Program

Pharmacy (PharmD)

YOU ARE BOUVÉ

Get the personal attention of a small program, with the network opportunities of a large university.

The Doctor of Pharmacy program at Northeastern University, is the only program in the US to offer cooperative education (co-op) experiences that provide our students with unmatched opportunities for innovative and interactive learning.

Gain experience at one or more of the 120+ affiliated hospitals, clinics, community pharmacies, private companies, and government agencies.

The placements are paid, full-time positions that provide you with the professional experience and contacts you will need to launch your career, while you’re still learning as a student.

One degree, many career options

Most of the job titles an individual will be qualified for after earning their PharmD degree will have the word ‘pharmacist’ in it, but in fact a PharmD degree leads to an incredibly varied field of possible careers and you can pursue either traditional or non-traditional paths.

There are more than 100 different career paths that someone might choose to go down once they earn their PharmD. Some of these can be pursued right out of the gate, while others will require additional training.

Quickview

Degree types:
Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD)

Admissions Pathways:
High school student early assurance
Undergraduate transfer student
Graduate direct-entry

Please refer to your preferred pathway for directions on how to apply.

Video: First year PharmD student, Jason Ssentongo talks about his experience so far at Northeastern.

Curriculum

The PharmD fully integrates campus-based learning with experiential learning, including the university’s signature cooperative education program (co-op), to provide students with the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to succeed in the pharmacy profession.

Our students promote and ensure the safe and effective use of drugs and provide medication therapy management services. In addition to preparing and dispensing prescribed medications, our students provide information to patients about medications and their uses; advise physicians, other prescribers, and healthcare practitioners on medication selection, dosages, interactions, and adverse effects; and monitor patient responses to drug therapy.

The goal of the Doctor of Pharmacy curriculum is to prepare graduates for the present and future practice of pharmacy and the advancement of the profession by providing a strong foundation in science and practice that stresses integration and application. Graduates will be prepared to deliver patient-centered care, provide safe and effective medication therapy management, work as members of interprofessional teams, and make significant contributions to contemporary health care environments.

Upon completion of the Doctor of Pharmacy program at Northeastern University, a graduate will have achieved specifically defined curricular outcomes. To be eligible for a Doctor of Pharmacy degree, a student must successfully complete all courses in the curriculum including the IPPEs (co-op) and APPEs; meet the academic progression standards of the program; meet the technical standards of the program; and satisfy all other requirements as stated. 

The pharmacy program is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education and adheres to the standards established by ACPE.

Pharmacy graduates must meet specific requirements to qualify for professional licensure in the state where they plan to practice as a registered pharmacist. These requirements include:

  • Graduating from an accredited school of pharmacy
  • Passing national and state board examinations
  • Completing internship hours

The internship is a period of practical experience conducted under the supervision of a registered pharmacist. Massachusetts requires 1,500 internship hours, all of which are satisfied through completion of IPPEs (co-op) and APPEs.

N

Free Career Guide:

What Can You Do With a PharmD Degree?

Explore the breadth of possible traditional and non-traditional career paths you can take with a doctorate in pharmacy.

Sample Curriculum

Sample curriculum, subject to change.

Please view the university’s academic catalog for full course details. This course sample curriculum is from the early assurance pathway for high school students.

Electives

Students must use electives to fulfill the professional elective requirement, the NUpath Interpreting Culture, Understanding Societies and Institutions, and Exploring Creative Expression and Innovation attributes (if not already fulfilled through prior coursework).

