About the School of Pharmacy

Vision and Intent

Our first choice school of pharmacy will be recognized for excellence in pharmacy education and service to the profession and society. We will graduate leaders who are improving the profession and the health of their communities through collaborative practice and research.

The School of Pharmacy adheres to the core values and principles of D’Youville. In addition we bring forward the following as having particular importance to the School of Pharmacy:

Core Values

• Excellence is pursued in our teaching, scholarship and practice every day.
• Professionalism is integral to our success. We care and respect others, accept responsibility for our actions, and act with integrity and honesty in our interactions. We prepare students to be professionals, not employees.
• Leadership is necessary to advance the pharmacy profession. Valuing others, integrity, self-awareness, and personal accountability are the fundamental attributes of leaders.
• Social responsibility is important to the profession and is demonstrated by contributing to the health and well-being of patients, the community, and at risk populations through advocacy, volunteerism and service.

Welcome Message From the Dean

Our school’s mission proudly professes, “The D’Youville School of Pharmacy prepares students to be tomorrow’s pharmacy practitioners and advances the profession through critical inquiry, research, scholarship and service”.

As dean I promise that the school’s students will benefit from a quality education, as I once did as an undergraduate at D’Youville. Our school remains staunchly dedicated to excellence in pharmacy instruction. Our program is designed to integrate the natural and social sciences with practice experience in a team-based setting, so that students will be able to learn, remember, and apply what they have been taught.

Concurrently, recognizing that the practice of pharmacy is evolving from a product-focused to a patient-focused model, we will prepare our students to be pharmacists that are vital members of a patient's healthcare team. To do so, our students will learn to collaborate interprofessionally with other healthcare practitioners with the goal of effectively helping patients manage and optimize their medication regimens.

Beyond the scope of their practice pharmacists must also embrace myriad responsibilities: to their patients, to other healthcare professionals, to society, and to their profession. Our mission is to produce competent and compassionate practitioners with a strong commitment to these important responsibilities. Guided by a caring and accessible faculty we will continue to live the mission of D'Youville and  the school, and honor the spirit of St. Marguerite d’Youville by making a positive impact on our community through assistance to the underserved, and by being assertive advocates for our profession and patients.

Collectively we continue to build on the solid foundation created by our founding Dean Dr. Gary P. Stoehr by ensuring that our school has an unwavering dedication to excellence in pharmacy education, and service to our profession and society.

I invite you to explore our website, visit our campus, arrange for a personal visit with our admissions team and spend some time with our students and faculty in- and outside of the classroom. I strongly encourage you to come spend a day with us to learn more about our school and our commitment to training the next generation of pharmacists.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the D'Youville School of Pharmacy located?

D'Youville is an independent, urban, coeducational institution located in Buffalo, New York. Buffalo is the second largest city in New York State, with a population of 261,310 (2010 Census).

Is Buffalo winter weather as bad as everyone says it is?

Buffalonians have the opportunity to enjoy four full seasons with several activities to participate in, not matter the weather, from sitting on the waterfront and enjoying food and music to ice skating at Canalside. Find more information on our Buffalo Spotlight page.

What is the status of the D'Youville School of Pharmacy?

The D’Youville School of Pharmacy is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE).

When was the first class admitted?

Our inaugural class began in the fall of 2010. Our first class graduated in May 2014.

How can I apply for admission?

High school seniors or current college students interested in transferring to the pre-pharmacy/early assurance program can contact:

Undergraduate Admissions

Telephone: 716-829-7600
Toll free 1 800-777-3921
E-mail: admissions@dyc.edu

Students who have successfully completed the required prerequisites can apply to the four-year Doctor of Pharmacy degree (PharmD) program via Pharmacy College Admissions Service, (PharmCAS). All applicants are required to take the Pharmacy College Admissions Test (PCAT).

PCAT test considered, but NOT required

Other application requirements include:

• Official transcripts from all colleges previously attended
• Two letters of recommendation

Non-US citizens who do not have 2 or more years of Higher Educational courses in an English speaking institution, must take the TOEFL and have the score reported to PharmCAS.

More information about applying to the PharmD program is available on our Admissions page.

What are the prerequisite courses?

Admission to D'Youville's four-year PharmD program requires completion of a minimum of 65 credits hours of pre-professional education at an accredited college or university. The prerequisite courses are listed on our PharmD program page.

What is the Early Assurance program?

D'Youville School of Pharmacy offers an Early Assurance program for exceptional incoming freshmen who meet the established criteria. Eligible students will be guaranteed a seat in the Doctor of Pharmacy program after successful completion of their prerequisite coursework, a satisfactory interview, and a competitive score on the Pharmacy College Admissions Test (PCAT). Early Assurance students are afforded the opportunity to avoid the competitive selection process of traditional admission to the PharmD program.

 PCAT requirements for incoming students for Fall 2020 have been removed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Students who meet Early Assurance standards are eligible for additional scholarships that may be maintained though their first year of professional study. More information about the EA program.

What is Earned Early Assurance?

