Pre-Pharmacy, a preparatory program for admission into Loma Linda University’s Graduate School of Pharmacy, will be opened at Sahmyook University. Students with a bachelor’s degree from Sahmyook University have a the opportunity of special admission into a US pharmacy program. This is the first time a US university has recognized credits acquired outside of North America.

Sahmyook University signed an exclusive agreement with Loma Linda University  with the aim of introducing a special admission program for pharmacy students at the university.

In order to enter the school of pharmacy in the US, students must complete a  Pre-Pharmacy program for 2 to 4 years (undergraduate studies) in the US, then take the PCAT and apply to a graduate program with the score. Upon completion of the four-year graduate course, Pharm. D, a professional pharmacy degree, is conferred. This degree is required to apply for the NAPLEX and state-specific tests (MPJE, California: CPJE). Upon passing the tests, you become a pharmacist.

For this reason, in order for a Korean student to enter a pharmacy school or become a pharmacist in the US, he or she has to take pre-pharm in an American university even after completing four years of undergraduate studies in Korea.

However, through the exclusive special admission agreement with Loma Linda University, students who complete required courses in Chemistry and Life Sciences and English and meet certain criteria (language scores, GPA, etc.) are eligible to apply to Loma Linda University’s Graduate School of Pharmacy without pre-pharm and PCAT. This program is independent of degree or major and open to all students of Sahmyuk University.

In addition, the two schools also signed a preferred admission agreement that allows graduates of Sahmyook University Pharmacology to complete the 4-year program graduate school program in 3 years.

“This is the first time in the history of pharmacy education in the US that a US pharmacy program has approved and accredited preliminary pharmacy courses at universities outside North America,” said Jae-woo Yang, director of the Institute of International Education at Sahmyook University. “This shows the strong bond between the two institutions and the excellence of Sahmyuk’s pharmacy curriculum,” added Director Yang.

In fact, as sister universities, the two universities have maintained a close tie for decades, running academic exchange and faculty exchange programs. Many graduates of Sahmyook University went on to studey at Loma Linda and even became leading professors at Loma Linda. Ron Carter, Vice-Chancellor of Loma Linda University, said, “Through cooperation with Sahmyook University, we expect students from both universities to form a global perspective in the field of pharmacy and create more opportunities.” Loma Linda University is a specialized health care university located in Loma Linda, California, USA. A prestigious private university with 121 degree programs in 8 departments that include medicine, dentistry, nursing, and pharmacy. It operates the Loma Linda University Medical Center, the second largest hospital in Southern California.