UMN PharmD prerequisites at the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy cover 10 course areas, from General Biology and Microbiology to full sequences in General and Organic Chemistry. The Doctor of Pharmacy is a four-year program taught on two campuses, Duluth and the Twin Cities, through one application. A bachelor’s degree is preferred but not required, there is no minimum GPA, and no standardized test is used. For the fall 2027 class, the priority deadline has passed, but the final deadline is March 1, 2027, at 11:59 p.m. Central time.
UMN publishes guides of approved prerequisite courses for more than 150 schools, and one of them is for Upper Iowa University. UMN’s guide lists specific UIU courses for 9 of its 10 prerequisite areas, and the 10th area accepts a variety of courses. PrereqCourses.com offers online courses through Upper Iowa University, which is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Credit appears on a UIU transcript. A guide listing is not a promise of admission, so confirm your plan with UMN admissions at pharmacy@umn.edu, or request a prerequisite evaluation, before you enroll.
Table of contents
UMN PharmD prerequisites at a glance
This summary follows UMN’s prerequisites page, FAQ, how to apply overview and the PharmCAS University of Minnesota page, all checked on November 11, 2026.
| Item | UMN rule |
| Degree | Bachelor’s degree preferred, not required |
| Prerequisite areas | 10: General Biology; Microbiology; Anatomy; Physiology; Calculus; Statistics; General chemistry; Organic chemistry; Social and behavioral sciences or Humanities; Introductory composition |
| Course rules | Regionally accredited school; at least 3 semester credits each; graded A to F; C- or better |
| Pass/fail | One prerequisite may be pass/fail; Spring and Summer 2020 courses are exempt from that limit |
| Online courses | Accepted; the FAQ answers yes to online labs, and PharmCAS lists online courses as accepted for science and non-science prerequisites |
| Approved course guides | Guides for more than 150 schools, including Upper Iowa University; a prerequisite evaluation covers anything not listed |
| GPA | No minimum; fall 2026 class averaged a 3.49 PharmCAS GPA |
| PCAT | Not used; no standardized tests considered |
| Evaluations | Two required, up to four accepted |
| Interview | Two one-on-one 25-minute interviews, virtual or in person |
| Priority deadline | October 1, 2026 (passed) |
| Final deadline | March 1, 2027, 11:59 p.m. Central time |
| Finish prerequisites by | August 1, 2027, with no more than two in summer 2027 |
About the UMN PharmD program
The University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy offers one PharmD program on two campuses. UMN describes it as a single program, not a satellite model. Faculty teach from both Duluth and the Twin Cities, and classes connect by Zoom. You submit one application, and the admissions committee does not consider your campus preference when it decides. You choose a campus preference after your interview day. All degrees are issued by the Twin Cities campus. The program is full time and is not offered online or part time.
According to UMN’s program statistics, each class has about 100 to 140 students, with about 20 to 40 in Duluth and 80 to 100 in the Twin Cities. PharmCAS lists Full Accreditation from ACPE.
The fall 2026 incoming class had:
- An average PharmCAS GPA of 3.49 and an average science GPA of 3.37
- A GPA range of 2.55 to 4.0
- An average age of 24
- About 70 to 80% with a bachelor’s degree or higher
UMN also publishes outcomes. First-time NAPLEX pass rates were 80.7% in 2022, 78.0% in 2023, 77.6% in 2024 and 84.1% in 2025. The 2026 residency match rate was 85%, and the 2026 on-time graduation rate was 90%. For the Class of 2025, 53.3% went into residencies and 35.8% into pharmacy employment.
