An aerial view of the Husson University campus

FAQs on Pharmacy

Application

When is your application deadline?
The application and transcript deadline for PharmCAS is June 1, 2022. The Husson Graduate Pharmacy Application deadline is June 30, 2022.

Would it be beneficial to apply early?
Yes, we encourage you to apply early.

Do you require interviews?
Yes, interviews are required. Candidates will be invited to campus or virtually for interviews.

Is there a writing portion?
Yes, there is a timed writing assignment associated with the interview process.

Are letters of recommendation required?
Yes. Three letters of recommendation are required.

When do you start accepting applications?
Applications for the class of 2022 are currently being accepted through the PharmCAS application process and the Husson graduate application.

Are applicants who hold bachelor's (or higher) degrees favored in your application process?
At this time there is no preference given to applicants who hold a bachelor's degree (or higher).

What part or parts of the application do you place the most emphasis on?
Currently offers for admission are based on grades received in the prerequisite science and math courses, PCAT scores, repeated coursework, a faculty interview, a group case study and a timed writing associated with the case study.

What advice do you normally give students to strengthen their applications if they do not get accepted?
Retake courses in science and math that you have earned a C or less, and/or take the PCAT exam.

Do you offer admissions at any other time than the Fall semester?
No.

I took my classes a long time ago. Will my classes still count for the pre-pharmacy requirements?
There is a five-year age limit on Math and Science (Biology and Chemistry). However, we will take into consideration what an applicant has done since taking those courses (e.g., advanced college coursework, work history). We will accept all other prerequisites (e.g., English, Economics, Psychology/Sociology, etc.) no matter how long ago they were completed. If you have any questions concerning the acceptability of any of your courses, please contact the Office of Graduate Admissions at 207.404.5661.

How do I go about having my educational/employment history evaluated to determine my eligibility status?
You may send a copy of your transcripts (unofficial is fine for this purpose) and/or your resume to: Graduate Admissions, Husson University, 1 College Circle, Bangor, ME 04401. You may also email them to graduateschool@husson.edu. For further questions, contact Graduate Admissions at 207.404.5661. Please include a phone number and/or email address for a quicker response.

What are your residency requirements?
As Husson is a private university, there are no residency requirements.

CLEP/AP Credit/ACT/SAT

Do you require high school transcripts and ACT or SAT scores?
No.

Do you accept AP or CLEP credit?
Advanced Placement (AP)/CLEP credits in Science and Math courses cannot be applied toward meeting the admissions requirements for the School of Pharmacy at Husson University. A student may take a more advanced course of comparable credits in the same area (e.g., Calculus 2, Genetics) in place of the required course. However, for Chemistry and Biology, the more advanced course must have a laboratory component. Applicants must have three-quarters of the Biology, three-quarters of the Chemistry, and one-half of the Math completed at the time of submission of the application. This includes either the standard courses or advanced class choices for those with AP/CLEP credit. We will accept AP/CLEP credit in the non-math, non-biology, non-chemistry pre-pharmacy courses (e.g., Spanish, English, History).

I have AP credit in General Chemistry. Can Organic Chemistry be considered the "advanced" course?
No. Organic Chemistry is a separate requirement.

Cost/Fees/Financial Aid

Do you offer financial aid?
Yes. You can find out more about what Husson University has to offer by contacting its Financial Aid Office. Assuming the application for federal student aid (FAFSA) has been completed, students admitted to the program will receive a separate letter from the university outlining the financial aid awards they have received.

Are there scholarships awarded to Pharmacy students?
Yes, at this time there are pharmacy merit scholarships available. External scholarship opportunities may be viewed at http://www.aacp.org, by following the "Students" link.

Foreign Credits

Do you accept OAC credits from Canada?
No.

Is the TOEFL/TSE required?
An IBT minimum TOEFL of 80 or equivalent is required if the undergraduate prerequisites were completed in a country where English is not the primary language.

What if I have a pharmacy degree from another country?
We will not accept those credits for meeting our pre-pharmacy requirements. You may be eligible for licensure as a pharmacist in the U.S. by passing the Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Equivalency Examination (FPGEE) and the North American Pharmacy Licensure Examination (NAPLEX). To find out more information, you can visit the following website: http://www.nabp.org.

Do you accept pre-pharmacy credits from foreign countries?
Yes, however, international transcripts must be evaluated by one of the members of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services ( http://www.naces.org/members.htm ). The student is responsible for all fees associated and must select an evaluation which can be used for university admission, transfer credit and professional licensure. Canadian applicants are not required to submit their transcripts to this service.

Grades/Repeats

What is the lowest grade you will accept for a pharmacy prerequisite course?
C (2.0)

Is there a penalty for repeating classes?
There is a penalty for repeating science or math courses with grades below a C (2.0).

Is it difficult to get in if I have repeats on my record?
Yes, there may be a penalty for repeating coursework however each situation is reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Do you look at grades from other courses besides the pharmacy prerequisite courses?
No.

Housing/Off-campus

What is the housing situation like in Bangor?
Students may live on campus in student housing or they may secure their own off-campus housing. On-campus housing is available on a first-come-first-served basis. A listing of off-campus housing options are available upon request.

What is the housing situation like in the last year of the program when students are off-campus?
Students are responsible for securing their own housing and transportation.

PCAT

Is the PCAT required or encouraged?
The PCAT is optional for the fall 2022 application cycle.

How long are my PCAT scores good for?
PCAT composite scores within the last three years will be accepted.

Does Husson have a minimum score requirement for the PCAT?
A composite score of at least 20% is preferred.

P-4 Year/Rotations

How long are the clerkship rotations in the last year of the program?
The Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences last for six weeks each. Students must complete four (4) required and two (2) elective APPE rotations prior to graduation. This may take longer than eight months as many students will have one or more months off during their last year.

Where can I complete my APPE (P4) rotations?
You have the opportunity to enhance your local rotations with rotations out of state. The Office of Experiential Education maintains a list of quality sites throughout the United States and parts of Canada for you to explore.

Can a rotation be outside of Husson's network?
Yes, however only the elective rotations. It is up to you to find a qualified site and an acceptable pharmacist who is willing to be your preceptor.

Pharmacy Program

Do you have a part-time program?
No.

Do you have an abbreviated Pharm.D. program for pharmacists with a B.S. degree?
No.

Do you offer an Internet pharmacy program?
No, however some of our courses will be enhanced with Internet tools and resources.

How long does it take to complete the Pharm.D. program?
Our professional program is four (4) years in length, three (3) years of didactic and Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experiences (IPPE) and one (1) year of Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences (APPE).

Do I need a computer?
Yes. Specific computer requirements will be forwarded to you prior to enrolling.

What is the difference between a Pharm.D. and a Ph.D. degree?
A Pharm.D. (Doctor of Pharmacy) degree is an entry-level professional degree. It is a practice-oriented degree that is required when applying for a pharmacist license. A Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy) degree is one that has a heavy research component, requiring a major research project and a defense of a written dissertation. This degree is an option to pursue for our graduates. However, they would have to pursue it at another university since this degree is not offered at Husson University.

Will graduates from your program get the title of "Doctor"?
Yes.

What is the job market like for PharmD graduates?
Currently, there is a shortage of pharmacists around the state and the country. Most graduates have little problem securing employment, with many having multiple offers.

What is your class size?
55

Programs

Schools & Colleges