Applying to Pharmacy Programs
The role of the pharmacist can take many forms. Pharmacists counsel patients, advise doctors, perform research, prepare intravenous medications, prevent drug interactions, monitor patient health, and educate patients and future pharmacists. Pharmacists work in a range of settings including hospitals, clinics, pharmaceutical manufacturing companies, academia, and drug stores. The field of pharmacy offers a wide variety of careers.
In the United States, pharmacists must earn a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree from an accredited institution and pass a state licensure exam. The PharmD degree takes most students three or more calendar years to complete. The Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) maintains a list of pre-accredited and accredited programs. Dual PharmD/PhD and PharmD/MBA programs are options for those seeking more than one degree.
Requirements vary and are summarized by the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP). A bachelor’s degree is required for admission to some pharmacy schools, and it will give you an advantage when applying to many institutions.
Pharmacy or healthcare experience is recommended and can be required for admission. Seek out volunteer or paid experiences.
The Office of Medical and Health Programs (OMHP), partnering with the Sewanee Health Professions Society (SHPS), provides both leadership development opportunities for students interested in tutoring and one-on-one peer tutoring for students seeking tutoring. All peer tutors have not only succeeded in the courses in which they tutor, but they have also been shown to be good teachers and mentors.
Learn more from these available online resources:
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