The 10 prerequisite areas
UMN PharmD prerequisites are listed as 10 areas on UMN’s prerequisites page. PharmCAS adds minimum semester hours for some areas and says applicants need 48 semester hours in total before matriculation. Requirements can change, so recheck UMN before you enroll.
| Area | UMN wording (summary) | PharmCAS minimum | Lab |
| General Biology | One course with lab; a more advanced biology lab may substitute if general biology had no lab | not listed | required |
| Microbiology | One course | not listed | recommended if available |
| Anatomy | Full A&P sequence covering all body systems; human-focused courses recommended | not listed | recommended if available |
| Physiology | Same A&P sequence as Anatomy | not listed | recommended if available |
| Calculus | One course; must be college-level calculus | 3 semester hours | not listed |
| Statistics | One course; must be college-level statistics | 3 semester hours | not listed |
| General chemistry | Full sequence, generally two courses | 6 semester hours | at least one; two recommended |
| Organic chemistry | Full sequence, generally two courses | 6 semester hours | at least one; two recommended |
| Social and behavioral sciences or Humanities | Two courses, or the MN Transfer Curriculum, a U.S. associate’s degree or a U.S. bachelor’s degree | 6 semester hours | n/a |
| Introductory composition | One course, or the MN Transfer Curriculum, a U.S. associate’s degree or a U.S. bachelor’s degree | not listed | n/a |
Biology, Microbiology and Anatomy and Physiology
General Biology is one course. Microbiology is one course. Anatomy and Physiology work as a pair: UMN wants a full A&P sequence that covers all systems of the body. Human-focused courses are recommended. If you take a combined A&P class, the FAQ says it counts when it is at least 4 semester credits without counting lab credits and covers every body system. For most students, that means completing both halves of a two-course sequence. See AP credit and microbiology for pharmacy school for more on Microbiology planning.
General and Organic Chemistry
Both chemistry areas call for a full sequence, generally two courses, with at least one lab. UMN and PharmCAS recommend two labs. PharmCAS lists 6 semester hours as the minimum for each. Plan General Chemistry first, since Organic Chemistry builds on it. Our guides to the pharmacy chemistry sequence and general chemistry for pharmacy school online cover sequencing.
Calculus and Statistics
Each is one college-level course. PharmCAS lists 3 semester hours as the minimum for each. UMN does not add more detail on topics, so use the approved guide for your school, or request an evaluation if your course is not listed.
Composition and social and behavioral sciences or Humanities
Introductory composition is one college-level writing course taught in English. The social and behavioral sciences or Humanities area is two courses. The FAQ confirms both can come from one department, such as two psychology or two economics courses. If you hold a U.S. bachelor’s or associate’s degree, or finished the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum, UMN counts both of these areas as complete.
Tip: If you already have a U.S. degree, you can likely focus on the eight science and math areas. Confirm with UMN before you skip anything.
UMN’s online course policy
UMN takes a clear position on online coursework. The FAQ says:
“Q: Can a lab be taken online? A: Yes!”
PharmCAS says online courses are accepted for science courses with labs, science courses without labs and non-science courses, and that prerequisites “may be satisfied with online courses if taken for credit at a regionally-accredited university, college, or community college.” The FAQ also says no preference is given to any specific school.
UMN’s prerequisites page links to state-by-state guides and a separate guide index for online and/or self-paced courses. Upper Iowa University appears on that index with its own guide of approved prerequisites. If your school or course is not in a guide, submit UMN’s prerequisite evaluation request with your transcript.
For a broader view of how schools treat online coursework, see can you take pharmacy prerequisites online and our list of online pharmacy prerequisites.
Grades, pass/fail, AP and the 7-year guidance
Every one of the UMN PharmD prerequisites must:
- Come from a regionally accredited university, college or community college
- Be at least 3 semester credits
- Be taken A to F and finished with a C- or better
Pass/fail grades (S/N at UMN) are accepted for Spring and Summer 2020 courses. Outside those terms, one prerequisite may be pass/fail. PharmCAS says more than one needs advance permission from pharmacy@umn.edu.
College credit earned in high school, such as PSEO, College in the Schools or IB, can count if it appears on a college transcript. Some prerequisites can be met with an AP score of 3 or higher.
