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College of Pharmacy

Prospective Students

South Texas College-UH Cooperative Program

What is the UH-STC Pre-pharmacy Cooperative Program?

The University of Houston College of Pharmacy, in cooperation with South Texas College (STC), offers a curriculum leading to the Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree. The purpose of the UH-STC Pre-pharmacy Cooperative Program is to facilitate access to the UH College of Pharmacy by providing opportunities to fulfill prerequisite courses at South Texas College.

Students can be admitted into the UH College of Pharmacy either through the UH-STC Pre-pharmacy Cooperative Program or by application directly to the University of Houston after completion of the Pharm.D. prerequisites. STC faculty members are available to assist students with either application.

What does the UH-STC Pre-pharmacy Cooperative Program offer students?

  • In the year they wish to begin Pharm.D. school, a seat reserved for them within the incoming Fall class
  • Mentoring and personal assistance to prepare for UHCOP while completing the Pharm.D. prerequsites
  • Career counseling
  • Mentoring and networking with local alumni
  • Admission to UHCOP if all program requirements are met
  • Meetings with UHCOP Admissions staff each semester to enhance student preparation for UHCOP
  • Personal visits to UHCOP once a semester during the academic year
  • Shadow current Pharm.D. students at UHCOP during the academic year

How does a student become part of the UH-STC Pre-pharmacy Cooperative Program?

There are two ways to be admitted into the UH-STC Pre-Pharmacy Cooperative Program, Early Review or Final Review:

Early Review

  • Have earned an SAT or ACT score equal to or greater than the mean score for the state of Texas
  • Must be admitted to South Texas College as an incoming freshman
  • Early Review Applicants must have completed a minimum of 12 and no more than 30 semester hours at South Texas College, including one math and one science course during the fall semester
  • A 3.2 grade point average overall and a 3.2 grade point average in math/science courses is recommended
  • Apply to the UH-STC Pre-Pharmacy Cooperative Program no later than March 31 of the freshman year
  • Interview with UHCOP upon invitation by the Director of Pharmacy Admissions subsequent to receiving a completed application packet

Final Review

  • Must be admitted to South Texas College
  • Applicants must have completed no more than 45 semester hours, at least 15 semester hours must have been completed South Texas College. Up to 8 developmental course hours will be excluded from calculating hours earned.
  • Completion of one math and four science prerequisite courses
  • A 3.2 grade point average overall and a 3.2 grade point average in math/science courses is recommended
  • Apply to the UH-STC Pre-Pharmacy Cooperative Program no later than March 31
  • Interview with UHCOP upon invitation by the Director of Pharmacy Admissions subsequent to receiving a completed application packet
Non-academic, personal factors such as motivation, maturity, integrity, interpersonal communication, service to others and a demonstrated commitment to study pharmacy will also be considered.

What are the steps a student must take to apply for admission to the program?

The 2025 Co-op application will be available in Fall 2024

  • Submit the completed UH-STC Pre-Pharmacy Cooperative Program Application to the following address no later than March 31st:

Dr. Enriqueta Cortez
South Texas College
3201 W. Pecan
Pecan G-258
McAllen, TX 78501

  • Submit the $100.00 application fee
  • Submit official final transcripts from all colleges and universities that the student has attended.
  • Submit an official final high school transcript.
  • Submit personal statement, 1-2 pages in length, typed, double-spaced, on why you chose pharmacy as a career and what distinguishes you from other students.
  • Provide three letters of reference forms from three of the following sources: a high school teacher/counselor, a college professor/academic advisor, a pharmacist or a personal reference.
    • The Reference Request Form must be provided to the reference person by the applicant, as the applicant is to complete the first page of the form.
    • The Reference Request Form must be submitted directly to the UH College of Pharmacy

What is required of a student who is accepted to the UH-STC Pharmacy Cooperative Program?

  • Sign a contract with UHCOP which specifies the requirements of the program.
  • Continue attending South Texas College and work toward an Associate of Science Degree at South Texas College.
  • Maintain a minimum cumulative UH prerequisite GPA of 3.2 and UH prerequisite math/science GPA of 3.2. GPA will be reviewed annually at the end of the spring semester.
  • Continue completing UH prerequisite courses.
  • Meet with the UH-STC Pharmacy Cooperative Faculty Director at South Texas College at least twice per semester during the academic year.
  • Make a personal visit to the UHCOP once a semester during the academic year.
  • Meet with the UHCOP Director of Pharmacy Admissions at least once per semester during the academic year.
  • Shadow a current Pharm.D. student once a semester at the UHCOP during the academic year.
  • Provide updated transcripts of all undergraduate courses and grades each semester to the UH College of Pharmacy via a signed release form submitted to the UH-STC Pharmacy Cooperative Faculty Director at South Texas College.
  • Remain in good standing at South Texas College. This includes complying with STC's Student Code of Conduct (http://www.southtexascollege.edu/pdf/Student_Code_Of_Conduct.pdf)

What is required for entrance into the Pharm.D. program as a Co-op Student?

  • Maintain a full-time Fall and Spring student status (minimum of 12 credit hours) including a minimum of one (1) science course each semester unless the student has completed all of the science courses required of the program. The student may have one semester of less than full time status while completing pre-requisite courses.
  • Earn an Associate of Science Degree from South Texas College.
  • Provide official transcripts of all undergraduate courses and grades.
  • Complete an official PharmCAS application and supporting documents to the UH College of Pharmacy prior to posted deadline(s).
  • Admission will be looked at on an individual basis, but students must begin UHCOP coursework within 5 years of their initial enrollment at STC.
  • Evaluation of additional factors including aptitude, integrity, personal and emotional characteristics that are considered necessary for the student to become an effective pharmacist.
  • Summer internship may be required in future years.
  • Since a seat within the Pharm.D. class is reserved for the student, they cannot apply to other Pharm.D. programs.