You are ready to begin applying to the UW‒Madison School of Pharmacy after you have made plans to complete your 72 credits of prerequisite college-level courses at any accredited institution. Prerequisites do not need to be completed at the time of application but must be completed before you begin the PharmD program in the fall. Summer coursework is acceptable.

All prerequisite courses can be taken online and must be completed with a grade of C- or better. In addition, courses taken for P (Pass), CR (Credit), or SD (Satisfactory-Disruption) during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic through the Spring of 2021 semester may be used to satisfy prerequisite requirements.

Update to the prerequisite requirements for Fall 2023:

Physics lab will no longer be required.
Social science, diversity (ethnic studies), and humanities requirements will no longer be individual/distinctive requirements. Instead, applicants must complete four courses (and a minimum of 12 credits) of general elective coursework in social science, humanities, foreign language or diversity studies. This requirement will also be satisfied if you earn a bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. institution prior to matriculation.

PharmD Prerequisite Courses

You can use the prerequisite grids below to ensure you meet all standards or track your academic progress.

The Admissions Committee may be concerned about math and science coursework that may have been completed more than 10 years ago. If this may apply to you, consult with our admissions advisor regarding your specific situation.

**If an applicant earns a bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. institution, the English Composition/Communication “A” and the General Elective coursework requirements (4 course/12 credits in Social Science, Humanities, Foreign Language, or Diversity Studies) will be satisfied.

A calculus course designed for math or science majors.

A general chemistry I & II course sequence (2 courses). Labs required.

An organic chemistry I & II course sequence (2 courses). Labs required. The lab can either be a part of each lecture component or can be a standalone 2-credit lab.

A complete two-semester integrated sequence of general biology, to include a strong foundation in both organismal biology and cellular/molecular/genetic biology. If a sequence of general biology is not available, then a combination of a single general biology course combined with an advanced course in cellular/molecular/genetic biology will be accepted. Labs required for general biology sequences. Lab preferred for advanced biology option.

A microbiology course focusing on the study of microorganisms and their activities; emphasis on structure, function, ecology, physiology, and genetics. A lab is not required.

If Human Physiology course is taken, only one course is required.
If Anatomy and Physiology I & II are taken both courses in the two-course sequence are required.

A one semester course, either algebra or calculus-based. Lab is not required.

A college-level statistics course will satisfy this requirement.

An English composition course, or coursework equivalent to the UW‒Madison Communication “A” requirement.

This requirement will be satisfied if you earn a bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. institution prior to matriculation.

Four courses (and a minimum of 12 credits) of general elective coursework in social science, humanities, foreign language, or diversity studies. This requirement will be satisfied if you earn a bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. institution prior to matriculation.

Applicants must complete a minimum of 72 total credits before beginning the PharmD program.

AP & IB Test Credit Policies

If your AP/IB tests appear as completed courses on your pre-pharmacy transcript, we will honor your school’s test score requirements. For example, if you earn credit for general chemistry at your college through an AP test, the PharmD program will give you credit for this course.

If you completed prerequisite coursework at UW–Madison, AP and IB test credits will be granted according to the UW‒Madison Credit by Exam policies.

International Coursework

While many of our program prerequisites can be completed outside of the United States, the English Composition requirement must be completed at an accredited college or university within the U.S.