Colleges and schools of pharmacy offer the Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree program in various lengths and structures. Students in all programs begin the professional phase of the Pharm.D. curriculum after they have successfully completed all pre-pharmacy coursework. Pre-pharmacy course requirements also vary by institution. See the descriptions below. More comparisons of Pharm.D. Programs can be found here.
Pre-Pharmacy Coursework
0 (Zero) years of pre-pharmacy coursework (i.e., Direct Admissions or 0-6 program):
Students are admitted directly from high school and may advance to the professional phase of the program via an expedited process if they successfully complete all of the program’s pre-pharmacy, admissions, and interview requirements. Most seats in the Pharm.D. program are filled with students admitted via the Direct or “0-6 program” route.
2 (Two) Year Pre-Pharmacy Structure:
Program structure requires a minimum of 2 years of pre-pharmacy study.
3 (Three) Year Pre-Pharmacy Structure:
Program structure requires a minimum of 3 years of pre-pharmacy study.
4 (Four) Year Pre-Pharmacy Structure:
Program structure requires a minimum of 4 years of pre-pharmacy study.
Bachelor’s Degree:
Program structure requires a bachelor’s degree as part of the pre-pharmacy study.
Early Assurance:
Students are admitted directly from high school and may advance to the professional phase of the program via an expedited process if they successfully complete all of the program’s pre-pharmacy, admissions, and interview requirements. Typically, half or fewer seats in the Pharm.D. program are filled via the Early Assurance route.
Professional Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) Structure
3 (Three) Year Pharm.D. (i.e., Accelerated):
The professional curriculum is scheduled year-round over three years, so students may complete the Pharm.D. degree within a shorter timeframe.
3.5 (Three and a Half) Year Pharm.D.:
The professional curriculum is scheduled year-round over three and a half years, so students may complete the Pharm.D. degree within a shorter timeframe.
4 (Four) Year Pharm.D.:
The professional curriculum is scheduled over four academic years with breaks for summer and winter.
Direct Admissions 6 (Six) Year Pharm.D.:
Students are admitted directly from high school and may advance to the professional phase of the program via an expedited process if they successfully complete all of the program’s pre-pharmacy, admissions, and interview requirements. Most seats in the Pharm.D. program are filled with students admitted via the Direct or “0-6 program” route.
Extended 6 (Six) Year Pharm.D.:
The professional curriculum is scheduled over six academic years to allow more flexibility for students who may need to work or have other responsibilities.