Pre-Pharmacy Program

Explore the Pre-Pharmacy program

If you have an interest in health care and helping people, becoming a pharmacist allows you to make a positive impact on patient’s lives by ensuring the safe and effective use of medications. Pharmacy offers a variety of career opportunities, ranging from community pharmacy to clinical and research roles. You can choose a specialty that aligns with your interests, whether it’s patient care, research, or industry-related work.

To become a pharmacist, you’ll first need an undergraduate degree before entering pharmacy school to earn your Doctor of Pharmacy degree (PharmD). At Wayne State, you can study chemical sciences or chemistry health sciences, and you’ll be well-prepared for graduate school. Then with your Pharmacy degree, you will be ready to practice pharmacy in a wide range of settings: community pharmacies, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or the pharmaceutical industry.

Local pharmacy schools

Creighton University – School of Pharmacy and Health Professions (Omaha, Neb.)
South Dakota State University – College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions (Sioux Falls, S.D.)
University of Nebraska Medical Center – College of Pharmacy (Omaha, Neb.)

View program courses Download program fact sheet (PDF)

Prepare for your future

Your undergraduate path to becoming a pharmacist

Rural Health Opportunities Program (RHOP)

The Pharmacy track within RHOP is designed for rural Nebraska students interested in returning to rural areas and working as pharmacists. In this program, you’ll spend 3 years of undergraduate study at Wayne State before entering pharmacy school at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) in Omaha to complete your Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree. Participants in RHOP receive a full-tuition scholarship at WSC, guaranteed admission to UNMC, job shadowing and internship experiences, one-on-one advising, and early registration privileges.

Rural Health Opportunities Program

Honors Program

Honors students complete an independent research project, usually spanning their junior and senior years. Your research can take you just about anywhere - in the lab or library, in the community, or in the U.S. or abroad! Honors work can also be very practical. Prospective employers and graduate admissions committees often look carefully at an undergraduate record for evidence of extra initiative and genuine intellectual strength.

Learn more about the Honors Program

Pre-Pharmacy internships and job shadowing

Our outstanding Career Services Office is available to help you find internship and job shadow opportunities. Students recently completed internships at the following locations:

Providence Community Pharmacy
U-Save Pharmacy

Career services and internships

Topics covered in the Pre-Pharmacy program

Chemical processes and materials
Chemical experiment and design
Modern equipment usage
Analytical, organic, and inorganic chemistry
Biochemistry
Molecular genetics
Human anatomy and dissection
Probability and statistics
University physics and experimentation
Advanced lab techniques and management

This timeline serves as a guide to help you plan for applying to pharmacy schools.

Freshman year

Meet with your Pre-Pharmacy program advisor to create a personalized plan and discuss what you'd like to accomplish during your summers (i.e. working, job shadowing, internship, or research). Your advisor and the WSC Career Services Office will help you achieve your goals.
Join the Health Science Club at WSC to engage in health-related activities and participate in networking events.
Begin researching pharmacy schools and learn about their admission requirements. Be mindful of prerequisite course and GPA requirements, location, costs, program reputation, and any entrance exams score requirements.
Study and practice for any required entrance exams into pharmacy school

Sophomore year

Continue researching optometry schools and their prerequisite course and GPA requirements, location, costs, program reputation, and any entrance exams score requirements. Inquire with the professional school for any specific questions and guidance.
Investigate and/or complete summer pharmacy opportunities
Study and practice for any required entrance exams into pharmacy school

