If you’re thinking about becoming a pharmacist, you’re considering a career that’s both impactful and essential in the healthcare field. Earning a PharmD (doctor of pharmacy) degree is the key to entering this profession, as it equips you with the knowledge and skills needed to dispense medications, offer advice on their proper use and ensure patient safety. But the journey to becoming a pharmacist involves much more than just earning the degree itself.
Keep reading for an overview of the degree, types of pharmacists, how to get started, key considerations and more.
What Is a PharmD Degree?
A PharmD degree is a professional doctorate degree required to become a licensed pharmacist. This degree prepares students to work directly with patients, healthcare providers and medical teams. It also trains students in key areas such as medication therapy management, pharmacology, patient care and pharmacy law.
Program Types & Admission Requirements
PharmD programs can vary in length and curriculum structure.
- Traditional full-time PharmD programs take approximately four years to complete.
- Accelerated PharmD programs, which can take as few as three years, typically run year-round and have shorter breaks.
- Dual-degree PharmD programs allow students to combine pharmacy with another field.
- Early assurance PharmD programs are intended for high school students who know they want to pursue this type of career.
- Depending on the school, online and/or hybrid options may be available.
The admission requirements for all PharmD programs may differ slightly by program, but in general, expect to submit the following as part of your application package:
- Pre-pharmacy coursework
- Standardized test scores
- Transcripts
- GPA requirements
- Work experience
- Personal statement or essay
- Letters of professional recommendation
- Application fees
Many schools also require an on-site interview and mandate that students use the application service Pharmacy College Application Service (PharmCAS) to submit their application.
Skills Taught in a PharmD Program
You’ll develop a mix of essential technical and soft skills in a PharmD program, including:
- Leadership
- Patient-centered care
- Practice management
- Public health advocacy
- Evidence-based practice
- Problem-solving
- Education and good communication
- Team collaboration
- Cultural competency and inclusion
- Professionalism
- Innovation and entrepreneurship
- Self-development
Common Courses Taught in a PharmD Program
PharmD programs cover a blend of foundational sciences, clinical practice and patient care. Coursework spans everything from pharmacy law and medication therapy management to data analytics and clinical research methods.
Here are some example course titles:
- Pharmacy Skills Lab
- Drug Information and Communication Skills
- Biopharmaceutics
- Immunology and Microbiology
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry
- Patient Safety
How Long Does It Take to Earn a PharmD Degree?
How long it takes to earn a PharmD will vary based on the school, the program structure and whether you’re attending part time or full time. In general, you can expect to earn your degree within six to eight years, depending on the pathway you choose.
At Marshall University, there are four options:
| Pathway | Requirements |
|---|---|
| 1+4: Accelerated 1-Year Prerequisite Completion Pathway
Marshall University is offering the nation’s first 1+4 accelerated pathway for high school students who aspire to become pharmacists. This allows students to complete one year of undergraduate coursework followed by direct entry into the PharmD program. |
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| 2+4: Accelerated 2-Year Prerequisite Completion Pathway
This option includes two years of undergraduate coursework followed by four years in the PharmD program. |
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| 3+4: Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences to Doctor of Pharmacy Pathway
The first three years of the program include all prerequisite courses that are required for matriculation into the PharmD program. Coursework in the fourth year of the program is synonymous with the coursework in the first year of the PharmD program. This allows both degrees to be completed within seven (3 + 4) years. |
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| 4+4: Traditional Bachelor’s Degree to Doctor of Pharmacy Pathway
This pathway includes four years of undergraduate coursework followed by four years in the PharmD program. |
|
Required Licenses to be a Pharmacist
In addition to earning a PharmD degree from a college, school or university accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education, you will need to pass the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX) and the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination (MPJE). You will also need to complete a state licensure application, and if you’re a pharmacist trained outside of the United States, you will be required to achieve Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Examination Committee (FPGEC) Certification.
Steps to Earning a PharmD
Ready to get started? Here’s a step-by-step overview of the process:
- Complete pre-pharmacy coursework. This typically includes courses in areas such as chemistry, biology, physics and math.
