Doctor of pharmacy students at Belmont University must select an academic concentration during their second year in the program. Choices include pharmacotherapy, missions, management and informatics. The school aims to have an incoming class of 75 students in its doctorate program each year. Admission requirements include a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.7 with no grade below a C in prerequisite classes. While Belmont University does not require a certain score on the Pharmacy College Admissions Test (PCAT), it does evaluate scores as an indicator of the applicant's readiness for its program.
Students at Lipscomb University must maintain a semester and cumulative grade point average of 2.3 or face academic probation. The pharmacy college requires students to attend class and may lower the grades of those who exceed the allowed number of absences. Lipscomb University admits 75 students into the college of pharmacy each year. Applicants must have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 and achieve minimum scores on the PCAT to be considered for admission. In January 2011, the school required a minimum composite PCAT score in the 45th percentile and individual subject area scores of at least the 30th percentile.
About two hours south of Nashville, you'll find Union University in the city of Jackson, Tennessee. Students need a cumulative GPA of 2.5 to be considered for admission to its school of pharmacy. They need at least a 2.75 GPA in all pre-pharmacy classes. Prerequisite classes include microbiology, immunology, biochemistry and calculus. The school looks for applicants with a minimum PCAT score in the 40th percentile with no individual subject area score below the 25th percentile. However, the school notes the average score of its pre-pharmacy students is in the 80th percentile.
The Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT) measures a student's general academic ability and the scientific knowledge needed for beginning a pharmacy graduate degree, according to its developers. The test includes 240 multiple-choice questions and two essays. Students receive four hours to complete the test, not including a short break during the exam.