Junior/Senior year

Register for and take any required entrance exams into pharmacy school
Ask people if they would be willing to provide a letter of recommendation. Letters of recommendation are statements from professors, supervisors, or other professionals that detail your academic abilities, interpersonal skills, and character. Professional schools typically require 2-4 letters and will sometimes ask that some be from professors. Check with each school to which you plan to apply for the number and type of letters they require, when those letters are due, and the process for how letters of recommendation are to be submitted.
Work on essays - Your personal statement or essay is an opportunity to expand upon unique experiences and events and adds a personal dimension to your application. Work with professors or advisors to have your statement reviewed.
Investigate and/or complete summer pharmacy opportunities
Start the application process. Most pharmacy schools participate in PharmCAS, a centralized application service that allows you to submit one application and send it to multiple programs.
Complete the application process.
- Schools and/or centralized applications services may have application deadlines. There is often a processing time after you submit.
- Some schools may also require a secondary application for their program. This application deadline will be after you submit your centralized application. Each school you apply to will let you know what steps you need to complete after you submit your centralized application.
Interview with pharmacy schools if required for the application process. Make sure to practice by doing a mock interview.
Make admissions decisions - Admissions committees will review your application to decide on your admission to their program.

Graduates of the Pre-Pharmacy program work in their field or continue their studies using the skills they learned while at Wayne State College. Each year, pharmacy schools and employers welcome WSC graduates into their organizations.

Recent grads are pursuing their Pharm.D. degrees at the following pharmacy schools:

Chapman University – School of Pharmacy (Irvine, Calif.)
University of Nebraska Medical Center – College of Pharmacy (Omaha, Neb.)

Career possibilities:

Retail or hospital pharmacist
Clinical pharmacist
Pediatric pharmacist
Research specialist
Pharmaceutical scientist
Pharmaceutical engineer
Nuclear pharmacist
Biologics development specialist
Pharmaceutical sales rep
Drug safety specialist

job or grad school placement rate
within six months of graduation
Data based on most recent
employment outcomes survey

Cost of attendance

Most Affordable College in Nebraska

- College Affordability Guide, 2024

Wayne State is considered the most affordable four-year college or university in Nebraska. With same rates for in- and out-of-state students, our tuition guarantee, and our generous scholarship packages, it is clear to see how WSC earned the title. In fact, the average remaining annual cost of attendance for 2024-25 is $2,268 for undergraduate students after financial aid and scholarships.

Pre-Pharmacy Program of Study

The following majors are recommended for students planning to attend pharmacy school. Additional electives may be recommended. Participation in the Pre-Pharmacy program at WSC does not guarantee acceptance to a school of medicine.

Chemical Sciences (B.A. or B.S.) - The Chemical Sciences degree program will prepare you for careers in medicine, pharmacy, research, and other clinical or laboratory settings.

Health Sciences (B.A. or B.S.) - The Health Sciences major offers a solid foundation in biology and chemistry, and emphasizes how these fields relate to careers in health and medicine.

Sample courses for Pre-Pharmacy students

Students may be advised to take the following courses while pursuing one of the recommended majors. Please consult with your advisor to draft a final plan of study, and be sure to check with your intended medical school to make sure you're meeting all prerequisite course requirements.

Credits: 4
Description: Study of the anatomic structure of the human organism. The 11 organ systems of the human and representative quadrupeds will be examined in detail with lecture, dissection, and other laboratory exercises. Dissection is required of all students taking this course. An understanding of human anatomy is beneficial for students that will ultimately enroll in advanced courses of cell biology, histology, comparative vertebrate embryology and anatomy, and parasitology. Having training in human anatomy is also beneficial for students interested in health-related and biomedical careers. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab. Class fee of $20 required.
Prerequisite: BIO 110 Biology Concepts
Credits: 4
Description: A study of the mechanisms of inheritance, the molecular basis of gene action and the use of molecular techniques and molecular technology in biomedical, agricultural, and industrial research. The lab component of this course focuses on hands-on use of molecular equipment and technologies used in graduate and industrial molecular based research. (3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab) $20 class fee required.
Prerequisites: C- or better in BIO 110 Biology Concepts and CHE 106 General Chemistry I
Credits: 4
Description: A study of the fundamental physiological processes of the human body. Functions of the 11 organ systems will be studied. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab. Class fee of $20 required.
Prerequisites: BIO 220 Human Anatomy, CHE 106 General Chemistry I
Credits: 4
Description: Topics of study detail the structure and physiology of microorganisms including mechanisms of pathogenesis. Beneficial aspects of microorganisms are also discussed with regard to both the human body and the environment. Lab techniques include microbial identification, enumeration procedures and student designed research.

