PharmD Early Assurance Pathways

Early Assurance Pathways for the PharmD Program

There are currently two available early assurance pathways for students who are interested in pursuing a pharmacy education earlier than a traditional application pathway. 

1. The PharmD Early Assurance Program for High School Seniors

2. The Oklahoma City Community College Assurance Program

Please scroll down the page for full information on both programs. If you are interested in pursuing one of these options, we highly recommend scheduling an appointment with one of our advisors. Please go to Schedule a Campus Visit or Advising Appointment to schedule an appointment. Appointments may be done in person or virtual.


PharmD Early Assurance Program for High School Seniors

The PharmD Early Assurance Program (PEAP) provides a path for high school students who are highly motivated toward the pharmacy profession and are focused, committed, and determined to succeed in achieving their goal in a shorter timeframe. Many students and parents have expressed a desire to save money when pursuing higher education due to the rising costs of education both at the undergraduate and professional levels. This provides an excellent pathway for students to achieve their goal of becoming a pharmacist while saving time and money!

If you have any questions, please contact our admissions staff at oupharmd@ouhsc.edu or 405-271-6598.

PLEASE NOTE: THIS PROGRAM IS NOT RELATED TO OU NORMAN UNDERGRADUATE ADMISSIONS. ACCEPTED PEAP STUDENTS ARE NOT REQUIRED TO COMPLETE THE PRE-PHARMACY COURSEWORK AT OU NORMAN NOR DOES ACCEPTANCE TO PEAP IMPLY ACCEPTANCE TO THE OU NORMAN CAMPUS.

Have questions or want more information? Schedule an individual advising appointment today! Just click the link below to reserve your spot now. 

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2024-2025 Pharm.D. Early Assurance Program Application

OUCOP PEAP Application for High School Seniors

Apply Here

This application will close April 15, 2025. 


PEAP Admission Requirements

  1. Submit the PharmD Early Assurance Program (PEAP) application by April 15 or if April 15 falls on the weekend, the following Monday, of the year you plan to begin college. (e.g. If you plan to start college in Fall 2025, then submit your PEAP application no later than April 15, 2025.)
  2. PEAP applicants must be a US citizen or permanent resident at the time of the PEAP application. This is a requirement for eligibility in the PharmD program.
  3. Submit an official high school transcript showing a minimum GPA of 3.0 or better.
  4. Submit official ACT scores showing a minimum composite score of 22 or better. Priority will be given to students with a STEM composite of 21 or better. Alternatively, students can submit official SAT scores showing a minimum score of 1130 or better. Screenshots of official scores should be emailed to Morgan McGinley (morgan-mcginley@ouhsc.edu). 
  5. Submit a 2 page double spaced essay from a selection of available prompts. Essay instructions available below. Essays should be emailed to Morgan McGinley (morgan-mcginley@ouhsc.edu)
  6. Select two people to submit an online reference in support of your application. PLEASE PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING LINK TO YOUR REFERENCES: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r...
  7. One must be from a science or math teacher and the other may be your choice of a professional reference. Acceptable references may come from teachers, coaches, guidance counselors, employers, volunteer supervisors, organizational advisors, or a healthcare professional you have either worked with or job shadowed (family friends or family members are NOT acceptable). We do NOT accept letters from friends, family, family friends, politicians, or clergy members. Letters should provide as many details as possible about your qualities, attributes, and ability to be successful in college and professional school. 
  8. Students accepted in the early assurance program must commit to the full 2 years to receive the benefits of the program. If you plan to apply to pharmacy school earlier than in 2 years, you will need to apply as a regular applicant.
  9. Submit a signed copy of your PEAP Statement of Understanding if accepted into the program.


PLEASE NOTE: THIS PROGRAM IS NOT RELATED TO OU NORMAN UNDERGRADUATE ADMISSIONS. ACCEPTED PEAP STUDENTS ARE NOT REQUIRED TO COMPLETE THE PRE-PHARMACY COURSEWORK AT OU NORMAN.


PEAP Application Checklist

PEAP Application Checklist for High School Seniors


Application Supporting Documents

For Admission to PEAP:

PEAP Application Essay Instructions: 2025 Peap Application Essay Instructions

PEAP References: You should select one math or science teacher and one professional reference to submit an online reference for you. Please provide them with the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r...

The due date for these supporting documents are April 15, 2025.


