Pre-Pharmacy
UWM Pharmacy Partnership Programs
Pharmacy is a rewarding healthcare profession that combines science, patient care, and problem-solving. Pharmacists help patients manage medications, improve health outcomes, and navigate complex healthcare systems. The profession offers strong job prospects and competitive salaries, with median annual earnings exceeding $137,000.
Preparation for pharmacy school begins with a strong foundation in biology, chemistry, and related sciences. Students may complete a bachelor’s degree before entering a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program or, in some cases, begin pharmacy school after completing prerequisite coursework. Depending on the pathway chosen, becoming a pharmacist typically requires six to nine years of postsecondary education.
Admission to PharmD programs is competitive. Successful applicants demonstrate strong academic performance in science and math courses and gain experience through employment, volunteering, or job shadowing in healthcare settings.
UWM offers all prerequisite coursework needed for admission to PharmD programs and provides advising to help students prepare for pharmacy school. While UWM does not offer a PharmD degree, students can take advantage of our early assurance and dual degree partnerships with leading pharmacy schools:
UWM Pharmacy School Partnerships
Midwestern University College of Pharmacy
University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Pharmacy
Concordia University Wisconsin School of Pharmacy
Medical College of Wisconsin School of Pharmacy
These partnerships offer qualified students streamlined pathways, including early admission and dual-degree opportunities, to help them achieve their pharmacy career goals.
What does Early Assurance mean?
Early Assurance, also known as Dual Admission or Early Admission, allows high school seniors or first year college students to apply for early acceptance into a pharmacy program.* If accepted, students must typically meet certain requirements and maintain a specified GPA to secure their place in the pharmacy program.
*MCW allows students to apply for early assurance through their second year of college.
What does Dual Degree mean?
Dual Degree programs allow students to transfer credits from their first year of pharmacy school, enabling them to complete their degree faster than the typical four-year timeline. In this scenario, students usually attend UWM for three years and then use their first year of pharmacy school as their senior year. This way, they can earn their bachelor’s degree in four years while simultaneously making progress toward their PharmD degree. Our partnership agreements are flexible enough that if a student needs a full four years to complete the required coursework at UWM, they can still transfer back credits from their first year of pharmacy school toward their bachelor’s degree if necessary.
For more information, contact ls-advising@uwm.edu.
Program Type
Pre-professional
Program Format
On Campus
Requirements
Entrance to pharmacy school is competitive and requires strong grades and demonstrated understanding of the pharmacy profession. Due to the variance in admission requirements, it is very important that students consult with the pre-pharmacy advisor every semester regarding which pharmacy schools they are planning to apply to.
Although specific admission requirements may vary among schools, below are some common course requirements among many pharmacy schools:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIO SCI 150 & BIO SCI 152 | Foundations of Biological Sciences I and Foundations of Biological Sciences II | 8 |
| CHEM 102 & CHEM 104 | General Chemistry and General Chemistry and Qualitative Analysis | 10 |
| CHEM 343 | Organic Chemistry | 3 |
| CHEM 344 & CHEM 345 | Organic Chemistry Laboratory and Organic Chemistry | 5 |
| PHYSICS 120 & PHYSICS 121 | General Physics I (Non-Calculus Treatment) and General Physics Laboratory I (Non-Calculus Treatment) | 5 |
| Select one of the following: | 4-5 | |
| Survey in Calculus and Analytic Geometry I 1 | ||
| Calculus with Life Sciences Applications | ||
| Honors Calculus I | ||
| Calculus and Analytic Geometry I | ||
| MTHSTAT 215 | Elementary Statistical Analysis | 3 |
| or BIO SCI 465 | Biostatistics | |
Other common course requirements include (but are not limited to) the following:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENGLISH 101 & ENGLISH 102 | Introduction to College Writing and College Writing and Research | 6 |
| BIO SCI 202 & BIO SCI 203 | Anatomy and Physiology I and Anatomy and Physiology II | 8 |
| BIO SCI 101 | General Survey of Microbiology | 4 |
| or BIO SCI 383 | General Microbiology | |
| CHEM 501 | Introduction to Biochemistry | 3 |
| COMMUN 101 | Introduction to Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
| or COMMUN 103 | Public Speaking | |
| General Education coursework | 12 | |
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Not every pharmacy school will accept MATH 211.
