College Crunch

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Pharmacists provide a valuable service which requires a very specific set of skills that are useful in a variety of settings. In addition to being a rewarding and dynamic career, the pharmacy vocation offers flexible hours, an excellent salary, and the opportunity to work in a variety of settings. The most common environment for a pharmacist to work in is a drug store dispensing medications, providing education and counseling to the public and even, at times, to doctors and nurses. Developing the right drug program for patients on multiple medications is another important aspect of the job. Other avenues a pharmacist can pursue include performing research at a pharmaceutical company, working in a nursing home or home health care setting, teaching at medical schools or even working in a government health agency.

Preparation for a pharmaceutical career begins in high school. Students who are interested in this field should build a strong foundation in mathematics and science as pharmacists must have an aptitude for math and chemistry. Try to complete a range of course in the science field. Advanced placement courses will prepare you for the vigorous curriculum a pharmaceutical student must complete in college. Foreign language study is also recommended. Most colleges and pharmacy schools require or give preference to students who have taken a foreign language. Developing written and communication skills will be helpful throughout both the college years and while working in the profession. Practical experience in the field can be gained by obtaining an afterschool or summer job at a hospital, pharmacy or any other type of medical office or laboratory. Though experience isn’t a requirement, it is helpful to developing skills early on and offers insight into whether you will enjoy working in this particular field.

After high school, you will need to attend college. Students intending to pursue a career as a pharmacist will not need to obtain a bachelor degree. The bachelor degree requirement is no longer in effect. Some pharmacy schools will admit students after they have completed at least two years of undergraduate college work. Others may require three years of undergraduate study before you can apply for admission. Admission is often contingent on the completion of certain core requirements. You can attend any college or university you prefer and then apply for entry into a pharmacy school. If you choose this route, you should find a college which offers a good chemistry, pre-med curriculum or pre-pharmacy program. Maintain a high grade point average to ensure your application for pharmacy school will be competitive enough. Be sure to participate in some form of community service. Leadership activities are also important. Admission requests are on the rise and so the schools are becoming increasingly selective.

The other option is to find a college with a full pharmacy program. The benefit of choosing one college for your undergraduate and graduate degree programs is that you will receive preference when applying for entry into the pharmacy program. Also, the college will be best equipped to ensure you meet all of the entry requirements and that your academic program is on track. Pharmacy programs are generally six year programs. Two years of undergraduate study must be completed. Some schools offer accelerated programs which can eliminate a full year of schooling. After the completion of the two year requisite, student can begin the four year Pharmacy D program. The first three years are generally centered on academic study. The fourth year may be a field internship to allow the student to attain practical experience in the field.

There are approximately one hundred colleges in the United States with accredited professional pharmacy degree programs. You should expect to submit your application to pharmacy school one year in advance. Factors considered during the admission process include grade point average, leadership abilities, communication skills, community service and pharmacy experience if the candidate has acquired any. Courses most often required by most colleges prior to admission to the pharmacy program include biology, chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, English composition, calculus, macroeconomics, foreign language or international studies, arts, American culture, intellectual heritage and studies in race or American ethnicity.

Though it is not a comprehensive list, schools with a professional pharmacy program include:

• Midwestern University Chicago
• Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville School of Pharmacy
• University of Illinois at Chicago
• Chicago State University
• Butler University
• Purdue University
• Drake University
• University of Iowa
• University of Kansas
• University of Kentucky
• Sullivan University
• University of Louisiana – at Monroe School of Pharmacy
• Xavier University
• University of New England
• University of Maryland – School of Pharmacy
• College of Notre Dame Maryland
• Massachusetts College of Pharmacy Boston
• Massachusetts College of Pharmacy Worcester
• Northeastern University – Bouve College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
• Ferris State University
• University of Michigan Wayne State University – Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sc
• University of Minnesota
• University of Mississippi
• St Louis College of Pharmacy – St Louis College of Pharmacy
• University of Missouri – Kansas City Pharmacy School
• University of Montana – Pharmacy School and Allied Health Sciences
• Creighton University
• University of Nebraska
• University of Southern – Nevada College of Pharmacy
• Rutgers State University of New Jersey – Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy
• University of New Mexico
• Long Island University – A and M Schwartz College of Pharmacy and Health Science
• St Johns University – College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions
• University at Buffalo – State University of New York Pharmacy School
• Albany College of Pharmacy
• University of North Carolina
• North Dakota State University
• Ohio Northern University – Raabe College of Pharmacy
• Ohio State University
• University of Cincinnati – James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy
• Northeastern Ohio Universities
• University of Oklahoma
• Oregon State University
• Duquesne University – Mylan School of Pharmacy
• Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine – LECOM School of Pharmacy
• University of the Sciences Philadelphia
• Temple University
• University of Pittsburgh
• Wilkes University – Nesbitt School of Pharmacy
• Thomas Jefferson University
• University of Rhode Island South Carolina College of Pharmacy
• South Dakota State University
• University of Tennessee
• Texas A and M University – Kingsville Irma Rangel pharmacy school
• Texas Tech University
• University of Houston
• University of Texas at Austin
• University of Utah
• Virginia Commonwealth University
• University of Washington
• Washington State University
• West Virginia University
• University of Wisconsin
• University of Wyoming

Students who intend to apply for admission at a pharmacy school will be required to take an entrance exam. The Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT) is the one most often accepted by the schools and most often taken by prospective students. The preferred test by most colleges is administered by the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy. Pre-registration is required to take the test. This can be completed online. The fee for taking the test must be paid at the time you register. The registration fee is $150.00. Three transcripts of your test scores will be sent to the schools of your choice with each additional transcript costing $20.00 each. The test consist of five sections: verbal ability, biology, chemistry, reading comprehension and quantitative ability. There are 240 multiple choice questions.

The Pharmacy degree program is both challenging and vigorous. You will be expected to complete coursework in basic pharmaceutical sciences. Anatomy, physiology, medicinal chemistry, biopharmaceutics, pharmacology and pharmaceutics are included among these professional courses. Students will examine and evaluate drug information and literature, complete courses in pharmacy administration and clinical pharmacy practice. Courses under these are pathophysiology, therapeutics, pharmacokinetics, pharmaceutical economics and pharmacy law. The third year of the program is dedicated mainly to electives chosen by the student. Students are able to select courses tailored towards their own interests and career goals; nuclear pharmacy, clinical research, drug safety. The fourth and final year is dedicated to internships where the student will work in a pharmaceutical setting under the direction of a licensed pharmacist and the supervision of a faculty advisor. At the completion of the program, the graduate will receive a Doctor of Pharmacy.

After you graduate from Pharmacy school with your Pharmacy D degree, you earn the title of pharmacist. You will be required to obtain a license in the state you intend to practice. Most states will have their own specific licensing requirements. One of the requirements is generally the completion of an internship. Since internships are part of the pharmacy school requirements you will likely already have this requirement satisfied before you graduate with the Pharmacy D. In most states, you will be required to take a licensure exam. The North American Pharmacist Licensure ExaminationTM (NAPLEX) is used in all jurisdictions within the United States which require the exam, except California. The exam is a computer adaptive test which will evaluate the person’s abilities of applying the knowledge they have attained throughout their pharmacy program. The exam fee is $430.00.

After you have successfully completed the exam and obtained your license, you will be able to begin work in the field. However, you will need to reapply for licensure every two years. Pharmacists are required to take continuing education courses during the two year period to ensure they remain current on the advancements, updates and changes which occur within the field. You should expect to complete approximately 30 units during this time. The courses must be accredited by the American Council of Pharmaceutical Education or considered acceptable by the sate board of pharmacy. Classes are offered both online and in a traditional classroom setting. Pharmacists will need to check with their state licensing agency to determine the renewal fee and requirements to make sure all requirements are met.