Professional Elective

Complete at least 2 semester hours during the professional phase of the program from the following:

Counseling Theories and Practice

Understanding Culture and Diversity

Introduction to Health Informatics and Health Information Systems

Business Application of Decision Support in Healthcare

Creation and Application of Medical Knowledge

Patient Engagement Informatics and Analytics

Interprofessional Ethics for Individual and Population Health

Alternative Medicine

Mindfulness: Theory and Practice

The (in)Visibility of (dis)Ability in Society

Human Nutrition

Advanced Nutrition in Health and Disease

Public Health Nutrition in the Community

Wellness

Leadership and Advocacy in Health Professions

Exploring Academic Careers

Cancer Chemotherapy

Research Methods in Health Systems

Principles in General Medicine

Contemporary Issues in Geriatric Pharmacy

Research

Directed Study

Pharmaceutical Industry

Ambulatory Care Pharmacy Practice in Urban Health

Self-Care and Nonprescription Medications: A Team-Based Approach

Research

Directed Study

Concepts in Pharmaceutical Science

Principles of Drug Design

Repurposing Drugs for Cancer Immunotherapies

Pharmaceutical Toxicology

The Chemistry and Biology of Drugs of Abuse

Behavioral Pharmacology and Drug Discovery

Biophysical Methods in Drug Discovery

Introduction to Global Health

Health Advocacy

Strategic Management and Leadership in Healthcare

Global Health

Evaluating Healthcare Quality

Economic Perspectives on Health Policy

Project Management in Public Health

Budget Principles in Public Health

Grant Writing in Public Health

Qualitative Methods in Health and Illness

Advanced Physical Pharmacy

Pharmacokinetics and Drug Metabolism

Advanced Drug Delivery Systems

Introduction to Communication Disorders

Communication Disorders in Movies

Admissions Pathways and Requirements

We have multiple pathways to enter our PharmD program. You’ll find the information you need to apply to our program below:

  • High school students
  • Current undergraduate students interested in transferring to our program
  • Students who hold a bachelor’s degree or but are interesting in pursuing a doctoral degree in pharmacy at Northeastern

That said, please feel free to reach out to us, if you have any questions.

Got questions?

Talk to us.

The Early Assurance Pathway

You can apply to Northeastern University as a freshman if you are a current high school student or have already graduated but have not attended college.

To learn more about pharmacy as a profession please read: 
Is Pharmacy Right For Me?

Curriculum

The Doctor of Pharmacy program provides a foundation of basic science and targeted liberal arts course work, a comprehensive, integrated professional course curriculum and extensive professional work experience that prepares students for work in a wide variety of pharmacy practice settings.

There is also an option to earn a accelerated Master in Public Health with your PharmD.

Sample Curriculum

Six-year program with two six-month co-ops

Year 1 and Year 2: pre-professional

P1-P4 Professional Curriculum (years 3-6)

Please see the sample curriculum above.

Frequently Asked Quesions

When will I receive my bachelor’s degree?

You will receive your bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy Studies (BS pharmacy studies) after five years.


When do I receive my doctorate in pharmacy (PharmD) degree?

You become a graduate student (Double Husky) in spring of your sixth year and graduate with a BS/PharmD.


How does the program work?

The first two years are the pre-professional years (PP1 and PP2), the final four years are the professional years of the program (P1-P4).


Am I guaranteed a seat in the professional years of the pharmacy program?

Yes, if you are admitted into the early assurance pathway in pharmacy, you have a spot in the PharmD program.


Do I need to apply to the professional part of the program?

Yes, you need to complete a PharmCAS application and complete an interview with the pharmacy admissions committee during your second year (PP2 year) as part of our accreditation process.

However, if you meet the progression requirements, you will be guaranteed a seat in the P1 year (your third year at Northeastern). Northeastern faculty and advisors work with you to stay on track.

Transfer Pathways

Northeastern Undergraduates

If you are a CURRENT Northeastern undergraduate, and you wish to enter the PharmD program, you can change your major to pharmacy.

Non-Northeastern Transfer Students

If you’re looking to transfer to our PharmD program at Northeastern, please choose from one of the two possible pathways below, that best describes your level of preparation to date:

1. Transfer into 1st Professional Year

If you have completed two or more years of undergraduate work, including the courses listed below, and have not yet earned a bachelor’s degree, you can apply to transfer directly into the first Professional Year (P1 of 4 years) of the PharmD Program.

