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Explore all Undergraduate Programs

Pre-Pharmacy

The chemical, biological, and mathematical knowledge you need to bridge the gap from undergraduate education to pharmacy school.

PA professor explaining information to a student
PA professor explaining information to a student

Types

Pre-Professional

Location

On-Campus

Credits

53*

Cost

$9,875

Pre-Pharmacy: Because the world of medicine needs, well, medicine.

Chemistry and biology are inextricably linked. Master that link, and you can change uncountable lives for the better. By rounding out your undergraduate education with a pre-pharmacy program that offers a specialized focus in your areas of interest, you will build momentum toward a rewarding career in healthcare or other sciences. 

Anchor: Stats

By the Numbers

1 in 5

Students Named to Dean's List

16:1

Student-to-Faculty ratio
Anchor: Programs & Requirements
Programs & Requirements

Programs & Requirements

* The credit hours listed on this page only reference the specific program requirements and is not reflective of the total hours necessary to receive your degree. Cumberlands requires all students obtain a minimum of 60 hours for an associate’s degree and a total of 120 hours for a bachelor’s degree. Transfer and prior learning credits may be counted toward those totals.

To learn more about our General Education Requirements, please visit the page referenced below or explore our Academic Catalog. 

General Education Requirements

The rewards of a pharmacy or natural sciences career path are vast. You don’t have to work in a health clinic to help sick or injured patients feel better. By supporting patient health and wellbeing as a pharmacist or medical researcher, you are serving patients in a life-changing way! People in roles like that contribute to vital medical discovery and innovation. Critical drugs that offer symptom relief – or even cures for diseases – were developed by trained professionals in the pharmaceutical field. With a pre-pharmacy degree from Cumberlands, you’ll be on your way to becoming a professional like that.  

If you want to pursue a career in the pharmacy world, check into the pre-pharmacy degree track at 鶹ý. Our pre-professional health program is just what the doctor ordered to fulfill the 60 hours of pre-pharmacy undergraduate work that most pharmacy schools require for admittance. 

Course Requirements

Students interested in applying to medical, dental, or veterinary school are strongly encouraged to complete these courses. It is important to review the admissions requirements requirements for each program to which you will apply because the prerequisites for admission may be slightly different among professional schools.

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This option is recommended for students entering a “blended” area such as pre-professional medically related areas (medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, physician assistant, physical therapist, etc.), chemistry/business, and chemistry/biology.

, , , and  are prerequisites for some upper-level chemistry courses.

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A Bachelor of Arts degree requires completing the same courses as a Bachelor of Science with the addition of completing one foreign language sequence through the intermediate level.

  • FREN 131     Elementary French I
  • FREN 132     Elementary French II
  • FREN 231     Intermediate French I
  • FREN 232     Intermediate French II
     
  • SPAN 131     Elementary Spanish I
  • SPAN 132     Elementary Spanish II
  • SPAN 231     Intermediate Spanish I
  • SPAN 232     Intermediate Spanish II

Take the Next Step

Anchor: Mission & Goals

Mission and Goals

The mission of the pre-pharmacy program at 鶹ý is to provide the knowledge and skills that will prepare you for medical school and help you succeed in various fields of service in healthcare and related sciences.

Gain fundamental knowledge in modern concepts of biology, chemistry, and mathematics.
Effectively use informational resources, perform research, and interpret data.
Demonstrate critical and analytical thought within the context of the scientific method.
Sharpen your communication, problem-solving, and teamwork skills.
Begin learning the basics of medicine – the reciprocal influence between chemistry and biology.
Anchor: Career Outcomes

Pre-Pharmacy Careers & Outcomes

All stats from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Clinical Pharmacist: $128,570

Clinical Pharmacist: $128,570

Pharmacists dispense prescription medications and provide information to patients about the drugs and their use. 

Chemical Engineer: $105,550

Chemical Engineer: $105,550

Chemical engineers apply the principles of chemistry, physics, and engineering to design equipment and processes for manufacturing products such as gasoline, detergents, and paper. 

Chemist: $79,760

Chemist: $79,760

Chemists and materials scientists research and analyze the chemical properties of substances to develop new materials, products, or knowledge. 

Natural Sciences Manager: $137,900

Natural Sciences Manager: $137,900

Natural sciences managers supervise the work of scientists, including chemists, physicists, and biologists.  

Clinical Research: $95,310

Clinical Research: $95,310

Medical scientists conduct research aimed at improving overall human health. 

Medical Assistant: $37,190

Medical Assistant: $37,190

Medical assistants complete administrative and clinical tasks in hospitals, offices of physicians, and other healthcare facilities. 

Anchor: FAQs

Common Questions

All programs at 鶹ý are offered at some of the lowest rates in the nation – and we even include free textbooks through our One Price Promise! For more information on how affordable this program would be for you, visit our Financial Aid page.

This pre-pharmacy program equips students for more advanced study in specialized pharmacy programs. Following a biology or chemistry track, the pre-pharmacy degree offers well-rounded undergraduate studies preferred by most professional schools of pharmacy. Besides a focus on sciences, including physics, chemistry and biology, this degree program explores English, mathematics, social sciences, and the humanities, making graduates even more appealing to pharmacy schools. 

With a pre-pharmacy credential, you can continue on to a professional pharmacy program or focus on a natural science discipline in your advanced studies. As a Cumberlands pre-pharmacy graduate, you will have the option to pursue jobs in pharmacy or in a wide range of natural science careers, including working as a pharmacist, chemist, clinical researcher, or natural sciences manager.  

To the right people, a degree in pre-pharmacy is definitely worth it. Some of the biggest benefits to pursuing a pre-pharmacy degree at UC are expanded career opportunities (whether you go on to pharmacy school or begin work in the field immediately after graduation), dedicated advisors to help guide you to completing your degree, and meeting a number of requirements for entry into pharmacy school.  

Following a biology or chemistry track, the pre-pharmacy degree offers well-rounded undergraduate studies preferred by most professional schools of pharmacy. In addition to a focus on sciences, including physics, chemistry and biology, this degree program explores English, mathematics, social sciences and the humanities. 

We would say so! A pre-pharmacy degree from 鶹ý could help you meet certain academic requirements for entry into pharmacy school, while also equipping you with knowledge and skills that will be vital to success as a graduate student. Our advisors understand the challenging process of applying to – and getting accepted into – top-notch pharmacy schools, so they will be great resources for you when you begin that admissions journey. While pharmacy school is challenging no matter who you are, being prepared makes a big difference. 

Anchor: Faculty

Faculty Experts in Pre-Pharmacy

Learn more about the pre-pharmacy professors you'll be interacting with at Cumberlands.

Kara Stanley

Ms. Kara Stanley

Adjunct Professor
Biology

Ms. Kara Stanley

Contact Information

kara.stanley [at] ucumberlands.edu
Remote
Jeffrey Schwarz

Jeffrey Schwarz

Associate Professor
Chemistry

Jeffrey Schwarz

Contact Information

606-539-4318
jeffrey.schwarz [at] ucumberlands.edu
Correll Science Complex C106
Dr. Leif Deyrup

Dr. Leif Deyrup

Assistant Professor
Biology

Dr. Leif Deyrup

Contact Information

606-539-4309
leif.deyrup [at] ucumberlands.edu
Correll Science Complex B116
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