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Questions
about Pharmacy |
Question: How long does it take to finish schooling
for pharmacy?
Answer: The Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.)
degree program requires at least 2 years of specific
undergraduate college study followed by 4 academic years
(or 3 calendar years) of professional pharmacy study.
Most students enter a pharmacy degree program after
completion of 3 or more years of college.
Some pharmacy schools accept students immediately after
they graduate from high school. Pharmacy schools that
accept all or most students directly from high school
are referred to as “0-6” programs because
these students can complete their pre-pharmacy and professional
study within 6-years after high school. Students enrolled
in a “0-6” program who successfully complete
the first 2-years of pre-professional study (and any
other stated contingencies) are guaranteed admission
into the 4-year professional pharmacy degree program.
Below are AACP institutions classified as “0-6”
degree programs.
·Albany College of Pharmacy
·Duquesne University
·Florida A&M University
·Hampton University
·Massachusetts-Boston
·Northeastern University
·Ohio Northern University
·Philadelphia College of Pharmacy
·Rutgers University
·St. John’s University
·St. Louis College of Pharmacy
·University of Mississippi
·University of Rhode Island
·University of Texas at Austin
Elisabeth J. "Libby" Ross, MA
Director, PharmCAS and Student Affairs
American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy
1426 Prince Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
703-739-2330, x1024
LRoss@aacp.org
Question: Is Pharmacy a career that is highly
needed?
Answer: Yes. There has never been a better
time for students to consider a rewarding career in pharmacy.
The demand for trained pharmacy professionals has increased
in recent years due to the rapid growth of the health
care and pharmaceutical industries, especially for the
growing elderly population. The number of pharmacists
in health care services is also increasing as pharmacists
become more actively involved in drug therapy decision-making
for patients of all ages.
There are many practice options for someone who has a
pharmacy degree. Approximately 62 percent of pharmacists
work in community pharmacies, however, pharmacists are
found in a wide variety of settings including hospitals,
managed care, public health, armed forces, pharmaceutical
industry, government, and more. While responsibilities
vary among the different areas of pharmacy practice, the
bottom line is that pharmacists help patients get well.
Pharmacist responsibilities include a range of care for
patients, from dispensing medications to monitoring patient
health and progress to maximize their response to the
medication. Pharmacists also educate consumers and patients
on the use of prescriptions and over-the-counter medications,
and advise physicians, nurses, and other health professionals
on drug decisions. Pharmacists also provide expertise
about the composition of drugs, including their chemical,
biological, and physical properties and their manufacture
and use. They ensure drug purity and strength and make
sure that drugs do not interact in a harmful way. Pharmacists
are drug information experts ultimately concerned about
their patients' health and wellness.
Elisabeth J. "Libby" Ross, MA
Director, PharmCAS and Student Affairs
American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy
1426 Prince Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
703-739-2330, x1024
LRoss@aacp.org
Question: Would it be a good idea to work in a
Pharmacy as a clerk, so I can get in the environment?
Answer: Yes. Pharmacy colleges encourage
or require applicants to have volunteer or paid experience
working with patients in a pharmacy or health-related
setting (hospital, nursing home, etc.). On-going work
or volunteer experience in a pharmacy setting may be an
important factor in the admissions process.
Elisabeth J. "Libby" Ross, MA
Director, PharmCAS and Student Affairs
American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy
1426 Prince Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
703-739-2330, x1024
LRoss@aacp.org
Question: How many science classes would I have
to take?
Answer: A sound education in science
and math is essential in the preparation for the study
of pharmacy. High school science classes are helpful in
preparing students for the advanced science courses required
in the Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree curriculum.
High school courses in biology, chemistry, physics, and
mathematics are required. Four years of science and four
years of math are recommended. High school students considering
a career in pharmacy should also have good written and
verbal communication skills. Prospective pharmacy students
are encouraged to take college preparatory classes in
areas such as literature, history, government, and humanities
in order to become well-rounded individuals. These skills
will help create an educational foundation on which to
grow. Contrary to popular belief, Latin, while helpful
in many aspects, is not essential to admission to pharmacy
school.
The undergraduate classes required for admission into
a pharmacy degree program vary significantly from one
institution to the next. Generally, required undergraduate
courses include several courses in the different science
disciplines (including chemistry, mathematics, biology,
and physics), as well as a variety of non-science courses
such as composition and literature. Due to the variations
in admission requirements and procedures among the colleges
and schools of pharmacy, it is advisable to research different
pharmacy programs.
Elisabeth J. "Libby" Ross, MA
Director, PharmCAS and Student Affairs
American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy
1426 Prince Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
703-739-2330, x1024
LRoss@aacp.org
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