Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences – Boston, MA Quick Facts
| Duration: 0-6/7 Years | Courses: | Faculty: 78 |
| Applications (Fall 2024): 530 | Acceptance Rate: 19% | Est. Class Size: 176 |
Program Description
MCPHS University, formerly Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, is the oldest institution of higher education in the entire city of Boston and the second-oldest university of pharmacy in the United States. Since the University’s founding in 1823, MCPHS University has been on the cutting edge of innovation in healthcare education.The six-year accelerated Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program provides direct entry from high school and includes a two-year liberal arts and sciences phase followed by a four-year professional phase, ensuring that graduates are critical thinkers, capable professionals, and compassionate caregivers.
PharmD Program Highlights
- Private Institution
- No Baccalaureate Degree Required
- $750 deposit to hold acceptance
- Conducts interviews of applicants
- Participates in Early Decision Program (EDP)
- Minimum One (1) Letters of Reference are required
- Does not utilize the Centralized Criminal Background Check (CBC)
- Does not participate in the PharmCAS-facilitated Drug Screening Service
Location
Location: 179 Longwood Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02115
Interactive mapAcceptance Rate for Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences – Boston, MA
19%: See other Schools with an acceptance rate under 19%
NAPLEX Pass Rates
First-time NAPLEX pass rates for Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences – Boston, MA graduates, by graduation year, compared with the national average.
| Graduation Year | First-Time Pass Rate | National Average |
| 2025 | 78.4% | 86.8% |
| 2024 | 65.8% | 75.9% |
| 2023 | 62.2% | 76.4% |
Source: NABP, NAPLEX Passing Rates for 2023–2025 Graduates (March 2026). First-attempt pass rates. National average covers all graduates of ACPE-accredited programs.
Tuition
| Tuition: | $42,390 | per year |
| Mandatory Fees: | $1,170 | per year |
First professional year, 2022–23 academic year (most recent AACP tuition survey); later years may differ — confirm current rates with the school.
Requirements
GPA and Test Scores
| Minimum GPA: No minimum | Minimum Prerequisite GPA: No minimum | Standardized Tests: Not required (PCAT discontinued) |
| Program Prerequisites | |
| Total number of college SEMESTER HOURS that must be completed prior to matriculation: | 65 |
| Total number of basic science college SEMESTER HOURS that must be completed prior to matriculation: | 29 |
Course Prerequisites Table
| Course Title | Semester Hours |
| General Biology I | 3 |
| General Biology II with lab | 4 |
| General Chemistry I & II with lab | 8 |
| Organic Chemistry I with lab | 4 |
| Organic Chemistry II | 3 |
| Microbiology with lab | 4 |
| Anatomy and Physiology | 3 |
| Statistics (Acceptable substitutions include Basic Statistics, Biostatistics, Psychological Statistics, Economic Statistics) | 3 |
| Calculus | 3 |
| Total | 35 |
Prerequisite Coursework Policies
Online coursework: Accepted for all prerequisite courses. Applicants can complete outstanding prerequisites through MCPHS’s School of Professional Studies. These courses are offered online and are self-paced. For more information, please visit: https://www.mcphs.edu/academics/school-of-professional-studies/prerequisites
Pass/fail grades: science courses with labs: Varies; science courses without labs: Varies; non-science courses: Varies.
Completion timing: August 1, 2027, for Fall 2027.
Letter of Recommendation Requirements
One (1) evaluations (letters of reference) are required.
Accepted: Clergy, Co-Worker, Employer, Faculty Advisor, Health Care Professional, Pharmacist, Politician, Pre-Health Advisor, Professor (Any Subject Area), Professor (Liberal Arts), Professor (Math), Professor (Science), Supervisor, Teaching Assistant
Not Accepted: Family Member, Friend
Committee letters: Accepted (counts as more than one: Varies)
Interview Information
Interview Format: Individual applicants with one interviewer
Online interview option: Yes
MCPHS University- Boston currently offers weekly individual Zoom interviews.
Applying
Deadline
June 1, 2027
First day of classes: September 1, 2027
General School Information
Program
Dual Degree Program? Yes
Part of an academic health center? Yes
Pharmacy observation hours required? Recommended, but not required
Supplemental application requirement? No
Baccalaureate degree preferred for admissions? Not Required
Follows the AACP Cooperative Admissions Guidelines? Yes
Is preference given to in-state applicants vs. out-of-state applicants? No
Pharmacy School Tour Video
Additional Program Pathways
This school also offers the following PharmD entry routes and pathways (2027 application cycle):
- Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences – Boston, MA (PharmD Early Assurance for current students) — Direct Admissions (6 years); application deadline June 1, 2027
- Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences – Boston, MA (PharmD for Transfer Students with no College Degree) — 4 years; application deadline June 1, 2027
International Applicants
Foreign (non-U.S.) citizens considered: Yes
Applications accepted from: US Citizens, US Permanent Residents, US Temporary Residents, Canadian Citizens, Foreign (non-US) Citizens with a Visa, Foreign (non-US) Citizens, Other Non-Citizens (e.g. DACA Students)
Foreign transcript policy: Send a foreign transcript evaluation report (FTER) to PharmCAS
TOEFL required: Yes
If English is your second language, you will be required to submit a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a minimum score of 79 or an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with a minimum score 6.5. Please visit our website for further information. https://www.mcphs.edu/admission-and-aid/undergraduate-applicants/international-applicants
Contact Information
Website: http://www.mcphs.edu
Social Profiles
| Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MCPHSUniversity/ | Instagram @mcphsadmission |
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (Boston): Frequently Asked Questions
How hard is it to get into Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (Boston)?
The acceptance rate is approximately 19%, in line with many competitive PharmD programs.
How much does pharmacy school at MCPHS Boston cost?
First-year tuition runs about $42,390 for all students (2022–23 AACP survey), before fees and living costs.
What is the minimum GPA for MCPHS Boston?
There is no published GPA cutoff at MCPHS Boston — coursework, experience, and interviews are weighed together.
When is the application deadline for MCPHS Boston?
Applications for the 2026–27 cycle are due by June 1, 2027 through PharmCAS.
Is a bachelor’s degree required at MCPHS Boston?
A bachelor’s degree is not required; finishing the prerequisites is what counts at MCPHS Boston. The PharmD itself takes four years.
What is MCPHS Boston’s NAPLEX pass rate?
78.4% of MCPHS Boston’s first-time candidates passed the NAPLEX in 2025, per NABP data.