Prerequisites for Transfer into P1 of the PharmD ProgramSemester Hours
Biology I & II (must include at least one lab component between the two courses)7
Chemistry I & II (must include at least one lab component between the two courses)7
Organic Chemistry I & II with labs8
Biochemistry3
Calculus or other high-level math3
Human Anatomy & Physiology I & II with 1 lab7
General Humanities4

Please apply using the PharmCAS application link, where you will also find more information about transfer requirements.

2. Transfer into 2nd Pre-professional Year

If you have fewer than two years of undergraduate coursework, or have not already taken the courses listed above, you can apply to transfer into the second pre-professional year of the Early Assurance Doctorate in Pharmacy program.

As an Early Assurance student, you will complete, at Northeastern, the remaining undergraduate, pre-professional requirements for entrance into the PharmD program, including at least twelve semester hours of science prerequisite coursework:

Early Assurance PharmD Program CourseworkSemester Hours
General Chemistry I with Lab (required)4
General Chemistry II with Lab (strongly recommended)4
General Biology I with Lab (required)4
General Biology II with Lab (strongly recommended)4
Calculus or higher4
Foundations of Psychology4
College writing (equivalent to ENGW 1111)4

In addition, you must meet all other progression plan requirements before being considered for admission into the first Professional (P1) Year of the PharmD program. Please visit the academic catalog and scroll down to the heading “Program Progression” to learn more.

You will be required to submit a PharmCAS application during your second pre-professional year as part of the progression requirements. As long as you meet the progression requirements and satisfactorily pass the progression interview, you will enter the P1 year of the PharmD program. The PharmCAS application process is considered a formality in the progression process and will not jeopardize your preferred or guaranteed enrollment status.

Please apply to this pathway through our Undergraduate Admissions website, where you will find more information, as well as application materials and deadlines.

Credit Transfer

Due to the volume of applications and coursework received, we will evaluate equivalencies of coursework taken at other institutions only after a student has been admitted to the program.

If you would like to see if a course you have taken has already been evaluated for equivalency by Northeastern University, please visit our equivalency data base.

Have a bachelor’s degree and prerequisite courses?

If you have earned a bachelor’s degree and will have completed all required pre-pharmacy coursework by the summer prior to Fall semester of matriculation, you may apply for admission into the first professional (P1) year of the PharmD program via the PharmCAS application. If you are interested in DIRECT-ENTRY admission, please see the application requirements and prerequisites below. For more information about the admissions requirements, please visit our PharmCAS School Page.

Fall 2024 Application Requirements

Deadline: June 3
Rolling admission decisions

Application Checklist

Completed PharmCAS application
Transcripts must be submitted directly to PharmCAS. Any foreign coursework must be evaluated by World Education Services (WES) Inc. and submitted directly to PharmCAS.

Optional: PCAT Exam (Pharmacy College Admissions Test)
Scores may be submitted directly to PharmCAS using PCAT score code 104

Bachelors degree (in any field/major) must be completed no later than summer prior to matriculation

Two letters of recommendation
Must be submitted directly into PharmCAS. Recommended sources, pharmacist, supervisor

Prerequisite courses (see below)
Preferred completion by spring semester prior to matriculation, with allowance for some coursework in summer. Students may apply while coursework is in progress.

TOEFL Score (International applicants only)

Prerequisites

Prerequisites required for Direct-Entry into first professional (P1) year of the program:

 * Only grades of C (2.0) or higher are acceptable to fulfill a prerequisite course.  An overall prerequisite science grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 is preferred.

Prerequisites For Fall AdmissionSemester Hours
General Chemistry I and II (1 Lab)7
General Biology I and II (1 Lab)7
Organic Chemistry I and II (with Labs)8
Biochemistry3
Calculus/Other Advanced Math3
Arts/Humanities/Social Sciences4
Human Physiology I and II (including anatomy) *7
BACHELOR’S Degree (any discipline) required

Students may apply while coursework is in progress – all prerequisites and bachelor’s degree need to be completed by end of summer term for admission in fall semester. AP credit for coursework will be considered if listed on transcript and accepted by the undergraduate institution.

