Program Details

Pharmaceutical Sciences, Bachelor of Science

Bachelor of Science

Virginia Commonwealth University

The Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences program within the VCU School of Pharmacy will equip students with the knowledge, technical and functional skills essential for the development of innovative pharmaceutical products and therapies that will help improve the quality of human life.

Outcomes

Upon completing this program, graduates will: Demonstrate professionalism and ethical conduct expected of pharmaceutical scientists. Explain the fundamental principles of pharmaceutical sciences as they relate to the discovery, development, manufacturing and approval of pharmaceutical products and therapies. Employ basic and advanced pharmaceutical sciences knowledge, skills and attitudes to design and test drug products and therapies. Apply critical thinking, team science, innovative mindset and advanced problem-solving skills to address problems in pharmaceutical sciences. Compare the strengths and limitations of different processes, methods and tools in the discovery, development, manufacturing and approval of drug products and therapies. Create solutions to "real world" problems in pharmaceutical sciences using basic and advanced pharmaceutical sciences knowledge, skills and appropriate attitudes. Demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills.

Program Overview & Guidance

Program Web Page

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External Link

Delivery Mode

In-Person

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Delivery Mode

Online

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Delivery Mode

Hybrid

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Program Guidance Element	What You Need to Know
Considerations for Selecting Degree	The Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences program within the VCU School of Pharmacy will equip students with the knowledge, technical and functional skills essential for the development of innovative pharmaceutical products and therapies that will help improve the quality of human life.
Program Requirement Notes	Program Requirement Notes Students must complete chemistry through Organic Chemistry II, upper-level biology courses, Calculus I, anatomy and physiology, and more.
Considerations When Selecting Courses	Students are best served by completing an Associate of Science in Science or Associate of Arts & Sciences in Science, focusing on General Biology, General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Anatomy & Physiology, and Statistics. However, please note that as of 2025-26, this degree program is a four-year program for all students. Create a schedule for all required courses, pay attention to prerequisites and when courses are offered, complete your first math and English courses in your first year Connect with an advisor at your community college and Virginia Commonwealth University within your first year via College Connect
Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses
Doing More With Your Degree	Graduates of the program will be prepared to seek entry-level positions in life sciences industry, research and development, service laboratories and government agencies or to pursue advanced graduate and professional studies. Students will be prepared to work in areas related to the development, formulation, characterization, manufacturing, quality control and assurance, marketing and sales, clinical research coordination, drug safety and pharmacovigilance, medical writing and communication, and regulatory affairs of pharmaceutical products and therapies.
Program Successes & Highlights	VCU is the first public university in Virginia to offer a pharmaceutical sciences program to undergraduate students.

Program Credit Requirements

Credit and Course Requirements for the Program are expected in a future release. Please look above to see if a Transfer Guide is available for this program. If you are a current Virginia Community College student or are planning to start at a Virginia Community College before transferring to this institution and program, please follow the Transfer Guide to plan your courses at the community college.

If you wish to see how your credits may apply, you can:

Contact the institution where a staff member can help you map your credits to the requirements for this program.
View the program requirements listed in the institution's catalog.

If you are interested in the cost of attending this institution, please visit the institution's cost page to review costs

Applicable Admissions Agreements

The table below lists admissions agreements between Virginia Commonwealth University and partner institutions that may guarantee admission to this program if you meet the required criteria. Click on the title name of the agreement to view a summary of those criteria.