UMN does not set a hard expiration date. Its guidance is advisory: if your prerequisites will be more than 7 years old when you enroll, UMN strongly encourages you to talk with admissions staff, who may recommend repeating coursework. See pharmacy prerequisite recency rules for how other schools handle this.
International coursework can count if it was taken at the equivalent of a regionally accredited school. Courses that do not appear on a U.S. transcript need a WES course-by-course evaluation through PharmCAS.
GPA, PCAT and the interview screen
UMN uses holistic review and says it does not use formulas or a minimum GPA or exam score to make decisions. Non-native English speakers need to meet a minimum TOEFL score. PharmCAS says UMN does not accept or consider any standardized tests, so the PCAT is not part of the application. See is the PCAT still required for pharmacy.
GPA still matters at the interview stage. According to UMN’s interview page:
- An overall PharmCAS GPA of 3.3 or higher earns an automatic interview invitation.
- Applicants below 3.3 are reviewed, with attention to overall, science and prerequisite GPA, grade trends, and challenges overcome.
- Usually 85 to 95% of applicants have been invited to interview.
PharmCAS puts the average admitted GPA at 3.3 to 3.5. If your GPA is below that range, UMN’s optional essay is the place to explain it. Our guide to what GPA do you need for pharmacy school has more context.
Letters, essays and interviews
Evaluations. UMN requires two evaluations and accepts up to four, submitted through PharmCAS. Good choices include professors, instructors, and work or volunteer supervisors. You cannot reuse letters from a past cycle.
Essays. You submit a personal statement in PharmCAS. UMN’s supplemental application sits in the PharmCAS Program Materials section, and UMN does not charge a separate fee for it. It has four required essays of up to 150 words each:
- A challenge you overcame
- A time you experienced or witnessed discrimination
- A group or community you are involved in
- An interest or skill you developed outside school and work
Reapplicants write one more required essay, and anyone can add an optional essay.
Interviews. The interview day includes two one-on-one 25-minute interviews with College representatives. Days run virtually or in person, and in-person days are held on both campuses at the same time. UMN says the format you choose has no bearing on the decision.
Experience. PharmCAS lists pharmacy observation hours as not required for UMN. Entering students average about 1 to 2 years of paid pharmacy or health care work, but work experience is not listed as a requirement. Volunteering, shadowing and informational interviews are good alternatives.
Deadlines, rolling admission and the Aug. 1 prerequisite cutoff
| Milestone | Date |
| PharmCAS opens | Mid-July each year |
| Priority deadline | October 1, 2026 (passed) |
| Last interview day for priority status | December 4, 2026 |
| Remaining interview days | November 20, 2026 (in person); December 4, 2026 (virtual); January 15, 2027 (virtual); February 26, 2027 (virtual); March 26, 2027 (in person); April 16, 2027 (virtual) |
| Send transcripts to PharmCAS | By mid-February 2027 (UMN recommends sending them by February 16; UMN’s PharmCAS listing says to order them by February 15) |
| Final deadline | March 1, 2027, 11:59 p.m. Central time |
| Deposit and enrollment decision for admitted applicants | March 1, 2027 |
| Finish all prerequisites | August 1, 2027 |
The final deadline means your PharmCAS application is complete, with all materials and all transcripts received. UMN uses rolling admission and sends decisions after each interview day. Seats go to admitted applicants on a first come, first served basis, and the class on one or both campuses may fill by late winter or early spring. Applying well before March 1 gives you more interview dates to choose from.
You can apply with UMN PharmD prerequisites planned or in progress. Every prerequisite must be done by August 1, 2027, for fall 2027 entry, and UMN expects you to take no more than two prerequisites in the summer right before you start. Under the Cooperative Admissions Guidelines, UMN does not require a deposit to hold a seat before March 1, 2027.
How to finish UMN PharmD prerequisites with UIU courses
PrereqCourses offers online courses through Upper Iowa University, which is accredited by the HLC. Credit appears on a UIU transcript. Courses start on the first of every month.
