Nov 03, 2024  
University of Alberta Calendar 2024-2025 
    
University of Alberta Calendar 2024-2025

Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Admission Requirements



Please Note [July 25, 2024] - ADDENDA. Updates have been made to admission requirements on this page. Please see Amendments to the Calendar  for further information.


Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD)

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

Minimum Requirements

The minimum requirements for admission to the Pharmacy Program are the satisfactory completion of 60 units of University transferable work, including: 

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

Other Requirements

  1. Spoken English Requirement: Applicants must meet a spoken English requirement (see Spoken English Proficiency )
  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.
  5. Indigenous education (Only for admitted applicants): As a condition of continuation in the PharmD program, all newly admitted students must complete the University of Alberta’s Indigenous Canada MOOC. Proof of completion must be submitted to the faculty by December 31st of their first year. This requirement may be waived if the student has completed at least 3 units of coursework from the Faculty of Native Studies or which is within the field of Native Studies.

Note: 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 and Pharmaceutical Sciences Prospective Students webpage.

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. If the number of qualified applicants exceeds the number of available spaces, not all candidates will be offered admission. 
  2.  Applicants are ranked primarily on academic achievement including that in the prerequisite courses, overall academic achievement (emphasizing most recent academic performance), and a demonstrated ability to perform well in consecutive Fall/Winter Terms of highest credit weight. Other criteria include the letter of intent and a personal interview (see Other Requirements).

Indigenous Applicants

The Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences admits an additional nine qualified First Nations, Métis, and Inuit students each year above those normally admitted through the regular process. 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 Indigenous Applicants ). Formal Documentation of Indigeneity, to be provided as part of the application for admission, is required for consideration for these positions (Formal Documentation of Indigeneity ).


Rural Applicants

The Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences may reserve up to ten positions out of those normally admitted through the regular process to the PharmD program for qualified Rural applicants. Candidates who meet normal minimum admission requirements as outlined in Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) and who provide documentation of rural residency may be considered for admission.


Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) for Practicing Pharmacists 

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.

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 Proficiency )
  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 direct patient care placement (see Promotion and/or Continuation ).

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 ).