How to Become a Pharmacist

If you've ever had to pick up a dose of antibiotics for a nasty bug, you may have wondered how the pharmacist got qualified to dole out portions of drugs to people like you. There are a variety of pathways open to those who have what it takes to become a pharmacist. This page will walk you through the basic requirements of this popular profession-- and it's easier than you may think!
Becoming a Pharmacist Tips
1. It takes 5-6 years to become a pharmacist.
2. Pharmacy jobs are expected to increase over the next 8 years.
3. Median Salary: $84,900 a year
4. A degree in the field is called a PharmD.

Introduction
- As a pharmacist, you are responsible for filling drug prescriptions for individuals. While this might appear simple, pharmacists are responsible for understanding thousands of drugs, counseling patients and planning drug therapy programs. Read on for information on the training you'll need to become a pharmacist.
Starting Early
- High school is the best place to start if you want to become a pharmacist.
1. While still in high school, you should take all the steps necessary to get into college.
2. Take as many mathematics and science courses as possible, preferably advance placement classes such as AP Biology, AP Calculus, AP Chemistry and AP Physics.
3. You will also need to strengthen your writing skills.
4. Learning a foreign language-- especially Latin-- can also be helpful.Pharmacy Information Web Portal: How To Become A Pharmacist American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Pharmacy Admissions
5. Obtaining experience working in a pharmacy, hospital, nursing home or similar setting is also beneficial.American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Pharmacy Admissions
  - -This can be either paid or volunteer work. Not only will you acquire skills that will help you later on, it will look good on your application to pharmacy schools.
- YouTube Video: A Career in Pharmacy: UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy (Time: 5:38)
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Finding the Right Pharmacy School
- To be a pharmacist, you need a doctorate of pharmacy, better known as the PharmD.
- The PharmD is a professional degree that will take 5-6 years to obtain. It is not an undergraduate degree or a graduate degree. In fact, those with a bachelor's degree will discover that they are still required to complete four years of school before they can become a pharmacist.
Choosing a School
- The type of school you choose will depend a great deal when you want to enter school and how quickly you'd like to earn your PharmD and become a pharmacist.
- Most students enter pharmacy school after completing a series of prerequisite courses in an accredited four-year college or university. However, some choose to enter pharmacy schools immediately after high school in either a "0-6" or "early assurance" program. Another option is to enter an accelerated program. These schools are covered in more depth below.
- Whichever route you decide to take, there are several factors you should consider:
1. Is the school accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE)?
2. Are the computers, science labs and science courses up-to-date? CollegeBoard: Major: Prepharmacy
3. Will you have access to prepharmacy advisers that can help guide you?CollegeBoard: Major: Prepharmacy
4. Is it a member of the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP)?
- If you are interested in pursuing a degree beyond a PharmD, you will want to find a school that offers a joint degree program, which allows students to pursue a M.S. or Ph.D. while obtaining a PharmD. These programs will take longer than than four years to complete and will require the student to have a B.S. before entering.University of California, Merced: Health Advising: Pharmacy School Requirements
- Several sites online offer a list of available schools including:
1. ACPE's Accredited Professional Programs of Colleges and Schools of PharmacyAccreditation Council for Pharmacy Education: Accredited Professional Programs of Colleges and Schools of Pharmacy
2. AACP's Pharmacy School LocatorAmerican Association of Colleges of Pharmacy: Pharmacy Schools
3. Pharmacy College Application Service School InformationPharmacy College Application Service: School Information
"Traditional" Pharmacy Schools
- Pharmacy school programs designed for students who have completed their bachelor's degree are usually very similar because students are required to take the same steps before entering. You will need to complete prerequisite courses and possibly take the Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT) before applying.Official Site: Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT) Homepage But there are a couple of educational options even along this basic track:
  1. A 4-year, graduate-level pharmacy school is often referred to as the "traditional pharmacy degree program" because it is how most future pharmacists get their degree.
  2. Accelerated programs are also common, and refer to a 3-calendar year program where students take courses year round-- not just in the fall and spring.
- While there are plenty of traditional 4-year programs available in the United States, there are comparatively few schools which offer an accelerated program, including:
1. Albany College of Pharmacy Albany, NY
2. Duquesne University: Mylan School of Pharmacy Pittsburgh, PA
3. Ferris State University Big Rapids, MI
4. Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine School of Pharmacy Erie, PA
5. Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Science - Manchester Manchester, MA
6. Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Science - Worcester Worcester, MA
7. Midwestern University - Chicago Chicago, IL
8. Midwestern University - Glendale Glendale, AZ
9. South University Savannah, GA
10. University of Southern Nevada Henderson, NV
11. University of Appalachia Oakwood, VA
12. University of the Pacific Stockton, CA
Prerequisites
- The prerequisite courses required by pharmacy schools vary greatly. Some schools require students to obtain a bachelor of science degree in pharmacy, or similar baccalaureate degree while others do not.University of California, Davis: Pharmacy School Preparation at UC Davis
- According to some studies, applicants with a baccalaureate degree have a better chance of being accepted to a pharmacy school.University of California, Merced: Health Advising: Pharmacy School Requirements Studies have also shown that students with a B.S. in pharmacy have a better chance of being hired for some pharmacy positions.BNET: Evaluating the Pharmaceutical Industry's Need for Graduates with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences (2003)
- Prerequisite courses most schools require include:
1. One year of general chemistry with labs
2. One year of organic chemistry with labs
3. One year of general physics with labs
4. One year of general biology with labs
5. One semester to one year of calculus
6. One year of English (composition and/or writing)
7. One semester of economics
8. One semester of psychology or sociology
9. One semester public speaking
- In addition, some schools require biochemistry, microbiology and statistics.US PharmD: Pharmacy School Admissions You will need to check with each school that you are interested in to find out what academic requirements they have. The AACP has extensive information about pharmacy school admission requirements available on their website.Pharmacy School Admission Requirements It can also be found on PharmCas.Pharmacy College Application Service: School Information
The Pharmacy College Admissions Test
- About 1/2 to 3/4 of pharmacy schools require students to complete the Pharmacy College Admissions Test (PCAT).Official Site: Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT) Homepage It is a standardized exam similar to the MCAT or LSAT, with both multiple-choice and written-response sections.
