PharmD Admissions Requirements

OUCOP strives to enroll a class of academically prepared exceptional students who exhibit the personal attributes, traits, interpersonal skills, and professionalism necessary for success within the professional program. OUCOP recognizes the unique talents, perspectives, and experiences of our student body as it enhances the learning environment, training experiences,  and enriches campus life. We seek to assess students in a holistic manner giving individualized consideration to each applicant who might contribute to the college in this manner as well as exhibiting leadership potential in the practice of pharmacy.

By conducting a comprehensive, flexible, holistic review of all applicants, we strive to seat classes consisting of academically gifted, highly motivated, resilient students who share a deep commitment to the values and goals of our profession and our college.

The holistic review gives individualized consideration to each applicant’s talents, accomplishments, experiences, and potential to contribute to the learning community by using information from the academic record, life history, recommendations, essays, and a personal interview. Just as the university is committed to creating a community of respect, belonging, and access, so is OUCOP.

In addition to the exhibition of the college’s values, the Admissions Committee is committed to identifying and admitting a student body that exhibits the following values:

• Commitment to service to others
• Good ethical judgment
• Integrity in all they do
• Resilience and adaptability
• Reliability and dependability
• Accountability
• A collaborative and collegial spirit
• Commitment to life-long learning and curiosity
• Strong decision-making and problem-solving skills
• Empathy for all
• Creativity and innovation
• Excellent interpersonal and oral communication skills
• Effective written communication

The Admissions Committee will lead the campus and the state in identifying and admitting pharmacy students who will transform and lead their campus, their communities, their patients, and their society by providing exceptional pharmacy care and impacting health outcomes in a positive way.

Applicants must have and maintain a minimum cumulative (overall) GPA of 2.50 on a 4.0 scale in all college coursework. OUCOP does not recognize academic forgiveness or academic bankruptcy policies in calculating an overall GPA. This is the minimum requirement to be eligible for admission. Additionally, applicants must have and maintain a minimum 3.0 prerequisite GPA. The majority of accepted applicants will far exceed this standard.

1. All attempts of a course are included in the calculation of the overall, science/math, and biology/chemistry GPAs.
2. The most recent grade of a course that has been re-taken will be used to calculate the prerequisite and last 60 hours GPAs.
3. Admission to the Doctor of Pharmacy program requires completion of a minimum of 64 semester hours of specific prerequisite coursework.
4. All prerequisite coursework must be completed at a regionally accredited college or university.
5. Prerequisite coursework may be satisfied if taken outside of the U.S. as long as the applicant provides a World Education Services course-by-course evaluation according to PharmCAS policies and procedures. WES is the ONLY acceptable foreign course evaluation accepted by OU College of Pharmacy.
6. Acceptance of foreign coursework to satisfy prerequisite course requirements is at the discretion of the College of Pharmacy with final approval from the Director of Recruitment and Admissions. Inquiries regarding the acceptance of foreign coursework may be directed to the COP admissions staff. Staff cannot tell someone what prerequisites may be satisfied by foreign coursework unless they provide a copy of the WES evaluation. It is recommended this be done at least one year prior to a planned entry year. Additional documentation of course content may be required after initial review of the WES evaluation.
7. The 6 hours of required English coursework must be completed at a U.S. college or university. Foreign coursework will not be accepted to meet this requirement.
8. Applicants must have either completed or be on track to complete the prerequisite coursework requirements by August 5th of the year they plan to enter.
9. Applicants must successfully complete all prerequisite coursework with a "C" (C+, C, C- grades are acceptable) or better by August 5th of the year they plan to enter. Additionally, applicants must have and maintain a 3.0 prerequisite GPA to be eligible for admission.

For a list of pre-pharmacy course requirements for admission please CLICK HERE.

1. Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident at the time of application.
2. Applicants must successfully complete an online timed writing assessment to be eligible for an interview. The writing assessment is completed as part of the PharmCAS application.
3. Applicants are required to participate in the interview process and have a successful interview to be eligible for admission.
4. Interviews are not guaranteed and are by invitation only.
5. Interviews are conducted via video conferencing.
6. Applicants must be eligible for licensure as a pharmacy intern in the State of Oklahoma. Applicants should refer any questions regarding licensure to the Oklahoma State Board of Pharmacy (OSBP) (www.pharmacy.ok.gov).
7. Applicants must have a reasonable chance to successfully complete the professional curriculum.
8. Accepted students are required to undergo a background check and random drug screening as well as provide required immunization documentation.
9. Applicants must meet the technical standards.
10. Nonresidents who are accepted will receive a nonresident tuition waiver. Full information on our Nonresident Tuition Waiver program can be found on our website.
11. Requests to defer enrollment are considered on a case-by-case basis and should be for extenuating circumstances. Examples of extenuating circumstances that would be acceptable are military deployment, serious illnesses, family obligations, etc. After paying an enrollment deposit, an applicant may request in writing via email an enrollment deferral for one year. The written request should include the specific reason for the request. Additional information may be requested to verify the request before a decision is rendered. Questions regarding a possible enrollment deferral should be sent to Jennifer Richardson, Director of Recruitment & Admissions.

