How to Become a Pharmacist

The type of school you choose will depend on 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)? http://www.acpe-accredit.org/
2. Are the computers, science labs and science courses up-to-date? http://www.collegeboard.com/csearch/majors_careers/profiles/majors/51.1103.html
3. Will you have access to prepharmacy advisers that can help guide you?http://www.collegeboard.com/csearch/majors_careers/profiles/majors/51.1103.html
4. Is it a member of the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP)?http://www.aacp.org

If you are interested in pursuing a degree beyond PharmD, you will want to find a school that offers a joint degree program, which allows students to pursue an 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.http://naturalsciences.ucmerced.edu/2.asp?

Several sites offer a list of available schools, including:

1. The ACPE websitehttp://www.acpe-accredit.org/students/programs.asp
2. The AACP websitehttp://www.aacp.org/about/membership/institutionalmembership/Pages/usinstitutionalmember.aspx
3. Pharmacy College Application Service http://www.pharmcas.org/collegesschools/directoryalphastate.htm

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.http://pearsonassess.com/haiweb/Cultures/en-US/site/Community/PostSecondary/Products/pcat/pcathome.htm There are a couple of additional educational options that are available, even along this basic track:

1. A four-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 three-year program where students take courses year round.

While there are plenty of traditional four-year programs available in the United States, there are comparatively few schools which offer an accelerated program, including:

1. Albany College of Pharmacy - Albany, NYhttp://www.acp.edu/academics_pharmd.html
2. Duquesne University: Mylan School of Pharmacy - Pittsburgh, PAhttp://www.pharmacy.duq.edu/
3. Ferris State University - Big Rapids, MI http://www.ferris.edu/htmls/colleges/pharmacy/
4. Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine School of Pharmacy - Erie, PAhttp://www.lecom.edu/school_pharmacy.php
5. Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Science: Manchester - Manchester, MAhttp://www.mcphs.edu/academics/programs/pharmaceutical_sciences
6. Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Science: Worcester - Worcester, MAhttp://www.mcphs.edu/academics/programs/pharmaceutical_sciences
7. Midwestern University: Chicago - Chicago, ILhttp://www.midwestern.edu/pages/ccp.html
8. Midwestern University: Glendale - Glendale, AZhttp://www.midwestern.edu/cpg/
9. South University - Savannah, GAhttp://www.southuniversity.edu/campus/Pharmacy/
10. University of Southern Nevada - Henderson, NVhttp://www.usn.edu/pharmacy/
11. University of Appalachia - Oakwood, VAhttp://www.uacp.org/
12. University of the Pacific - Stockton, CAhttp://web.pacific.edu/x9454.xml

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.http://advisingservices.ucdavis.edu/advising/hsa/handouts/prepharmacy_information.html

According to some studies, applicants with a baccalaureate degree have a better chance of being accepted to a pharmacy school.http://naturalsciences.ucmerced.edu/2.asp?uc=1&lvl2=66&lvl3=66&lvl4=184&contentid=222 Studies have also shown that students with a B.S. in pharmacy have a better chance of being hired for some pharmacy positions.http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3833/is_200301/ai_n9175539

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 coursework.http://www.uspharmd.com/student/Pharmacy_School_Admissions.html You will need to check with each school in which you are interested to find out what specific academic requirements it has. The AACP has extensive information about pharmacy school admission requirements available on its website.http://www.aacp.org/site/page.asp?TRACKID=&VID=1&CID=693&DID=4747%20

• About one-half to three-quarters of pharmacy schools require students to complete the Pharmacy College Admissions Test, or (PCAT).http://pearsonassess.com/haiweb/Cultures/en-US/site/Community/PostSecondary/Products/pcat/pcathome.htm 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. The exam 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.http://www.aacp.org/resources/student/pharmacyforyou/admissions/Pages/default.aspx#06andearlyassuranceprograms

• 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.