1. The PCAT is a 4-1/2 hour exam which consists of approximately 280 multiple-choice questions and an essay.
2. It is designed to test general academic abilities and scientific knowledge needed before entering pharmacy school.
3. Students entering an early assurance or "0-6" program do not need to take the PCAT.American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy: FAQ - "0-6" and "Early Assurance" Programs
"0-6" and "Early Assurance" Pharmacy Schools
- Students who enter a "0-6" or "early assurance" pharmacy school are accepted directly from high school. Students will then complete the prerequisite courses at the college or university before beginning pharmacy school.
"0-6" Pharmacy Schools
- Students who enter a "0-6" complete their prerequisite and professional courses at the same school. Providing that they complete all the requirements, they are guaranteed entrance into the school. The following schools currently offer a "0-6" program:
1. Albany College of Pharmacy Albany, NY
2. Duquesne University: Mylan School of Pharmacy Pittsburgh, PA
3. Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University Tallahassee, FL
4. Hampton University Hampton, VA
5. Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Science - Boston Boston, MA
6. Midwestern University Glendale, AZ
7. Northeastern University: Bouve College of Health Sciences Boston, MA
8. Ohio Northern University: Raabe College of Pharmacy Ada, OH
9. Pacific University Hillsboro, OR
10. Philadelphia College of Pharmacy Philadelphia, PA
11. Rutgers University: Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy Piscataway, NJ
12. St. John's University Jamaica, NY
13. St. John Fisher College: Wegmans School of Pharmacy Rochester, NY
14. St. Louis College of Pharmacy St. Louis, MO
15. University of Connecticut Storrs, CT
16. University of Findlay Findlay, OH
17. University of Missouri at Kansas City Kansas City, MO
18. University of Rhode Island Kingston, RI
19. University of Mississippi University, MS
20. University of the Pacific Stockton, CA
21. University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX
Early Assurance Pharmacy Schools
- Early assurance differ from "0-6" because students "transfer" into the pharmacy school after completing two years of college (even though they are staying at the same university). The following schools currently offer an early assurance program:
1. Butler University Indianapolis, IN
2. Drake University Des Moines, IA
3. Ferris State University Big Rapids, MI
4. Midwestern University - Chicago Chicago, IL
5. Nova Southeastern University Fort Lauderdale, FL
6. Ohio State University Columbus, OH
7. Oregon State University Corvallis, OR
8. Palm Beach Atlantic University West Palm Beach, FL
9. Shenandoah University Winchester, VA
10. University at Buffalo Buffalo, NY
11. University of Charleston Charleston, WV
12. University of Houston Houston, TX
13. University of Illinois at Chicago Chicago, IL
14. University of Michigan Ann Arbor, MI
15. University of Missouri - Kansas City Kansas City, MO
16. University of Nebraska Omaha, NE
17. University of New England Portland, ME
18. University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, PA
19. University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA
20. University of Toledo Toledo, OH
21. Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, VA
22. Wayne State University Detroit, MI
Obtaining a License
- Before you can become a licensed pharmacist, you will need to complete an internship and pass any required examinations.Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook - Optometrist
Internship
- All U.S. states require students to complete an internship in order to be eligible for a professional pharmacist license. Many states require students to acquire a special internship license for this period, which can be obtained through your state's board of pharmacy. Internships vary in length from state to state, but average about 1500 hours.
Take Required Examinations
- There are typically two examinations required before students can obtain their pharmacist license.
- The North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX) was developed by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy and is required in all fifty states. It contains 185 multiple choice questions; however, only 150 of them will count towards your score.National Association of Boards of Pharmacy Examinations The test is designed to test how well students can apply what they have learned to real-life situations posed as "scenarios."American Pharmacists Association: Getting Your License A2ZColleges.com: NAPLEX - The North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination
- The Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination (MPJE) is required in 44 U.S. states and the District of Columbia. It contains questions about federal-laws as well as state-specific laws. Although the MPJE contains 90 multiple choice questions, only 60 of these will be used to calculate the score.National Association of Boards of Pharmacy Examinations States that do not require the MPJE have their own state exam that will be required for licensing.
Apply with the State Board
- For a list of all requirements necessary to obtain a pharmacist license, it is best to contact the state in which you will be working. Here is a listing of the board of pharmacy for each state:
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Conclusion
- Being a pharmacist is about a lot more about counting out pills and typing up a label. As a pharmacist, you will be assisting in the health care of hundreds of people. While it might take years of work to complete, at the end of the road you will have a well-paying job that is in high demand.
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Applying to Schools
- The '''Pharmacy College Application Service''', or '''PharmCAS''', is a centralized application service for applicants applying to colleges and schools of pharmacy created by AACP. About half of all pharmacy colleges currently use this program. It is only
- Once the academic prerequisites and the PCAT are completed, it is time to start applying to pharmacy schools. Several sites online offer a list of available pharmacy schools including ACPE's Accredited Professional Programs of Colleges and Schools of Phar