Prerequisites: A “C-” or better in BIO 110, and CHE 106.

Class fee: $30

Notes: 3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab
Credits: 3
Description: An advanced study of the structure and function of the eukaryotic cell. Topics will include the basics of modern cell biology including signal transduction, cell cycle regulation, and gene expression.
Prerequisites: BIO 320 Molecular Genetics and CHE 107 General Chemistry II.
Class fee: $30
Credits: 3
Description: The topics for this course will include the biological, physical, and chemical properties of antigens and antibodies, host-antigen interaction, humoral and cellular response mechanisms, serologic reactions, mechanisms of antibody formation, hypersensitivity, and the role of the immune response in cancer and organ transplants. 3 hours lecture-lab combined.
Prerequisites: C- or better in BIO 110 Biology Concepts; BIO 320 Molecular Genetics is recommended.
Credits: 4
Description: A continuation of CHE 106 with emphasis on kinetics, redox reactions, molecular geometry, hydrolysis, electrochemistry, and solubility products. Qualitative analysis included. 3 hours of lecture, 3 hours of laboratory. Class fee of $20 required.
Prerequisite: C- or better in CHE 106 General Chemistry I or by consent of instructor
Credits: 4
Description: Emphasis on theories and application of quantitative analysis including gravimetric and volumetric procedures. 3 hours of lecture and 3 hours of laboratory. Class fee of $20 required.
Prerequisite: C- or better in CHE 107 General Chemistry II
Credits: 4
Description: This is a continuation of CHE 314. Among the topics covered will be electrophilic substitution, alcohols, aromatic chemistry, ethers, epoxides, and carbonyl chemistry-including nucleophilic substitution, carboxylic acids, alpha-substitution, and condensation reactions. The laboratory work introduces the equipment and techniques of organic chemistry, which relate to the material discussed in the lecture. The experiments will develop synthetic methods for product formation, isolation, purification, and identification. 3 hours of lecture and 3 hours of laboratory. Class fee of $20 required.
Prerequisite: C- or better in CHE 107
Credits: 4
Description: Instrumental analysis in qualitative and quantitative procedures employing IR, UV, visible and atomic absorption spectrometers as well as other modern instruments such as gas chromatographs and electroanalytical system. 3 hours of lecture and 3 hours of laboratory. Class fee of $20 required.
Prerequisite: C- or better in CHE 305 Analytical Chemistry
Credits: 3
Description: Study of the structure and function of cells and tissues of the human organism. Light microscopy and digital histology slides of human and other vertebrate organs and tissues will be studied. Tissue morphology and histo-pathology will be discussed along with relevant clinical considerations. An understanding of human anatomy would be beneficial to students taking this course. Histology is highly recommended for students interested in health-related, biomedical, and biological careers.

Prerequisite: BIO 110 Biology Concepts

Class fee: $30

Notes: 3 hours lecture and lab combined
Credits: 1
Description: Introduction to the direction of students in freshman or sophomore laboratories. Preparation of solutions, supervision of laboratory activities, evaluation of laboratory reports and instruction in the principles of laboratory safety. 3 to 6 hours a week. Cannot be repeated.
Prerequisite: C- or better in CHE 107 General Chemistry II
Credits: 4
Description: A second semester calculus-based general physics course intended primarily for scientists, pre-engineers, computer and math majors, and advanced health professional students. Topics include electricity, magnetism, optics, and modern physics. PHY 322 Physics Laboratory II concurrent enrollment by advisement.
Prerequisite: PHY 301 University Physics I

As a Pre-Pharmacy student, I feel that Wayne State has successfully prepared me for pharmacy school by pushing me to my fullest potential. I have met several of my academic, career, and personal goals by choosing Wayne State as my undergraduate college, and all the opportunities here will benefit whatever path I choose. The campus is the perfect size to easily make connections professionally and academically that will benefit my future. Upon graduation, I plan to work in rural Nebraska as a retail or hospital pharmacist.

Mariah Marisch

Spalding, Neb.

Major: Pre-Pharmacy (Chemistry Health Sciences)