Institution Name	Type	Title
Richard Bland College	GAA	Transfer Agreement - Virginia Commonwealth University and Richard Bland College
Blue Ridge Community College	GAA	Guaranteed Admission Agreement - Virginia Community College System and Virginia Commonwealth University
Central Virginia Community College	GAA	Guaranteed Admission Agreement - Virginia Community College System and Virginia Commonwealth University
Danville Community College	GAA	Guaranteed Admission Agreement - Virginia Community College System and Virginia Commonwealth University
Mountain Gateway Community College	GAA	Guaranteed Admission Agreement - Virginia Community College System and Virginia Commonwealth University
Eastern Shore Community College	GAA	Guaranteed Admission Agreement - Virginia Community College System and Virginia Commonwealth University
Germanna Community College	GAA	Guaranteed Admission Agreement - Virginia Community College System and Virginia Commonwealth University
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College	GAA	Guaranteed Admission Agreement - Virginia Community College System and Virginia Commonwealth University
Brightpoint Community College	GAA	Guaranteed Admission Agreement - Virginia Community College System and Virginia Commonwealth University
Laurel Ridge Community College	GAA	Guaranteed Admission Agreement - Virginia Community College System and Virginia Commonwealth University
Mountain Empire Community College	GAA	Guaranteed Admission Agreement - Virginia Community College System and Virginia Commonwealth University
New River Community College	GAA	Guaranteed Admission Agreement - Virginia Community College System and Virginia Commonwealth University
Northern Virginia Community College	GAA	Guaranteed Admission Agreement - Virginia Community College System and Virginia Commonwealth University
Paul D. Camp Community College	GAA	Guaranteed Admission Agreement - Virginia Community College System and Virginia Commonwealth University
Patrick & Henry Community College	GAA	Guaranteed Admission Agreement - Virginia Community College System and Virginia Commonwealth University
Piedmont Virginia Community College	GAA	Guaranteed Admission Agreement - Virginia Community College System and Virginia Commonwealth University
Rappahannock Community College	GAA	Guaranteed Admission Agreement - Virginia Community College System and Virginia Commonwealth University
Southside Virginia Community College	GAA	Guaranteed Admission Agreement - Virginia Community College System and Virginia Commonwealth University
Southwest Virginia Community College	GAA	Guaranteed Admission Agreement - Virginia Community College System and Virginia Commonwealth University
Tidewater Community College	GAA	Guaranteed Admission Agreement - Virginia Community College System and Virginia Commonwealth University
Virginia Peninsula Community College	GAA	Guaranteed Admission Agreement - Virginia Community College System and Virginia Commonwealth University
Virginia Highlands Community College	GAA	Guaranteed Admission Agreement - Virginia Community College System and Virginia Commonwealth University
Virginia Western Community College	GAA	Guaranteed Admission Agreement - Virginia Community College System and Virginia Commonwealth University
Wytheville Community College	GAA	Guaranteed Admission Agreement - Virginia Community College System and Virginia Commonwealth University

You can view the full text of these Agreements in the Resource Center

What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?

Transfer Guidance Element	What You Need to Know
Associate Transfer Degree Completion	Students who earn an Associate of Arts, Associate of Arts & Sciences, Associate of Fine Arts, Associate of Science, General Education Certificate, or Uniform Certificate of General Studies from the Virginia Community College System, Richard Bland College, or the College of Southern Maryland may be eligible to participate in the Guaranteed Admission Agreement. Students with one of these degrees may also be eligible to have the majority of their general education requirements waived. Students who have earned an Associate of Arts, Associate of Arts & Sciences, or Associate of Science degree or the General Education Certificate before enrolling at VCU will have their General Education requirements waived.
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School	Students who have earned an Associate of Arts, Associate of Arts & Sciences, or Associate of Science degree or the General Education Certificate before enrolling at VCU will have their General Education requirements waived.
Credit for Prior Learning	VCU accepts a variety of types of credit for prior learning, including but not limited to Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), College Level Examination Program (CLEP), military experience, Cambridge, and industry certifications that are recommended for credit by the American Council on Education or the National College Credit Recommendation Service.
Did You Know That...	Completing your Associate transfer degree post-high school satisfies all lower division general education requirements and increases the chance of completing your bachelor's degree? Exceeding 3 years or 90 credits at your community college means you may have exhausted your financial aid at that college and have limited your future financial aid at: Virginia Commonwealth University

