Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.)

Program of Study

The Pharm.D. grants entry into the profession and practice of pharmacy. It is neither an undergraduate nor a graduate degree program, but rather a professional degree such as an M.D. or D.D.S. The Pharm.D. curriculum requires a minimum of two years to satisfy prerequisite requirements, normally completed in an undergraduate program, followed by four years of professional coursework. Students are subject to the requirements in place when they are admitted to the program.

The Doctor of Pharmacy program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education. Graduates of the school’s Pharm.D. program may sit for the state licensure examination for pharmacists.

The school has a satellite campus for the Pharm.D. program in Asheville, NC. Students based at the satellite campus receive the same instruction and are subject to the same admission and progression standards as students on the Chapel Hill campus.

Students graduating from the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy are expected to develop the following core competencies through coursework, co-curricular experiences, and immersion experiences:

1.   In-depth knowledge and proficient skills in the pharmaceutical sciences and the practice of pharmacy

2.   Accessing and analyzing information

3.   Critical thinking and problem solving

4.   Communication

5.   Collaboration and influence

6.   Adaptability

7.   Initiative

8.   Curiosity and inquisitiveness

9.   Professionalism and ethical behavior

In addition, pharmacy graduates must pass national and state licensing examinations to practice as pharmacists.

Special Opportunities in the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy

Student Organizations

Pharmacy students are active in campus and community activities through their involvement with approximately 20 pharmacy student organizations. Student leadership is fostered through intentional involvement in student organizations, and enrolled students are highly encouraged to invest in the opportunities offered through student organizations.

Experiential Education

Students gain experience in problem solving and providing patient care while applying the foundational and pharmaceutical sciences learned in the classroom and laboratories under the supervision of faculty and selected preceptors. The school requires up to 15 months of full-time precepted practice with early practice experiences in the second and third professional year, followed by nine months of advanced practice experiences in the fourth professional year. The experiential education requirements of the program meet the North Carolina Board of Pharmacy experience requirement (1,500 hours) to sit for the licensure examination.

Residencies and Fellowships

To increase the depth of their education, many Pharm.D. graduates seek residency training in pharmacy practice. Pharmacy residencies, like medical residencies, provide stipends for further clinical training. There are over 4,000 pharmacy residency positions in the United States with sites in hospitals, community pharmacies, and some specialized facilities. Residency programs may be taken in general pharmacy practice and in specialty areas such as pediatrics, drug information, infectious diseases, oncology, psychiatry, and many others. Some Pharm.D. graduates seek additional training in research methods in drug development, pharmacokinetics, or pharmacotherapy. Postgraduate fellowship programs involve advanced training in these areas and may occur at academic centers or in the pharmaceutical industry. Like residencies, they are paid positions.

Admission Requirements

The doctor of pharmacy requires at least two years of undergraduate study (at least 72 credit hours), followed by four years of study in the professional program.

Applicants must complete all prerequisites by the end of May of the year they plan to enroll.

Students who will have earned a baccalaureate degree prior to enrolling in their first year of the program must complete the math and science prerequisites only.

Students who will not have earned a baccalaureate degree prior to enrolling in their first year of the program must complete both the math and science prerequisites and the general education requirements.

Application Procedures

Students applying to the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy must submit complete applications to the Pharm.D. program through the Pharmacy College Application Service (PharmCAS) and the school. For application deadlines, processes, and procedures, visit the website.

Find our world renowned faculty listed here.

PHCY–Pharmacy

All courses and electives for the Pharm.D. program are listed below by year in the curriculum. See the Student Handbook and the program's Web site for information about course sequence by semester. 

Professional Year 1

Professional Year 2

Professional Year 3

Professional Year 4

Electives

Department Programs

Professional Degree

• Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) 

Minor

• Pharmaceutical Sciences Minor 

​Graduate Programs

• M.S. in Pharmaceutical Sciences 
• M.P.S. in Regulatory Science
• Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences