Pre-Pharmacy Program in Pennsylvania
Choose from a variety of majors and options that will enable your acceptance into pharmacy school.
Study Pre-Pharmacy at a Christian University
Are you interested in a career in pharmacy? Messiah University, a private Christian university in Pennsylvania, offers pre-health advising options to help you prepare for a health-related career after obtaining your undergraduate degree.
There are several options for pharmacy-related studies at Messiah University. The first, pre-pharmacy, is not structured as a major. Instead, it will prepare you for pharmacy school through a personalized, rigorous advising pathway within a major you choose. You will work one-on-one with our dedicated pre-health advisor to get answers to your questions; explore a career path that matches your passions and skills; and to help ensure you complete the prerequisite courses and application materials required for acceptance into pharmacy school.
The other options are through partnerships between Messiah University and other universitities. You can learn more in the "Partner programs" accordion below.
While we have students from various majors go on to pharmacy school, some of the more widely selected majors for pharmacy school-bound students at Messiah include:
- Applied Health Science
- Biochemistry (B.S. and B.A.)
- Biology – Biomedical concentration
- Biopsychology
- Molecular Biology
NOTE: Students participating in the 3+ Partner Program with Saint Joseph's University (SJU) must complete an undergraduate B.A. degree in biochemistry at Messiah University.
While specific requirements vary by school, if you are participating in the pre-health advising pathway for pharmacy, you will likely be required to take the following courses to be able to apply to pharmacy school.
- One year of general biology
- Anatomy and physiology
- One year of general chemistry
- One year of organic chemistry
- One year introductory or general physics
- Mathematics courses
- One year of English
- Courses in the social sciences or humanities
NOTE: Students participating in the 3+ Partner Program with University of the Sciences must complete an undergraduate B.A. degree coursework in biochemistry at Messiah University.
Messiah University + LECOM (in pharmacy)
The Bachelor’s + PharmD Early Assurance Program (EAP) leading to a Doctorate in Pharmacy (PharmD) is the result of a collaboration between Messiah University and Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM). Students will complete their bachelor's degree at Messiah University and then proceed to LECOM to obtain their PharmD degree.
For academic and application requirements, career planning tools and more.
Questions?
Contact Martha Stigelman, Pre-health professions advising coordinator
717-766-2511, ext. 3936
In the Pre-Pharmacy program, you will take a selection of courses that successfully prepare you for a career in a related field. Hands-on experiences and classroom learning within the framework of Christian faith will give you the skills and knowledge to achieve your goals. Our programs offer a wide variety of courses that will not only help you excel in your future career, but challenge you to develop a deeper understanding of your field of study.
Pre-Pharmacy careers and outcomes
Where our grads work
Graduates of the Pre-Pharmacy program work in positions of leadership in their places of employment, using the tools and knowledge a Messiah University education prepared them with. Each year, eager employers and some of the nation's best graduate schools welcome Messiah graduates into their organizations.
95% of the Class of 2024 respondents were employed or in graduate school within 6-9 months of graduation.
Our Alumni
Regional and national employers seek out Messiah graduates for their academic preparation, work ethic and personal character. The transformation you experience at Messiah readies you to transform the lives of others through your chosen career path.
Messiah's unique approach to hands-on learning
Learning in the classroom is important but actually applying that knowledge in a hands-on way can make all the difference. At Messiah University, the Experiential Learning Initiative (ELI) allows Messiah to take this hands-on learning to a new level by giving students the opportunity to apply what they have learned to various real world contexts--such as an internship/practica, service learning, off-campus program, holding a student leadership position, or participating in undergraduate research.