UIC PharmD prerequisites at the University of Illinois Chicago Retzky College of Pharmacy come down to 18 semester courses, each worth at least 3 semester credits, across communication, biology, chemistry, math and the liberal arts. The Doctor of Pharmacy is a four-year program offered on two campuses, Chicago and Rockford, through one PharmCAS application. UIC says plainly that you may take the required courses at any accredited college, university or community college, “including accredited online courses.” For fall 2027 entry, the priority deadline is January 4, 2027, and the final deadline is March 1, 2027.
PrereqCourses.com can help with most of that list. PrereqCourses offers online courses through Upper Iowa University, which is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Our catalog covers 17 of UIC’s 18 required courses, and Calculus is the one gap. UIC has not published a UIU course guide, so email your plan and syllabi to pharmd@uic.edu and confirm each course before you enroll.
Table of contents
UIC PharmD prerequisites at a glance
This summary follows UIC’s application and admission page and the PharmCAS UIC school page, both checked on November 12, 2026.
| Item | UIC rule |
| Required courses | 18 semester courses (22 quarter courses) |
| Credit minimum | At least 3 semester or 4 quarter credits per course |
| Double counting | A course cannot count in more than one prerequisite area |
| GPA | 2.50 minimum for cumulative, science and math, and prerequisite GPA |
| Grades | C- or better in every prerequisite |
| Pass/fail | Not accepted, except for Spring or Summer 2020 |
| AP and test-out credit | Accepted when noted on your transcript |
| Online courses | Accepted from accredited schools |
| PCAT | Not required; reporting is optional (PharmCAS says no tests are considered) |
| Letters | Two, through PharmCAS: one academic, one work or volunteer supervisor |
| Interview | Virtual multiple mini-interviews plus a writing assessment, September through June |
| Priority deadline | January 4, 2027 |
| Final deadline | March 1, 2027 (domestic and international) |
| Finish prerequisites by | August 6, 2027 |
About the UIC PharmD program
The Retzky College of Pharmacy runs one PharmD program on two campuses. The Chicago campus sits in the Illinois Medical District, which UIC describes as one of the largest districts of its type in the nation. The Rockford campus offers a small class of about 30 students, according to UIC’s Rockford campus page. You choose Chicago or Rockford in your PharmCAS application. PharmCAS reports that UIC filled 188 first-year seats in its last entering class.
According to UIC’s PharmD FAQs, classes are taught live from one campus and broadcast to the other, so both campuses share the same courses and faculty. Each campus also has its own concentration. Chicago is home to Urban Pharmacy Services (UPHARM), and Rockford is home to Rural Pharmacy Services (RPHARM). PharmCAS says UIC gives no preference by state residency and charges all PharmD students the same rate.
UIC’s by the numbers page reports these facts:
- The PharmD is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) until June 30, 2031.
- The Class of 2025 had a 90.6% first-time NAPLEX pass rate (90.8% in Chicago and 90.0% in Rockford).
- The on-time graduation rate for the Class of 2026 was 84%.
- It is #1 in Illinois per U.S. News, as reported by UIC.
If you are new to the degree itself, the PharmD degree explained covers how the four years are structured.
The 18 required courses
The University of Illinois Chicago PharmD requirements are set as courses, not credit hours. Each of the 18 UIC PharmD prerequisites must be at least 3 semester credits, and UIC notes that courses with labs may carry more. PharmCAS gives approximate totals of 60 semester hours overall and 45 in basic science, but the course list is what UIC checks.
| # | Area | UIC wording (summary) | Lab |
| 1 | Written communication | An English written communication course, such as composition | n/a |
| 2 | Verbal communication | An English verbal communication course, such as speech or public speaking | n/a |
| 3 | Additional communication | One more English communication course, written or verbal | n/a |
| 4 to 5 | General Biology | Two semesters with labs | required |
| 6 to 7 | Anatomy and Physiology | Two-semester A&P sequence, or one human anatomy plus one human physiology course; all organ systems | not required |
| 8 | Microbiology | One course with a lab | required |
| 9 to 10 | General Chemistry | Two-semester sequence with labs | required |
| 11 to 12 | Organic Chemistry | Two-semester sequence with lab(s) | required (one lab allowed if at least 2 credits) |
| 13 | Physics | One general physics course | not required |
| 14 | Biochemistry | One course | not required |
| 15 | Calculus | Must cover derivatives and integrals | n/a |
| 16 | Statistics | Any statistics course | n/a |
| 17 | Social and behavioral sciences | Psychology, sociology, economics, anthropology, political science, geography or similar | n/a |
| 18 | Humanities | Philosophy, religious studies, English literature, history, art history or similar | n/a |
Communication courses
UIC asks for three English communication courses. One must be written, such as composition. One must be verbal, such as speech or public speaking. The third can be either written or verbal. A second composition course is the most straightforward choice for the third slot.
Biology, Anatomy and Physiology and Microbiology
General Biology is a two-course sequence with labs, and Microbiology is one course with a lab. For Anatomy and Physiology, UIC accepts a two-semester A&P sequence or one human anatomy course plus one human physiology course. All organ systems must be covered, and UIC says labs are not required for this area. Our guide to AP credit and microbiology for pharmacy school has more planning detail.
