   
5. Preprofessional letters of recommendation
   Letters should be on proper letterhead and signed with a pen.
   Complete instructions can be found here: https://www.pharmcas.org/application-instructions/evaluations

PART TWO: NSU College of Pharmacy Online Supplemental Application

1. Complete secondary application
   An invitation to apply will be emailed by NSU College of Pharmacy after  your PharmCAS application is verified.
2. Nonrefundable application fee of $50
3. Submit additional supplemental updates and documents requested by NSU College of Pharmacy admissions

Supplemental information or application updates can be submitted to:

Mailing Address (Domestic)
Enrollment Processing Services
NSU College of Pharmacy
3301 College Avenue
P.O. Box 299000
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33329-9905

Electronic transcripts should be emailed to: electronictranscripts@nsu.edu

Other documents should be emailed to: amsqc@nova.edu

NSU will generate an NSU ID number, after the applications are processed. Please include your NSU ID number on all correspondence. 

Circumstances may warrant that a student enrolled in one college of pharmacy seeks to transfer to another institution. All applications submitted will be reviewed by the associate dean of the Professional Program. The final decision will be based on factors that include, but are not limited to, academic record, circumstances leading to the transfer request, available space, and admissions standards. Students in good academic standing may apply as transfer applicants by completing the following requirements.

1. Submitting a completed NSU electronic application with a nonrefundable application fee of $50 (U.S.) by June 15.

2. Meeting all entry-level or advanced standing admissions requirements for the NSU College of Pharmacy, as applicable.
3. Submitting the following documentation

• • official transcripts for all college coursework
  • a written statement outlining the reasons for requesting a transfer

• • three letters of recommendation (two from pharmacy faculty members, and one from the dean, associate dean, or assistant dean of the transferring college of pharmacy that indicates the students is in good standing within the current or more recent academic program)

• • completing an in-person interview

• • submitting any official standardized test scores such as PCAT, GRE, TOEFL, or IELTS to help further the evaluation of applications (recommended)

Transfer credit will only be considered for courses designated with a graduate level course number, passed with a grade of B or better, and transferred rom a regionally accredited graduate institution. Credits used toward an earned degree will not be transferred. Requests for transfer credit must be submitted in writing to the associate dean or director of the relevant program prior to August 1of the year of matriculation. Transfer credits will not exceed 2/3 of the required credits to complete the degree program. A minimum of 30 credit hours of didactic coursework and all Advance Pharmacy Practice Experiences (APPE) must be completed at NSU.

NOTE: Due to the design of the Pharm.D. curriculum, a transfer student may be required to enter as a first-year student.

Applicants who have completed foreign coursework outside of the U.S. will be required to send their official transcripts to a NACES approved evaluation agency and request an official foreign evaluation report to be sent to NSU. Please request the foreign evaluation report to include a course by course evaluation with overall GPA calculation.

National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES)
www.naces.org

World Education Services
(212) 966-6311
www.wes.org

Interviews are part of the admissions process. An interview does not guarantee admissions. The Office of Admissions reviews all applications to determine if the applicant will be granted an interview. Interviews will be in person and via Zoom. Applicants in the tri-county area are encouraged to attend the in-person interview. However, all applicants will be reviewed equally regardless of the interview format choice.

If you are selected for an interview, you will receive an email invitation from the Office of Admissions. A confirmation email will provide an agenda and other important information. Please make sure to arrive on time, dress professionally, and be prepared.

The Interview Day experience includes:

• Meeting the NSU College of Pharmacy admissions counselor
• Information regarding the admissions committee decision process
• Overview presentation of the program, facilities, and student support
• Private interview with faculty members
• Tour of the college facility by student ambassadors
• Campus bus tour (optional)

Core Performance Standards for Admission and Progress

The Nova Southeastern University Health Professions Division is pledged to the admission and matriculation of qualified students and wishes to acknowledge awareness of laws that prohibit discrimination against anyone on the basis of race, color, religion or creed, sex, pregnancy status, national or ethnic origin, nondisqualifying disability, age, ancestry, marital status, sexual orientation, gender and gender identity, military service, veteran status, or political beliefs or affiliations. Regarding those students with verifiable disabilities, the university will not discriminate against such individuals who are otherwise qualified, but will expect applicants and students to meet certain minimal technical standards (core performance standards) as set forth herein, with or without reasonable accommodation.

In adopting these standards, the university believes it must keep in mind the ultimate safety of the patients whom its graduates will eventually serve as well as the efficacy and safety in the learning environment. The standards reflect what the university believes are reasonable expectations required of health professions students and personnel in performing common functions. Any exceptions to such standards must be approved by the dean of the student’s particular college based upon appropriate circumstances. The holders of health care degrees must have the knowledge and skills to function in a broad variety of clinical situations and to render a wide spectrum of patient care. To carry out the activities described below, candidates for Health Professions Division degrees must be able to integrate consistently, quickly, and accurately all information received, and they must have the ability to learn, integrate, analyze, and synthesize data.

Candidates for degrees offered by the Health Professions Division must have, with or without reasonable accommodation, multiple abilities and skills including intellectual, conceptual, integrative, qualitative abilities; interpersonal communication; strength and mobility; motor skills; and hearing, visual, tactile, sensory, behavioral, and social attributes. Candidates for admission and progression must be able to perform these abilities and skills in a reasonably independent manner.

For more information check the Student Handbook.

Professional Licensure Disclosure