Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Early Assurance Program?
Samford’s Early Assurance Program (EAP) offers high achieving incoming freshmen a direct pathway to the PharmD: after completing the two year prepharmacy curriculum and meeting all benchmarks, students are assured entry into the Doctor of Pharmacy program—and, along the way, they also earn a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy Studies after successfully completing the second year of pharmacy school.
Are there prerequisite courses to declare the major?
Yes, to qualify for Samford University’s Early Assurance Program (EAP), incoming freshmen must meet the following requirements:
  • Enroll as a first time, full time freshman at Samford University
  • Minimum GPA requirements
  • Two recommendation letters: one from a math or science teacher, and one from a high school adviser/guidance counselor (family members not permitted)
  • Successful interview with the School of Pharmacy Admission Committee
These prerequisites help ensure students are academically prepared for Samford’s rigorous two year prepharmacy curriculum and seamless progression into the PharmD program.
Do I need a minimum GPA to enter the program?

Yes, for Samford’s Early Assurance Program, the required GPAs are:

  • Minimum 3.5 overall high school GPA
  • Minimum 3.4 GPA in Prepharmacy Prep Courses (core math and science courses)
Are internships or field experiences required?

Yes. Internships and field experiences, known as Pharmacy Practice Experiences (PPE), are required and fundamental to the curriculum at McWhorter School of Pharmacy The program emphasizes hands-on learning with 1,600 hours of clinical work in the fourth year, alongside earlier practice experiences, to ensure professional readiness.

Residencies  Practice Experiences 

Why do I have to apply to Samford and this school separately?

A separate Samford University application is required only for high school students pursuing the Early Assurance Program.

Traditional PharmD applicants apply only through PharmCAS, the national centralized application service used by pharmacy schools to review academic history, prerequisite completion and supporting materials.

Are research opportunities available for undergraduates?

Yes, once begin the Doctor of Pharmacy program, students have access to robust research opportunities, including departmental research projects, research elective courses, a competitive summer research internship, and a required Capstone senior research project.

These opportunities offer meaningful engagement in scientific inquiry and expand the depth of the pharmacy curriculum.