Admissions

Admission Requirements - applicants entering the Pharm.D. Program

All standardized exams (e.g. PCAT,  DAT, GRE, MCAT, OAT etc.) for entrance into the NSU B&J Silverman College of Pharmacy are optional. All standardized exam scores should be within 3 years from the application submission date. 

The College of Pharmacy selects students based on pre-pharmacy academic performance, Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT) scores (optional), admissions interview, written applications, and letters of recommendation.

1. Applicants must fulfill a minimum of 66 semester hours of coursework, earning a grade of C or higher from an accredited institution. Up to 3 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.

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.

Apply with PharmCAS

NSU's Silverman College of Pharmacy participates in the Pharmacy College Application Service. Applicants must submit a PharmCAS application electronically no later than May 1, 2024. The Office of Admissions processes the applications on a rolling basis;  therefore, it is in the best interest of the applicant to apply early.

Complete PharmCAS application

NSU College of Pharmacy only uses the PharmCAS centralized online application. Information on PharmCAS application fees and fee waivers. 

Request your transcripts

Applicants 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.

Optional, PCAT or other standardized exams scores

If applicable, English Proficiency test scores

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

Preprofessional letters of recommendation

Applicants should send letters of recommendation directly to PharmCAS. All letters should be on proper letterhead and signed with a pen.

NSU will generate an NSU ID number, after the PharmCAS application is 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.

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  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 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

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