Pre-Pharmacy

Pre-Pharmacy

North Park University’s pre-professional track for pharmacy is a sequence of courses and advising that will give you a solid foundation for your applications to competitive pharmacy schools around the country. The pre-pharmacy track should accompany a major—most often chemistry or biology—where you’ll also gain a deeper understanding of our natural world.

North Park University and Roosevelt University College of Pharmacy has an affiliation agreement which provides a direct pathway for up to five (5) highly-qualified, full-time North Park students. For further details, please contact the Director of Health Professions Advising.

Advising

Pre-pharmacy students are advised by faculty in the Chemistry Department, often Dr. Jonathan Rienstra-Kiracofe, and the director of health professions advising, Kristine Aronsson. Dr. Rienstra-Kiracofe is the Chemistry Department chair and teaches general chemistry, physical chemistry, and environmental chemistry. Kristine advises students in utilizing Chicago as a resource for their education and career, drawing from over 25 years experience and established relationships within the health industry. They will speak with you about your particular interests in pharmacy, and help you stay on track throughout your program at North Park. Our Pre-Health Advising Committee—a group of faculty in the Division of Life and Physical Science and the director of health professions advising—will work with you to make sure you are prepared for your applications and interviews for pharmacy school.

Course Sequences and Activities

We recommend you take the following courses alongside your major and Core Curriculum requirements to prepare for pharmacy school and a career in healthcare. These courses meet the prerequisite requirements for most pharmacy programs. However, you should investigate programs you’re interested in to make sure you complete any other specific requirements. Some courses may also meet major/Core Curriculum requirements. For full course descriptions and major requirements review the academic catalog.

Pharmacy School Admission Prerequisites

• Introduction to Human Anatomy
• Introduction to Cell Biology
• Microbiology
• Advanced Human Physiology
• Genetics
• An additional 4-credit biology course
• Introduction to Chemistry I
• Introduction to Chemistry II
• Organic Chemistry I
• Organic Chemistry II
• Biochemistry
• Introductory Physics I
• Introductory Statistics
• Calculus I
• Principles of Microeconomics or Principles of Macroeconomics
• Public Speaking
• Humanities courses
• Social & Behavioral Sciences