Medical College of Wisconsin Quick Facts
| Duration: 2-3 Years | Courses: 90 | Faculty: 22 |
| Applications (Fall 2024): 143 | Acceptance Rate: 27% | Est. Class Size: 62 |
Program Description
The Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) School of Pharmacy prepares the next generation of pharmacists to meet the growing healthcare needs of society. We encourage you to visit our prospective students’ page here: https://www.mcw.edu/education/pharmacy-school/prospective-students
MCW’s Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) graduates have the knowledge and expertise to practice at the “top of their license” and contribute to patient-centered care within a team-based model ensuring optimal patient outcomes in concert with other healthcare professionals. A pharmacy career offers you the opportunity to encourage wellness in your community and the chance to improve the lives of those you serve every day. Learn more at https://www.mcw.edu/pharmacy.
The MCW School of Pharmacy offers a three-year, year-round doctoral program at the Milwaukee Regional Medical Center which includes access to Froedtert Hospital, Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, the Milwaukee VA Medical Center, Cancer Center, Eye Institute, Wisconsin Blood Center, and mental health facilities.
PharmD Program Highlights
- Private Institution
- Baccalaureate Degree Preferred
- $100 deposit to hold acceptance
- Conducts interviews of applicants
- Participates in Early Decision Program (EDP)
- Minimum Three (3) Letters of Reference are required
- Utilizes the Centralized Criminal Background Check (CBC)
- Participates in the PharmCAS-facilitated Drug Screening Service
Location
Location: 8701 W. Watertown Plank Rd. Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53226
Interactive mapAcceptance Rate for Medical College of Wisconsin
27%: See other Schools with an acceptance rate under 27%
NAPLEX Pass Rates
First-time NAPLEX pass rates for Medical College of Wisconsin graduates, by graduation year, compared with the national average.
| Graduation Year | First-Time Pass Rate | National Average |
| 2025 | 86.8% | 86.8% |
| 2024 | 72.2% | 75.9% |
| 2023 | 64.9% | 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: | $48,308 | per year |
| Mandatory Fees: | $1,030 | 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: 2 | Minimum Prerequisite GPA: 2.5 | Standardized Tests: Not required (PCAT discontinued) |
| Program Prerequisites | |
| Total number of college SEMESTER HOURS that must be completed prior to matriculation: | 72 |
| Total number of basic science college SEMESTER HOURS that must be completed prior to matriculation: | 27 |
Course Prerequisites Table
| Course Title | Semester Hours |
| General Biology. Recommended courses include Foundations of Biology, Ecology, Zoology, Botany, Marine Biology, Human Structure, Cell Biology, Microbiology, Animal Physiology. Lab preferred but not required. | 6 |
| Advanced Biology. Recommended courses include Genetics, Neuroscience, Cellular Biology, Molecular Biology, Physiology, Pathophysiology, Anatomy, Physiology, Bacteriology, Immunology, Biochemistry, Biomedical Sciences, Molecular Genetics, Genomics. Lab preferred but not required. | 6 |
| General Chemistry 1. Lab required. | 3 |
| General Chemistry 2. | 3 |
| Organic Chemistry 1. Lab required. | 3 |
| Organic Chemistry 2 OR Biochemistry, if not already counting as a Biology prerequisite. Lab preferred but not required. | 3 |
| Intro to Statistics, Biostatistics, Data Analysis, Accounting or Business Statistics | 3 |
| College Algebra. Must be a 100-level or higher Math course. Calculus, Trigonometry, and Calculus with Geometry are accepted. | 3 |
| Must be a 100-level or higher English, Literature, Reading, or Writing course. | 3 |
| Must be a 100-level or higher Public Speaking, Speech, or Communication course. | 3 |
| 12 | |
| Total | 48 |
Prerequisite Coursework Policies
Online coursework: Accepted for all prerequisite courses. Online and hybrid taught classes may be accepted only from a regionally-accredited university, college, or community college in the U.S. or Canada.
Pass/fail grades: Accepted for all prerequisite courses.
Completion timing: June 30
Letter of Recommendation Requirements
Two (2) evaluations (letters of reference) are required.
Accepted: 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
Conditionally Accepted: Co-Worker
Not Accepted: Clergy, Family Member, Friend
Committee letters: Accepted (counts as more than one: No)
Applicants are required to submit at least two evaluations, and up to four are permitted. Applicants can submit evaluations from sources such as college professors, work supervisors, volunteer supervisors, or research supervisors. Recommenders must know you in a professional capacity. We do not accept evaluations from family, friends, or clergy. The letters of recommendation are submitted through PharmCAS.
Interview Information
Interview Format: Individual applicants with two or more interviewers
Online interview option: Yes
The MCW School of Pharmacy admits students on a rolling basis, conducting monthly interviews. Each student participating in an interview day will receive a program overview and complete 1) a 30-minute writing exercise, 2) two individual face-to-face interviews with MCW School of Pharmacy faculty members, and 3) a tour of the MCW-Milwaukee campus. The Faculty Admission Committee reviews the interview results and makes a final recommendation regarding admission to the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program.
Applying
Deadline
June 1, 2027
Priority application deadline: April 1, 2027
First day of classes: July 5, 2027
General School Information
Program
Dual Degree Program? No
Part of an academic health center? Yes
Pharmacy observation hours required? Recommended, but not required
Supplemental application requirement? No
Baccalaureate degree preferred for admissions? Preferred
Follows the AACP Cooperative Admissions Guidelines? No
Is preference given to in-state applicants vs. out-of-state applicants? No
Pharmacy School Tour Video
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
Contact Information
Website: https://www.mcw.edu/education/pharmacy-school
Social Profiles
| Facebook https://www.facebook.com/medicalcollegeofwisconsin/ | Instagram @medicalcollegeofwi |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Medical College of Wisconsin?
Medical College of Wisconsin accepts roughly 27% of PharmD applicants, in line with many competitive PharmD programs.
How much does pharmacy school at Medical College of Wisconsin cost?
Expect roughly $48,308 in first-year tuition regardless of residency, per the AACP’s most recent survey.
What is the minimum GPA for Medical College of Wisconsin?
The published minimum is a 2.0 overall GPA and a 2.5 minimum in prerequisite coursework, though stronger grades improve your odds considerably.
What is Medical College of Wisconsin’s PharmCAS deadline?
For the 2026–27 cycle, Medical College of Wisconsin’s final PharmCAS deadline is June 1, 2027. A priority deadline of April 1, 2027 offers earlier review.
Is a bachelor’s degree required at Medical College of Wisconsin?
A bachelor’s isn’t strictly required at Medical College of Wisconsin, though degree-holders are preferred. The PharmD itself is an accelerated three-year, year-round program.
How do Medical College of Wisconsin’s graduates do on the NAPLEX?
In 2025, the first-time NAPLEX pass rate was 86.8%, as reported by NABP.