College Level Information

Transfer Center

Visit our transfer site for more information

External Link

Transfer Admission Application

Transfer Students - Apply Here

External Link

Transfer Student Aid

Financial Aid for Transfer Students

External Link

Number of Transfer Students

1902

Percent of Accepted Transfer Students

VCU prefers transfer applicants with a cumulative college GPA of a 2.5 or higher who are in good standing with their pre

College Fit Guidance	What You Need to Know
Is This College Right For Me?	VCU is a large, research-driven institution nestled on two campuses in downtown Richmond, Virginia, offering a vast array of degree programs from arts to dental hygiene to engineering to education. VCU students have access to hundreds of student organizations, which is a great way to connect with others whether or not you choose to live in one of our many on-campus residence halls. Take advantage of VCU's location with access to the James River and its park system, internship and job opportunities, community engagement, and interstates to travel to the beach, the mountains, and Washington, D.C..
Transfer Student Catalog Year	Catalog year is determined by the student's first semester of degree-seeking attendance at VCU.
First Year Student Catalog Year	Catalog year is determined by the student's first semester of degree-seeking attendance at VCU.
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions	https://admissions.vcu.edu/apply-to-vcu/undergraduate/transfer/

Where Can This Degree Transfer

Institution	Title	Degree	Award Name	Award Level	Delivery Mode

Careers Where This Degree Applies

This program could not be matched to any related careers. Please contact the institution for assistance with matching this program to careers.

Cost To Complete

This section provides you with a very high-level estimate of your costs and is purely intended as a guide. You should consult the institution via College Connect to get a more detailed estimate based on the totality of your circumstances. The selections below are based on information gathered from your Profile and the estimated costs are calculated based on the 120 credits remaining to be completed

Residence State

Delivery Mode

Service Member?

Service Status *

Branch

GI Bill (for Spouses/Dependants)

Disability Discharge

Residence City

Hours to Complete Degree *

Minimum Term of Active Duty

Please select the "Cumulative Months of Service" that determine your Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits.

Estimated Cost for the Plan Name Not Provided at Virginia Commonwealth University These costs are based on an estimated 8 semesters or 4 years remaining to complete this degree (assuming a full-time load of 16 hours per semester)
Category	Cost	Basis	Cost (To You)	Estimated Benefits	Net Cost	Notes
Tuition	$6,760	Per Semester	$54,080	$0	$54,080	Every credit above 14 credits in a semester is charged at half price ($230 per credit for credits 15 and above; credits 1 -14 are charged the full rate)
Fees
University Fee	$1,414	Per Semester	$11,312	0	$11,312
Technology Fee	$162	Per Semester	$1,296	0	$1,296
Library Fee	$46	Per Semester	$368	0	$368
Student Activity Fee	$55	Per Semester	$440	0	$440	MCV Campus students pay a flat rate of $18
Academic Support Services Fee	$50	Per Semester	$400	0	$400
Health Fee	$134	Per Semester	$1,072	0	$1,072
Program Fee	$45	Per Semester	$360	0	$360	Program fees vary by major.
Transition Fee	$175	Per Semester	$1,400	0	$1,400	New undergraduate transfer students will be charged the Student Transition Fee in their first semester to cover Orientation. The Transition Fee for new First-Year Students is $250 and will be assessed in the first semester.

*Please note that the above estimated costs do not include all Federal, State or other financial aid, grants, scholarships, etc. for which you may qualify. All such aid could substantially reduce these costs.

Tuition & Fee Notes:

Potential Additional Fees
- Additional fees may include on-campus housing, meal plan, parking, technology, and program- and course-specific fees.

Other Financial Aid to Pay for College:

You may be eligible for additional financial aid from Federal, State, and Local sources. Military education benefits are not considered in determining eligibility for federal financial aid. Everyone is therefore encouraged to apply for federal financial aid by submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), because many will qualify for additional educational funds like Pell Grants, worth over $5,500/yr.