Marshall University School of Pharmacy (MUSOP) offers an early assurance program known as the Pharmacy Early Assurance Scholars Program. The program is designed for outstanding high school students who are committed to pursuing pharmacy as a career upon graduation. The program is intended to recognize outstanding high school seniors with provisional early assurance to the MUSOP PharmD program. Students who are admitted into this program are expected to meet all requirements to successfully matriculate into the MUSOP PharmD Program.
Program Requirements
- Student must enroll as a freshman directly from high school.
- Student must indicate pre-pharmacy as their intended concentration upon entry to Marshall University. Note: Students have the choice of pursuing the 2+4 accelerated pathway or one of the 3+4 accelerated pathways. If pursuing the 3+4 accelerated pathway, the student should choose Biology, Chemistry, Health Sciences, or Pharmaceutical Sciences as their major. For more information about accelerated pathway options, please click here
- All prerequisite coursework must be completed at Marshall University or at approved partner institution (waivers may be considered on a case-by-case basis for exceptional circumstances). All coursework taken off campus must be obtained from an accredited U.S. institution for a letter grade. pass/fail, online/distance learning and foreign courses are not accepted.
- Student must maintain continuous full-time university enrollment (excluding summer terms).
Admission Requirements
Admission to the Early Assurance Pharmacy Program is highly selective.
- 3.4 unweighted high school GPA. An adjusted GPA resulting from participation in advanced placement or honors courses will be used if provided by a high school official.
Students who do not demonstrate this proficiency will not be eligible for admission through the Early Assurance program. Prerequisite courses may be completed prior to high school graduation through AP or IB exam credit articulation.
“Note: The Marshall School of Pharmacy Early Assurance Scholars Program does not have an ACT score requirement; however, some undergraduate prerequisite courses may require certain ACT scores for enrollment in the course.
Program Pathway & Expectations
Pre-Pharmacy Pathway
- Candidates must complete the Marshall School of Pharmacy prerequisite courses.
- Successful candidates must earn a 3.0 or higher cumulative GPA upon application to the Doctor of Pharmacy program.
- Students are not required to take the PCAT. Students who wish to take the PCAT to supplement their application must do so no later than the January date prior to fall entry in the first professional year of the PharmD program. Note: Some scholarships may require a PCAT for consideration. Please contact the Office of Student Affairs for additional information.
Additional Program Requirements
- All Marshall University prerequisite undergraduate courses must be completed with a grade equal to or greater than C, regardless of cumulative GPA.
- Repeat grades will not be used in computing the Early Assurance GPA, but an average of the original and repeated course.
- All Early Assurance pathway students will receive academic advising by the pre-professional academic advisor in the College of Science. Additionally, students will be granted full admission to the pre-pharmacy club with access to members-only networking events, exclusive merchandise, and all associated fees covered by the School of Pharmacy.
- Students who have less than the indicated GPA or grade requirements will no longer be eligible for Early Assurance, but will be re-designated as “pre-pharmacy” and encouraged to apply to the Doctor of Pharmacy program as a regular candidate.
- Early Assurance candidates must apply to the Doctor of Pharmacy program by September 15 of their application year. Candidates must successfully fulfill all requirements for admission including successful completion of an interview in accordance with the American Council for Pharmaceutical Education (ACPE) Guidelines.
Note: All admission offers are contingent upon completion of remaining coursework and matriculation requirements.
How to Apply
To be considered for Early Assurance, qualified students must complete the following:
- Submit all items for general undergraduate admission to Marshall University as required the Office of Admissions. Applicants must indicate their concentration as “pre-pharmacy”.
- Students must submit the Early Assurance Scholars Program Application to the Marshall University School of Pharmacy Office of Student Affairs no later than June 1 of their high school graduation year. The form can be found here.
Final decisions regarding admission to the Early Assurance Program will be communicated no later than July 1.
Note: Offer contingent on meeting minimum admissions and program requirements.
Questions? Please contact us at pharmacy@marshall.edu or 304-696-7352.
