Northeastern University (PharmD only) Quick Facts
| Duration: 4 Years | Courses: | Faculty: 46 |
| Applications (Fall 2024): 725 | Acceptance Rate: 11% | Est. Class Size: 80 |
Program Description
Northeastern’s PharmD offers the personal attention of a small program, backed by the resources of a top research university. http://www.northeastern.edu/bouve/PharmD“>http://www.northeastern.edu/bouve/PharmD
Northeastern Advantage
CO-OP = MORE EXPERIENCE: We are the only US school of pharmacy with a cooperative education (co-op) program. Students complete 2 full-time, 4-month, paid co-op experiences providing more than 4 times the number of IPPE hours as compared to most PharmD programs
PARTNERSHIPS: Co-op is rooted in our proximity to Boston’s top-ranked institutions. Clinical affiliations include three medical schools, world-renowned hospitals, research facilities, community pharmacies, biotech, & private healthcare. Northeastern also offers a variety of post-PharmD research fellowships with innovative industry partners. https://bouve.northeastern.edu/pharmacy/fellowships/ https://bouve.northeastern.edu/pharmacy/fellowships/
RESEARCH: ranked #1 in the nation among private schools of pharmacy in NIH funding
SUCCESS: Placement in residencies/fellowships, passing the NAPLEX, securing employment, pursuing advanced degrees: our students succeed, with 95% employed or in post-graduate training within 6 months: https://bouve.northeastern.edu/pharmacy/quality-indicators/ https://bouve.northeastern.edu/pharmacy/quality-indicators/
PharmD Program Highlights
- Private Institution
- Baccalaureate Degree Required
- $500 deposit to hold acceptance
- Conducts interviews of applicants
- Participates in Early Decision Program (EDP)
- Minimum Two (2) 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: 360 Huntington Avenue, Mailstop R218 TF Boston, Massachusetts 02115
Interactive mapAcceptance Rate for Northeastern University (PharmD only)
11%: See other Schools with an acceptance rate under 11%
NAPLEX Pass Rates
First-time NAPLEX pass rates for Northeastern University (PharmD only) graduates, by graduation year, compared with the national average.
| Graduation Year | First-Time Pass Rate | National Average |
| 2025 | 93.8% | 86.8% |
| 2024 | 90.1% | 75.9% |
| 2023 | 87.0% | 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: | $59,100 | per year |
| Mandatory Fees: | $806 | 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: 2.5 | Minimum Prerequisite GPA: 2 | Standardized Tests: Not required (PCAT discontinued) |
| Program Prerequisites | |
| Total number of college SEMESTER HOURS that must be completed prior to matriculation: | 120 |
| Total number of basic science college SEMESTER HOURS that must be completed prior to matriculation: | 40 |
| Total number of college QUARTER HOURS that must be completed prior to matriculation: | 180 |
Course Prerequisites Table
| Course Title | Semester Hours |
| General Biology I | 3/4.5 |
| General Biology II *must include at least one lab component between the two biology courses | 4/6 |
| General Chemistry I | 3/4.5 |
| General Chemistry II *must include at least one lab component between the two courses | 4/6 |
| Organic Chemistry I with lab *unlike with the ‘general’ chemistry requirement, the organic chemistry prerequisites must each have a lab | 4/6 |
| Organic Chemistry II with lab *unlike with the ‘general’ chemistry requirement, the organic chemistry prerequisites must each have a lab | 4/6 |
| Biochemistry | 3/4.5 |
| Calculus or other high-level math | 3/4.5 |
| Human Anatomy & Physiology I | 3/4.5 |
| Human Anatomy & Physiology II with Lab Notes on fulfilling the Human Anatomy & Physiology I and II Course Sequence: A total of 7 accredited semester hours of HUMAN-based Physiology and Anatomy are required by the program (which must include one lab). Courses designed for health professions are highly preferred. Please check with an advisor at your current institution to see which courses fit these requirements. If a general anatomy or physiology course is taken, 80% of the course content must be based on HUMAN systems. Most students fulfill this requirement by taking: OPTION 1: Human Anatomy and Physiology I and Human Anatomy and Physiology II (at least one lab as part of sequence) OPTION 2: Human Physiology I and Human Anatomy I (at least one lab as part of sequence) OPTION 3: Human Physiology I and Human Physiology II (at least one lab as part of sequence) | 4/6 |
| General humanities | 4/6 |
| Total | 39 |
Prerequisite Coursework Policies
Online coursework: science courses with labs: No; science courses without labs: Varies; non-science courses: Yes. Please reach out to [email protected] for additional terms & conditions about online courses.