Concordia University Wisconsin, School of Pharmacy 3+4 Program
The curriculum below is specified for UW-Milwaukee students planning to complete the 3+4 program leading to a Biological Sciences BS from UWM and a Doctor of Pharmacy from Concordia University Wisconsin (CUW). Students must successfully complete at least 90 credits, including UWM General Education Requirements (GER), L&S degree requirements and Biological Science major requirements as specified in the UW-Milwaukee Catalog at the time of admission, as well as the UWM and L&S residency requirements. See your L&S advisor for full information on the 3+4 program, including other conditions to enter the 3+4 program and which CUW Pharmacy courses transfer back to UWM.
Students must have a C or better in all pre-pharmacy coursework and maintain at least a 2.0 GPA in all courses counting toward the Biological Sciences BS at both UWM and CUW.
The following UWM courses must be completed by the time a UWM student starts classes at CUW School of Pharmacy:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CHEM 102 | General Chemistry | 5 |
| CHEM 104 | General Chemistry and Qualitative Analysis | 5 |
| CHEM 343 | Organic Chemistry | 3 |
| CHEM 344 | Organic Chemistry Laboratory | 2 |
| CHEM 345 | Organic Chemistry | 3 |
| PHYSICS 120 | General Physics I (Non-Calculus Treatment) | 4 |
| PHYSICS 122 | General Physics II (Non-Calculus Treatment) | 4 |
| PHYSICS 121 | General Physics Laboratory I (Non-Calculus Treatment) | 1 |
| or PHYSICS 123 | General Physics Laboratory II (Non-Calculus Treatment) | |
| MATH 211 | Survey in Calculus and Analytic Geometry I | 4 |
| BIO SCI 150 | Foundations of Biological Sciences I | 4 |
| BIO SCI 152 | Foundations of Biological Sciences II | 4 |
| BIO SCI 465 | Biostatistics | 3 |
| or MTHSTAT 215 | Elementary Statistical Analysis | |
| BIO SCI 325 | Genetics | 4 |
| Select one of the following: | 4-5 | |
| General Ecology | ||
| Cell Biology and Laboratory in Genetics and Cell Biology | ||
| General Microbiology | ||
| BIO SCI upper-level electives to reach 15cr minimum for residency in the major with a total of 4 labs | ||
| COMMUN 101 | Introduction to Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
| or COMMUN 103 | Public Speaking | |
| UWM General Education Courses | ||
| UWM L&S Degree Requirements (Humanities, Social Science, International requirements) | ||
Medical College of Wisconsin, School of Pharmacy track
The curriculum below is specified for UW-Milwaukee (UWM) students planning to complete the early assurance direct admission program leading to a Biological Sciences BS, Microbiology BS, or Biochemistry BS from UWM and entry to the Doctor of Pharmacy program at Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW). Students must successfully complete at least 90 credits, including UWM General Education Requirements (GER), L&S degree requirements, and major requirements based on the selected option as specified in the UW-Milwaukee Catalog at the time of admission as well as the UWM and L&S residency requirements. See your L&S advisor for full information on the early assurance direct admission program, including other conditions to enter the program and which MCW Pharmacy courses transfer back to UWM.
