At the University of Charleston School of Pharmacy, our program offers: 

• Small classes and personalized attention, with average class sizes of 30-35
• Individual connections through a 5:1 student to faculty ratio
• Learn from nationally recognized faculty, actively practicing in their field, every step of the way
• Holistic admissions process- we look at you as a whole person, and not just the numbers
• Unique clinical rotations from Alaska to Puerto Rico - whether you want to explore somewhere new or stay local to the region, with over 620 rotations there is something for everyone. Your 1,904 experiential hours are built into the curriculum & arranged by our Office of Experiential Education.
• Opportunities to participate in community outreach and rural health initiatives in vaccination efforts, disease management, medication adherence & safety, substance use disorders, and more.
• Achieve competency in 6 core areas- leadership, advocacy, public health, inter-professional education, cultural awareness, and innovation & entrepreneurship
• Certifications in Immunization, Point of Care Testing, Medication Therapy Management, Oncology Basics, and more included in the curriculum
• Employment rates above 90% within first year of graduation.
• UC is ranked #1 in Diversity & Campus Safety in West Virginia
• One of the most affordable 4-yr, private school tuitions in the country

For those ready to start Fall 2024, we are now accepting PharmCAS applications. Visit www.pharmcas.org to apply. The UCSOP PharmCAS Application deadline June 1, 2024.  Priority Deadline is November 1, 2023.

The PCAT exam is now optional  

Schedule an appointment to learn more, or contact pharmacy@ucwv.edu 

The University of Charleston is a small private university located in Charleston, West Virginia, a community of approximately 200,000 people located in the south central part of the state. Our 40-acre campus rests amidst magnificent mountains, rivers, and the capital city. 

The city is alive with fun restaurants, shops, historic sites, a civic center, theaters, malls, a municipal auditorium, and plenty of outdoor recreation. The university has a rich history of learner-centered and outcomes-based education. From our beautiful residence halls and spirited campus events to our diverse clubs and championship athletic teams, UC offers one of the most enjoyable educational experiences in the region. In addition, the close proximity of our School of Pharmacy to three hospital systems and the State Capitol allows for many experiential education and advocacy experiences for our students. 

Learn more about the beautiful city of Charleston, West Virginia, or view the Charleston video at the bottom of this page.
 

Admissions Requirements

The UCSOP is committed to developing effective pharmacists who have not only the skills and ability to practice pharmacy, but the desire and intent on being a leader in their future practice environment and in the profession of pharmacy.  Our admissions process is designed to obtain a global view of the applicant.  Additionally, the potential for success in the PharmD program and the aptitude to become a good steward and professional citizen in the profession of pharmacy are very important measures assessed in the admissions process. 

At the UCSOP, we use a holistic approach when considering applicants for admission. While a grade point average of 2.75+ is considered competitive, all applications are thoroughly reviewed and considered for an interview. 

Competitive applicants will be invited to join us on campus or virtually for an interview. The interview panels consist of two faculty members. Each interview is 30 minutes in duration. The interview process is designed to ascertain the applicant’s strengths in the non-cognitive areas of interest identified as important measures and potential for success in the school’s pharmacy program. 

For additional information, please visit www.ucwv.edu/pharmacy.

Prerequisites Required for Admission (56 Credit Hours):

• Human Anatomy & Physiology, with labs (8 Credits)
• General Biology, with Labs (8 Credits)
• Microbiology, with Lab (4 Credits)
• General Chemistry, with Labs (8 Credits)
• Organic Chemistry, with Labs (8 Credits)
   
• Calculus (3 Credits)
• Statistics (2 Credits)
   
• Economics (3 Credits)
• English Composition (6 Credits)
• History or Political Science (3 Credits)
• Psychology or Sociology (3 Credits)

All coursework must be completed with a C- or above, prior to starting the program. 

For a Courtesy Transcript Evaluation, please email your unofficial transcript to pharmacy@ucwv.edu. 
We can confirm exactly which prereqs are met and which need to be completed.  
 

Pre-Pharmacy Program (Pharmacy Direct)

Not ready to start Pharmacy School yet? The Pharmacy Direct Program provides you the opportunity to complete undergraduate and graduate-level pharmacy coursework all in one place.  Pharmacy Direct students are guaranteed admission into the UC School of Pharmacy contingent upon successful completion of all progression requirements.  This program is structured so that students can enter pharmacy school two to three years after they begin undergraduate coursework.

To learn more, please visit: https://www.ucwv.edu/academics/majors-degrees/pharmacy-direct/ 
 

Our Curriculum

UCSOP offers a 4-yr curriculum preparing you to practice in today’s rapidly changing health care environment, across a diverse spectrum of practice areas, including community, hospital, outpatient, industry, research, government, and academic settings. It features a longitudinal approach, bridging the gap between the foundational sciences and clinical practice and allowing you to build upon knowledge and skills each year.

From a state of the art facility, to an in-house patient care clinic, the UCSOP makes it possible for students to participate in delivering pharmacy services to real patient’s just steps away from their academic classroom and labs. From the beginning, we envisioned a different kind of school of pharmacy -- one where the role of pharmacy was shaped by community-focused students and caring, hands-on faculty in an intimate environment.

UCSOP uses a holistic admissions process to identify talented, qualified, and committed individuals through a competitive admissions process.

Learn more about the University of Charleston School of Pharmacy: 

• www.ucwv.edu/pharmacy
• PharmCAS School Director Page
• Schedule an Appointment with Stacie Geise, Executive Director of Enrollment & Admissions