- Take the Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT) (if required): This standardized tests assess whether you’re ready for a PharmD program. Though it’s no longer required by most schools, some still use it as part of the admission process.
- Apply to PharmD programs: Once you’ve completed the necessary coursework, and, if required, the PCAT, you’re ready to apply to PharmD programs. Most schools require prospective students to submit their applications through the PharmCAS system.
- Once accepted, enroll in a PharmD program: Once you’ve been accepted (congratulations!) you will then begin your coursework and practical training.
- Complete Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences (APPEs): During the program, you will complete the APPEs, which are hands-on rotations in real-world pharmacy settings.
- Pass licensure exams: A degree alone is not enough to become a pharmacist; you must pass the NAPLEX and MPJE. Some states may have additional requirements.
- Obtain state licensure: Once you’ve passed your exams, you can apply for state licensure through your state’s board of pharmacy.
- Consider postgraduate training (optional): You can also choose to pursue postgraduate training to become specialized in a particular area of pharmacy medicine, such as oncology, pediatrics or clinical research.
Career Opportunities: What Can You Do With a PharmD Degree?
The short answer — a lot. Here’s a closer look at five different career paths and the details of each.
Note: The salaries included below are estimates and may be subject to change based on the latest data. Salaries are also highly dependent on a number of variables, including employer, specific responsibilities, how much experience is required and location.
- Clinical pharmacist
- Overview: A clinical pharmacist collaborates with physicians, patients and other healthcare professionals to ensure that prescribed medications are the most effective and appropriate treatment.
- Employment opportunities: This type of position can work in a variety of healthcare environments, including hospitals, clinics, community pharmacies, nursing homes and emergency departments.
- Special considerations: In addition to the requirements for a PharmD, you may be required to obtain speciality training in a healthcare setting, such as a hospital or clinic, that allows for direct patient care.
- Salary: Average annual salary of $131,354 with a range between $114,000 and $151,000.
- Community pharmacist
- Overview: A community pharmacist is a pharmacist who works in a retail or independent pharmacy and directly serves the public. Responsibilities typically include dispensing medications, advising patients, managing pharmacy inventory and administering vaccines.
- Employment opportunities: Community pharmacists are found in chain pharmacies such as CVS or Walgreens, independent or locally-owned pharmacies and supermarket or big box store pharmacies such as Target or Walmart.
- Special considerations: Depending on the state where you work, you may require additional training to administer vaccines. Since this is a public-facing position, strong communication and patient counseling skills are also important.
- Salary: Average annual salary of $126,701 with a range between $58,000 and $154,500.
- Consultant pharmacist
- Overview: A consultant pharmacist provides expertise on medication management, often for elderly patients, long-term care facilities and other types of healthcare settings. They often focus on medication therapy and help to ensure patient safety and improve patient outcomes. This position may also be known as a senior care pharmacist.
- Employment opportunities: Consultant pharmacists work in long-term care facilities — such as nursing homes or assisted living facilities — in addition to hospitals, healthcare systems, home healthcare services, government agencies, public health organizations and private organizations.
- Special considerations: Certifications can also prove helpful for this role. Popular ones include Board Certified Geriatric Pharmacist, Board Certified Medication Therapy Management Specialist (BCMTMS) and Consultant Pharmacist Certification (in some states).
- Salary: Average annual salary of $132,045 with a range between $119,000 and $146,000.
- Hospital pharmacist
- Overview: A hospital pharmacist works in a hospital or healthcare facility, reviewing and verifying prescriptions, dispensing medications, collaborating with healthcare teams, monitoring patient responses and educating patients on proper medication use.
- Employment opportunities: As the name implies, a hospital pharmacist typically works in a hospital — whether that’s a general, speciality or academic medical center. More specifically they can work in emergency departments, intensive care units and surgical and oncology departments.
- Special considerations: Some hospitals may require or prefer a postgraduate year 1 (PGY-1) residency; if you’re looking to specialize in a particular area such as critical care, oncology or cardiology, a PGY-2 residence is typically required.
- Salary: Average salary of $139,799 with a range between $110,500 and $168,000.
- Pharmacy manager
- Overview: A pharmacy manager oversees the daily operations of a pharmacy, managing staff to ensure compliance, overseeing inventory management and maintaining accurate prescription records.