The college reserves the right to withdraw an offer of admission for the following:

1. The applicant fails to keep his or her file current. This includes but is not limited to a change in enrollment from what was reported on the application as well as failure to meet deadlines for orientation/enrollment requirements. Applicants should inform the Director of Recruitment & Admissions immediately of any plans to change enrollment or other aspects of the application.
2. The applicant receives a grade of "D" or "F" in a prerequisite course and does not successfully repeat the course with a “C” or better by August 5th of the planned entry year.
3. The applicant does not successfully enroll in and complete all prerequisites no later than August 5th of the year they plan to enter.
4. The applicant does not maintain a cumulative 2.50 overall GPA and a 3.0 prerequisite GPA.
5. The applicant provides false information on the application materials.
6. Information is received indicating that the applicant's character is such that he or she is not suited for the responsibility and privileges found in the practice of pharmacy or is ineligible for licensure as a pharmacy intern in the state of Oklahoma.

Students for Whom English is a Second Language

1. Applicants are only eligible for admission if they are a U.S. citizen or a U.S. permanent resident.
2. All applicants regardless of residency status must meet the same admission requirements and follow the same application procedures.
3. OUCOP does not accept transfer students from foreign colleges of pharmacy. OUCOP does not waive any part of the Pharm.D. curriculum or grant advanced standing to students who have attended a foreign college of pharmacy.
4. Applicants must be in compliance with OU Health Sciences Office of Recruitment & Admissions policies and procedures related to the acceptable English proficiency exams. Either the TOEFL exam or IELTS exam are accepted.
5. Please refer the OU Health Sciences website at: OU Health Sciences English Proficiency Requirements to determine requirements, codes for submission of of test scores, or to request an exam waiver if you meet one of the criteria for exemption.
6. The English proficiency exam requirement will automatically be waived if you either graduated with a diploma from a U.S. high school, if you received or will receive a bachelor’s degree from a U.S. university by June 1 of the planned entry year, if you received or will receive a master's degree from a U.S. university by June 1 of the planned entry year. We do not waive the requirement if you have an associate’s degree from a U.S. college or university.
7. There are certain countries in which English is the primary language for which OU Health Sciences will allow waivers to be given for English proficiency. If you were born overseas in a primarily English language country, you can determine if you can submit a waiver by searching the OU Health Sciences approved countries at: OU Health Sciences Approved Countries for English Proficiency

Students Who Have Been Dismissed or Have Withdrawn from A College of Pharmacy

Students who previously attended a college of pharmacy regardless of whether it was the University of Oklahoma or another college of pharmacy and were dismissed for either academic or professional reasons should do the following:

1. Provide a full accounting of the situation on the PharmCAS application. It is highly recommended that students dismissed for academic or professional reasons relay in their application what has been learned and how any previous obstacles have been addressed.
2. Demonstrate academic strength in coursework taken since the dismissal. It is highly recommended that students dismissed from a college of pharmacy for academic reasons demonstrate strong grades in advanced sciences since the dismissal. OUCOP does not waive any Pharm.D. curricular requirements. If a dismissed former pharmacy student is accepted, they must complete the full four-year curriculum.
3. If a student was dismissed for professional reasons, that student must have a reasonable chance for success to complete the Pharm.D. curriculum and be eligible for licensure as a pharmacy intern in the state of Oklahoma, and any ethical or professionalism issues must have been addressed and corrected.
4. The student must meet the current admission requirements and follow all current application procedures as all other applicants.

Students who previously attended a college of pharmacy regardless of whether it was the University of Oklahoma or another college of pharmacy and withdrew may be asked to provide documentation including but not limited to the following: 

1. Submit the PharmCAS application. Applicants should relay in their application why they are now ready to re-enter a PharmD curriculum.
2. Provide documentation that the technical standards can be met.
3. Provide a letter from a health professional the student is ready to be placed in an academic and clinical setting.
4. Successfully complete a personal interview if invited to interview.
5. If accepted, the student may request, in writing, advanced standing in regard to previously completed Doctor of Pharmacy coursework. This request will be reviewed by the OUCOP academic dean and granting of advanced standing is not guaranteed. If the student previously attended a pharmacy school other than OU, course descriptions and/or syllabi must be provided for evaluation.

1. All students accepted for admission to the Doctor of Pharmacy program are required to confirm their intention to enroll and attend with a $100.00 non-refundable deposit. This deposit is applied toward tuition and fees during the first term.
2. Accepted applicants will have 10 business days to pay the deposit from the date of notification of their acceptance from OUHSC Admissions & Records.
3. Offers of admission are conditional based on the successful completion of requirements and adherence to all admission policies and enrollment requirements as prescribed by the Admissions Committee and OUCOP.

Financial aid is handled by the OUHSC Financial Aid office. We encourage all students who believe they will require financial aid to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on the web for the academic year they plan to attend as soon as it is available.

The 2024-25 FAFSA is now open. You may add the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center as a potential school. You can list up to 12 schools and will be under no obligation to accept financial aid from the university but it can help ensure a smoother process if you go ahead and add our school even if you are still determining your final choice.

Contact information and additional financial aid information is available at http://www.ouhsc.edu/financialservices/SFA/. 

Students admitted to the Doctor of Pharmacy program have requirements they must complete in order to be enrolled to attend classes. These requirements include but may not be limited to, providing required immunization documentation, completing a criminal background check, completing a random drug screening, and providing any final transcripts or other requests.

Admitted students will receive notification of deadlines and other instructions for these requirements prior to matriculation in the fall. Admitted students will also be required to attend new student orientation the week before classes begin in August. Orientation is mandatory so students should take this into account when planning trips or other life events.

Since all first-year students are enrolled in the same courses, the Office of Pharmacy Student Affairs will complete the enrollment process for all admitted students in August prior to orientation. Admitted students do not have to enroll themselves.

Criminal Background Checks And Drug Screening Requirements

OUHSC Drug Screening Policy

Technical Standards

OUHSC Immunization Requirements

OUHSC Computer Requirements