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No. 2 in the nation for NAPLEX
Health care is constantly evolving, and at East Tennessee State University (ETSU) Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy, located in Johnson City, Tennessee, you will be ahead of the curve. Train with exceptional faculty using a curriculum designed to prepare you to become the pharmacist of tomorrow, an integral member of the health care team.
Our nationally recognized college is part of ETSU Health, a leading academic health sciences center that serves the heart of health care for our region. Our college's excellence continues to endure as part of a University founded in 1911 with a singular purpose: to improve the quality of life for people in the region and beyond.
Are you ready to make an impact in health care? Go beyond at ETSU.
National awards: APhA-ASP Operation SUD, AACP Lawrence C. Weaver Transformative Community Service Award
Learn More About Pursuing Pharmacy at ETSU
I chose Gatton because of the opportunities that the college offers students and the
family atmosphere that is displayed. Gatton makes every student feel like they are
welcome, heard, cared for, and supported in their journey to become a pharmacist.
Next Steps
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Admission Requirements
Requirements
I. Citizenship:
Applicants may be U.S. citizens, U.S. Permanent Residents, or Canadian citizens; have been granted political asylum or refugee status; have been granted DACA status; or be eligible for an International Student Visa.
II. PharmCAS Application: Application is made using the Pharmacy College Application Service (PharmCAS) via their website, www.PharmCAS.org.
III. Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT): The PCAT is not required.
IV. English Language Proficiency: International applicants whose native language is not English must submit one of the following to certify English language proficiency:
- Proof of degree from an accredited U.S. institution; OR
- TOEFL score of at least 79 on the internet-based examination or 550 on the paper-based examination; OR
- IELTS score of at least 6.5; OR
- PTE Academic score of 53 or higher; OR
- Successful completion of an ELS program at the highest level.
TOEFL and IELTS scores are valid within two years of the testing date and must be submitted directly to PharmCAS (code 8246). Documentation of the ELS program should be submitted to the Admissions Office.
V. Supplemental Application: A supplemental application is not required.
VI. Letters of Reference: Two letters of reference are required and must be submitted through PharmCAS. Letters from the following evaluators will not be counted toward the two letters of reference: family member, clergy, co-worker, friend, and politician.
VII. Interview: An in-person interview with members of the Admissions Committee is required. Only selected applicants will be invited to interview (all related expenses are the sole responsibility of the applicant). An invitation to interview does not guarantee admission or imply any specific action on the part of the Admissions Committee. Interview dates are scheduled directly with the applicant by the Admissions Office. Travel arrangements are the responsibility of the applicant.
VIII. Background Check: Prior to being allowed to enroll, all accepted applicants will be required to undergo and successfully pass a background check. All offers of acceptance are contingent upon satisfying this requirement.
IX. Pre-Pharmacy Course Prerequisites: The completion of at least 61 semester hours of specified undergraduate coursework is required for admission. All prerequisite coursework must be completed with a grade of C- or higher and prior to enrollment.
Applicants who have or will earn a baccalaureate degree by the end of the spring term are considered to have met the general education requirements and only the math and science prerequisites are required.
Applicants are expected to have complete all math and science prerequisites by the end of the spring term prior to enrollment. With permission summer course may be allowed; however, all courses must be completed prior to the start of the term, which is typically the first week of August.
Be sure to include all courses—completed, in progress, and planned—on your PharmCAS application. During the PharmCAS “Academic Update” window, be sure to update your coursework on your PharmCAS application.
Prerequisite coursework must be completed at an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the equivalent authority in a foreign country.
Requirements for Fall 2025 and beyond
Required Math & Science Courses
Courses Credit Hours General Biology & Lab 4 (Must count toward a science degree or be designated for major in Biology/Chemistry)
Microbiology & Lab 4
General Chemistry & Lab 8
Organic Chemistry & Lab 8
Human Physiology 4 or 8 (May take two semesters of combined Anatomy/Physiology course for 8 credits in lieu of 4 Credits Human Physiology)
Calculus 3
Statistics 3
Science Electives 6 (Recommended courses include: Genetics/Genomics, Immunology, Biochemistry, Physics, other science courses designated for science degrees or majors. Any associated labs will count toward required credits.)
Additional Required Courses
Courses Credit Hours English Composition 6
Writing and oral communication intensive courses and encouraged. Social Sciences / Behavioral Sciences / Humanities 15
Total Credit Hours:
61
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Quality Indicators
NAPLEX PASS RATE
Class of 2023 NAPLEX 1st attempt pass rate:
- ETSU: 95.4%
National Average: 78.6%
ETSU is No. 2 in the country for NAPLEX; No. 1 in Southeast and Tennessee for accredited pharmacy schools. See the full report from the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy.
