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Overview | Degree Requirements | Careers and Graduate School | Costs and Scholarships | Research and Engagement | Faculty
Overview
Gaining admission into pharmacy school can be very competitive. UMN Morris’s well-rounded undergraduate education with its academic rigor and interdisciplinary strength will greatly enhance the knowledge and experience you need to be ready for—and succeed—in pharmacy school. You may even wish to take advantage of the early assurance pathway between UMN Morris and the UMN Twin Cities PharmD program.
As a pre-pharmacy student at UMN Morris, you will pursue a major of your choosing for your bachelor of arts degree while taking courses that meet pharmacy prerequisites. While there is no required undergraduate major for admission into pharmacy school, many pre-pharmacy students choose to major in biology, chemistry, or biochemistry, due to the number of courses in those fields that are required for the Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT). Be aware that you will also need to demonstrate knowledge in communications, mathematics, philosophy, physics, sociology, and statistics.
An academic adviser will work directly with you to help you coordinate your pre-pharmacy courses with your major and general education requirements. In addition, a pre-pharmacy adviser will work with you to help with course selection, career information, PCAT preparation, and pharmacy school planning.
Degree Requirements
Graduation Requirements
As a UMN Morris student following the pre-pharmacy track, you will need to complete the degree requirements for your chosen major. Pre-pharmacy is not a major that you can earn as a degree at UMN Morris. Rather, it is an academic program to guide you on your path to pharmacy school while you pursue your undergraduate degree.
UMN Morris offers several courses across different disciplines that will help prepare you for pharmacy school. In addition, the UMN College of Pharmacy offers several online courses you may take.
Suggested Courses
Many of the following courses meet the requirements for most pharmacy schools.
- BIOL 2111. General Biology
- BIOL 4111. Microbiology
- BIOL 2102. Anatomy
- BIOL 2103. Physiology
- MATH 1021 or 1101. Calculus
- STAT 1601, 2601, 4601. Statistics
- CHEM 1101, 1102. General Chemistry
- CHEM 2301, 2302, 2311. Organic Chemistry
- ENGL 1601. Introductory Composition
- 2 courses of social and behavioral sciences or humanities
General Education Requirements (Morris Core)
The University of Minnesota and its faculty are committed to providing an education that invites you to investigate the world from new perspectives, learn new ways of thinking, and grow as an active citizen and lifelong learner. The University’s general education requirements (Morris Core) are designed to be integrated throughout your four-year undergraduate experience. These courses provide you an opportunity to explore fields outside your major and complement your major curriculum with a multidisciplinary perspective.
Learn more about UMN Morris General Education Requirements (Morris Core)
Transferring Credit
Put your credits to work for you at UMN Morris, where you’ll earn a degree from a highly ranked public liberal arts university.
Careers and Graduate School
Careers
The corner drug store is just one of many career options as a pharmacist. Possible careers in pharmacy include:
- Community, clinic, or hospital pharmacy
- Chain pharmacy or administration
- Military or veterans affairs pharmacy
- Disease management
- Product and protocol development
- Public health
- Teaching and research
- Federal work (Food and Drug Administration)
For more information about a career in pharmacy, visit the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy.
Graduate School
Having a University of Minnesota Morris degree will set you up for success when it's time to take the next steps for graduate or professional school.
Pharmacy School
UMN Morris pre-pharmacy graduates receive the education necessary to go just about anywhere, but some common pharmacy school destinations include:
- Drake University
- North Dakota State University
- Ohio State University
- South Dakota State University
- University of Minnesota Duluth
- University of Minnesota Twin Cities
- University of Wisconsin, Madison
UMN Morris also has an early assurance agreement with the UMN Twin Cities PharmD program.
UMN College of Pharmacy Early Assurance Program
The University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy Early Assurance Program provides a pathway for highly-qualified U of M students to receive conditional admission to the PharmD program at the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy. This means that as a UMN Morris pre-pharmacy student, you will be admitted to the PharmD program, pending completion of your undergraduate degree and other requirements. You will then be able to pursue a doctor of pharmacy degree in four years through the UMN College of Pharmacy. If you have a clear goal of pursuing a PharmD, the early assurance program can reduce the stress of the PharmD application process and provide extra support. If interested in being admitted to the University of Minnesota PharmD program, you must complete the entry requirements.
Explore UMN College of Pharmacy Early Assurance Program
Admission Test and Application
The Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT) takes about four hours to complete and is typically offered in July, September, October, November, January, and February. Subsets of the test include writing, biological processes, chemical processes, critical reading, and quantitative reasoning.
Most pharmacy schools, including the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy, require you to apply through the national Pharmacy College Application Service (PharmCAS). Be sure to check with each school you plan to apply to for specific application requirements.
The PharmCAS application and rolling admissions process opens in July. Typically, applications are reviewed in the order received and become limited as the year goes on. Generally, you must submit your
- PCAT scores,
- completed application,
- college transcripts, and
- three letters of reference.
For the U of M College of Pharmacy, all applicants with a complete and eligible application will be invited for an interview, after which the admissions committee will review your application holistically based on the selection criteria.
Costs and Scholarships
Costs at a Glance
The University of Minnesota Morris is a national public liberal arts college committed to making a high-quality education available to students from across the country. Expenses for housing, meals, books and supplies, transportation, loan fees, and personal expenditures can vary.
Use our net price calculator to estimate your cost of attendance
Scholarships
General Scholarship Requirements
All renewable scholarships are awarded on a per-semester basis for fall or spring terms only and require students to maintain a 2.5 cumulative GPA and be enrolled for at least 12 credits. The Prairie Scholars Award, Morris Scholars Award, and National Merit Scholar Winner Awards will replace any previous scholarship package award offers. National Merit scholarships cannot be combined with the Prairie or Morris Scholars Award.
Final scholarship packages may consist of academic scholarships and donor-funded scholarship awards. A student's award may be adjusted if institutional and outside awards cause the award to go over tuition and costs.
Research and Engagement
Research
As part of a major research university, UMN Morris provides you with access to digital and technological resources not usually found on residential undergraduate campuses. UMN Morris also offers stipend programs and an annual Undergraduate Research Symposium where you can present your research findings, giving you a competitive edge when it comes to graduate school. Multiple financial support programs are available for students who want to conduct undergraduate research.
Engagement
Thanks to strong relationships between UMN Morris and local medical providers, you may shadow medical professionals throughout the community. Several student organizations, including academic clubs, provide opportunities for you to connect with your peers and develop leadership skills.
You’ll also have access to service learning opportunities and a nationally recognized study abroad program. Both are ideal for preparing aspiring professionals to participate in a global community and economy.
