Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

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Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD)

The Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program began admission in Fall 2018. 

1. Minimum Requirements
   The minimum requirements for admission to the Pharmacy Program are the satisfactory completion of ★60 of University transferable work, including: 

1. General Chemistry (★6)
2. Organic Chemistry (★6)
3. English (which may include up to ★3 in Writing Studies) (★6)
4. Biology (Cell Biology) (★3)
5. Biochemistry (★3)
6. Mathematics (Algebra or Calculus) (★3)
7. Statistics (★3)
8. Microbiology (★3) 
9. Human Physiology (★6)

2. Other Requirements
   1. Spoken English Requirement: Applicants must meet a spoken English requirement (see Spoken English Requirement )
   2. Letter of Intent: Applicants must submit a letter with their application for admission stating their career goals, related experience, and reasons for seeking admission to the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. 
   3. Pharmacist Consultation: Applicants must submit a Pharmacist Consultation Form with their application for admission stating their knowledge of the profession.
   4. Interview: An interview is required as part of the admission process.

Note: Applicants who have sequential high school background courses in Chemistry, English, Mathematics, and Biology will best be prepared to succeed in the Pre-pharmacy program.

3. Selection Process
   1. The Admissions Committee has the responsibility of selecting from among the applicants those individuals who have demonstrated promise to successfully complete the program and gain licensure as pharmacists. Pharmacy has a quota of 130 places and admission is competitive. The number of applicants exceeds the number of available spaces and therefore not all qualified candidates will be offered admission. 
   2.  Applicants are ranked primarily on academic achievement including that in the prerequisite courses, overall academic achievement (emphasizing recent academic performance), and a demonstrated ability to perform well in consecutive Fall/Winter Terms of full-time study (preferably ★30). Other criteria included the structured essay and a personal interview (see Other Requirements). The Pharmacist Consultation is needed to establish direct contact with and knowledge of the profession. Further details regarding the letter of intent, the interview, and U of A courses that can be used to meet minimum requirements are available on the Faculty of Pharmacy website at www.pharm.ualberta.ca/prospectivestudents.aspx. 

Aboriginal Applicants

The Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences may provide one position to an Aboriginal applicant, over the regular quota of 130 students. Students who are of Aboriginal identity within the meaning of the Constitution Act, 1982, Section 35(2) will be considered in this category (Admission of Aboriginal Applicants ). Proof of Aboriginal status, to be provided as part of the application for admission, is required for consideration of this position (Proof of Aboriginal Ancestry ).

Candidates will be subject to admission as outlined in Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD), and to approval by the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Admissions Committee. If there are no qualified Aboriginal students in any given year, this position will not be allocated to other applicants.

Aboriginal student applicants should contact the Coordinator, Native Health Care Careers, for individual counselling and career planning. See also Admission of Aboriginal Applicants .

Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) for BScPharm Students

Students completing Year 3 of the BScPharm program (see Program of Courses ) may be eligible for admission to the PharmD for BScPharm Students program. Contact the Faculty for further information. 

Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) for Practicing Pharmacists 

1. Minimum Requirements
   The minimum requirements for admission to the PharmD for Practicing Pharmacists program is an entry to practice pharmacy degree from a recognized institution. Normally, an overall GPA of at least 3.0 or equivalent in the entry to practice pharmacy degree is required.
2. Other Requirements
   1. Proof of current licensure or eligibility for licensure as a pharmacist in the jurisdiction where direct patient care experiential placements will be completed (see Note)
   2. Authorization to administer drugs by injection where legislated. (see Note)
   3. Official transcripts from the entry to practice pharmacy program and any other postsecondary education completed
   4. Spoken English Requirement: Applicants must meet a spoken English requirement (see Spoken English Requirement )
   5. Curriculum vitae (CV)
   6. Cover Letter
   7. Letters of reference
   8. Personal interview

For further details on the above other requirements, please see PharmD for Practicing Pharmacists on the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Studies website: www.ualberta.ca/pharmacy.

Note: Proof of current licensure as a pharmacist in the jurisdiction(s) where direct patient care experiential placements will be completed (and authorization to administer drugs by injection where legislated) can occur after admission to the program, but must be provided prior to commencing the first placement (see Promotion and/or Continuation ).

3. Selection Process
   1. The Admissions Committee has the responsibility of selecting from among the applicants those individuals who have the highest levels of professional and academic achievement, and a demonstrated promise to successfully complete the program. The number of applicants is expected to exceed the number of available spaces and therefore not all qualified candidates will be selected for interview or offered admission.
   2. Applicants are ranked on academic achievement, professional experience, cover letter, letters of reference and a personal interview.

Deposit: Upon notification of admission, successful applicants will be required to confirm their admission and intention to register by submitting a nonrefundable tuition deposit within the time specified in the letter of acceptance. The deposit will be credited toward payment of tuition upon completion of registration. (See Program-specific Deposits on Confirmation of Admission ).