Pre-Pharmacy students can now earn Early Assurance (EA) status while attending D'Youville. Students who do not initially meet the criteria required to enter into D'Youville as an EA student directly out of High School, can now earn Early Assurance status after their freshman year providing they receive a B or better in all prerequisite courses and earn a 3.0 or greater overall GPA.

All students who earn EA status while attending D'Youville will have a seat reserved for them in the D'Youville School of Pharmacy. All earned Early Assurance students will be expected to continue to meet and maintain all standard EA requirements for direct entry into the doctor of pharmacy program.

What is the PCAT?

 PCAT requirements for incoming students for Fall 2020 have been removed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT) is a standardized exam that helps to identify qualified applicants to pharmacy colleges. The exam tests general academic ability and the scientific knowledge necessary to succeed in pharmacy school. More information about PCAT.

Do you accept the January PCAT scores?

Yes, the January PCAT is the last date we can accept. Students are encouraged to contact the School of Pharmacy to ensure scores have been received.

What are the oldest coursework or PCAT scores you accept?

Science and math courses should be current and completed no more than five years prior to enrollment. The PCAT should be taken within three years.

What are the minimum GPA and PCAT scores required in order to apply?

We require a minimum Math and Science prerequisite GPA of 2.50. We also require a minimum overall prerequisite GPA of 2.50. No minimum PCAT score is required; however competitive applicants usually score in the 50th percentile.

What happens when I repeat a course?

When a course is repeated, both the initial and repeat grades for the course will be used in calculating the math and science GPA and overall prerequisite GPA. Our admissions committee looks for successful completion of coursework with minimal withdrawals or repeats.

Who should a get a letter of recommendation from?

It is recommended, but not required, that letters be written by an employer, faculty adviser, healthcare professional, pharmacist, pre-health adviser, supervisor, or a liberal arts, math, or science professor. Letters are not accepted from clergy members, family members, friends, politicians, or teaching assistants.

Do I need pharmacy-related work experience?

Students are encouraged, but not required, to obtain pharmacy related work or volunteer experience. Some of our current students shadowed, volunteered, or worked at community or hospital pharmacies prior to applying in order to gain insight into the duties of a pharmacist and their role in the healthcare system.

When is the application deadline?

Apply for admission via the Pharmacy College Application Service (PharmCAS), a centralized application service for applicants applying to colleges and schools of pharmacy. PharmCAS deadline is in June. We encourage interested applicants to apply early as it can take weeks for your application to be verified by PharmCAS and received by the D'Youville School of Pharmacy.

Is there a supplemental application?

No, the D'Youville School of Pharmacy does not require a supplemental application.

What happens after my application is received?

Selected applicants will be invited for an interview. The interview process employs a series of multiple mini-interviews to assess non-cognitive skills important to rendering patient-centered care.

What are the non-cognitive skills assessed in the interview?

The School of Pharmacy's core values; excellence, lifelong learning, cultural diversity, professionalism, leadership, social responsibility, critical inquiry and collaboration, are the domains evaluated by the mini-interviews. Interviews are aimed at assessing a candidate's their potential to develop into a competent and compassionate pharmacist who values and renders patient-centered care.

How will I know if I have been selected for an interview?

Candidates will be sent an email with available interview dates.

Do you do Skype, Google voice, or phone interviews?

No, we require in-person interviews only.

When will I hear back?

Candidates will be notified via mail and e-mail within two weeks of their interview if they have been accepted, denied, or placed on the waitlist for future consideration. If accepted, students have two weeks to accept and submit a non-refundable deposit of $750.00. This deposit will be applied to the first year tuition.

Once accepted, do I have to find my own rotation sites?

No, the Office of Experiential Education, places students in Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience (IPPE) rotations and Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences (APPE) rotations. IPPEs take place each semester for two full weeks. During this time, there are no scheduled classes or exams, so students can focus on their placement.

If a student knows of a clinical site they are interested in doing their rotation, we'll work to set it up for you. Current students have had the opportunity to do their IPPEs across the country at various sites. Learn more about experiential education.

What is your transfer policy regarding advanced standing in the PharmD program?

Due to the highly integrated nature of the didactic and experiential components of the curriculum, the School of Pharmacy will consider requests for transfer of credits only on an individual basis. Students may transfer up to 45 credit hours with grades of “B” or better at the discretion of the Assistant Dean of Faculty and Student Affairs. Credits accepted for transfer must have been awarded from an ACPE accredited school of pharmacy. Only credits recorded on an official transcript of the issuing institution will be considered for transfer.

Credits accepted for transfer must be determined to be substantially equivalent to courses offered by the D'Youville School of Pharmacy in their content and quality. Students must submit a letter from their previous school of pharmacy attesting to their “good standing” at that institution. Credits accepted for transfer must have been awarded within three years of the date of admission. The School may, in its option, accept older credits if the entering student holds an earned doctorate in the pharmaceutical sciences.

I still have questions and/or I would like to set up an appointment to visit. Who can I contact?

Information about visiting us is available on our admissions page