• 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 http://www.acp.edu/academics_pharmd.html
2. Duquesne University: Mylan School of Pharmacy - Pittsburgh, PAhttp://www.pharmacy.duq.edu/
3. Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University - Tallahassee, FLhttp://www.pharmacy.famu.edu/main/Pages/NK_static.aspx?page=NK_welcome
4. Hampton University - Hampton, VAhttp://www.hamptonu.edu/academics/schools/pharmacy/index.htm
5. Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Science - Boston - Boston, MAhttp://www.mcphs.edu/
6. Midwestern University - Glendale, AZ[http://www.midwestern.edu/cpg/
7. Northeastern University: Bouve College of Health Sciences - Boston, MAhttp://www.northeastern.edu/bouve/pharmacy/
8. Ohio Northern University: Raabe College of Pharmacy - Ada, OHhttp://www-new.onu.edu/academics/pharmacy
9. Pacific University - Hillsboro, ORhttp://www.pacificu.edu/pharmd/index.cfm
10. Philadelphia College of Pharmacy - Philadelphia, PAhttp://www.usp.edu/pcp/
11. Rutgers University: Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy - Piscataway, NJhttp://www.stlcop.edu/Default.asp
12. St. John's University - Jamaica, NYhttp://www.stjohns.edu/academics/undergraduate/pharmacy/programs/pharmacy.sju
13. St. John Fisher College: Wegmans School of Pharmacy - Rochester, NY[http://www.sjfc.edu/pharmacy/
14. St. Louis College of Pharmacy - St. Louis, MOhttp://www.stlcop.edu/Default.asp
15. University of Connecticut - Storrs, CThttp://pharmacy.uconn.edu/
16. University of Findlay - Findlay, OHhttp://www.findlay.edu/academics/colleges/cohp/academicprograms/schoolofpharm/default.htm
17. University of Missouri at Kansas City - Kansas City, MOhttp://pharmacy.umkc.edu/
18. University of Rhode Island - Kingston, RIhttp://www.uri.edu/pharmacy/
19. University of Mississippi - Oxford, MShttp://www.pharmacy.olemiss.edu/
20. University of the Pacific - Stockton, CAhttp://web.pacific.edu/x9454.xml
21. University of Texas at Austin - Austin, TXhttp://www.utexas.edu/pharmacy/edutrain/coop/overview.html

• Early assurance programs 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, INhttp://www.butler.edu/cophs/
2. Drake University - Des Moines, IAhttp://www.drake.edu/cphs/
3. Ferris State University - Big Rapids, MIhttp://www.ferris.edu/colleges/pharmacy/index.cfm
4. Midwestern University - Chicago - Chicago, ILhttp://www.midwestern.edu/pages/ccp.html
5. Nova Southeastern University - Fort Lauderdale, FLhttp://pharmacy.nova.edu/home.html
6. Ohio State University - Columbus, OHhttp://www.pharmacy.ohio-state.edu/index.cfm
7. Oregon State University - Corvallis, ORhttp://pharmacy.oregonstate.edu/
8. Palm Beach Atlantic University - West Palm Beach, FLhttp://www.pba.edu/graduatestudies/pharmacy/
9. Shenandoah University - Winchester, VAhttp://pharmacy.su.edu/PharmWeb/Hier/index.cfm
10. University at Buffalo - Buffalo, NYhttp://www.pharmacy.buffalo.edu/admissions_pharmd_ea.shtml
11. University of Charleston - Charleston, WVhttp://pharmacy.ucwv.edu/
12. University of Houston - Houston, TXhttp://www.uh.edu/pharmacy/
13. University of Illinois at Chicago - Chicago, ILhttp://www.uic.edu/pharmacy/
14. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor, MIhttp://www.umich.edu/~pharmacy/
15. University of Missouri - Kansas City - Kansas City, MOhttp://pharmacy.umkc.edu/
16. University of Nebraska - Omaha, NEhttp://unmc.edu/pharmacy/
17. University of New England - Portland, MEhttp://www.une.edu/registrar/catalog/0708/undergrad/prepharmacy.asp
18. University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh, PAhttp://www.pharmacy.pitt.edu/
19. University of Southern California - Los Angeles, CAhttp://www.usc.edu/schools/pharmacy/
20. University of Toledo - Toledo, OHhttp://www.utpharmacy.org/
21. Virginia Commonwealth University - Richmond, VAhttp://www.pharmacy.vcu.edu/
22. Wayne State University - Detroit, MIhttp://www.cphs.wayne.edu/

• Before you can become a licensed pharmacist, you will need to complete an internship and pass any required examinations.http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos079.htm

• 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 1,500 hours.http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos079.htm

• 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 50 states. It contains 185 multiple-choice questions; however, only 150 of them will count towards your score.http://www.nabp.net/ The test is designed to test how well students can apply what they have learned to real-life situations posed as "scenarios."http://www.pharmacist.com/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Career_Resources&Template=/CM/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=11570http://www.a2zcolleges.com/exams/naplex.htm

• 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.http://www.nabp.net/ Examinations States that do not require the MPJE have their own state exam that will be required for licensing.