Pass/fail grades: science courses with labs: Varies; science courses without labs: Varies; non-science courses: Yes.
Completion timing: July 15, 2027 Please reach out to [email protected] for further questions.
Letter of Recommendation Requirements
Two (2) evaluations (letters of reference) are required.
Recommended But Not Required: Employer, Faculty Advisor, Health Care Professional, Pharmacist, Pre-Health Advisor, Professor (Math), Professor (Science), Supervisor
Accepted: Professor (Any Subject Area), Professor (Liberal Arts)
Conditionally Accepted: Co-Worker
Not Accepted: Clergy, Family Member, Friend
Committee letters: Not Accepted
Letters of reference must be received from two different individuals. The same person cannot write two letters in different capacities.
Interview Information
Interview Format: Individual applicants with one interviewer, Individual applicants with two or more interviewers
Online interview option: Yes, but only on a case-by-case basis
Qualified PharmCAS applicants will be contacted to schedule interview times. Interview days will include an overview of the program, meetings with faculty, current students, and in-person interviews. Co-op is a unique feature of the Northeastern PharmD program, and you will have an opportunity to hear first-hand about the amazing experiential education available.
More about the interview process
Applying
Deadline
June 1, 2027
Priority application deadline: November 2, 2026
All applicants who submit a complete application before the priority deadline will be given priority consideration for scholarships.
First day of classes: September 8, 2027
General School Information
Program
Dual Degree Program? Yes
Part of an academic health center? No
Pharmacy observation hours required? No
Supplemental application requirement? No
Baccalaureate degree preferred for admissions? Required
Follows the AACP Cooperative Admissions Guidelines? No
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):
- Northeastern University (PharmD – for Transfer Students with No College Degree) — 4 years; application deadline February 1, 2027
- Northeastern University (PharmD Early Assurance for Current Northeastern Students Only) — 4 years; application deadline June 1, 2027
- Northeastern University (PharmD/MPH Dual Degree Program) — 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
For students whose native language is not English, proof of English language proficiency is required. Minimum TOEFL scores 95, with a 25+ score in listening & a 25+ score in speaking. Select code 8246 to report TOEFL to Northeastern. * Please note that the dual MPH/PharmD degree has different (higher) TOEFL requirements
Contact Information
Website: https://bouve.northeastern.edu/pharmacy/programs/pharmd/
Social Profiles
| Facebook https://www.facebook.com/NortheasternSOP/ | Instagram @nubouve |
Frequently Asked Questions
What percentage of applicants does Northeastern University accept?
Northeastern University accepts roughly 11% of PharmD applicants, making it one of the more selective programs in the country.
What is the tuition at Northeastern University?
Expect roughly $59,100 in first-year tuition regardless of residency, per the AACP’s most recent survey.
What is the minimum GPA for Northeastern University?
Northeastern University requires a minimum overall GPA of 2.5 and a 2.0 minimum in prerequisite coursework. Admitted students typically exceed the floor, so treat it as a baseline rather than a target.
When is the application deadline for Northeastern University?
Applications for the 2026–27 cycle are due by June 1, 2027 through PharmCAS. A priority deadline of November 2, 2026 offers earlier review.
Is a bachelor’s degree required at Northeastern University?
A bachelor’s degree is required for admission to Northeastern University. The PharmD itself takes four years.
What is Northeastern University’s NAPLEX pass rate?
93.8% of Northeastern University’s first-time candidates passed the NAPLEX in 2025, per NABP data.