Community College to PharmD

We know you have big dreams. Your ambition may be to work in a hospital, working directly with patients who need your help. You may imagine yourself using science to fight for the health of our communities through public initiatives or regulatory work. Others may see you at a bench in a research lab or at a desk in a corner office, helping to discover new drugs and bring them to patients in need.

A pharmacy degree can carry you to any of these places. And yet, you may not always think that a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) is in your reach. KGI is partnering with community colleges to make these dreams more accessible. By building a clear path for students and working together, we can help you go from high school to pharmacy careers in as little as six years in our accelerated pathway.

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Download the Info Sheet

$157,280

Average salary for a pharmacist in California

$134,790

Median salary for pharmacists nationwide

Salary information from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Pathway Details

The pathway is a PharmD degree that may be completed in as little as six years, with the first two years at community college (providing students take all required coursework on time) and the remaining four as a student in KGI’s School of Pharmacy. Download the Community College to PharmD Checklist.
Students should begin preparing for pharmacy school as they enter community college.
An invitation to interview for the PharmD program will be automatic for selected students, as long as they meet all requirements.
Interested community college students will have access to additional opportunities for enrichment, including summer courses, industry talks, and access to KGI’s large body of clinical and scientific pharmacy faculty.

Benefits to Students

Expedited application review process
Dedicated scholarships for community college applicants
Faculty and student mentors from KGI
Summer pharmacy prep program
Access to summer prerequisite courses at KGI
Invitation to KGI’s White Coat Ceremony and other events at KGI
Opportunity to sit in on a Doctor of Pharmacy class

Being accepted into KGI’s PharmD program from community college gives me a direct path to my career goals. My pathway to pharmacy was a rather unconventional one. I studied business in undergrad before deciding to attend pharmacy school. Because I was able to attend community college to take my remaining prerequisites for KGI’s PharmD program, I did not have to transfer to another 4-year college to complete a bachelor’s degree beforehand. This saves me both time and money! I am grateful that KGI offers a community college to PharmD program!

Genevieve Kua

KGI gave me such an amazing opportunity with the CC to PharmD program. I learned of KGI’s program from a current PharmD student as I was starting my third year at Glendale Community College. I initially had been preparing to apply for transfer to UCs or CSUs, and upon finding out about the KGI pathway, I began to rethink my classes and instead made a plan to finish taking the prerequisites required for their program. KGI’s opportunity helped save me two extra years and their summer undergraduate science courses ensured I had nothing to worry about when it came to Biochemistry not being offered at community colleges around me. The admissions team, professors, staff and everyone I have encountered in my journey through the application process have made it clear that choosing KGI was the right choice. KGI’s pathway will help me achieve my career goals two years earlier and made it possible for me to start on my journey towards using my knowledge and abilities to help serve my community as a healthcare professional.