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Ph.D. Program

Advance Your Pharmacy Career

Join a vibrant community dedicated to innovative health care at the Nova Southeastern University Barry and Judy Silverman College of Pharmacy. Gain early clinical exposure, develop patient-centered skills, and collaborate across disciplines. Our globally minded curriculum and dedicated faculty will prepare you to make a real difference. Students in the Pharm.D. program are also given the option to receive a concentration in Project Management, ensuring that graduates are well-prepared for the evolving demands of the profession.

Our Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) program has two entry points: Entry-Level and Advanced Standing. Read on to learn more about admission requirements and how to apply.

Schedule an appointment with an adviser by selecting your campus.

Fort Lauderdale/Davie and Palm Beach  San Juan, Puerto Rico 

Pharm.D. Program Application Deadlines

Applications for graduate admission are accepted online and on a rolling basis; therefore, it is in your best interest to apply early. The PharmCAS Application is due May 1.

Pharm.D. Entry-Level Admission Requirements

2.75
or Higher Cumulative GPA* Preferred
2.3
or Higher Science GPA* Required
2.0
or Higher Mathematics GPA* Required
66 
Semester Hours of Coursework from a Regionally Accredited Institution

English Proficiency Required for Non-Native Speakers

3 Letters
of Recommendation. Two Science Professors and One Non-Science Professor, Health Care Professional, or Preprofessional Committee Member.
Course Semester Hours
General Biology I and II (including laboratory) 8
Human Anatomy and/or Physiology (with or without laboratory) 6
General Chemistry (including laboratory)  8
Organic Chemistry (including laboratory) 8
General Physics (with or without laboratory) 3
English 6
Calculus 3
Speech/Public Speaking/Oral Communication (in English) 3
Advanced Sciences (Choose two courses of the following: genetics, cellular or molecular biology, microbiology, or biochemistry)* 6
Social and Behavioral Sciences Elective 3
Humanities Elective 3
Electives in Either Discipline** 9
Total 66

*No two classes taken should be from the same discipline.

** Ethics, micro or macroeconomics, and general/life science statistics are highly recommended and may substitute for up to 9 humanities and social and behavioral sciences elective credits.

*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.

Official scores from the Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT), or another admissions test, are optional. Scores should be within three years from the application submission date.

Up to three ongoing prerequisites are acceptable in the admissions application. Competitive applicants will not be hindered from interviewing or receiving interview invitations. Acceptance is conditional, dependent on completing all prerequisites before classes begin.

Pharm.D. Advanced Standing Admission Requirements*

2.75
or Higher Cumulative GPA Preferred
Bachelor’s

Degree from a Regionally Accredited Institution

Official Course-by-Course Evaluation

of Foreign Coursework with GPA Included

English Proficiency
Required for Non-Native English Speakers
18-29

Semester Hours

3 Letters
of Recommendation. Two Science Professors and One Non-Science Professor, Health Care Professional, or Preprofessional Committee Member.
Course Semester Hours
Human Anatomy and/or Physiology (with or without laboratory). 3-6
Biochemistry 3-6
Microbiology 3-6
Pharmaceutics 3-6
Pharmacokinetics* 3-6
Pharmacology 3-6
Total 18-29

*Dosage Form and Design can count towards Pharmacokinetics 

*NSU Silverman College of Pharmacy may require an applicant to complete additional prerequisite courses in order to strengthen his or her academic background.

Official scores from the Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT), or another admissions test, are optional. Scores should be within three years from the application submission date.

Applicants who graduated from pharmacy school 10 or more years prior must have either

  • taken two upper-level (3000- or 4000-level) science courses or one upper-level science course and one upper-level statistics course at a regionally accredited college or university in the United States within the last two years, or
  • practiced as a licensed pharmacist for greater than 50 percent of the time since pharmacy school graduation (proof of licensed pharmacist employment, including dates and position(s) held, must be provided via a letter of recommendation from the applicant's employer).

