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    Admissions

    Pharmacists are essential on the frontlines. Our 3.5 year program allows you to join the work force sooner.

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Learn how you can earn your Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) in 3.5 years taught with a hybrid format using a variety of focused opportunities!

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Start the path to a rewarding professional career with the heart of Christian service. Scholarships available!

Alert! 2024 application cycle is now open! - visit pharmcas.org to begin your application process.

Admissions requirements and standards are designed to ensure scholastic success in the professional Pharm.D. program. Selecting a candidate for the future practice of pharmacy involves many important factors, including academic background, test scores, letters of reference and pharmacy experience. A qualified applicant will be invited to visit the College of Pharmacy for a required personal interview. Because admission information is updated regularly, applicants should verify current requirements on the College of Pharmacy website. The most current admission information will always be posted at this site.

Admission to the 3.5 year Doctor of Pharmacy degree program requires completion of a minimum of 64 semester hours of preprofessional education at an accredited college or university. This typically takes two years of preprofessional study. Application can be made after the completion of 30 semester hours of college coursework. Federal financial aid eligibility for the Doctor of Pharmacy degree program begins when a student has earned a minimum of 72 semester hours of combined preprofessional and graduate coursework. 

Applications are made through PharmCAS.

Pharmacy Prerequisites


Courses
Semester Hours
General Chemistry - lab required 
8
Organic Chemistry - lab required
8
Microbiology - lab required
4
Biology - Choose from A&P, Genetics, Cell Biology, Biology 1 & 2
8
Math or Science Options  6 - 8

Math Choose from:

1) Calculus

2) College Algebra & Pre-Calculus

3) College Algebra & Trigonometry

4-6
Statistics 3
Psychology or Sociology 
3
Speech
3
English Composition 
6
Economics (Macro recommended) or Accounting
3
General Electives
6 - 8
Total Prerequisites

64

  • Applicants should possess a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.5 (preferred) on a 4.0 scale on all previous college work; grades for all undergraduate coursework attempted are included in the calculation of the overall undergraduate GPA which is the primary GPA used in the admissions process
  • Grades below "C" cannot be accepted for any math or science course
  • No more than 6 hours of CLEP or credit by examination will be accepted to meet the pre-pharmacy requirements; such credit must be listed on the official transcript
  • Advanced Placement (AP) credit may be used to satisfy prerequisite coursework provided that the AP credit is accepted by the applicant's institution and is posted on the applicant's official academic transcript
  • All science courses must be majors courses; non-majors courses will not fulfill the requirements
  • The speech requirement should be fulfilled with a public speaking course
  • The economics requirement must be fulfilled with either a microeconomics, macroeconomics or accounting
  • No credit toward the 64 semester hour requirement will be accepted for military science or physical education courses
  • The calculus requirement may not be fulfilled with a business calculus course
  • All pre-pharmacy course requirements must be satisfied prior to matriculation
  • Students must have a minimum of 72 semester hours of undergraduate coursework completed prior to enrollment to be eligible for consideration for graduate or professional level Federal Student Loan assistance.  

Prospective pharmacy students are strongly encouraged to obtain work experience in a pharmacy setting. An example of appropriate experience is as a pharmacy technician in either a hospital or community pharmacy.

Personal interviews for the next entering class will begin in September. Throughout the duration of the interview process, applicants are accepted to the Doctor of Pharmacy program on a continual basis until the class is full.

Application Process

Application Procedures

  1. All applicants are required to submit the PharmCAS application via the PharmCAS website: www.pharmcas.org. Students should submit the PharmCAS application, application fee, and have official transcripts from each university attended sent to PharmCAS.

  2. Prerequisite coursework must be completed prior to matriculation; however, coursework may be in progress or planned at the time of application without it negatively impacting a student’s application.

  3. All application materials must be completed and postmarked by the application deadline to be considered for interviews.

  4. Timeline/Deadlines
    • July 14, 2023 - PharmCAS Application Cycle Opens
    • May 1, 2024 - Application Deadline

  5. The PCAT is not required.

  6. Rolling Admissions: Personal interviews for the next entering class will begin in September. Throughout the duration of the interview process, qualified applicants are accepted to the Doctor of Pharmacy program on a continual basis until the class is full.

  7. Prospective pharmacy students are strongly encouraged to obtain work experience in a pharmacy setting. An example of appropriate experience is as a pharmacy technician in either a hospital or community pharmacy.

Please contact the Office of Student Affairs and Admissions if you have further questions. Direct all materials and inquiries to:

Mailing Address:
Harding University College of Pharmacy
Office of Admissions
915 E. Market Avenue, HU 12230
Searcy, AR 72149-5615

Phone: 501-279-5528
Fax: 501-279-5525
Email: pharmacy@harding.edu

Application Review Process

You will receive confirmation of receipt of application materials via email approximately one week after submitting your materials. If additional information is required, you will be notified and given adequate time to submit the required items.