The table below follows UMN’s Upper Iowa University guide. For nine areas, UMN’s guide lists the exact UIU course. For social and behavioral sciences or Humanities, UMN says the area “may be fulfilled by a variety of courses” and recommends subjects such as economics, sociology, foreign language, history and psychology. Our options there are not individually named in the guide, so confirm them with a UMN prerequisite evaluation.
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.
Anatomy and Physiology. Take both BIO 270 and BIO 275. UMN’s guide lists them together for both the Anatomy and Physiology areas, and UMN wants a full sequence that covers all body systems. One half alone will not complete either area.
Optional extras. UMN does not list these as prerequisites, but some students like extra background before the PharmD: BIO 140 Principles of Biology II for a second biology course, or CHEM 330 Biochemistry I after Organic Chemistry. Neither is needed for admission.
Sample plan. Courses start on the first of every month, so you can stack courses across successive starts. Work backward from August 1, 2027, and remember the two-course limit for summer 2027.
| Step | Plan |
| Now | Map your transcript to the 10 areas using UMN’s guides; email pharmacy@umn.edu or request a prerequisite evaluation for anything unclear |
| Next start | Begin General Chemistry, since Organic Chemistry follows it; add BIO 135 or MATH 220 alongside if your schedule allows |
| Following starts | Move into Organic Chemistry, BIO 270 then BIO 275, Microbiology and Calculus |
| Before March 1, 2027 | Submit PharmCAS with your personal statement, supplemental essays, two evaluations and all transcripts |
| By August 1, 2027 | Finish every prerequisite, with no more than two in summer 2027 |
If you are changing careers, career change to pharmacy walks 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.
FAQ
Does UMN accept online prerequisite courses?
Yes. UMN’s FAQ answers “Yes!” when asked whether a lab can be taken online, and PharmCAS lists online courses as accepted for science and non-science prerequisites taken for credit at a regionally accredited school. Each course still needs at least 3 semester credits, an A to F grade and a C- or better.
Are Upper Iowa University courses approved for UMN PharmD prerequisites?
UMN’s guide lists specific UIU courses for 9 of the 10 prerequisite areas, and the remaining area accepts a variety of courses. A guide listing is not a promise of admission, and UMN can change its guides, so confirm your plan with UMN before you enroll.
Does UMN require the PCAT?
No. PharmCAS says UMN does not accept or consider any standardized tests. Non-native English speakers need to meet a minimum TOEFL score.
What GPA do I need?
UMN has no minimum GPA. A PharmCAS GPA of 3.3 or higher earns an automatic interview invitation, and applicants below 3.3 are still reviewed. The fall 2026 class averaged 3.49.
Do I need a bachelor’s degree?
No. A bachelor’s degree is preferred but not required, and about 70 to 80% of students have one. A U.S. degree does count for the composition and social and behavioral sciences or Humanities areas.
When are UMN PharmD prerequisites due?
By August 1 of your start year, which is August 1, 2027, for fall 2027. UMN expects no more than two prerequisites in the summer before you start. The application itself is due March 1, 2027, at 11:59 p.m. Central time.
Can I apply with courses in progress?
Yes. Prerequisites can be planned or in progress when you apply. List them in PharmCAS and finish them by August 1, 2027.
Next steps
- Compare your transcript with the 10 areas and note any grade below a C-.
- Find your past schools in UMN’s guides of approved prerequisites, and request a prerequisite evaluation for anything not listed.
- Check UMN’s Upper Iowa University guide for the courses you still need, then confirm with UMN at pharmacy@umn.edu before you enroll.
- Line up two evaluators and draft your personal statement and the four 150-word UMN essays.
- Submit PharmCAS early, with transcripts sent by mid-February and everything complete before March 1, 2027.
- Finish remaining courses by August 1, 2027, with no more than two in summer 2027.
- Book a free advisory session if you want help mapping your plan.
Confirm every course with University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy admissions before you enroll.
