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Pharmacy

Program Description

Just the Facts

Pharmacy. A program that prepares individuals for the independent or employed practice of preparing and dispensing drugs and medications in consultation with prescribing physicians and other health care professionals, and for managing pharmacy practices and counseling patients. Includes instruction in mathematics, physics, chemistry, biochemistry, anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, pharmaceutical chemistry, pharmacognosy, pharmacy practice, pharmacy administration, applicable regulations, and professional standards and ethics.

This program is available in these options:

  • Associate degree
  • Bachelor's degree
  • Graduate Certificate
  • Master's degree
  • Doctoral degree

High School Courses

See the high school courses recommended for programs in this career cluster:

See the high school courses recommended for programs in this pathway:


Related Careers

Check out related careers


Additional Information

There's a lot more to being a pharmacist than handing out pills. Patients are the number one focus, and pharmacists must make sure that the drugs meet their needs.

The last BSc (Pharm) degrees were given to the 2005 class. All American pharmacy schools and colleges now award Pharm.D. degrees to their graduates. Students must complete six years of school: two years of undergraduate study, then four years of professional study.

Pharmacy programs include courses in subjects like biomedical sciences (physiology, pharmacology and biochemistry), pharmaceutical sciences (pharmaceutical analysis, medicinal chemistry, pharmacokinetics, pharmaceutics), and pharmacy practice (dispensing, patient counselling, case studies). Students may also take toxicology courses.

"We look for the following qualities: motivation for a pharmacy career; concern for others; leadership; professionalism and maturity; communication skills; and experience in health care," says Angela Dominelli. She is an associate dean and pharmacy professor at Albany College of Pharmacy.

Entering pharmacy programs is very competitive. "We're looking for students with good math and science skills," says Donnie Sullivan. He is an associate professor of pharmacy practice at Ohio Northern University. That school gets about 800 applications for 165 openings.

But all the hard work pays off when you graduate. "Grads can pick and choose where they want to work," says Sullivan. "There is a 100 percent placement rate after graduation and salaries start at $100,000. There are ample opportunities everywhere."

"Study hard so you have a good academic base for first-year university science courses," advises Marguerite M. Yee. She is the director of student services for a faculty of pharmaceutical sciences. Her school gets about 600 applications for 150 openings.

"Learn about the profession to be sure you want to pursue it," Yee adds. She says you should visit a variety of pharmacy outlets in your community. Talk to the pharmacists about what they like and dislike about their work and responsibilities.

In addition to strong math and science skills, you must be a good communicator. A lot of programs now have personal interviews to test the applicants' communication skills, says Sullivan. It is important to be able to talk to patients.

Many universities also look for exposure to health care. "As future health-care professionals, pre-pharmacy or pharmacy students could benefit from experience volunteering or working in the health-care environment," says Sheryl Zelenitsky. She is a pharmacy professor at a university. "They could also gain valuable experience in being involved in associations or societies which positively contribute to society."

There will be expenses for tuition and books, and fees for lab coats and membership dues in pharmaceutical organizations. Most students buy a computer. You may also have expenses for travel, lodging and food if you are assigned clerkships away from home.


Links

Occupational Outlook Handbook
For more information related to this field of study, see: Pharmacists

American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy
Find a list of pharmacy schools

Pharmacist Careers
Learn more about what you can do and where you can work

Contact

  • Email Support

  • 1-800-GO-TO-XAP (1-800-468-6927)
    From outside the U.S., please call +1 (424) 750-3900

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