Pharmacists help patients with almost anything related to the use of medications and are one of the most accessible members of the healthcare team.  Pharmacists are a key member in the medication distribution process to ensure patients receive medications safely.  They advise patients, as well as physicians and other health practitioners, on the selection, dosages, interactions, and side effects of medications. Pharmacists monitor the health and progress of patients to ensure the medications are working safely and effectively.  Many pharmacists work in a community setting, such as a drugstore, or in a health care facility, such as a hospital.

Some pharmacists specialize in specific drug therapy areas, such as oncology, nuclear pharmacy, nutrition support, geriatrics, pediatrics, and psychiatric pharmacy. Some conduct research for pharmaceutical manufacturers, developing new drugs and therapies and testing their effects on people and animals. Others work in marketing or sales, providing expertise to clients on a medication’s use, effectiveness, and possible side effects. Some pharmacists work for health insurance companies, developing pharmacy benefit packages and carrying out cost-benefit analyses on certain drugs. Other pharmacists work for the government, managed care organizations, public health care services, or the armed services. Finally, some pharmacists are employed as college faculty, teaching classes, and performing research in a wide range of areas. (Some content taken from the Occupational Outlook Handbook)

Students attend a four-year professional pharmacy program after completing two or more years of undergraduate pre-pharmacy coursework. The University of Iowa offers a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree, which is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE).  Some graduates may further their education by applying to pharmacy residency programs.

Sample Pharmacy Interest Academic Plans

Plan A: Starting with General Chemistry and Pre-Calculus

Year 1:

Year 2:

Year 3:

Plan B: Starting with Principles of Chemistry and Calculus (two-year sequence)

Year 1:

Year 2:

Starting with Principles of Chemistry and Calculus I (three-year sequence)

Plan C: Starting with Principles of Chemistry and Calculus (three-year sequence)

Year 1:

Year 2:

Year 3

The Application Process

UI College of Pharmacy Admissions Profile: Fall 2026

• 99 students matriculated; most popular undergraduate majors were Biology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Chemistry, and Microbiology
• Approximately 39% of students had a Bachelor’s Degree or higher
• Average GPA of matriculated class: 3.5
• Average Science GPA for matriculated class: 3.3
• 57 Iowa Residents; 42 Non-residents
• 17 Self-reported First-Generation students

The Application Process

Students should begin researching schools early in their academic careers as programs have different admission requirements. Students can apply to over 100 pharmacy schools, including the UI College of Pharmacy, by completing their initial application through the web-based Pharmacy College Application Service (PharmCAS) at pharmcas.org. Programs not participating in PharmCAS accept applications directly to their schools. Schools using PharmCAS may or may not require a supplemental application; check with each program. PharmCAS also has in-depth information about preparing to apply, a list of pharmacy schools, and important deadlines. 

UI Pharmacy applicants must have a minimum of 16 General Education credits to apply; six of these should be from Social Sciences.  For UI admission in Fall 2025, applications are accepted between mid-July 2024 through March 3, 2025.  Each applicant must complete the PharmCAS application which includes letters of reference, a personal essay, and official transcripts. For UI admission, a supplemental application and fee is not required.  Applicants must also meet UI’s technical standards. For more information, please contact the Director of Admissions, Liz Davis (liz-davis@uiowa.edu

Preferred Admission Program
UI offer an preferred admissions program for high school candidates. These students are advised by College of Pharmacy advisors.

Letters of Reference
Two letters of reference are required; additional letters will also be accepted. Letters are processed through the PharmCAS application service and may be submitted electronically. These letters can be from an employer, professor, pharmacist, supervisor of a community service project, etc. They may not come from a family member or friend. 

Interviews
Interviews vary by school; students should check with their individual schools for interview timelines. The UI College of Pharmacy requires individual interviews either online or in person.  Applicants selected for an interview will be contacted via email. Interviews are held September-May.  Interview day consists of a 30-minute closed-file interview with 2 or 3 interviewers, a written essay, a tour of the Pharmacy Building given by current pharmacy students, a faculty panel, current student panel, and overview of the PharmD program.  Practice interviews are available through the UI Career Center in C310 Pomerantz Center.

Criminal Background Checks
The PharmCAS requires applicants to report any felony and misdemeanor convictions.  The UI College of Pharmacy performs criminal background checks on newly enrolled students.   Other schools may participate in a centralized criminal background check and drug screening as well. Applicants using PharmCAS will also need to sign a Code of Conduct. 

Citizenship/International Students
Pharmacy schools differ as to whether they accept U.S. permanent residents and/or foreign citizens. Applicants are encouraged to check PharmCAS (under School Directory>PharmD Directory>International Applicants) for each school’s admission policy.   The UI College of Pharmacy will consider applications from U.S. citizens, U.S. permanent residents, Canadian, and other foreign citizens. 

Resources

Student Organization
Students wanting to learn more about the profession should attend PhARM @ UI (previously named Pre-Pharmacy Club) meetings which provide educational and social opportunities for pre-pharmacy students. Meetings feature pharmacy student and alumni panels, fun social and compounding events, and talks by pharmacists. Email pharmacy-admissions@uiowa.edu to learn more.

Websites
UI College of Pharmacy: pharmacy.uiowa.edu
Pharmacy College Application Service (PharmCAS): pharmcas.org
Pharmacy is Right for Me: https://pharmacyforme.org

_____16 credits General Education Electives are needed to apply with 6 of those 16 sh from within the Social Sciences (ANTH, ECON, POLI, PSY, or SOC). 24 sh General Education Electives are needed to graduate from the Pharm.D. program.

Notes

* Students must earn a C- or higher on each course listed above for the UI College of Pharmacy.
** The UI College of Pharmacy recommends that students take their chemistry and biology sequences at the same school
*** Preferred. Only take different course if time conflict.
**** One year of high school physics or PHYS:1400 Basic Physics with or without a lab must be completed, or a physics course equivalent to PHYS:1400 with or without a lab. Online coursework is approved.
Please note: The above are prerequisites for the UI College of Pharmacy. Other pharmacy programs may have different requirements. Check the websites of individual schools or contact your pre-pharmacy advisor for more information.

Please note: The above are prerequisites for the UI College of Pharmacy. Other pharmacy programs may have different requirements. Check the websites of individual schools or contact your pre-pharmacy advisor for more information.

This form is to be used as a planning tool. Your degree audit is the official record of degree requirements.

Academic Advising Center, updated 8/2026