University Of Southern Nevada

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• 01. What is the minimum GPA required for admission to the Doctor of Pharmacy program at USN? What is a competitive overall GPA?

  The minimum cumulative grade point average is 2.8 on a 4.0 scale. However, admission is competitive and based on the candidate’s academic achievement score and, if granted, the average interview score. The academic achievement score consists of the overall grade point average, science/math prerequisite grade point average, number of prerequisites completed at time of application and though not required, receipt of Bachelors, Masters or other Doctoral level degrees. Candidates with the highest academic achievement scores receive an invitation for an interview. Admission offers are extended to candidates with the highest combined academic achievement and interview scores.

• 02. Is a Bachelor's Degree required for admission?

  No, only the pre-pharmacy requirements are necessary. However a degree can slightly increase your total admission score. If the evaluation of coursework taken outside of the U.S. determines that you have the equivalent of a BS/BA degree or higher awarded in the U.S., the Pharmacy Admissions Office will grant you credit for earning the degree. Only forty percent of those admitted in 2007 had a Bachelors degree or higher.

• 03. Are letters of recommendation required?

  No. Letters of recommendation are not required and are not accepted.

• 04. Does USN participate in PharmCAS?

  No, USN does not participate in PharmCAS. Please submit the application available on our website.

• 05. Is there an admission test requirement?

  No, the PCAT is not required.

• 06. Is pharmacy experience required? Do you give preference to candidates who have pharmacy experience or to pharmacy technicians?

  No, the College does not require applicants to have pharmacy experience. Candidates without pharmacy experience have the same chance of receiving an invitation to an interview for the program as those with pharmacy experience.

• 07. Is there an advantage to applying early?

  The College of Pharmacy does not give preference in the admissions process to candidates who apply early. However, candidates with competitive academic achievement scores who apply before December may be invited to participate in one of the initial interview days.

• 08. I am reapplying to the program - will it help or hurt my chances for receiving an offer of admission?

  The Pharmacy Admissions Office evaluates all applicants using the same formula. It will not help or hurt your chances of getting an interview.

• 09. What are the minimum prerequisites needed to be eligible to be considered for admission and enrollment into the program? Can I finish prerequisites in the spring and summer before I enroll?

  Applicants must possess a minimum overall GPA of 2.8 when they submit their application in order for the Pharmacy Admissions Office to review their application for admission.

  Candidates must complete a minimum of 60 semester hours (90 quarter hours) of study in an accredited college or university, earn a grade of “C” or better in all required science/math prerequisites courses and a “B” or better (beginning fall 2009) in English and Speech (see website for prerequisite listing) to be considered for enrollment in the program.

  Candidates must complete at least 4 of the 8 science/math prerequisites by the end of December, and the remaining prerequisites may be completed in the spring and summer before classes begin in the fall.

• 10. The College requires that I earn the equivalent 60 semester hours before enrolling in the program. However, the 10 prerequisites required for the program do not add up to 60 hours, what additional courses should I take to meet this requirement?

  You can fulfill the remaining hours with any additional subjects. The College of Pharmacy does not award any preference in the admissions process to candidates completing specific courses or earning degrees in particular majors.

• 11. I finished my prerequisites over seven years ago. Will they be accepted?

  YES. It is recommended however, that all coursework be completed within six years of the time of application to the program.

• 12. Must I have all the prerequisite courses completed before I apply?

  No, but you must have a plan in place which allows you to complete all requirements prior to entering the program. At least four of the eight science/math prerequisites must be completed by December in order to apply for the next fall enrollment. You may enroll in classes through the summer prior to entrance to fulfill requirements.

• 13. Can I take prerequisites at a community college? How do I know if the prerequisites offered at my college will satisfy USN's requirements?

  Yes, coursework can be taken at any accredited community college or university. If you have any questions whether a course you have taken or are planning to take meets the prerequisite requirements, please e-mail Dr. Michael DeYoung directly with course name and catalog description and he will e-mail you back and let you know if it fulfills USN’s requirements. A course syllabus may also be requested.

• 14. I completed five (5) semester hours of Human Anatomy and Physiology, do I need to take an additional human anatomy or human physiology class?

  Yes, you must take another anatomy and/or physiology class in order to fulfill the six (6) semester hours of lecture human anatomy and physiology prerequisite.

• 15. What is academic forgiveness and who is eligible to request this option?

  To improve your overall and/or science/math prerequisite GPA’s, anyone who has taken coursework five (5) years or longer since the date of applying to USN is eligible. However, applicants making this request must complete all ten required prerequisites within the last five years, including English Composition I and Speech. Transcripts from all post-secondary education institutions are still required. Pharmacy applicants requesting academic forgiveness are then evaluated using the same admissions formula. There is no deduction of points for requesting this option.

• 16. What do I need to do to be eligible to obtain a Nevada or Utah State Board of Pharmacy Intern License?

