Pre-Pharmacy (AS)

Your first dose of pharmacy schooling starts at Saint Francis.

Available as
Major
Degrees/Options
Associates of Science
Length
2 years
Locations
Fort Wayne

Why Earn a Doctor of Pharmacy?

Clad in their white lab coats, pharmacists are respected and trusted healthcare professionals who serve others from behind the counter, at the microscope, on patient care teams, and within the community.

Earning your doctorate of pharmacy sets you up for a rewarding, life-long, lucrative career as a retail, clinical, hospital, or research pharmacist. To prepare for the rigors of a Pharm.D. program, you should first complete a solid, science-driven pre-pharmacy program.

Why Study Pre-Pharmacy at Saint Francis?

The University of Saint Francis, highly regarded for its health professions education, offers a well-rounded, rigorous associate degree in chemistry designed specifically to prepare you for pharmacy schooling.

In addition to our traditional, two-year pre-pharmacy track, you have the opportunity to apply for a dual-degree Pharm.D. program or fast-track your admission decision to a partner doctorate of pharmacy program.

13,400

Projected openings for pharmacists each year, on average, over the next decade

BLS.gov

11:1

Saint Francis student-to-faculty ratio

$132,750

National median salary for pharmacists

BLS.gov

Our Partner Programs: Associate to Pharm.D.

Guaranteed Acceptance: Dual AS/Pharm.D. Degree with Midwestern University

Through a partnership with Midwestern University’s College of Pharmacy, accepted students will be able to earn an associate degree and doctor of pharmacy:

  • Complete two years of core science courses at Saint Francis
  • Transition into Midwestern’s Pharm.D. program

View full admissions requirements.

Reserved Admission: Manchester University College of Pharmacy, Natural and Health Sciences

Through this unique partnership, Manchester University reserves two spots for qualified Saint Francis students in its Pharm.D. program.

View admissions requirements.

Hands-On Learning Experiences: Campus and Community Engagement

During your pre-pharmacy schooling at Saint Francis, you’ll participate in hands-on learning and have plenty of opportunities to get involved on campus and in the community. Here are just a few examples:

  • Student groups like the Chemistry Club and Pre-Professional Healthcare Honor Society
  • Service-learning and volunteer opportunities
  • On-campus employment, such as working as a lab assistant or peer tutor

Additionally, between their time at Saint Francis and completing their Pharm.D., our pre-pharm students have interned with Kroger, Walgreens, Eli Lilly and Company, Parkview Health, and other locations.

Service Story: While earning her AS in pre-pharmacy/chemistry at Saint Francis, Ashley Cross ’16 collected 1,002 lbs. of plastic bottle caps and turned them into a recycled park bench.

Faculty and Facilities

Saint Francis is an engaging, welcoming learning community. Your professors and instructors are research scientists, clinicians, practitioners, pharmacists, technicians, and healthcare business professionals who bring expertise and professional experience to the classroom. You will learn and experiment in chemistry labs and other facilities equipped with high-tech equipment and instrumentation.

Saint Francis to Pharmacy School: Pharm.D. Program Acceptance

Saint Francis pre-pharmacy students are accepted into doctorate of pharmacy  institutions such as:

  • Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine School of Pharmacy
  • Manchester University College of Pharmacy, Natural and Health Sciences
  • Midwestern University College of Pharmacy
  • Purdue University College of Pharmacy
  • University of Charleston School of Pharmacy

With their Pharm.D and state licensure in hand, Saint Francis pre-pharmacy graduates start their careers at retail stores, hospitals, clinics, research centers, universities, and at pharmaceutical companies. They often pursue additional pharmacy schooling or certifications to expand their career opportunities.

Where You’ll Find Our Graduates

With their Pharm.D and state licensure in hand, Saint Francis pre-pharmacy graduates start their careers at retail stores, hospitals, clinics, research centers, universities and at pharmaceutical companies. Many pursue additional pharmacy schooling or certifications to expand their areas of practice and boost career opportunities.

Pharmacists who got their start in Saint Francis associate and bachelor’s programs are practicing in our region and beyond:

  • Emergency Medicine Clinical Pharmacist, Advocate Healthcare
  • Infectious Diseases Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Mercy Hospital and Healthcare
  • Pharmacist, Saint Anthony’s Hospital

What Else Can You Do With a Pre-Pharmacy/Chemistry AS Degree?

Your chemistry-based associate in science can lead to entry-level positions, such as pharmacy technician, laboratory technician, quality control specialist or pharmaceutical or medical device sales.

Your pre-pharmacy schooling serves as excellent preparation for a bachelor’s program at Saint Francis or elsewhere.

Learn more about what makes life at Saint Francis so special.