Notes on Human Physiology I and II Course Sequence:  A total of 7 semester hours of HUMAN-based Physiology and Anatomy are required by the program.  Course designed for health professions are highly preferred.  Please check with advisors/instructors at your institution to identify courses that fit these requirements.  If a general anatomy or physiology course is taken, 80% of the course content must be based on human systems.  Most students fulfill this course sequence by taking:

OPTION 1:  Human Anatomy and Physiology I and Human Anatomy and Physiology II (at least one lab as part of sequence)

OPTION 2:  Human Physiology I and Human Anatomy I (at least one lab as part of sequence)

OPTION 3:  Human Physiology I and Human Physiology II (at least one lab as part of sequence)

Transcripts in languages other than English must be submitted for verification through World Education Services (WES) Inc. A course-by-course GPA and degree equivalency evaluation is required and must be submitted through PharmCAS application.

Note: Due to the volume of applications and coursework received, we will evaluate equivalencies of coursework only after a student has applied to the program.  Final review occurs as part of the admission process.

Pharmacy-PharmD

Experiential Learning

Learning extends beyond the classroom at Northeastern. Providing students with opportunities for experiential education linking coursework with the real-world is central to the mission both of the University and the Bouvé College of Health Sciences.

Cooperative education (Co-op), a program unique among US schools of pharmacy, provides for up to 48 weeks of full-time practical experience, that satisfy the Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience (IPPE) requirement of the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE). The school is affiliated with many world-class practice sites in metropolitan Boston and throughout the United States providing students with access to experienced clinicians and scholars.

A group of pharmacy co-op students in their white coats

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the program lead to pharmacy licensure?

The Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree is a professional doctorate degree necessary to pursue pharmacy licensure in the United States.  National Association of Boards of Pharmacy, including the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Pharmacy, require that pharmacy licensure applicants from the United States have graduated from an accredited PharmD degree program to be eligible to sit for the NAPLEX ® (North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination ®) and the MPJE ® (Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination ®).


What are the technical standards for the pharmacy program?

The Doctor of Pharmacy program at Northeastern University is a rigorous and challenging academic program that requires students to possess specific characteristics and abilities within the cognitive, affective and psychomotor domains, referred to here as technical standards. To successfully progress in and ultimately complete the didactic, laboratory and experiential components of the Doctor of Pharmacy program, students must meet the following standards:

Intellectual Abilities
Students must have well-developed problem solving and critical thinking skills. Cognitive function must be appropriate to integrate, evaluate and apply information gained through measurement, analysis, calculation, and reasoning. Students must have the capacity to learn efficiently in classroom, laboratory, small group, and experiential settings, and through independent study. Students are required to demonstrate the ability to integrate course content knowledge with clinical practice applications to optimize medication therapy management.

Communication Skills
Students must be able to communicate effectively with colleagues, professors, patients, families, and healthcare providers. This includes efficiently comprehending, speaking, reading, and writing in English. Students must be able to process and use appropriate non-verbal cues and be proficient in the use of electronic communication media.

Behavioral and Social Attributes
Students must demonstrate maturity, integrity, honesty, compassion, and respect when relating to others. Students must have sufficient mental and emotional health to complete work and responsibilities using good judgment. Students must be able to tolerate and adapt to stressful workloads and situations, and modify behavior based on constructive criticism. Students must be able to function in accordance with the legal and ethical standards of practice.

Observation and Motor Skills
Students must have functional use of visual, auditory, and tactile senses. Students must be able to observe and perform experiments, physical assessments, patient interviews, and medication order processing. Students must be able to distinguish physical characteristics of medications by inspection. Students must have coordination of gross and fine muscular movements sufficient to perform pharmacy-related tasks including compounding and dispensing medications, administering medications, and using computers and other technology necessary for learning and professional practice.


What kind of salary can I expect to make as a pharmacist?

Did you know that pharmacists are the top #2 and #4 highest paying jobs in the United States? Only physicians ranked higher.

Pharmacy Manager
Median Base Salary: $144,768
Number of Job Openings: 3,042

Pharmacist
Median Base Salary: $126,438
Number of Job Openings: 1,884

Glassdoor’s “25 Highest Paying Jobs in America” list