Pre-Pharmacy

preProfessional

Academics / Departments & Programs / Pre-Professional Health / Academics / Pre-Pharmacy

Pre-Pharmacy

preProfessional

Degree Overview

Gain the experience and knowledge needed to pursue either a PharmD or PhD degree in pharmacy school. Whichever your focus, you’ll play a vital role in the healthcare process by dispensing medication, monitoring patient health, developing new pharmaceutical agents, and more.

At Calvin, you'll work with a dedicated advisor to tailor an academic plan to your career goals. They’ll work with you to ensure that you graduate with the major, coursework, and internship experience needed to succeed in pharmacy school. Then you’ll put your knowledge to work by volunteering, working at local retail or hospital pharmacies, and conducting summer research.

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Degree Information

preProfessional
  • Overview

    A pharmacist plays a vital role in the health care deployment team. Their responsibilities range from dispensing medications to monitoring a patient's health and progress. Calvin's pre-pharmacy program will prepare you for graduate school by giving you a background in science and mathematics within the context of a strong liberal arts core. As a pre-pharmacy student, you will typically complete two or three years at Calvin before transferring to a school of pharmacy. Some pharmacy schools prefer that students complete a four-year bachelor's degree before enrolling in a PharmD program. If that is the case, you are strongly encouraged to consider a major in biology or biochemistry. Prof. Chad Tatko serves as the Pre-Pharmacy Advisor and will assist you in planning a pre-pharmacy curriculum and preparing for the PCAT.

    More options

    This program is part of a family of health science programs, many of which share a common course foundation. To learn about other options in the health sciences, see the Health Sciences page.

    Student involvement

    Volunteer at local hospitals and senior centers; attend lectures sponsored by the biology and chemistry departments; spend the summer assisting a professor with research; intern at Van Andel Institute; work in the West Michigan Regional Lab on campus; study abroad in Amsterdam, Honduras, or Belize.

  • Courses
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  • Advising

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