The following UWM courses are required for admission to the MCW School of Pharmacy:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Course List for BS in Biological Sciences: | ||
| CHEM 102 | General Chemistry | 5 |
| CHEM 104 | General Chemistry and Qualitative Analysis | 5 |
| CHEM 343 | Organic Chemistry | 3 |
| CHEM 344 | Organic Chemistry Laboratory | 2 |
| CHEM 345 | Organic Chemistry | 3 |
| PHYSICS 120 | General Physics I (Non-Calculus Treatment) | 4 |
| PHYSICS 122 | General Physics II (Non-Calculus Treatment) | 4 |
| PHYSICS 121 | General Physics Laboratory I (Non-Calculus Treatment) | 1 |
| or PHYSICS 123 | General Physics Laboratory II (Non-Calculus Treatment) | |
| Select one of the following: | 4-5 | |
| Survey in Calculus and Analytic Geometry I | ||
| Calculus with Life Sciences Applications | ||
| Honors Calculus I | ||
| Calculus and Analytic Geometry I | ||
| BIO SCI 150 | Foundations of Biological Sciences I | 4 |
| BIO SCI 152 | Foundations of Biological Sciences II | 4 |
| BIO SCI 465 | Biostatistics | 3 |
| or MTHSTAT 215 | Elementary Statistical Analysis | |
| BIO SCI 325 | Genetics | 4 |
| Select one of the following: | 4-5 | |
| General Ecology | ||
| Cell Biology and Laboratory in Genetics and Cell Biology | ||
| General Microbiology | ||
| BIO SCI upper-level electives to reach 15cr minimum for residency in the major with a total of 4 labs | ||
| COMMUN 101 | Introduction to Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
| or COMMUN 103 | Public Speaking | |
| UWM General Education Courses | ||
| UWM L&S Degree Requirements (Humanities, Social Science, International requirements) | ||
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Course List for BS in Microbiology: | ||
| CHEM 102 | General Chemistry | 5 |
| CHEM 104 | General Chemistry and Qualitative Analysis | 5 |
| CHEM 343 | Organic Chemistry | 3 |
| CHEM 344 | Organic Chemistry Laboratory | 2 |
| CHEM 345 | Organic Chemistry | 3 |
| PHYSICS 120 | General Physics I (Non-Calculus Treatment) | 4 |
| PHYSICS 122 | General Physics II (Non-Calculus Treatment) | 4 |
| PHYSICS 123 | General Physics Laboratory II (Non-Calculus Treatment) | 1 |
| Select one of the following: | 4-5 | |
| Survey in Calculus and Analytic Geometry I | ||
| Calculus with Life Sciences Applications | ||
| Honors Calculus I | ||
| Calculus and Analytic Geometry I | ||
| BIO SCI 150 | Foundations of Biological Sciences I | 4 |
| BIO SCI 152 | Foundations of Biological Sciences II | 4 |
| Select one of the following: | 3-5 | |
| Biostatistics | ||
| Elementary Statistical Analysis | ||
| Honors Calculus II | ||
| Calculus and Analytic Geometry II | ||
| BIO SCI 325 | Genetics | 4 |
| BIO SCI 383 | General Microbiology | 4 |
| BIO SCI 529 | Molecular Biology of Microorganisms | 3 |
| or BIO SCI 540 | Microbial Diversity and Physiology | |
| BIO SCI 539 | Laboratory Techniques in Molecular Biology | 4 |
| or BIO SCI 580 | Experimental Microbiology | |
| COMMUN 101 | Introduction to Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
| or COMMUN 103 | Public Speaking | |
| UWM General Education Courses | ||
| UWM L&S Degree Requirements (Humanities, Social Science, International requirements) | ||
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Course List for BS in Biochemistry: | ||
| CHEM 102 | General Chemistry | 5 |
| CHEM 104 | General Chemistry and Qualitative Analysis | 5 |
| CHEM 221 | Elementary Quantitative Analysis | 4 |
| CHEM 343 | Organic Chemistry | 3 |
| CHEM 344 | Organic Chemistry Laboratory | 2 |
| CHEM 345 | Organic Chemistry | 3 |
| CHEM 501 | Introduction to Biochemistry | 3 |
