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Cooperative Pharmacy Program
December 02, 2008

Frequently Asked Questions

Will Advanced Placement Credit be accepted? 
The University of Texas – Pan American (UTPA) and the University of Texas at Austin (UTA) accept Advanced Placement test scores. Please contact the admissions office for the respective institution for additional information.

Will dual enrollment credit for coursework earned during high school be accepted or will I have to repeat these courses?

Both UTPA and UTA accept dual enrollment credit for coursework earned during high school. Student transcripts are reviewed in order to determine allowable equivalent course credit. Please contact the admissions office for the respective institution for additional information.

Can dual enrollment credit be used to satisfy pre-pharmacy requirements?

Yes, dual enrollment course credit may be used to satisfy pre-pharmacy course requirements.

Which dual enrollment credit can and cannot be used to satisfy pre-pharmacy coursework requirements? 

There are no restrictions as long as the course credit is accepted by the academic institution. For example, most institutions will not accept course credit for earned letter grades of D or less. 
 
Enrollment in the CPP will require the completion of a minimum number of credit hours per semester. For some students this may translate into the completion of coursework beyond the pre-pharmacy requirements. All CPP students will be advised as to which courses to complete in order to maximize their educational experience.
 
In general, all pre-pharmacy students are encouraged to complete an acceptable amount of coursework so that they are academically prepared to successfully matriculate into any pharmacy program. For some students completion of only the pre-pharmacy course requirements will be sufficient. Others may be better served by completing additional courses or a Bachelor of Science degree prior to matriculating into a pharmacy program.

What is the PCAT and why is it required for admissions? 

The PCAT is a standardized examination used by Colleges and Schools of Pharmacy to assess the scholastic aptitude of applicants. The PCAT is required for admission by all of the Texas Colleges and Schools of Pharmacy. Click here for more information about the PCAT including test dates.

All students admitted to the CPP and UTA CoP are required to take the PCAT. The UTA CoP maintains a database containing information on all admitted students. Basic, general information (gender, race, etc.) pertaining to PCAT scores is shared with accreditation bodies and professional organizations as a means of comparison between institutions. Student confidentiality is maintained.

What is the minimum acceptable PCAT score that must be attained? 

All students should strive to attain the recommended PCAT scores proposed by the UT Austin CoP. Please check the UTA CoP Admissions web site for additional details.  The PCAT is one of several admissions requirements and all complete applications will be reviewed in their entirety.

 

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