After Admission to PEAP

PEAP Community Service Verification Form

PEAP Pharmacy Experience Verification Form

PEAP Pharmacy Experience Reflection Cover Sheet




Additional Requirements to Finalize Pharm.D. Admission

IF SELECTED FOR THE PEAP, YOU MUST COMPLETE THESE ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS IN ORDER TO GAIN ADMISSION TO THE PHARM.D. PROGRAM:

  1. Complete pre-pharmacy curriculum (see PEAP welcome packet) with a grade of “C” or better in coursework and a 3.0 pre-pharmacy curriculum GPA. Your verified pre-pharmacy GPA must be a 3.0 and your overall GPA must be a 2.50 at the time you submit your PharmCAS application for the Pharm.D. program. If you do not reach these minimums, you will be removed from the PEAP and will no longer receive assurance for admission. 
  2. Meet with a member of the admissions staff at the conclusion of each semester to determine you are making adequate progression in the PEAP program. It is your responsibility to contact the admissions staff to make the appointment. 
  3. You may not repeat a required math or science course more than once. If you do, you will be removed from the PEAP. You can still apply but you will no longer receive assurance in the admissions process. If you do not pass a required course, contact the admissions staff promptly to re-assess your remaining curricular requirements.
  4. Online, AP/IB, and CLEP credit are all acceptable to satisfy pre-requisite courses including labs. If you have AP/IB or CLEP credit that appear on your college’s transcript, let the admissions staff know so that your pre-pharmacy curriculum may be adjusted accordingly.
  5. Complete 10 hours of verified pharmacy experience. This experience may be gained via paid work as a pharmacy clerk or pharmacy technician, volunteering in a pharmacy setting, or job shadowing a pharmacist. You may submit experience verification sheets as they are completed to be added to your file. If you do not reach this minimum by the deadline and if you have already been accepted, your conditional offer of admission will be withdrawn. You must have at least 10 verified pharmacy experience hours completed and your experience verification sheets indicating so no later than April 15th of the year you plan to enter pharmacy school. 
  6. Submit your 2-page Pharmacy Experience Reflection sheet no later than April 15th of the year you plan to enter pharmacy school. (e.g. If you plan to apply for entry to begin pharmacy school in the fall of 2026, then you should submit the reflection no later than April 15, 2026.)
  7. Complete 10 hours of verified community service. You may participate in community service either on campus or off campus. Membership in an organization alone does not constitute service but participating in  community service through an organization or serving in some capacity such as an officer or committee does count.  You may submit community service verification sheets as they are completed to be added to your file. You must have the 10 verified hours completed and your community service verification sheets submitted no later than April 15th of the year you plan to enter pharmacy school. If you do not reach this minimum by the deadline and if you have already been accepted, your conditional offer of admission will be withdrawn.
  8. You must complete an assigned online leadership development exercise each summer of your pre-pharmacy curriculum. Failure to complete the exercise by the deadline will result in removal from the PEAP and you will no longer receive assurance for admission. Examples of the exercise could be an online leadership course or seminar and/or including an assignment or assessment to ensure completion. 
  9. You must apply via PharmCAS for our Fall Priority Application Track and designate the University of Oklahoma College of Pharmacy. The Fall Priority Application Track deadline is October 15th each year. Failure for your materials to be received will result in removal from the PEAP. You may still apply for admission to the PharmD program but you will no longer receive priority. A completed application consists of the PharmCAS application and the OUHSC application. You do not have to re-submit letters of reference or complete any of the writing assessments on the PharmCAS application.
  10. You must be invited for and successfully complete a personal interview. You are required to interview on the Fall Priority interview date barring any extenuating circumstances (e.g. illness). If you are denied admission because of an unsuccessful interview, you will be removed from the PEAP. You may re-apply for the Pharm.D. program in a later admission year but you will not receive assurance in the admissions process.

Have questions?

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Oklahoma City Community College Assurance Program (OCAP)

The OU College of Pharmacy in partnership with Oklahoma City Community College offers an early assurance pathway for OCCC students who receive an AS in Pre-Pharmacy, followed by four years of study in the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program at the OU Health Sciences campus in Oklahoma City. 

OCAP provides a streamlined admissions process that guarantees an interview into the PharmD program potentially earlier than the traditional application process as long as program requirements are met. Additional benefits include 9 hours of waived OUCOP prerequisite courses (4 hours of biological sciences & 5 hours of non-science electives), only 1 required professional reference, and individualized planning and coaching to meet OCAP students’ needs
To learn more about OCAP, please contact Jennifer Richardson, Director of Recruitment and Admissions at jennifer-richardson@ouhsc.edu or by phone at 405-271-6598. 


