Prerequisite Courses: Barriers to Pharmacy Admission or the Keys to Student Success?

The variability and complexity of course prerequisites across colleges and schools of pharmacy can result in barriers to admission. While prerequisites play an important role in the admissions process and assuring student preparation, requiring excessive prerequisites can create unnecessary challenges for applicants. Prospective students may choose not to apply to a particular pharmacy school or even enter the profession because they cannot complete all course prerequisites in time to apply. Extraneous prerequisites can also contribute to the cost of education and educational indebtedness, which can more adversely affect minority and disadvantaged students. Pharmacy programs should carefully examine their course prerequisite requirements and consider new ways to measure preparedness to attract a diverse and competent pool of applicants to the profession while also being more competitive with other health profession programs.