International Applicant Requirements
  1. Submit all application materials as requested in the “Application Procedures” section.
  2. If English is not your native language you must send TOEFL scores. Harding University’s TOEFL code is 6267. The TOEFL is not required if an applicant completes a BA or BS degree within the United States.
  3. Submit documentation of financial ability to pay all expenses for the first year of study at Harding University College of Pharmacy, and demonstrate adequate coverage for health insurance in the United States.
  4. If currently in the United States, a copy of the student’s status with the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) (i.e. I-20, I-94, and F-1 or H-4Visa). International students MUST have a U.S. Social Security Number in order to apply for an Arkansas Intern License.
  5. Harding University’s College of Pharmacy will not accept or review foreign course work. Courses completed at a college or university outside the United States must be evaluated by World Education Services (WES) www.wes.org or a similar organization. Credit will be given only for the number of hours as evaluated by WES or that is transferred to a U.S. accredited college or university.
Accreditation

Harding University's College of Pharmacy program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education, 190 S. LaSalle Street Suite 2850, Chicago, IL  60603; 312-664-3575; fax: 312-664-4652; website: www.acpe-accredit.org.

Curriculum 3.5 Plan

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Guaranteed Seat Placement

The Guaranteed Seat Program (GSP) is intended to guarantee highly qualified students a position in the College of Pharmacy Pharm.D. program after the successful completion of prerequisite courses and maintenance of certain academic criteria at Harding University.

To be eligible for the College of Pharmacy’s Guaranteed Seat Program students must meet the following requirements:

  1. Be enrolled/accepted to Harding University for prerequisite courses
  2. Attain an ACT composite score of at least 26, SAT total of 1230, or CLT total of 81
  3. Apply for admission to the Guaranteed Seat Program by emailing pharmacy@harding.edu by December 15th of your sophomore year.
  4. Complete a successful interview with the College of Pharmacy

Once admitted to the GSP, a student must meet the following academic requirements in order to successfully matriculate into the Pharm.D. program:

  1. Complete all math and science prerequisites at Harding University* under the guidance of the pre-pharmacy advisor at Harding University
  2. Attain a minimum cumulative grade point average of at least 3.25 in all course work and a math/science grade point average of at least 3.00
  3. Begin the Pharm.D. program no later than three years after beginning pre-pharmacy course work
  4. Adhere to the Code of Conduct at Harding University
  5. Meet with a College of Pharmacy faculty mentor one time each semester
  6. Apply through PharmCAS by September 5, the year before matriculation into the Doctor of Pharmacy Program
  7. Complete a successful interview for the Pharm.D. program

Completion of these requirements:

  • Guarantees a student admission to the Pharm.D. program if all pre-pharmacy requirements for guaranteed seat are achieved. Students who do not achieve all requirements remain eligible to apply for admission to the Pharm.D. program at Harding University without guaranteed admission
  • Qualifies the student for a $10,000 scholarship for the student’s first year. This scholarship is available for renewal during the P2 year by maintaining a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher in the P1 year, participating in one or more pharmacy professional organizations and adhering to the Code of Conduct at Harding University as well as the professionalism standards of the College of Pharmacy.

* Advanced Placement (AP) credit(s) accepted by Harding University meet this requirement. Math and science prerequisites completed at other regionally accredited post-secondary institutions may be allowed but must have prior approval from the Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs for the College of Pharmacy.

Program Costs

Program cost for 2023-24 academic year:

Summer Fall/Spring
First professional year* $1,079/credit hour $1,079/credit hour
Second professional year $1,079/credit hour $1,079/credit hour
Third professional year $8,090 $16,180/semester
Fourth professional year $8,090 $16,180/semester
*In Summer 2022 the program switched to a per hour tuition rate rather than a semester block rate. Students who began the program prior to Summer 2022 will continue with block pricing. The 23-24 rates are displayed above. Tuition for P3-P4 students taking fewer than 7 hours per summer term or 12 hours per fall/spring term is $1,079/credit hour.  

  • Program fee $1,000 per semester (fall and spring) $500/summer
  • Books: $600 - $1,000 per semester (fall and spring)
  • Travel to practice experience sites: approximately $200 per semester P1 - P3 years; approximately $500 per practice experience during P4 year
  • University Technology Fee $324/per term 
  • Graduation fee $315
  • Other student costs may include: laptop computer, room and board, health insurance, professional liability insurance, costs associated with clinical rotations such as food, lodging (if required) and any other requirements of the clinical site (e.g., criminal background check and/or drug screening); all of these are approximate costs and are subject to change

Note: Tuition and fees are subject to change based on the recommendation and approval of the Board of Trustees. Any new tuition and fee schedule is effective at the beginning of the summer term.

Learn more about the Federal Financial Aid Cost of Attendance and find a comprehensive listing of expenses that may be associated with enrollment.

For specific financial aid information, contact the Student Financial Services Office at 501-279-4081.

