Thank you for your interest in the South College Doctor of Pharmacy Program.
The information and links provided below are intended to assist you in the application and admissions process.
South College applicants no longer need to complete the
Pharmacy College Admissions Test (PCAT).
To be considered for admission, an applicant should have a preferred cumulative grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale in all coursework from all colleges or universities attended. A grade of “C” or higher in each course is required for the following pre-pharmacy courses taken at a college or university that is accredited by a regional accreditation agency that is recognized by the United States Department of Education. International coursework must be evaluated by a credential evaluation service that is accepted by PharmCAS.
^For applicants who have successfully completed a bachelor’s degree, the pre-requisite requirements of speech and economics can be considered for substitution if competency in these content areas can be sufficiently demonstrated throughout the application and/or interview process.
*Electives in Humanities include fine arts, literature, philosophy, religious studies, and foreign language.
**Electives in Social/Behavior Sciences include psychology, history, sociology, anthropology, and political science.
Additional Studies:
Although not required for admission, students may benefit from additional courses in the sciences. The recommended areas of study are Immunology, Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Medical Terminology, and Pathophysiology.
PCAT or other graduate admissions tests scores are not required from South College School of Pharmacy applicants.
Applicants whose first language is not English may be required to demonstrate proficiency in the English Language by scoring a minimum composite of 80, but 100 or higher is preferred, on the computer-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT).
The South College School of Pharmacy strongly prefers three letters of recommendation. Two letters of recommendation are required. One letter must be submitted by the applicant’s pre-professional adviser at the college or university where the applicant completed the pre-pharmacy curriculum or by a faculty member who taught the applicant in the pre-pharmacy curriculum. It is preferred that one letter be submitted by a pharmacist who supervised the applicant in an employee or volunteer capacity. One letter may be submitted by any person chosen by the applicant, except that the letter may not be from a member of the applicant’s family, whether related by blood or marriage.
Application to the South College School of Pharmacy requires applying through the Pharmacy College Application Service (PharmCAS) conducted by the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (www.pharmcas.org). Only applications received through PharmCAS will be considered.
The South College School of Pharmacy has integrated previous Supplemental Application questions into the PharmCAS application. The Supplemental Application is no longer required.
Additional information about PharmCAS is available on the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy website at www.aacp.org.
The applicant must meet the following technical requirements for admission. The technical requirements establish the non-academic abilities that are considered imperative for students to progress at the level of competence required by the faculty and by ACPE. It is the responsibility of the applicant to notify the School of Pharmacy in writing if the applicant cannot meet one or more of these technical requirements. Medical documentation describing the inability to meet one or more of the requirements should be provided. The School of Pharmacy, together with the South College Student Services Department, will review the information provided by the applicant to determine what, if any, reasonable accommodations might be possible to facilitate successful completion of the degree requirements if the applicant is admitted. The results of the review will be provided in writing to the applicant.
The candidate must possess the ability to accurately make observations at a distance and close at hand. Observation requires a functioning level of use of the sense of vision and somatic sensation which is enhanced and supported by a functioning level of use of touch, hearing, taste, and smell. Candidates must possess the ability to directly observe demonstrations and experiments in the classroom, as well as patients’ physical conditions for the provision of their care. Candidates must be capable of remaining alert and attentive while in educational and clinical settings. Inherent in this observation process is the use of the senses and sufficient motor capability to carry out the necessary assessment activities.
Candidates must possess the ability to effectively communicate with instructors, healthcare practitioners, patients, family members, caretakers and other members of the community. The candidate must possess the ability to use English to effectively communicate in both oral and written form and the ability to interpret forms of nonverbal communication.
The candidate must possess the ability to effectively coordinate both gross and fine muscular movement, sustain equilibrium, and have intact functioning of all of the senses. The candidate must possess the ability to maintain postural control and neuromuscular control and possess a level of eye-to-hand coordination that is essential to competently performing pharmacy-based practice skills and tasks. These tasks include, but are not limited to, using computer based information systems, preparing and dispensing medications, accurately compounding sterile and non-sterile dosage forms, providing emergency care (first aid treatments, Basic Life Saving skills, etc.) performing basic health monitoring tests and the administration of immunizations.
The candidate must be able to think critically and analytically, solve problems, demonstrate reasoning and analysis, and synthesize information in an appropriate manner. Candidates must be able to interpret information through a variety of methods including the use of electronic information systems, classroom education, group activities, independent learning, and individual instructions in a clinical setting. In addition, the candidate should be able to comprehend three-dimensional relationships and understand the spatial relationships of structures. All candidates should possess effective learning techniques which allow for the successful completion of an accelerated pharmacy curriculum.
The candidate must possess the emotional health necessary to demonstrate academic abilities, exercise judgment, and complete activities. The candidate must recognize how behavior affects performance and relationships. The candidate must possess the ability to endure the time commitment and stresses associated with the pharmacy curriculum and adapt to change. Personal attributes and characteristics, including but not limited to compassion, empathy, and motivation, are essential. Integrity, concern for others, effective interpersonal skills, willingness and ability to function as an effective team player, and interest and motivation to learn are all personal qualities required during the educational process.
The candidate must demonstrate the ability to act with professionalism and integrity in all aspects of the admissions process, and if admitted to the School of Pharmacy, throughout matriculation in the curriculum leading to the Doctor of Pharmacy degree. Candidates must continually exhibit professionalism in their appearance, attitude, behavior, and interactions with their peers, colleagues, patients, and instructors.
Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply to the program. However, it is the responsibility of the candidate to notify South College in writing with medical documentation from their provider, (South College School of Pharmacy, 400 Goody’s Lane, Knoxville, TN 37922) and verbally if there is any reason why the abilities and/or expectations described cannot be met. Candidates will be presented with these technical standards during the interview process. At that time they will review these standards with the program faculty and sign a form. Candidates who indicate verbally and in writing (with medical documentation) that they cannot meet one or more of these requirements will have their situation reviewed by the School of Pharmacy to determine what, if any reasonable accommodations might be possible to facilitate successful completion of the degree requirements if they are admitted into the program.
The applicant must participate (at the applicant’s expense) in an on-campus interview with representatives of the Admissions Committee of the South College School of Pharmacy. On-campus interviews are preferred, but the South College School of Pharmacy will consider interviews conducted via video calling software in certain situations. Not all applicants will be extended an offer to interview, and offering of an interview is not an indication that the applicant will be accepted. Offers to interview will be determined by the Director of Pharmacy Marketing & Enrollment and the Admissions Committee. The procession for offering an interview will be from those applicants judged most qualified (based on cumulative grade point average and other measures) to those judged less qualified until the class is admitted. A result of this procession is that some applicants who meet the minimum requirements for admission may not be extended an offer to interview. Whether a particular applicant will be offered an interview will be affected by how a particular applicant compares to the other applicants in the current pool of applicants. The interview will include an evaluation of verbal communication skills, understanding of the pharmacy profession, and commitment to patient care, among other areas of importance to the School of Pharmacy.
Jill Brehmer
Director of Pharmacy Marketing & Enrollment, School of Pharmacy
(865) 288-5779
jbrehmer@south.edu
Lori Brown
Admissions and Student Outreach Coordinator, School of Pharmacy
(865) 288-5871
lbrown3@south.edu
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