Apply to the Doctor of Pharmacy Program

Admission to the Pharm.D. program at NSU Silverman College of Pharmacy is available at two entry points: the Pharm.D. Entry-Level program or the Pharm.D. Advanced Standing program. 

If you’re a high school student ready to pursue a doctorate in pharmacy, you can start working toward your goal as an undergraduate enrolled in our early assurance program. Your spot in the pharmacy program will be held while you earn your bachelor’s degree.

Apply to the Entry-Level or Advanced Standing Program Apply for Early Assurance

Steps to Apply

  1. Complete PharmCAS Application. NSU Silverman College of Pharmacy only uses the PharmCAS centralized online application. Information on PharmCAS application fees and fee waivers
  2. Request Your TranscriptsApplicants who have completed coursework outside of the U.S. should request an official foreign evaluation report from World Education Services. Please request a course by course evaluation with an overall GPA calculation send WES foreign transcript evaluation report (FTER) directly to PharmCAS.
  3. Letters of Recommendation. Send letters directly to PharmCAS. All letters should have a handwritten signature on official letterhead. 
  4. Pharmacy College Admission Test. If applicable, PCAT or another admissions test. Send scores directly to PharmCAS. 
Please note that NSU reserves the right to rescind or place conditions upon admissions offers should information become available that calls into question an admitted student’s academic performance or character, including that which reflects a violation of NSU’s Code of Student Conduct.

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

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 are conducted via Zoom. Applicants will have the opportunity to schedule a campus tour after the interview. 

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

The Interview Day includes:

  • Meeting the NSU Silverman 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

Information for International Students

Proof of English proficiency is required for non-native English speakers. Scores for the following standardized tests* currently satisfy NSU’s Barry and Judy Silverman College of Pharmacy English requirements: 

  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): minimum score of 80 on the internet-based test (iBT) (toefl.org)
  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS): minimum score of 6.0 on the test module (ielts.org)
  • Duolingo Test of English: minimum score of 105 (duolingo.com)

Scores must be no more than two years old at the time of the interview.

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.

Countries exempt from the English proficiency test include Great Britain, Ghana, Nigeria, Jamaica, and English speaking parts of Canada.

For a full list of English proficiency tests that are accepted by the university, please visit the Office of International Students and Scholars

Applicants who have taken the TOEFL or EILTS exams should send them directly to PharmCAS. Duolingo scores should be emailed to pharmacyadmissions@nova.edu

It is the responsibility of international students and scholars to ensure that their visa status allows for the issue of a Social Security number.  A U.S. social security number is mandatory to receive an intern license in the Pharm.D. program, which is a requirement for placement based on pharmacy practice experiences. Without a pharmacy intern license, a student cannot complete the curriculum or the requirements of the Pharm.D. degree program.

It is the responsibility of the international applicant to contact the Office of International Students and Scholars for information on immigration regulations and student visa requirements. 

Information for Transfer Students

Requests for transfer credit must be submitted in writing to the associate dean of the student’s program. The request must include an official copy of the transcript containing the course title, final course grade, and a course syllabus. All transfer credit requests must be received prior to August 1 of the first year of pharmacy school.

In the Pharm.D. program, transfer credit will only be considered for courses taken at pharmacy schools accredited by the ACPE or for those courses given prior approval by the associate dean of the Professional Program. Up to, but no more than, four elective credit hours may be transferred from a regionally accredited graduate institution. A minimum of 30 credit hours of didactic coursework and all Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences (APPE) must be completed at NSU. Transfer credits may not exceed 2/3 of the required credits to complete the degree program.

For all programs, transfer credit will only be considered for courses designated with a graduate-level course number that were passed with a grade of B or better. Credit will not be transferred if previous credit was used to earn a degree from the granting institution.

Official transcripts must be sent to Nova Southeastern University, Enrollment Processing Services, 3300 S. University Drive, PO Box 299000, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33328-2004. Electronic transcripts should be sent to electronictranscript@nova.edu.

Need Help?

View Frequently Asked Questions and Instructional Videos

Call Graduate Admissions at (954) 262-8500 or schedule an appointment online with an admissions counselor.

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