Shenandoah University Quick Facts
| Duration: 4 Years | Courses: 63 | Faculty: 42 |
| Applications (Fall 2024): 172 | Acceptance Rate: 25% | Est. Class Size: 43 |
Program Description
THE BERNARD J. DUNN SCHOOL OF PHARMACY
The Bernard J. Dunn School of Pharmacy was created in 1995 to respond to the growing need for pharmacists in the health-care system. Shenandoah University responded to this need for additional pharmacists in a unique way. Combining new ideas in pharmacy education with the use of information technology, it created a new educational model that is even more relevant today. The School of Pharmacy offers a Doctorate of Pharmacy Degree (Pharm.D. degree) for traditional and nontraditional students. Dual degree options are available with MPH, MBA, MS PGPM.
PharmD Program Highlights
- Private Institution
- No Baccalaureate Degree Required
- $1000 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)
- Does not participate in the PharmCAS-facilitated Drug Screening Service
Location
Location: 1775 N Sector Court, Winchester, Virginia 22601
Interactive mapAcceptance Rate for Shenandoah University
25%: See other Schools with an acceptance rate under 25%
NAPLEX Pass Rates
First-time NAPLEX pass rates for Shenandoah University graduates, by graduation year, compared with the national average.
| Graduation Year | First-Time Pass Rate | National Average |
| 2025 | 66.7% | 86.8% |
| 2024 | 58.6% | 75.9% |
| 2023 | 61.9% | 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: | $37,170 | per year |
| Mandatory Fees: | $1,930 | per year |
First professional year, 2022–23 academic year (most recent AACP tuition survey); later years may differ — confirm current rates with the school. Branch campus locations: Fairfax, VA.
Requirements
GPA and Test Scores
| Minimum GPA: 2.5 | 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: | 56 |
| Total number of basic science college SEMESTER HOURS that must be completed prior to matriculation: | 35 |
Course Prerequisites Table
| Course Title | Semester Hours |
| We acknowledge the trend in institutions of higher education to move away from stand alone English courses towards integrated/intensive coursework. Please reach out to the admissions team if this describes your coursework for individual approval. | 6/8 |
| General/Introductory Biology with a minimum of 2 hours of lab credit. | 8/12 |
| General/Introductory Chemistry with a minimum of 2 hours of lab credit. | 8/12 |
| Organic Chemistry I with lab | 4/6 |
| Physics (calculus or non-calculus based will be accepted). A lab is NOT required. | 3/6 |
| Statistics | 3/4 |
| College algebra level or higher | 3/4 |
| Advanced Biology/ Chemistry Electives (cell biology, biochemistry, genetics, molecular are preferred) | 6/8 |
| Microbiology. Lab is NOT required. | 3/6 |
| Humanities (history, art, music, language, theater, etc) | 3/4 |
| Social/ Behavioral Science (accounting, anthropology, business, computers, geography, health, management, political science, psychology, sociology, etc) | 3/4 |
| Human Anatomy and Physiology | 6/12 |
| Total | 56 |
Prerequisite Coursework Policies
Online coursework: Accepted for all prerequisite courses.
Pass/fail grades: science courses with labs: Varies; science courses without labs: Varies; non-science courses: Varies.
Completion timing: All prerequisites must be completed prior to matriculation into the PharmD program
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 (Any Subject Area), Professor (Liberal Arts), Professor (Math), Professor (Science), Supervisor
Conditionally Accepted: Teaching Assistant
Not Accepted: Clergy, Co-Worker, Family Member, Friend, Politician
The letters of reference can be from professors, pharmacist/health care providers (who are familiar with the student’s professional commitment), or other professionals with whom the student has interacted. You may have any combination of the allowed references.
Interview Information
Interview Format: Individual applicants with one interviewer
Online interview option: Yes
Interviews will be offered on a rolling basis throughout the admissions cycle. A typical interview day will consist of a 30 minute interview with a faculty member, time with a student (if possible), writing sample, and programmatic overview/tour of facilities.
More about the interview process
Applying
Deadline
June 1, 2027
First day of classes: August 28, 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? Not 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):
- Shenandoah University – Online — 4 years; online/distance; 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
Contact Information
Website: https://su.edu/pharmacy
Social Profiles
| Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ShenandoahUniversity/ | Instagram @shenandoahuniversity |
Frequently Asked Questions
How hard is it to get into Shenandoah University?
Shenandoah University accepts roughly 25% of PharmD applicants, in line with many competitive PharmD programs.
What is the tuition at Shenandoah University?
Expect roughly $37,170 in first-year tuition regardless of residency, per the AACP’s most recent survey.
What GPA do you need to get into Shenandoah University?
The published minimum is a 2.5 overall GPA, though stronger grades improve your odds considerably.
What is Shenandoah University’s PharmCAS deadline?
Applications for the 2026–27 cycle are due by June 1, 2027 through PharmCAS.
Do you need a bachelor’s degree to get into Shenandoah University?
A bachelor’s degree is not required; finishing the prerequisites is what counts at Shenandoah University. The PharmD itself takes four years.
What is Shenandoah University’s NAPLEX pass rate?
66.7% of Shenandoah University’s first-time candidates passed the NAPLEX in 2025, per NABP data.