What can you do with a Pharmacy Degree?
The College of Pharmacy at Oregon State University notes, "The Doctor of Pharmacy degree (often abbreviated Pharm.D. or PharmD) is required to sit for the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX). The NAPLEX is one component of the licensure process required to practice as a pharmacist. The Pharm.D. is a professional degree similar to a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS)."As a doctorate, this degree "represents the increasing responsibility pharmacists have in health care systems and the high trust Americans have in pharmacists." The official site adds that once you have earned a Doctor of Pharmacy degree and have passed your license exam, "College of Pharmacy graduates can practice pharmacy anywhere in the country."
A Degree in Pharmacy prepares students to meet federal, state and local requirements to qualify as pharmacists. Pharmacists are an integral part of the primary health care system and serve a variety of functions including:
- educate patients about different medications
- help ensure safe administration of drugs
- monitor drug therapy
- advise health care providers about drug treatment options
- research
- clinical studies
- inform providers about therapeutic alternatives
Jobs with this degree include:
- Pharmacist– dispense prescription medications to patients and offer expertise in the safe use of prescriptions. Median Annual Salary: $129,000.
- Health Services Manager– plan, direct, and coordinate the activities of healthcare providers. Median Annual Salary: $101,000.
- Top Executive– plan strategies and policies to ensure that an organization meets its goals. Median Annual Salary: $99,000.
- Medical Scientist– conduct research aimed at improving overall human health. Median Annual Salary: $95,000.
- Pharmacy Technician– help pharmacists dispense prescription medication to customers or health professionals. Median Annual Salary: $37,000.
Is a Pharmacy Degree hard?
A Pharmacy degree prepares students for the pharmacist role but also may lend itself to various other careers, including drug consultation, education, marketing, and research.When considering a Pharmacy Degree, students have many options. One popular option is for students to complete two years of collegiate coursework before applying to pharmacy school to complete a PharmD degree.
Another option is to complete a four-year bachelor’s degree prior to entering pharmacy school. Students completing a bachelor’s degree before pharmacy school may choose a related degree (such as a pre-pharmacy program, STEM, or health career-related degree) or a completely unrelated degree that also sparks their interests.
There is also a wide variety of accelerated and dual degree programs for students who wish to pursue interests in pharmacy and related fields such as business, law, and managed care.
GI BIll and Yellow Ribbon Program Options
Our list of GI Bill participating schools is below. Don't forget to explore your other military financial aid and veteran student financial aid opportunities. There is also help for military spouses who need scholarships and other financial aid.Getting a Degree in Pharmacy
A Doctor of Pharmacy Degree (often referred to as PharmD) is what is required to become a pharmacist. There are also, as mentioned above, exams to pass for licensing.PharmD programs usually take about 4 years to finish, and a student will receive a professional/doctoral level education. Students may engage in supervised work experiences (on-the-job training and/or internships) in a variety of settings such as hospitals, assisted living facilities, and retail pharmacies.
PharmD programs includes courses such as:
- Chemistry
- Pharmacology
- Medical Ethics
- Biology
- Physics
- Anatomy
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Religious Affiliation
Buena Vista University
Offers a 3+4 dual degree program for students to earn their Doctor of Pharmacy. Buena Vista University has GI Bill-approved programs, offers credit for military experience , awards credit for the CLEP and DSST exams, and is approved for Tuition Assistance. Buena Vista University is a Yellow Ribbon school and Buena Vista University is a MyCAA approved school.
University of Arizona
Offers several Pharmacy Degrees including a Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Doctor of Pharmacy Degree, and a variety of PharmD dual degree options. University of Arizona is a GI Bill® approved school, offers credit for military experience, and awards credit for the CLEP and DSST exams. University of Arizona is a Yellow Ribbon school and is approved for Tuition Assistance.
University of the Incarnate Word
Offers several Pharmacy degrees including an undergraduate degree in the Pre-Pharmacy track, a Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences, and a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD). UIW has GI Bill approved programs, offers credit for military experience, awards credit for the CLEP and DSST exams, and is approved for Tuition Assistance. UIW is a Yellow Ribbon school and UIW is a MyCAA approved school.
Viterbo University
Offers a Pharmacy track for its undergraduate STEM degrees. Viterbo University has GI Bill approved programs, offers credit for military experience, awards credit for the CLEP and DSST exams, and is a MyCAA approved school. Viterbo University is approved for Tuition Assistance and Viterbo University is a Yellow Ribbon school.
Concordia University of Wisconsin
Offers an abundance of pharmacy options through its comprehensive School of Pharmacy including Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral options. Concordia U-WI has GI Bill approved programs, offers credit for military experience, and awards credit for both the CLEP and DSST exams. Concordia U-WI is a MyCAA approved school, is approved for Tuition Assistance, and Concordia U-WI is a Yellow Ribbon school.
Loyola University Chicago
Offers a Dual Acceptance Program with Midwestern University’s Chicago College of Pharmacy. Loyola University-Chicago has GI Bill approved programs, offers credit for military experience, and awards credit for both the CLEP and DSST exams. Loyola University-Chicago is a Yellow Ribbon school and is approved for Tuition Assistance.