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Pre-Pharmacy Program
Pharmacists care for patients' drug-related needs in community pharmacies, hospitals, long-term care facilities, and home health care settings. If you have a passion for helping people get the care and medicine they need, the Pre-Pharmacy path from Dordt University will prepare you for success. Along the way, you’ll learn the importance of working for God’s glory in everything you do.
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Program Overview
The comprehensive training you'll get at Dordt can pave your way to pharmacy school. You’ll get the personal assistance you need to thrive. You’ll work closely with faculty as you develop expertise in your field. And you’ll develop an understanding of how God wants to use your unique skills and abilities for his glory.
Students accepted into pharmacy programs today should have strong academic backgrounds, know about solving complex problems, understand good relationships, act with integrity and honesty, and be involved in their communities. These characteristics are best developed through a core curriculum that provides an education with breadth. Dordt's Core Program and Christian perspective will give you a framework and a solid knowledge base for your professional studies.
Pharmacy is a blend of science, health care, direct patient contact, technology, ethics, and business. A pharmacist is a highly skilled and trusted medication expert. They know and understand everything there is to know about drugs. Pharmacists undergo extensive education in order to understand the role that drugs play in different situations. They are familiar with the biochemical makeup of drugs and how that impacts their use, side effects, interactions, and implications of effectiveness. Their role revolves around dispensing prescriptions to patients, conducting health screenings, giving immunizations, and advising on the safe use of medicine.
Pharmacists are extremely accessible health care professionals that work closely with patients and physicians to determine that the correct medications and dosages are prescribed for each patient.
Pharmacy schools use a holistic admissions process, which means they look at the whole applicant and all of the talents and abilities they bring. GPAs are important, but what they are really looking for are the future leaders of pharmacy. They celebrate different backgrounds, skills, and talents.
What can I do with a degree in pre-pharmacy program?
Pre-Pharmacy at Dordt will help you prepare for a career in or related to the pharmacy field. This foundation will set you up for success when you pursue further education through pharmacy school. Whatever you choose to do professionally after that, Dordt’s Pre-Pharmacy program will prepare you for the next steps.
Whether you prefer working directly with patients, consulting with doctors and nurses, or delivering medications without much clinical interaction, you have many pharmacy career options as a pharmacist. A PharmD degree is more flexible than many people think!
Pharmacist
A Pharmacist serves patients by preparing medications, giving pharmacological information to multidisciplinary health care team, and monitoring patient drug therapies.
Pharmacy Technician
A Pharmacy Technician assists pharmacists by stocking, labeling, maintaining records, processing prescriptions, and other duties as needed.
Pharmaceutical Scientist
A pharmaceutical scientist performs research to drive drug discovery, development, and testing. These professionals are typically bench-level scientists who are charged with executing experiments as part of a team-based research project aimed at introducing new drugs to the marketplace.
Career Preparation
Dordt University's 2023 Career Outcome Rate was 99.4%! “This data point tells us that Dordt graduates are prepared for the careers of their choosing,” said Amy Westra, director of Career Development. “A Dordt education provides students with industry-relevant courses and connections that make a difference.”
Pre-Pharmacy Program
Studying science alongside history, English, communication, philosophy, psychology, and the arts—all taught in the light of God's Word—will help you understand how you can most effectively serve in the pharmacy field. The knowledge you gain in your courses will open your eyes and heart to the needs and concerns of others, and prepare you to help and heal them through your work.
Most Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) programs require 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.
The pre-pharmacy curriculum includes coursework in biology, chemistry, organic chemistry, mathematics, and statistics as well as English, humanities, and social science disciplines. Some colleges of pharmacy require the applicant to take the Pharmacy College Admissions Test (PCAT) and participate in the Pharmacy College Application Service (PharmCAS).
TYPICAL PRE-PHARMACY PREREQUISITES
- General chemistry (two semesters)
- Organic chemistry (two semesters)
- Physics (two semesters)
- General biology (one semester)
- Microbiology (one semester)
- Anatomy and Physiology (one or two semesters)
- Economics (one semester)
- Calculus (one or two semesters)
- Communication (one semester)
- English composition (one or two semesters)
Through a combination of professional development, career exploration, academic success, social, and networking activities, PHPC helps pre-pharmacy students work together to make the most of their undergraduate years and prepare for the next steps in their education and their eventual place in the exciting and dynamic field of pharmacy. Whether you’re interested in working at your neighborhood pharmacy, in a health care system, or researching the latest drugs, Dr. Keryakos as well as PHPC can help you get there.
Luckily, our Chief Health Professions Advisor at Dordt University, Dr. Joseph Keryakos, PharmD, is a pharmacist by training. Students enrolled in the pre-pharmacy program are encouraged to meet with Dr. Joseph Keryakos each semester, as well as regularly attend the Pre-Health Professions Club (PHPC) events.
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Faculty
With experience in a variety of fields, our faculty members are equipped and ready to help you succeed.
Science and Technology Center
As a Pre-Pharmacy Major, you'll have the opportunity to spend time in Dordt's Science and Technology Center. Informally known as the "Science Building", the Science and Technology Center is home to Dordt's 180-seat lecture hall.
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Student Stories
Dordt students and alumni use their gifts to make a difference in the world. Check out their stories to see how Defender Nation lives out our mission to work effectively toward Christ-centered renewal in all aspects of contemporary life.
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Related Program Options
Still looking for the right fit? Here are some additional program options that we think might interest you or are often paired with this program. You can also view the programs page to keep exploring your options.