  Applicants must be eligible to obtain a NV or UT state board of pharmacy intern pharmacist certificate of registration in order to enroll in the program. Applicants who have any of the following conditions should check with the appropriate state board before applying to the program:

  If you have you been diagnosed or treated in the last five years for a mental illness or a physical condition that would impair your ability to perform any of the essential functions of your license, including alcohol or substance abuse; charged, arrested or convicted of a felony or misdemeanor; been a subject of an administrative action whether completed or pending; had a license suspended, revoked, surrendered or otherwise disciplined, including any action against my license that was not made public.

  The College will help you apply for this license.

• 17. I applied to USN last year or the year before. Do you still have my transcripts on file?

  Applicant files are retained for three years, however, you are required to fill out a new application each year you apply and follow the new procedures in place. New documents, including transcripts of grades received after your last application, are required.

• 18. Am I required to submit a resume with my supplemental application?

  No, resumes and personal statements are not required.

• 19. When is the application available? When is the deadline to apply?

  Admission is done annually. The application will be posted on the website no later than September for classes beginning the following fall. Please read the topic Admissions Timeline on the Admissions Requirements page for deadline information.

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• 01. Do I have to fill out a separate application for the Nevada and Utah campuses?

  No, there is only one application, one application fee and one ranking. All applications are processed in Nevada. You must indicate on the application if you wish to be considered for admission at a specific campus.

• 02. How will I know if my application has been received and complete?

  An e-mail will be sent within 3 weeks after your application packet is received by the Admission Office. A checklist of requirements to keep in your file is included in the application. If you are invited to an interview and anything is missing from your packet, you will be contacted.

• 03. May I call your office to find out the status of my application?

  The Pharmacy Admissions Office is not able to provide individuals with their application status over the phone. If you are invited to interview for the program and missing any documentation the Pharmacy Admissions Office will notify you.

• 04. When will I know if I will get an interview?

  The Pharmacy Admissions Office begins inviting candidates via e-mail and phone in late December for interviews and will continue issuing invitations through late March. Candidates with the most competitive academic achievement scores are invited to interview for the program.

• 05. I'm making changes to my contact information. How do I notify you?

  You must inform the USN College of Pharmacy Admissions Office in writing of all changes to your address and phone numbers. Please include full name, old and new information.

• 06. When and how will I be notified of my final admission status?

  The Pharmacy Admissions Office will notify all candidates of their final admission status in writing by the end of May.

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• 01. How many years does it take to receive a PharmD degree?

  USN offers a 3-year PharmD program using the block system.

• 02. Are both the Henderson, NV and South Jordan Campuses accredited?

  Yes, both campuses have the same program and are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) - see ACPE website.

• 03. May I attend your program part time?

  No, students must attend our program full time. Students are required to attend class Monday thru Thursday from 8:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. Friday schedule includes assessments and/or experiential training.

• 04. What are the tuition and fees for USN? What is the maximum amount I can borrow for a student loan? When should I apply for a student loan? Can I apply for FAFSA? Are there scholarships available?

  Please visit the Financial Aid & Scholarships topic on this website.

• 05. Is health insurance required? Where can I go to learn about the USN Student Health Insurance Plan?

  Yes, health insurance is required. If you do not have health insurance, you must obtain it through USN. Please read the Student Health Insurance topic in this website.

• 06. What year do clinical experiential rotations start? Can I complete rotations outside of Nevada and Utah?

  While our curriculum features exposure to pharmacy practice in the first two years of the program, the third and final year emphasizes rotation in a variety of clinical pharmacy practice settings. Students already enrolled in the program may contact the Office of Clinical Programs to request to complete rotations out-of-state. However, the College makes no guarantees that it will be able to grant these requests.

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• 01. How do I know if I need the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) examination?

  Beginning in fall 2009 ALL applicants must receive a grade of A or B in the English and Speech prerequisites in order to be enrolled. Therefore, the TOEFL test will not be required.

• 02. Can I apply to USN if I am an international student?

  Yes, if you have an F1 visa status, an I-20 and a U.S. social security number.

• 03. I have completed coursework outside of the United States. Should I have my international transcript evaluated prior to applying?

  Yes, international course work must be evaluated by World Education Services (WES) or Josef Silny & Associates (JSA). Please do not submit foreign transcripts. The Admissions Office only reviews the results of the WES or JSA evaluations.

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• 01. Is on-campus housing available at USN?

  On-campus housing is not available, however, there are many apartment complexes and homes within a 10-20 minute drive from both our Henderson, Nevada and South Jordan, Utah campuses. Once students are admitted into the pharmacy program, they are able to participate in a roommate and housing database.

• 02. What are the admission and graduation statistics at USN College of Pharmacy?

  • Fall 2007 over 1600 applications received
  • Over 500 interviews conducted
  • Average overall GPA for those who apply: 3.4
  • Average overall GPA for those admitted: 3.7
  • Over 220 students admitted each year
  • Over 94% of admitted students complete the program
  • USN College of Pharmacy graduates exceed national averages on licensure exams