General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry
General Chemistry is a two-semester sequence with labs. Organic Chemistry is also two semesters, and PharmCAS says one organic lab is enough if it carries at least 2 semester credits. Biochemistry is one course, and UIC says a lab is not required. Plan these in order, since each builds on the one before. See the pharmacy chemistry sequence for a full walkthrough.
Physics, Calculus and Statistics
Physics is one general physics course, and UIC says a lab is not required. Statistics can be any statistics course. Calculus is the most specific requirement on the list. UIC’s admissions page lists “Calculus (integrals and derivatives),” and PharmCAS says “any calculus class that covers derivatives and integrals.” A course that covers only limits and derivatives may not meet this rule, so check the syllabus before you enroll. Our guide to physics and calculus for pharmacy explains how schools word this.
Social and behavioral sciences and Humanities
You need one course in each. For social and behavioral sciences, UIC gives examples such as psychology, sociology, economics, anthropology, political science and geography. For humanities, its examples include philosophy, religious studies, English literature, history and art history.
Tip: UIC says a course cannot count in more than one prerequisite area. A literature course, for example, cannot count as both your humanities course and your additional communication course.
UIC’s online course policy
UIC’s position is direct. Its application and admission page says:
“You may take the required pre-pharmacy courses at any accredited college, university, or community college, including accredited online courses.”
The PharmCAS UIC page answers “Yes” for online science courses with labs, online science courses without labs and online non-science courses. It adds: “Online coursework must be taken from regionally accredited institutions. Questions should be directed to pharmd@uic.edu.”
UIC also posts prerequisite course guides for a set of colleges, mostly in Illinois and the Midwest. Upper Iowa University is not one of them, which means UIC has not published a UIU equivalency. That does not mean UIU courses are excluded. It means you should send the course descriptions or syllabi to pharmd@uic.edu and ask UIC to confirm each course before you enroll.
For a wider view, see can you take pharmacy prerequisites online and our list of online pharmacy prerequisites.
GPA, grades, pass/fail and AP
UIC sets a 2.50 minimum on three GPAs, and you must meet all three by the PharmCAS Spring Academic Update:
- Cumulative GPA. Includes every attempt, regardless of a school’s grade forgiveness policy.
- Science and math GPA. Also includes every attempt.
- Prerequisite GPA. Uses your best attempt in each prerequisite.
UIC says you need at least a 2.5 to be invited to the next step, the supplemental application. Every prerequisite needs a C- or better.
Pass/fail and credit grades are not accepted, except for courses taken in Spring or Summer 2020. AP and test-out credit can count when it appears on your college transcript. Coursework from outside the U.S. needs a WES course-by-course evaluation.
If your science coursework was taken more than five years before you apply, UIC asks you to talk with its Office of Student Affairs. This is a review conversation, not an automatic expiration. See pharmacy prerequisite recency rules for how other schools handle older credits, and what GPA do you need for pharmacy school for broader context.
PCAT, letters and observation hours
PCAT. The PCAT is not required; reporting is optional. UIC’s admissions page says you can choose to report PCAT scores and that this is “not a requirement.” PharmCAS also says UIC does not consider standardized tests. If you are deciding whether to sit for it, read is the PCAT still required for pharmacy.
Letters of recommendation. UIC requires two letters, submitted through PharmCAS:
- One academic reference, such as a professor, a teaching assistant or an academic adviser
- One work or volunteer supervisor
Accepted writers include employers, faculty advisors, health care professionals, pharmacists, pre-health advisors, professors in any subject, supervisors and teaching assistants. UIC does not accept letters from clergy, co-workers, family members, friends or politicians. A committee letter can count as your one academic reference, but composite letters are not accepted. Letters are not needed for PharmCAS to verify your application, and UIC reviews them when they arrive.
Observation hours and degree. PharmCAS says UIC does not require pharmacy observation hours and lists a bachelor’s degree as “Not Required.” PharmCAS also lists a minimum of two years of pre-pharmacy coursework.
Supplemental application and interview
After PharmCAS verifies your application, UIC checks your prerequisites and GPA. If you qualify, you are invited to complete a supplemental application. There is no supplemental fee, and UIC recommends finishing it within two weeks of the invitation.
UIC uses holistic review. According to UIC’s admissions page, interviews run from September through June and, for the time being, take place in a virtual online format. The interview day includes student and faculty information sessions, multiple mini-interviews (MMI) and a writing assessment. Before UIC sends an interview invitation, all your scheduled and pending prerequisites must be listed in PharmCAS.
To see how selective programs compare, read how competitive is pharmacy school admission.
UIC PharmD deadlines for fall 2027
| Milestone | Date |
| Priority deadline | January 4, 2027 |
| Final deadline (domestic and international) | March 1, 2027 |
| GPA minimums met | By the PharmCAS Spring Academic Update |
| Hold multiple acceptances until | March 1, 2027 |
| Finish all prerequisites | August 6, 2027 |
| First day of classes | August 23, 2027 (per PharmCAS) |
UIC uses rolling admission. Scholarships are awarded starting in September on a first-come, first-served basis, and every applicant is considered automatically. UIC recommends applying early if you want to qualify for a scholarship.
