There are two pharmacy programs in Washington, at the University of Washington and at Washington State University. Both are four-year programs leading to a Doctor of Pharmacy degree. While neither program requires a bachelor's degree at this time, beginning with fall of 2008 WSU requires extensive prerequisites which cannot be completed at the community college level. The prerequisite courses must be completed by the end of the spring quarter preceding the autumn start of the program. The UW admitted 86 students this year and WSU admitted 94 students. Admission is competitive with GPAs generally in the 3.6 range. Students with a GPA lower than 3.0 will not be considered for admission. Even though a bachelor's degree is not required, many successful applicants do have one and other pharmacy programs in the country may require one. Applicants should plan to pursue a bachelor's degree. Relevant experience is very important.
Prerequisite coursework required by WSU and UW
The following list reflects the common course numbers effective summer quarter of 2008.
| General chemistry | BC CHEM& 161,162,163 (Previously CHEM 140,150,160) |
| Organic chemistry | BC CHEM& 261,262,263 (Previously CHEM 231,232,243) |
| Biology | BC BIOL& 211,212,213 (Previously BIOL 201,202,203) |
| Microbiology | BC BIOL& 260 (Previously BIOL 250) |
| Math and Statistics | BC MATH& 151 and BA 240 (Previously MATH 124) |
| English composition | BC ENGL& 101 and 201 |
| Public Speaking | BC CMST& 220 or 210 okay for UW (Previously SPCH 220 or 200) |
| Microeconomics | BC ECON& 201 |
| Ethics*^ | BC PHIL 240 or 265 |
| Psychology* | BC PSYC& 100 |
| Physiology* | BC BIOL& 241 (Previously BIOL 260) |
| Human Anatomy* | BC BIOL& 242 (Previously BIOL 261) |
| Biochemistry*^ | WSU MBIOS 303 or UW BIOC 405 and 406* |
| Genetics* | WSU BIOL 301 or 408 or MBIOS 404 |
* Classes required by WSU only at this time, UW will require a speech course for 2009.
^Classes that are strongly recommended by the UW admissions committee.
| Fall | Winter | Spring | Summer | |
| Year 1 |
CHEM& 161 (6) ENGL& 101 (5) MATH& 151 (5) |
CHEM& 162 (6) ENGL 201 (5) BA 240 (5) |
CHEM& 163 (6) CMST& 220 (5) ECON& 201 (5) |
Humanities (5) Soc Sci (5) |
| Year 2 |
BIOL& 211 (6) CHEM& 261 (6) PHIL 265 (5) |
BIOL& 212 (6) CHEM& 262 (6) PSYC& 100 (5) |
BIOL& 213 (6) CHEM& 263 (6) BIOL& 260 (6) |
Additional requirements of the WSU School of Pharmacy
Computer literacy, (demonstrated experience or BC CS 110 or BTS 161)
First Aid/CPR certification
Applicants must have completed the lower division General Education Requirements for WSU. GERs are fulfilled by either a bachelor's degree or the Associate of Arts and Sciences transfer degree from BC. If an applicant has neither degree, he or she must fulfill the specific GERs for WSU. Consult the WSU website for details.
Application to pharmacy school
Only US citizens and permanent residents are admitted to UW and WSU Pharmacy Schools.
| University of Washington | Washington State University |
| www.pharmacy.washington.edu | http://www.pharmacy.wsu.edu/ |
| November 1 application period open | November 1 application period open |
| January 1 application deadline | February 1 application deadline |
| PharmCAS application | PharmCAS application |
| UW Supplemental application | WSU Supplemental application |
| Two letters of recommendation | Three letters of recommendation |
| Personal interview | Personal interview |
| Pharmacy College Admission Test | Professional goals statement |
Contact the BC Science Division office, L 200, 425-564-2321 for an advising appointment.
BC reaffirms its policy of equal opportunity regardless of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, or status as a disabled veteran or Vietnam era veteran. Please visit http://bellevuecollege.edu/equal.asp
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Bellevue College Science Division
This page most recently modified on July 2, 2009.