Program Requirements

1.Submit the free OCAP application at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/OCAPAPP

2. Have one professional reference submitted at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/OCAPReference

2.Complete pre-pharmacy prerequisite course requirements with a grade of “C” or better no later than June 15h of the PharmD entry year.

3.OCAP students must take MICR 2125 Microbiology as the Pre-Pharmacy Support Elective requirement for the AS degree.


4.Maintain a 3.0 prerequisite GPA, and a 2.50 cumulative GPA at the time of formal application to the PharmD program.


5.Must be awarded AS in Pre-Pharmacy no later than June 15th of the PharmD entry year


6.Upon acceptance into OCAP, the OU College of Pharmacy admissions staff will reach out to you to set up a required meeting to determine your study plan and planned PharmD entry date. Please note that the PharmD program only starts new classes each fall.


7.Upon successful completion of 24 college hours including at least 12 hours of science/math courses, OUCOP admissions staff will contact you to schedule a personal interview. Interviews are held virtually. Your formal acceptance into the PharmD program is contingent upon a successful interview and recommendation of admission from your interviewers.


8.Meet with OUCOP admission staff by mid-semester each term for a program progress check.


9.You must submit a formal application to the PharmD program via the Pharmacy Centralized Application Service (PharmCAS) as well as the OU Health Sciences supplemental application by the Fall Priority Deadline during the admission cycle of the year you plan to enter. For example, if you plan to start the PharmD program in Fall 2026, you will need to submit your PharmCAS and OU Health Sciences applications in October 2025. OUCOP admissions staff will work with OCAP students to ensure timely submission of all materials.


10.You must be a US citizen or US permanent resident at the time of submission of the PharmCAS application.
Must meet all PharmD enrollment requirements including, but not limited to, successful completion of criminal background checks, drug screenings, meeting all deadlines, and maintaining the ability to be licensed as a pharmacy intern by the Oklahoma State Board of Pharmacy.


11.Must meet all PharmD enrollment requirements including, but not limited to, successful completion of criminal background checks, drug screenings, meeting all deadlines, and maintaining the ability to be licensed as a pharmacy intern by the Oklahoma State Board of Pharmacy.



Program Benefits

1.OCAP students who are successfully awarded an AS in Pre-Pharmacy and complete a minimum of 61-64 hours receive 9 waived hours of OUCOP prerequisites: 4 hours of biological sciences and 5 hours of non-science electives.


2.OCAP students receive a guaranteed interview as long as requirements are met and interview much earlier than a traditional PharmD applicant.


3.OCAP students are only required to submit one professional reference vs. the two required for traditional PharmD applicants.


4.OCAP students do not have to gather additional references or complete writing assessments or written-answer questions when they complete the PharmCAS application. Your PharmCAS application process is expedited.

5. Given the heavy courseload, you won't be asked to complete additional requirements such as pharmacy experience or community service (although we encourage you to do so if you feel capable of balancing everything).


5.Exclusive special events for early assurance students! 6.Mentorship from current PharmD students and faculty!


7.Individualized advisement and coaching from OUCOP admissions staff that provides a clear path to pharmacy school while earning an Associate’s degree at an affordable price!


8. Earning a doctorate degree in as little as 6 years total to become a pharmacist with hundreds of career paths to follow. This means you spend less money on a valuable degree in a vital healthcare field with unlimited opportunities!


Application Information

Please note there is no specific application due date for this program as a student may begin their pre-pharmacy coursework anytime they wish. Once we receive the completed application and supporting materials, we will notify you of an application decision within 2-4 weeks of completion.

We highly encourage interested students to schedule an application advisement appointment to discuss the process and determine what your next best steps are going to be. To schedule an appointment, please go to: Schedule a Campus Visit or Advising Appointment

OCAP APPLICATION: CLICK HERE

OCAP REFERENCE FORM: CLICK HERE

If you have any previous college coursework, please have official transcripts either emailed (preferred method) using your college/university's transmission service (e.g. Parchment, National Student Clearing House) or mailed via postal mail to:

Jennifer Richardson, Director of Recruitment & Admissions
jennifer-richardson@ouhsc.edu

OU College of Pharmacy
Attn: Jennifer Richardson
1110 N Stonewall Avenue
Oklahoma City, OK 73117