3 answers
Trevone
Student
Portland, Oregon
1
Question
Asked
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What classes do I have to take in college to become a Pharmacist ?
What are some goals I should have for myself if I want to be a pharmacist?
What are some good colleges I can attend in Oregon to become a Pharmacist?
What could be helpful to know when going into this career?
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3 answers
Parixit Modi, Pharm.D., MBA
Clinical Pharmacist
22
Answers
Tucson, Arizona
Updated
Parixit’s Answer
To become a pharmacist, you will need to earn a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree from an accredited pharmacy school. The specific classes you will need to take in college will depend on the pharmacy school you plan to attend, but typically, you will need to complete the following prerequisite courses:
General Biology
General Chemistry
Organic Chemistry
Physics
Calculus
Statistics
English Composition
Social/Behavioral Sciences
Humanities
In addition to these prerequisite courses, some pharmacy schools may also require or recommend additional courses in subjects such as microbiology, anatomy and physiology, biochemistry, and/or genetics.
During school:
The classes you will take during your Pharm.D. education will depend on the pharmacy school you attend, but typically, you will take courses in the following areas:
Pharmaceutical Sciences: Courses in this area cover the chemical, physical, and biological properties of drugs, drug interactions, and drug metabolism.
Pharmacotherapy: Courses in this area cover the use of medications to treat diseases and conditions, including drug selection, dosing, administration, and monitoring.
Pharmacology: Courses in this area cover the effects of drugs on the body, including their mechanisms of action, side effects, and toxicity.
Pharmacy Practice: Courses in this area cover the role of pharmacists in patient care, including medication dispensing, patient counseling, and medication therapy management.
Pharmacy Law and Ethics: Courses in this area cover the legal and ethical considerations involved in the practice of pharmacy.
Patient Communication and Counseling: Courses in this area focus on developing effective communication skills with patients, including how to explain medications, answer questions, and provide counseling.
Clinical Rotations: These are hands-on experiences where you will work with licensed pharmacists in various settings, such as hospitals, clinics, and community pharmacies. Rotations provide practical experience in applying what you have learned in the classroom to real-life patient care situations.
General Biology
General Chemistry
Organic Chemistry
Physics
Calculus
Statistics
English Composition
Social/Behavioral Sciences
Humanities
In addition to these prerequisite courses, some pharmacy schools may also require or recommend additional courses in subjects such as microbiology, anatomy and physiology, biochemistry, and/or genetics.
During school:
The classes you will take during your Pharm.D. education will depend on the pharmacy school you attend, but typically, you will take courses in the following areas:
Pharmaceutical Sciences: Courses in this area cover the chemical, physical, and biological properties of drugs, drug interactions, and drug metabolism.
Pharmacotherapy: Courses in this area cover the use of medications to treat diseases and conditions, including drug selection, dosing, administration, and monitoring.
Pharmacology: Courses in this area cover the effects of drugs on the body, including their mechanisms of action, side effects, and toxicity.
Pharmacy Practice: Courses in this area cover the role of pharmacists in patient care, including medication dispensing, patient counseling, and medication therapy management.
Pharmacy Law and Ethics: Courses in this area cover the legal and ethical considerations involved in the practice of pharmacy.
Patient Communication and Counseling: Courses in this area focus on developing effective communication skills with patients, including how to explain medications, answer questions, and provide counseling.
Clinical Rotations: These are hands-on experiences where you will work with licensed pharmacists in various settings, such as hospitals, clinics, and community pharmacies. Rotations provide practical experience in applying what you have learned in the classroom to real-life patient care situations.
Thank you so much!
Trevone
Gisely Papazian
Postdoctoral student
2
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Gisely’s Answer
There are two common paths that students follow toward a career as a pharmacist. One path is through a traditional undergraduate program. Students choosing this course spend at least two years studying as an undergraduate, but most will earn a 4-year bachelor’s degree to be a competitive applicant to graduate pharmacy programs and complete all pre-requisite courses.
The other path is a combined—or dual degree—program, where you earn both your bachelor’s degree and PharmD over the course of the program. Dual degree pharmacy programs are also commonly referred to as “0-6” programs because they typically last six years; the first two years are spent on pre-professional study and are followed by four years in a professional pharmacy degree program.
The benefit of these programs is two-fold: one, students don’t need to take the PCAT (Pharmacy College Admission Test), and students get their PharmD on an accelerated timeline. If a student gets an undergrad degree first, it’ll take them 8 years to get a PharmD (4 years undergrad, 4 years PharmD), versus the 6 years of a dual degree program. Keep in mind that many students complete 1-2 years of residency after their PharmD, making the total amount of time to become a full-fledged pharmacist 9-10 years on the traditional path, or 7-8 years on the accelerated one.
The other path is a combined—or dual degree—program, where you earn both your bachelor’s degree and PharmD over the course of the program. Dual degree pharmacy programs are also commonly referred to as “0-6” programs because they typically last six years; the first two years are spent on pre-professional study and are followed by four years in a professional pharmacy degree program.
The benefit of these programs is two-fold: one, students don’t need to take the PCAT (Pharmacy College Admission Test), and students get their PharmD on an accelerated timeline. If a student gets an undergrad degree first, it’ll take them 8 years to get a PharmD (4 years undergrad, 4 years PharmD), versus the 6 years of a dual degree program. Keep in mind that many students complete 1-2 years of residency after their PharmD, making the total amount of time to become a full-fledged pharmacist 9-10 years on the traditional path, or 7-8 years on the accelerated one.
Chelsey Hunter Tate, PharmD, CPHQ, CPRS
Pharmacist
2
Answers
Mesa, Arizona
Updated
Chelsey’s Answer
I would echo all the info that Dr Modi provided in his response. I will add a resource list for all pharmacy schools in the country.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_pharmacy_schools_in_the_United_States
I would not limit yourself to schools in Oregon only. While it is usually beneficial to stay within your home state, you want to keep all reasonable options open so that you can complete your degree as soon as possible. Pharmacy School admittance is highly competitive.
Try to get a job working in pharmacy before you apply. It will help you know if pharmacy is for you or not. Be aware that there are many avenues within the pharmacy world so your first pharmacy gig will probably not be your last. You can always get specialized certifications to move into other areas.
Best of luck on your journey!!!
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_pharmacy_schools_in_the_United_States
I would not limit yourself to schools in Oregon only. While it is usually beneficial to stay within your home state, you want to keep all reasonable options open so that you can complete your degree as soon as possible. Pharmacy School admittance is highly competitive.
Try to get a job working in pharmacy before you apply. It will help you know if pharmacy is for you or not. Be aware that there are many avenues within the pharmacy world so your first pharmacy gig will probably not be your last. You can always get specialized certifications to move into other areas.
Best of luck on your journey!!!