PRE-ADVANCED PHARMACY PRACTICE EXPERIENCE READINESS
This demonstrates the preparedness of P3 student pharmacists for Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences in the P4 year. The pass rate indicates the percentage of P3 students successfully completing this 16-station objective structured clinical examination prior to the beginning of the 2024 spring semester.
- P3 OSCE Pass Rate: 98%
GRADUATION RATE
On-time Graduation Rate for Class of 2023: 72%
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Academic Calendar
Fall Semester 2024
Classes begin (P1) August 5 Gatton Ready (P1) August 5-16 White Coat Ceremony (P1) August 16 Classes begin (P2, P3) August 12 Gatton Ready (P2, P3) August 12 Back to School Bash August 14 Wellness Retreat (P1, P2, P3 / no classes) August 23 Labor Day Holiday (P1, P2, P3) September 2 Fall Festival September (TBD) GattonPATH (P1, P2, P3) October 2 Fall Break (P1, P2, P3) October 14 & 15 Veterans Day Holiday Observed (P1, P2, P3) November 11 Last day of classes (P3) November 22 OSCE (P3) Nov.ember 25 & 26 Last day of classes (P1, P2) November 26 Thanksgiving Holiday (P1, P2, P3) November 27 – 29 Final Exams (P1, P2, P3) December 2-6 End of Semester Grades due by 1 pm December 9 APC Meeting December 11 Spring Semester 2025
Classes begin (P1, P2, P3) January 8 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Holiday (P1, P2, P3) January 20 Spring Break (P1, P2, P3) March 17-21 Last day of class (P3) March 25 Final Exams (P3) March 26-28 Last day of APPEs – Class of 2025 March 28 Board Exams Review (P4) April 1 - May 8 First day of APPEs - Class of 2026 April 1 Good Friday Holiday (P1, P2, P3) April 18 Last day of class (P1, P2) April 30 Reading Day (P1, P2) May 1 Final Exams (P1, P2) May 2-8 Hooding and Commencement Ceremony (P4) May 9 APC Meeting May 14 -
Tuition and Scholarships
Tuition and fees
TN residents: $28,786
Out-of-State: $34,786Scholarships
Earn up to $15,000 total in stackable scholarships if you meet the following criteria:
- $2,500—Priority Scholarship: Apply by the Priority Deadline of November 1, 2024. This is a one-time scholarship.
$2,500—Early Commitment Scholarship: Commit early to attend ETSU Gatton College of Pharmacy, as well as apply by the Priority Deadline of November 1, 2024. This is a one-time scholarship.
$10,000—Academic Merit Scholarship: Demonstrate academic excellence with a cumulative GPA of 3.75. This scholarship is awarded as $2,500 per year over four years.
Learn more about tuition and scholarships.
- $2,500—Priority Scholarship: Apply by the Priority Deadline of November 1, 2024. This is a one-time scholarship.
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FAQ
How much is your class reservation deposit?
We follow the AACP Cooperative Admissions Guidelines. Applicants who receive an admissions acceptance are required to pay a non-refundable class reservation deposit of $200.
Do you require the PCAT?
We do not view the PCAT as essential in helping us determine which applicants are best suited for our pharmacy school. The Admissions Committee utilizies an holistic approach that carefully considers the candidate’s academic record and full PharmCAS application.
Do you have a supplemental application?
No, we do not have a supplemental application.
How long does it take for my file to be reviewed and a decision to be made?
You will receive an email when we receive your verified application from PharmCAS, and we’ll let you know if any additional items are needed to make the file complete. Typically, you can expect to receive a decision regarding an interview within one week after we receive a complete application. Decisions of acceptance are generally communicated within 3-5 days following the interview.
Do you consider applicants outside of Tennessee?
Yes! Because Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy is a tuition-funded program, tuition is the same for all students regardless of residency.
Do I need to complete a degree before I can apply?
No. The completion of at least 61 semester hours of specified undergraduate courses is required for admission.
Can I apply before I’ve finished all of my prerequisite courses?
Yes! Applicants are expected to complete all math and science prerequisite courses by the end of the spring or summer term before the fall start date.
Do you have a minimum GPA requirement?
No, as our Admissions Committee considers your entire file. However, applicants are more likely to be competitive for admission with a cumulative GPA of 2.7 or above and a science GPA of 2.7 or above.
Do you give preference to a certain major?
No. The most common majors of our applicants are Biology and Chemistry.
How many students are accepted?
Our class size ranges from 55-60 students.
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