Purdue University College of Pharmacy: A Comprehensive Overview

The Purdue University College of Pharmacy is a leading institution in pharmaceutical education and research. Established in 1884, the college has a rich history of preparing pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists for impactful careers. This article provides a detailed look at the college's programs, rankings, faculty, opportunities, and what makes it a distinctive place to study pharmacy.

A Legacy of Excellence

Founded in 1884, the Purdue University College of Pharmacy has been at the forefront of pharmacy education for over a century. The college's origin traces back to a conversation between Purdue's fourth president, James H. Smart, and John N. Hurty, an Indianapolis drugstore owner. Hurty's suggestion that Purdue offer pharmacy courses led to the establishment of a two-year School of Pharmacy, with Hurty himself serving as the first professor.

Nationally Recognized Programs

Purdue's College of Pharmacy consistently ranks among the top pharmacy programs in the United States. U.S. News & World Report consistently places Purdue's pharmacy program in the top 10 nationally, a testament to its prestige and the quality of education it provides. The college has also been recognized by The Chronicle of Higher Education and The Annals of Pharmacotherapy.

Academic Departments and Degree Programs

The College of Pharmacy is organized into three academic departments:

Industrial and Physical Pharmacy
Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology
Pharmacy Practice

The college offers a range of degree programs, including:

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Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences (BSPS): This undergraduate program provides a strong foundation in the pharmaceutical sciences.
Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.): This professional degree prepares students for careers as pharmacists in various practice settings.
Master of Science (M.S.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.): Graduate programs are offered in all three departments, providing opportunities for advanced study and research.
Dual PharmD and PhD degrees: Purdue pharmacy students have the opportunity to graduate with dual PharmD and PhD degrees.

Curriculum and Teaching Philosophy

Purdue's PharmD program features an integrated curriculum that combines medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, and therapeutics. Basic scientists and practitioners work together to provide instruction, and students are introduced to drug therapy early in the program. The college emphasizes a research-based curriculum that prepares students for diverse careers in the pharmaceutical industry, healthcare, academia, and regulatory affairs.

Research Opportunities

A strong focus on research is a hallmark of Purdue's College of Pharmacy. Students have numerous opportunities to engage in research, allowing them to stay at the forefront of emerging trends and discoveries in the field. The faculty at Purdue are accomplished researchers, providing students with valuable mentorship and guidance.

Experiential Learning

The college provides students with several opportunities to enrich their education through advanced pharmacy practice experiences. These experiences include an eight-week clinical rotation in Kenya, offering a unique global health perspective. Purdue is currently the only pharmacy program to have full-time faculty stationed in another country and offer a global health residency. The college also offers postdoctoral fellowships in collaboration with the FDA and pharmaceutical industry. Furthermore, every student rotates through the on-campus ambulatory pharmacy during their first year.

Facilities

The majority of professional degree classes are held in the Robert E. Heine Pharmacy Building, which opened in 1970. This modern facility provides students with state-of-the-art learning and research spaces.

Admissions Information

Acceptance into a Doctor of Pharmacy program does not always require a bachelor’s degree. However, most students earn an undergraduate degree while completing their prerequisite courses.

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Prerequisites

The following list includes some of the most common prerequisites for many of the pharmacy programs in the in the United States:

Biology with lab (at least two semesters)
Chemistry with lab (at least two semesters)
Organic chemistry with lab (at least two semesters)
Molecular and cellular biology
Microbiology
Anatomy and physiology (at least two semesters)
Calculus
Statistics
English composition

It is also important to gain direct healthcare experience through working or volunteering in a medical environment. Prepharmacy students are encouraged to begin by job-shadowing a pharmacist and to start looking for volunteer opportunities as early as their freshman year.

Application Process

In addition to requiring you to complete all prerequisites with a high GPA, many pharmacy programs require you to take the Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT). This exam is designed to test your knowledge of biology, chemistry, and mathematics, and to assess the your skills in writing and critical reading. You should plan to take the PCAT no later than the September before you hope to begin the pharmacy program.

The admissions process may include a personal interview with faculty and staff, a written communication exercise, a video-recorded oral exercise, and interaction with an upper-class student panel. An optional meeting with a student services advisor is available for off-campus applicants.

Key admissions factors to consider:

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Dual Degree Program?
Part of an academic health center?
Pharmacy observation hours required?
Supplemental application requirement?
Baccalaureate degree preferred for admissions?
Follows the AACP Cooperative Admissions Guidelines?
Is preference given to in-state applicants vs. out-of-state applicants?

Tuition and Fees

For undergraduates, the average full-time tuition and fees are as follows:

In-State:
- Tuition: $9,718
- Fees: $274
- Books and Supplies: $1,030
- On-Campus Room and Board: $11,650
- On-Campus Other Expenses: $2,210
Out-of-State:
- Tuition: $28,520
- Fees: $274
- Books and Supplies: $1,030
- On-Campus Room and Board: $11,650
- On-Campus Other Expenses: $2,210

Out-of-state part-time undergraduates at Purdue paid an average of $948 per credit hour in 2022-2023.

Student Demographics

During the 2021-2022 academic year, 49 pharmacy majors earned their bachelor's degree from Purdue. Of the 3 students who earned a master's degree in Pharmacy/Pharmaceutical Sciences from Purdue in 2021-2022, 67% were men and 33% were women. The majority of master's degree recipients in this major at Purdue are white.

Career Opportunities and Outcomes

Purdue's College of Pharmacy has a strong track record of graduate success. In 2013, 99% of graduates passed the NAPLEX Board exam on their first attempt. In 2014, graduates received an average of two job offers upon graduation. Pharmacy students are trained in various sectors of pharmacy practice and have opportunities to participate in research fellowships.

Pharmacy majors who earn their bachelor's degree from Purdue go on to jobs where they make a median salary of $57,096 a year.

Pharmacists play a critical role in healthcare, ensuring that patients receive the proper medication and treatment. As the population ages and the healthcare industry grows, the demand for licensed pharmacists continues to increase. Purdue's College of Pharmacy prepares graduates for a wide range of career paths in community pharmacy, hospitals, the pharmaceutical industry, academia, and government.

Networking and Industry Connections

Purdue's pharmacy program offers networking opportunities and maintains strong connections with industry partners. These connections provide students with a leg up when it comes to internships and job placements.

Distinctive Features

Purdue's College of Pharmacy offers several distinctive features:

Leading global pharmacy and industrial pharmacy programs
Large nuclear pharmacy program
Center for Medication Safety Advancement
Award-winning faculty
On-campus ambulatory pharmacy

Advice for Graduates

The College of Pharmacy encourages graduates to be open to new opportunities and to embrace challenges as opportunities for growth. Graduates with the most rewarding careers are often those who were open to and seized opportunities that came their way.

Purdue University: A Broader Context

Purdue University, established in 1869, is a land-grant, state-assisted institution of higher learning. Diversity and opportunity are hallmarks of the university. Over 1,000 campus organizations cater to the varied interests of students, including 25 professional organizations in the College of Pharmacy and a variety of music, theater, hobby, and sports clubs campus-wide.

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