You can apply with UIC PharmD prerequisites still in progress, as long as you list them in PharmCAS. PharmCAS says they must be finished by August 6, 2027, “without exception,” and that completing them by spring is preferred. Under the Cooperative Admissions Guidelines, you can hold more than one acceptance until March 1. UIC’s acceptance deposits are nonrefundable, so check the current amounts on UIC’s admissions page before you commit.
How to complete UIC PharmD prerequisites online with UIU courses
PrereqCourses offers online courses through Upper Iowa University, which is accredited by the HLC. Credit appears on a UIU transcript, and courses start on the first of every month.
The table maps our catalog to the 18 UIC areas. UIC has not reviewed or listed these courses, so treat this as a starting point and confirm each one with pharmd@uic.edu before you enroll.
Please note: any prerequisite requirements listed on a UIU syllabus apply only to full-time UIU students. Students enrolling through PrereqCourses.com are exempt from those syllabus prerequisites.
The Calculus gap. UIC requires a calculus course that covers both derivatives and integrals. UIU’s MATH 120 Calculus I syllabus describes a course that “focuses on differentiation,” and its schedule has no integration unit. For that reason, we do not present MATH 120 as meeting UIC’s Calculus requirement. Plan to take a calculus course that covers both derivatives and integrals at a regionally accredited school, and email pharmd@uic.edu to confirm your choice before you enroll.
Additional communication. ENG 102 is the clearer fit for UIC’s third communication course, because it is a second written course. COMM 200 is interpersonal communication, so ask UIC whether it counts before you choose it.
Physics. UIC requires one general physics course, and PHY 115 covers that. PHY 116 Introduction to Physics II is optional extra background, not a UIC requirement.
Sample plan. Courses start on the first of every month, so you can begin as soon as you are ready and stack courses across successive starts. Work backward from August 6, 2027, and aim to finish science courses by spring, since PharmCAS says spring completion is preferred.
| Step | Plan |
| Now | Map your transcript to the 18 areas; email pharmd@uic.edu with syllabi for any course you plan to take |
| Next start | Begin General Chemistry, since Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry follow it; add BIO 135 or a communication course if your schedule allows |
| Following starts | Move through Organic Chemistry, BIO 140, BIO 270 then BIO 275, Microbiology, Physics and Statistics |
| By January 4, 2027 | Submit PharmCAS for priority consideration, with courses in progress listed |
| By March 1, 2027 | Final deadline for a complete PharmCAS application |
| By August 6, 2027 | Finish every prerequisite, including Calculus |
For more on chemistry pacing, see general chemistry for pharmacy school online. If you are switching fields, career change to pharmacy and from pharmacy technician to PharmD walk through where to start.
Compare with other PharmD programs
If you are building a school list, these guides cover other programs:
For a wider view, use pharmacy prerequisites by school or our pharmacy prerequisites hub.
FAQ
Does UIC accept online prerequisites for the PharmD?
Yes. UIC says you may take the required courses at any accredited college, university or community college, “including accredited online courses.” PharmCAS adds that online coursework must come from a regionally accredited school.
Does UIC accept online science courses?
Yes. PharmCAS answers “Yes” for online science courses with labs and without labs. UIC has not published a UIU course guide, so email pharmd@uic.edu with your syllabi to confirm specific courses before you enroll.
Does MATH 120 meet UIC’s calculus requirement?
We do not present it that way. UIC requires calculus that covers derivatives and integrals, and the MATH 120 syllabus focuses on differentiation with no integration unit. Take a calculus course that covers both, and confirm it with pharmd@uic.edu.
Is the PCAT required at UIC?
No. The PCAT is not required; reporting is optional, according to UIC. PharmCAS also says UIC does not consider standardized tests.
What GPA do I need for UIC PharmD admission?
At least a 2.50 for cumulative, science and math, and prerequisite GPA, met by the PharmCAS Spring Academic Update. Each prerequisite also needs a C- or better.
How many letters of recommendation does UIC require?
Two, submitted through PharmCAS. One should come from an academic reference, such as a professor, and one from a work or volunteer supervisor.
When are UIC PharmD prerequisites due?
All prerequisites must be finished by August 6, 2027, for fall 2027 entry. The application’s priority deadline is January 4, 2027, and the final deadline is March 1, 2027.
Next steps
- Compare your transcript with the 18 UIC PharmD prerequisites and note any grade below a C-.
- Check whether any of your past schools appear in UIC’s prerequisite course guides.
- Email pharmd@uic.edu with syllabi for the courses you plan to take, including your Calculus choice, before you enroll.
- Line up two letter writers: one academic reference and one work or volunteer supervisor.
- Submit PharmCAS by January 4, 2027, for priority consideration, and no later than March 1, 2027.
- Finish every remaining prerequisite by August 6, 2027, ideally by spring.
- Book a free advisory session if you want help mapping your plan.
Confirm every course with the UIC Retzky College of Pharmacy before you enroll.