• 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. Citations provided will take you to that state's board.

• Alabamahttp://www.albop.com/ 
  

• Alaskahttp://www.dced.state.ak.us/occ/ppha.htm 

• Arizonahttp://www.azpharmacy.gov/ 

• Arkansashttp://www.state.ar.us/asbp/ 

• Californiahttp://www.pharmacy.ca.gov/  
  

• Coloradohttp://www.ct.gov/dcp/cwp/view.asp?A=1620&Q=273844 
  

• Connecticuthttp://www.ct.gov/dcp/cwp/view.asp?A=1620&Q=273844 

• Delawarehttp://professionallicensing.state.de.us/boards/pharmacy/index.shtml

• District of Columbiahttp://hpla.doh.dc.gov/hpla/cwp/view,A,1195,Q,488414,hplaNav,|30661|,.asp

• Floridahttp://www.doh.state.fl.us/mqa/

• Georgiahttp://www.sos.state.ga.us/plb/pharmacy

• Hawaiihttp://hawaii.gov/dcca/areas/pvl/boards/pharmacy/

• Idahohttp://www.state.id.us/bop/

• Illinoishttp://www.dpr.state.il.us/

• Indianahttp://www.state.in.us/pla/bandc/isbp/

• Iowahttp://www.state.ia.us/ibpe/

• Kansashttp://www.ink.org/public/pharmacy/

• Kentuckyhttp://pharmacy.ky.gov/

• Louisianahttp://www.labp.com/

• Mainehttp://www.maine.gov/pfr/professionallicensing/professions/pharmacy/

• Marylandhttp://www.dhmh.state.md.us/pharmacyboard/

• Massachusettshttp://www.state.ma.us/reg/boards/ph/

• Michiganhttp://www.michigan.gov/mdch/0,1607,7-132-27417_27529_27548-59186--,00.html

• Minnesotahttp://www.phcybrd.state.mn.us/

• Mississippihttp://www.mbp.state.ms.us/

• Missourihttp://pr.mo.gov/pharmacists.asp

• Montanahttp://mt.gov/dli/bsd/license/bsd_boards/pha_board/board_page.asp

• Nebraskahttp://www.hhs.state.ne.us/

• Nevadahttp://nvbop.glsuite.us/renewal/glsweb/homeframe.aspx

• New Hampshirehttp://www.state.nh.us/pharmacy/

• New Jerseyhttp://www.state.nj.us/lps/ca/medical/pharmacy.htm

• New Mexicohttp://www.state.nm.us/pharmacy/

• New Yorkhttp://www.op.nysed.gov/pharm.htm

• North Carolinahttp://www.ncbop.org

• North Dakotahttp://www.nodakpharmacy.com/

• Ohiohttp://www.state.oh.us/pharmacy/

• Oklahomahttp://www.state.ok.us/~pharmacy/

• Oregonhttp://www.pharmacy.state.or.us/

• Pennsylvaniahttp://www.dos.state.pa.us/bpoa/cwp/view.asp?a=1104&q=432995

• Rhode Islandhttp://www.health.ri.gov/hsr/professions/pharmacy.php

• South Carolinahttp://www.llr.state.sc.us/POL/Pharmacy/

• South Dakotahttp://www.state.sd.us/dcr/pharmacy/

• Tennesseehttp://health.state.tn.us/Boards/pharmacy/index.shtml

• Texashttp://www.tsbp.state.tx.us/

• Utahhttp://www.dopl.utah.gov/

• Vermonthttp://vtprofessionals.org/opr1/pharmacists/

• Virginiahttp://www.dhp.state.va.us/pharmacy/default.htm

• Washingtonhttp://www.doh.wa.gov/hsqa/Professions/Pharmacy/forms.htm

• West Virginiahttp://www.wvbop.com/

• Wisconsinhttp://drl.wi.gov/index.htm

• Wyominghttp://pharmacyboard.state.wy.us