University of California, Irvine Quick Facts
| Duration: 4 Years | Est. Class Size: 62 | Application Deadline: 2/1/2027 |
Program Description
The University of California, Irvine (UCI) School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences is the first and only public school in the Los Angeles and Orange County area to offer the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) professional degree. The School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences along with the School of Medicine, School of Nursing, and School of Population and Public Health are part of the Susan and Henry Samueli College of Health Sciences which is establishing a new standard for training the healthcare workforce of tomorrow. The UCI PharmD program is a four-year professional degree program that will prepare graduates to be practice-ready pharmacists who are problem solvers, independent lifelong learners, team players, and leaders who will drive transformative changes in the healthcare system. The curriculum will be taught by faculty from the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and the Department of Clinical Pharmacy Practice using innovative instructional methods and applying evidenced based practices. Student pharmacists will have interprofessional educational experiences with students from the School of Medicine, School of Nursing, and School of Population and Public Health, starting from the classroom in year one, through to the clinical settings over the four-year curriculum. For more information on our PharmD program, please visit https://pharmsci.uci.edu/degrees-programs/doctoral-programs/pharmd/
PharmD Program Highlights
- Public Institution
- Baccalaureate degree required
- Conducts interviews of applicants
- Two (2) letters of reference required
- Part of an academic health center
- Utilizes the Centralized Criminal Background Check (CBC)
Location
Location: University of California, Irvine, School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, Irvine, California 92697-4625
Interactive mapNAPLEX Pass Rates
First-time NAPLEX pass rates for University of California, Irvine graduates, by graduation year, compared with the national average.
| Graduation Year | First-Time Pass Rate | National Average |
| 2025 | 88.6% | 86.8% |
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 (In-State): | $44,244 | per year |
| Tuition (Out-State): | $56,489 | per year |
| Mandatory Fees: | $2,025 | 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: 3 | Minimum Prerequisite GPA: No minimum |
The PCAT exam has been discontinued; no standardized test score is required for admission.
Program Prerequisites
Total college semester hours required before matriculation: 120
Basic science semester hours required: 30
Course Prerequisites Table
| Course Title | Semester Hours |
|---|---|
| General Biology | 3 |
| Human Physiology “Human Physiology” should be clearly labeled in the course title/or course description and taught by the department/discipline of Biology or Pharmaceutical Sciences. | 3 |
| General Chemistry with Lab | 8 |
| Organic Chemistry with Lab | 8 |
| Biochemistry | 3 |
| Calculus | 3 |
| Statistics | 3 |
| Macroeconomics OR Microeconomics Please note that we require a course that specifically focuses on macro or micro economics in preparation for the program. | 3 |
| Must include English with a writing component. English as a Second Language courses are not acceptable to meet this requirement. | 3 |
| Public Speaking or Debate “Public Speaking” or “Debate” must be clearly stated in the course title and completed in-person. Interpersonal communication is not eligible to meet this requirement. | 3 |
| Psychology OR Sociology | 3 |
| Total | 43 |
Prerequisite Coursework Policies
Online coursework: Accepted for all prerequisite courses. Online coursework is acceptable, but courses completed in-person are highly preferred.
Pass/fail grades: science courses with labs: Varies; science courses without labs: Varies; non-science courses: Varies.
Completion timing: You may be in the process of completing the prerequisites when you submit the application, but all prerequisites must be satisfactorily completed prior to matriculation into the program.
Letter of Recommendation Requirements
Two (2) letters of recommendation are required.
Interview Information
Interview Format: Individual applicants with one interviewer, Individual applicants with two or more interviewers, Multiple applicants with one or more interviewers, Other interview format
Applying
Deadline
February 1, 2027
Priority application deadline: December 1, 2026
First day of classes: September 24, 2026
Application fee: $135 (U.S. Citizens and lawful U.S. Permanent Residents); $155 (for all other applicants).
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? Required
Follows the AACP Cooperative Admissions Guidelines? Yes
Is preference given to in-state applicants vs. out-of-state applicants? No
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, Other Non-Citizens (e.g. DACA Students)
Foreign transcript policy: Send a foreign transcript evaluation report (FTER) to PharmCAS
TOEFL required: No
Contact Information
Website: https://pharmsci.uci.edu/
Social Profiles
| Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ucirvinespps/ | Instagram @ucirvinespps |
Located in Irvine, California. See all
California pharmacy schools.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the tuition at University of California, Irvine?
First-year tuition is about $44,244 for in-state students and $56,489 for out-of-state students (2022–23 AACP survey), before fees.
What is the minimum GPA for University of California, Irvine?
University of California, Irvine requires a minimum overall GPA of 3.0. Admitted students typically exceed the floor, so treat it as a baseline rather than a target.
What is University of California, Irvine’s PharmCAS deadline?
For the 2026–27 cycle, University of California, Irvine’s final PharmCAS deadline is February 1, 2027. A priority deadline of December 1, 2026 offers earlier review.
Do you need a bachelor’s degree to get into University of California, Irvine?
A bachelor’s degree is required for admission to University of California, Irvine. The PharmD itself takes four years.
What is University of California, Irvine’s NAPLEX pass rate?
88.6% of University of California, Irvine’s first-time candidates passed the NAPLEX in 2025, per NABP data.