Programs

PharmD Pathways

The Pharmacy program (PharmD) encompasses both the basic and clinical sciences and is designed to provide you with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes essential to the practice of pharmacy. Pharmacists work in concert with the patient and other health care providers to promote health and prevent diseases. This is achieved by assessing, monitoring, initiating and modifying patients' medication therapy to achieve optimal therapeutic outcomes.

Differential Tuition

Students in the pharmacy professional program (i.e, the final five years of study for students on the early admission path, and the final four years for students on the traditional or post-bacculaurete admission path) are assessed a different tuition rate. This differential tuition is assessed to cover the higher costs associated with the program.

Current Curriculum

The curriculum leading to the PharmD degree requires a minimum of six years of study. Approximately 77 semester hours are required in the pre-professional curriculum. The vast majority of required pre-professional courses must be completed by the end of spring term prior to admission to the professional program for traditional path students, or for early admission students, the final four years of the professional program. A maximum of six elective credits may be taken during the summer prior to entrance in the professional program.

The four-year professional program is divided into three years of didactic education on campus and one year (40 weeks) of experiential training (advanced pharmacy practice experience) with qualified preceptors at various practice sites. Additional introductory experiential training occurs during the summer sessions following the first and second years of the professional program. A wide variety of experiential rotation offerings are available to students. Students should plan to travel outside the Fargo-Moorhead area to fulfill their experiential program requirements.

Our pharmacy program partners with PioneerRx, a pharmacy management system, to simulate the functions of today’s pharmacies.

Learn more about the pathways below.

The Early Assurance Pathway (EAP) provides academically qualified high school seniors or qualified students no longer in high school with an affordable, expedited path to achieve a Doctor of Pharmacy degree in six years.

Students complete required pre-pharmacy courses in two years. The Traditional Admissions Pathway can take up to three years to complete. Acceptance into EAP means that if you successfully complete all requirements, we assure you a seat in the final four years of the professional Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program. Thus if you meet program requirements, it is a six-year path (saves up to 1-2 years of time in college). Sophomore EAP (P.5) students pay pharmacy differential tuition and are considered professional-level students.

The Traditional Admissions Pathway involves entering the program as an undergraduate in pre-pharmacy upon meeting general admission standards of the university. Once all required pre-pharmacy coursework is satisfied, you can apply to the PharmD program. The pre-pharmacy course work may be completed at other institutions and NDSU reviews transfer records submitted and determine if equivalent to NDSU requirements.

You are admitted to the final four professional years on a competitive basis after meeting specific admission requirements. Students attending other institutions must maintain frequent contact with the NDSU School of Pharmacy to determine appropriate course work.

Students who hold a four-year bachelor degree in a health or STEM field by May 2026 are eligible to apply for admission to NDSU’s PharmD program through this pathway. This pathway applies your previously earned credits towards meeting the pre-pharmacy course requirements. Your NDSU advisor works with you to identify any coursework that still may be needed prior to applying to the program.

Are you a pharmacy technician who is interested in becoming a pharmacist? If so, we assist in identifying the most efficient pathway to meet the NDSU Pharmacy Program’s admission requirements. If you completed a pharmacy technician program at a college or university and received academic credit for your program, those credits may count towards meeting our admission requirements. Your NDSU advisor works with you to identify any coursework that is still needed prior to applying to the program.

How do I meet the course requirements to apply to the Doctor of Pharmacy program?

Jamie Berg can assist in identifying the best application option listed below for you based upon previously earned college credits. To have your credits evaluated, please apply to NDSU as an undergraduate student, and submit your official transcripts.

Undergraduate Options

This minor strengthens career and education opportunities in medical, dental, veterinary, biomedical, biotechnology, or pharmaceutical discipline.

Why choose to complete the foundations of mental health care certificate?

Earning a certificate in mental health care can be a game-changer for students, whether they’re pursuing a career in psychology, social work, education, or even just want to be more informed and compassionate citizens.

Graduate Options

Graduate programs within pharmaceutical sciences involves advanced work which may be selected from pharmaceutics, pharmacokinetics, pharmacology, and medicinal chemistry. The graduate programs emphasizes both research and teaching excellence. Our program size allows us to offer individual attention to the graduate student. Students with a bachelor of science degree in biology or chemistry must have an adequate background for graduate work in the College.

After successful completion of either degree program students have had a high level of success gaining highly desirable employment in academia, industry and governmental agencies doing work in pharmaceutical sciences.

Build a strong foundation in mental health care with NDSU’s nine-credit foundations in mental health graduate certificate. This program introduces essential concepts through courses in mental health practice, psychopathology and psychopharmacology. Whether you work in healthcare, education or human services, this certificate equips you to better understand and support individuals with mental health needs, enhancing your ability to make a meaningful impact in your field.

Dual Degree Programs

NDSU has dual degree options to complete your MBA, MHA, MPH, or PhD while also working on your PharmD. Learn about our Dual Degree programs.

School of Pharmacy

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