Western University of Health Sciences

Western University of Health Sciences Quick Facts

Program Description

At Western University of Health Sciences (WesternU) Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program, our mission is to enroll highly qualified students with diverse backgrounds recognized for professional competence, ethical character, personal initiative, and leadership.

Our PharmD program offers:

• Innovative block curriculum, the first in the nation in pharmacy education, which allows for mastery of one subject at a time
• Fifty-nine weeks of extensive experiential learning in a variety of clinical settings integrated throughout your education to prepare you to be practice-ready
• Unique capstone rotation with opportunities for advanced clinical practice, research, or entrepreneurship
• Curriculum taught by acclaimed faculty with expertise in numerous specialties
• Ample opportunities for pharmaceutical sciences research experience with NIH and other externally funded faculty
• Enhanced communication and clinical skills via simulated patient interactions through Objective Structured Clinical Examinations
• Interprofessional education promoting collaboration with students from other healthcare professions

To learn more, visit our website: https://prospective.westernu.edu/pharmacy/pharmd/ https://prospective.westernu.edu/pharmacy/pharmd/

PharmD Program Highlights

• Private Institution
• Baccalaureate Degree Preferred
• $500 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: 309 E. Second Street, Pomona, California 91766

Interactive map

Acceptance Rate for Western University of Health Sciences

14%: See other Schools with an acceptance rate under 14%

NAPLEX Pass Rates

First-time NAPLEX pass rates for Western University of Health Sciences graduates, by graduation year, compared with the national average.

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

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

Course Prerequisites Table

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: Non-science prerequisites and electives will be waived with a confirmed U.S. baccalaureate degree at the time of application (does not include Calculus). It is preferred to have all Science courses and AP Credit Test Scores completed no more than ten years prior to planned date of matriculation. All prerequisite courses must be completed by the end of the spring term (May/June) prior to matriculation.

Letter of Recommendation Requirements

Two (2) 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: No)

Two letters of reference are required, and a third letter is recommended. A letter is preferred from a science professor whose course you have completed or did research with. The remaining letter(s) should be from people who know you well, but that are not related to you. For applicants who have pharmacy experience, a letter from a pharmacist is highly recommended.

Interview Information

Interview Format: Individual applicants with two or more interviewers

Online interview option: Yes, but only on a case-by-case basis

The interviews are informal in nature. A wide variety of topics related to the profession as well as those of general interest may be discussed. Areas of communication skills, motivation, critical thinking and general knowledge are evaluated by the interview panel. The average interview is approximately 30 minutes in duration. The interview panel may be comprised of the following: admissions committee member, faculty member, Pharmacist and/or current student/alumni of Western University of Health Sciences. Interviewees will also be asked to write an essay on topics will be general in nature, not necessarily pharmacy related.

Applying

Deadline

March 1, 2027
Priority application deadline: January 4, 2027
First day of classes: August 10, 2026

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
TOEFL, including essay, is required for all applicants submitting course work from foreign schools. A minimum score of 79 for the Internet Based TOEFL (IBT) test must be submitted by June 1 prior to matriculation. Exception: The TOEFL will be waived for permanent and temporary residents of the U.S. who have completed the English and Speech prerequisites from an accredited institution in the U.S.

Contact Information

Website: https://prospective.westernu.edu/pharmacy/pharmd/

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