| CHEM 560 | Biophysical Chemistry | 3 |
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| Biochemistry: Protein Structure and Function | ||
| Biochemistry: Cellular Processes | ||
| Biochemistry: Metabolism | ||
| CHEM 603 | Introduction to Biochemistry Laboratory | 2 |
| PHYSICS 120 | General Physics I (Non-Calculus Treatment) | 4 |
| PHYSICS 121 | General Physics Laboratory I (Non-Calculus Treatment) | 1 |
| PHYSICS 122 | General Physics II (Non-Calculus Treatment) | 4 |
| PHYSICS 123 | General Physics Laboratory II (Non-Calculus Treatment) | 1 |
| Select one of the following: | 4-5 | |
| Calculus with Life Sciences Applications | ||
| Honors Calculus I | ||
| Calculus and Analytic Geometry I | ||
| MTHSTAT 215 | Elementary Statistical Analysis | 3 |
| BIO SCI 150 | Foundations of Biological Sciences I | 4 |
| BIO SCI 152 | Foundations of Biological Sciences II | 4 |
| BIO SCI 325 | Genetics | 4 |
| Advanced BIO SCI course | 3-4 | |
| COMMUN 101 | Introduction to Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
| or COMMUN 103 | Public Speaking | |
| UWM General Education Courses | ||
| UWM L&S Degree Requirements (Humanities, Social Science, International requirements) | ||
University of Wisconsin-Madison, School of Pharmacy track
The curriculum below is specified for UW-Milwaukee (UWM) students planning to utilize the Reverse Transfer Agreement leading to a Biological Sciences BS from UWM after successful completion of the first year of the UW-Madison PharmD program. Students must successfully complete at least 90 credits, including UWM General Education Requirements (GER) and L&S degree requirements as specified in the UW-Milwaukee Catalog at the time of admission as well as the UWM and L&S residency requirements. See your L&S advisor for full information on the early assurance direct admission program, including other conditions to enter the program and which UW-Madison courses transfer back to UWM.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Course List for BS in Biological Sciences: | ||
| CHEM 102 | General Chemistry | 5 |
| CHEM 104 | General Chemistry and Qualitative Analysis | 5 |
| CHEM 343 | Organic Chemistry | 3 |
| CHEM 344 & CHEM 345 | Organic Chemistry Laboratory and Organic Chemistry | 5 |
| PHYSICS 120 | General Physics I (Non-Calculus Treatment) | 4 |
| PHYSICS 122 | General Physics II (Non-Calculus Treatment) | 4 |
| PHYSICS 121 | General Physics Laboratory I (Non-Calculus Treatment) | 1 |
| or PHYSICS 123 | General Physics Laboratory II (Non-Calculus Treatment) | |
| Select one of the following: | 4-5 | |
| Survey in Calculus and Analytic Geometry I | ||
| Calculus with Life Sciences Applications | ||
| Honors Calculus I | ||
| Calculus and Analytic Geometry I | ||
| BIO SCI 150 | Foundations of Biological Sciences I | 4 |
| BIO SCI 152 | Foundations of Biological Sciences II | 4 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Biostatistics | ||
| Elementary Statistical Analysis | ||
| Introduction to Mathematical Statistics I | ||
| Statistics in the Health Professions: Theory and Practice | ||
| BIO SCI 325 | Genetics | 4 |
| BIO SCI 383 | General Microbiology | 4 |
| BIO SCI 202 | Anatomy and Physiology I | 4 |
| or BIO SCI 370 | Mammalian Physiology | |
| BIO SCI upper-level electives to reach 15cr minimum for residency in the major with a total of 4 labs | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to College Writing | ||
| College Writing and Research | ||
| Writing, Speaking, and Technoscience in the 21st Century | ||
| UWM General Education Courses | 12 | |
| UWM L&S Degree Requirements (Humanities, Social Science, International requirements) | ||