Scholarships

Dean's scholarships 

  • Awarded to top 10% of each class

Academic scholarships 

  • Awarded to incoming students based on PCAT, GPA and interview scores 
    Organization scholarships: 
  • Walgreens, CVS and other pharmacy-related organizations provide 
    $500-$2,000 scholarships for students who apply and are selected; 
  • Honors, Awards and Scholarship Committee selects recipients 

Financial aid information: 

Contact the Student Financial Services Office at 501-279-4257. 


Tuition and fees are subject to change based on the recommendation and approval of Harding's Board of Trustees. Any new tuition and fee schedule is effective at the beginning of the fall term. 

Students are required to authorize and submit to a criminal background check with fingerprinting, including background checks for sex offenses and crimes against minors to obtain an Arkansas pharmacy intern license; some clinical sites require updated criminal background checks and random drug testing; these additional costs would be the students' responsibility; non-compliance with the criminal background checks and/or drug testing policies may be cause for dismissal from the program.

Other Pharmacy Scholarship Resources

harding.edu/gradresources

www.ncpafoundation.org/scholarships.shtml

 

Considering a Career in Pharmacy?

Pharmacists are visible and trusted leaders in the community who play a vital role in our healthcare. When you open the door to Pharmacy, the opportunities and settings are endless! Learn more.

Open House

Come and visit!

We welcome you to request a virtual information session and learn more about our program. However, our campus is open and available for tours. Let us create a personalized visit for you! 

Contact Kathryn Robison mkrobison1@harding.edu for more information.

Requirements Following Admission

Proficiency in basic computer skills (word-processing, databases, Internet searches, e-mail) is expected of all entering students, as the curriculum will incorporate the use of computer technology. Additionally, all students in the program will be expected to have access to the Internet. Students are required to have their own laptop computer upon entry into the program. All students will be expected to purchase or have the required medical equipment needed to meet program requirements. This will include acquiring an approved lab coat with a school issued patch.

Each student must carry professional liability insurance coverage, which is included in tuition.

Portions of the curriculum require travel to various locations. Clinical experiences entail travel to clinical sites. Students must provide their own transportation to experiential sites and classroom activities. It is therefore required that all pharmacy students have a means of transportation. This includes a valid driver's license and current auto liability insurance if transportation is to be provided through a personal vehicle. Doctor of Pharmacy students are responsible for all costs associated with travel and off campus clinical experiences. Transportation and food are the most common out-of pocket expenses. Some sites will require additional living arrangements to be made, which will be the student's responsibility.

To obtain an Arkansas pharmacy intern license, students are required to authorize and submit to a criminal background check with fingerprinting, including sex offenses and crimes against minors. An Arkansas pharmacy intern license is required for participation in the Doctor of Pharmacy program. Inability to obtain an Arkansas pharmacy intern license would be cause for dismissal from the Doctor of Pharmacy program. Some students may also be expected to submit to random drug testing required by clinical practice sites. These additional costs are the students' responsibility. Non-compliance with the criminal background checks and/or drug testing policies may be cause for dismissal from the program. Criminal background checks and drug screens are common pre-employment procedures.

Health Policies

Applicants selected for admission to the program must provide evidence of good health, no communicable diseases, and required immunizations and screenings prior to matriculation. Forms are available to those accepted into the program.

Immunizations and screening tests required are as follows:

  1. Hepatitis B series and titer (this can take up to 7 months to complete).
  2. Two MMRs or positive measles, mumps, and rubella titer.
  3. Tetanus/diphtheria (DPT, DTaP, or Td) primary series and Tetanus-Diphtheria-Pertussis (Tdap) booster; booster must be kept up-to-date through completion of the fourth professional year.
  4. Evidence of varicella immunity is required by written documentation of one of the following: two doses of varicella vaccine given at least 28 days apart, or laboratory confirmation of immunity (titer).
  5. Results of a PPD tuberculin skin test (measurements must be in millimeters), a QuantiFERON Gold test, or a chest X-ray performed within three months prior to matriculation and must be repeated annually while enrolled.
  6. Influenza vaccine is required but will be administered by the College during the fall semester.
Additionally, all pharmacy students are required to maintain health insurance and CPR certification. A copy of the front and back of the health insurance card should be submitted to myRecordTracker prior to admission and annually while in the program. 

Admissions Staff

Please let us know if we can assist you in any way!

Jeanie Smith

Jeanie Smith
Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and Admissions
Associate Professor
Pharm.D., Southwestern Oklahoma State University; Community Pharmacy Residency, Marcrom's Pharmacy/University of Tennessee

E-mail: jsmith17@harding.edu

K Robison

Kathryn Robison
Pharmacy Admissions Counselor
B.A., Harding University

E-mail: mkrobison1@harding.edu

Contact Us

College of Pharmacy

501-279-5528

pharmacy@harding.edu

Location: Farrar Center for Health Sciences