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Career Guide

Pharmacy

Pharmacists prepare and dispense drugs, counsel patients in the proper use of these drugs, and understand chemicals and their properties, drug compounds and their use. Pharmacists advise health care providers, such as physicians and dentists, on the selection, dosages, interactions, and side effects of medications on patients. It usually takes from 6 - 8 years to become a pharmacist. For some specialties, further training is required. Pharmacy programs in the United States grant the doctor of pharmacy degree (Pharm.D.).

Criteria for Acceptance

Essays and letters of recommendation

  • Research experience, awards and honors
  • Grade Point Average
  • PCAT score
  • Patient care & related work experience
  • Demonstrated leadership skills

MCC Prerequisite Courses


Typical minimum prerequisite courses include: Two semesters of biology with laboratories; two semesters of physics with laboratories; four semesters of chemistry with labs including organic; two semesters of English; statistics; calculus; microbiology; and psychology. AP credits (especially for science courses) might not be accepted. Admission requirements vary significantly by program. Visit pharmacy school websites for course requirements.

Additional requirements and course suggestions may include: Anatomy & Physiology, Biochemistry, Economics, Sociology, Anthropology, History, Public Speaking, Philosophy, English Literature.

Examples of MCC Courses
  • ENG 101 and/or 200 English Composition
  • PSY 101 Intro to Psychological Science
  • CHE 151 General College Chemistry I
  • CHE 152 General College Chemistry II
  • CHE 251 Organic Chemistry I
  • CHE 252 Organic Chemistry II
  • MTH 160 Statistics I
  • MTH 210 Calculus I
  • MTH 211 Calculus II
  • BIO 155 Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology
  • BIO 156 Introduction to Organismal Biology and Ecology
  • BIO 202 or 209 Microbiology
  • PHY 145 & 146 College Physics I & II or PHY 154 & 155 General Physics I & II or PHY 161 & 261 University Physics I & II

Institutions


SUNY University at Buffalo
For the most up-to-date information, please review UB's MCC Pharmacy Advising Guide for Transfer Students. Please feel free to contact UB's Pharmacy Admissions and Advisement Office at 716-645-2825 or by email pharm-admit@buffalo.edu.
St. John Fisher University

For the most up-to-date information, please review St. John Fisher's MCC Pharmacy Advising Guide for Transfer Students. Please feel free to contact the St. John Fisher Office of Transfer/Graduate Admission at 585-385-8064 or by email pharmacy@sjf.edu.

D'Youville University
D’Youville University offers both a three-year accelerated in-person program as well as a three-year accelerated online program. Contact D’Youville University for their most up-to-date application procedures and instructions. Please feel free to call the D’Youville University School of Pharmacy Office of Admissions at (716) 829-8440.

Application Requirements
  • Completion of PharmCAS application
  • Official transcripts from all previously attended colleges
  • Three letters of recommendation from professors, employers, or advisors
  • TOEFL scores for non-native English speakers (not required for students who have attended an English speaking institution for more than 2 years)

Criteria of Importance for Acceptance Include:
  • PCAT scores are not required, but may be submitted through PharmCAS for consideration
  • Math and science GPA of 2.5 or higher, as well as cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher
  • Experience with patient care is welcomed, but not required
  • Related work experience is beneficial, but not required
  • Personal Interview (by invitation only) which includes evaluation of the core values of D’Youville School of Pharmacy: excellence, lifelong learning, cultural diversity, professionalism, leadership, social responsibility, critical inquiry, and collaboration

MCC Prerequisite Courses for D'Youville University School of Pharmacy
  • SPC 142 - Public Speaking or a Communications Course
  • ECO 111 or 112 - Micro or Macro Economics
  • MTH 160 - Statistics I
  • MTH 200 or 210 - Applied Calculus or Calculus
  • CHE 151 - General Chemistry I
  • CHE 152 - General Chemistry II
  • CHE 251 - Organic Chemistry I
  • CHE 252 - Organic Chemistry II
  • BIO 155 - General Biology I
  • BIO 156 - General Biology II
  • ENG 101- English Composition
  • Choose one:
    • PHY 145 - College Physics I
    • PHY 154 - General Physics I
    • PHY 161 - University Physics I
  • Nine credits of Social Sciences and Humanities. Choose from: Psychology, History, Sociology, Political Science, Ethics, Philosophy, Fine Arts, Literature, Foreign Languages
  • Choose two:
    • BIO 209 – Microbiology
    • BIO 144 - Anatomy & Physiology I
    • BIO 145 - Anatomy & Physiology II
    • BIO 230 - Molecular Genetics
    • ENG 200 - Advanced Composition
Other Important Information
  • Grades below "C" cannot be accepted toward completion of these requirements.
  • All required science courses must have a laboratory component (with the exception of physics)
  • Science and math courses should be current, completed no more than five years prior to enrollment
  • Advanced placement (AP), CLEP, on-line, pass/fail courses are NOT accepted for science courses
  • Completion of these criteria does not guarantee acceptance into the Pharm. D program. Admission is competitive.
  • For additional prerequisite course information and application procedures and instructions, visit the D’Youville College School of Pharmacy website.
While every effort is made to ensure that the information in this guide is accurate, students are advised to contact transfer institutions for specific course requirements and the most up-to-date information.

Updated 10/27/2025