- Employment opportunities: A pharmacy manager can work in various settings, including community pharmacies, hospitals, outpatient clinics, specialty hospitals, government and military pharmacies and grocery store pharmacies.
- Special considerations: In addition to pharmacy expertise you’ll need a combination of leadership, business, organizational and customer service skills.
- Salary: Average annual salary of $140,563 with a range between $98,000 and $164,000.
How To Decide if Earning a PharmD Is Right For You
If you’re considering a future as a pharmacist, it’s important to weigh your options, explore various pathways to a degree and consider factors such as job outlook, salary potential and personal interests.
Here are some important questions to ask:
- What are your career goals?
- Do you have a strong interest in healthcare?
- Are you looking for a career that combines science and medicine with direct patient care and the opportunity to make a positive impact on people’s health?
- How comfortable are you with science and math, and do you enjoy working with both?
- Do you have the time/financial commitment for education and training?
- What type of work environment do you prefer?
Beyond academics, think about the bigger picture — how will pursuing a PharmD affect your life overall? Consider these key factors:
- Finances — Tuition costs, student loans and potential salary
- Work/life balance — The demands of school, your personal life and future responsibilities
- Your personal strengths and skills — Whether they align with a pharmacy career
- Short- and long-term career goals — Including both short-term and long-term opportunities
- Job stability and demand — The current and future job market for pharmacists
If you’re looking for some assistance, here are some tips to help you decide:
- Do your homework: Talk to current pharmacists and PharmD students, shadow a professional pharmacist who has been in the business for at least a few years and consider conducting informational interviews.
- Evaluate your own interests and strengths: Beyond a strong foundation in medicine, science and math, many pharmacists also excel in communication and customer service. Some positions involve leadership and management, while others operate behind-the-scenes. Take a critical look at your own interests, strengths and weaknesses, and consider how they align with a potential career in pharmacy.
- Consider the time and financial commitment: This should include everything from studying and researching to looking for jobs and networking.
- Explore career options: There are many different types of pharmacists, including some you may not have heard of — such as nuclear pharmacists, who work with radioactive medications, and academic pharmacists, who focus on teaching and research.
There are many pharmacy-specific scholarships available, in addition to standard financial aid options. Examples include the CVS Health / AACP Community Pharmacy Health Equity Award for Student Pharmacists, The National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) Foundation Presidential Scholarship, Community Pharmacy Scholarship and AFPE Gateway Research Scholarship.
No — it’s a step in the process to becoming a pharmacist. In addition to a PharmD you must pass the NAPLEX and MPJE. Some states may have additional requirements.
Once you’ve passed your exams, you can apply for state licensure through the board of pharmacy in the state where you will work.
It depends on the program, but in general it’s no longer required by most schools, though some still use it as part of the admission process.
PharmD programs cover a blend of foundational sciences, clinical practice and patient care.
Yes — in order to work as a pharmacist, you need to earn a PharmD from an accredited college or university.
Yes, with a PharmD, you can definitely specialize in a certain area of pharmacy. If you’re interested in areas like oncology, pediatrics or infectious diseases, you can pursue additional training or certifications in those fields.
Your salary will depend on a variety of factors, but in general, pharmacists earn anywhere from $120,000 to $140,000. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the median pay for pharmacists is $136,030 per year.
The job outlook for pharmacists looks stable, with employment expected to grow by 5% from 2023 to 2033. This growth is anticipated to result in about 14,200 job openings annually. Many of these openings will stem from retirements or individuals transitioning to different careers, which may create opportunities for new pharmacists to enter the field.
Ready to Further Explore Marshall University’s PharmD Program?
At Marshall University’s School of Pharmacy, we’re all about active learning. Our PharmD program is designed to foster interactive teaching, teamwork and peer learning in small, innovative classrooms. We prepare practice-ready pharmacists for a variety of healthcare environments through intensive coursework in biomedical, pharmaceutical and clinical sciences. With state-of-the-art studio classrooms and laboratories, you’ll engage in hands-on, active learning that sets you up for success.
Marshall also offers other exciting opportunities within the School of Pharmacy, including the Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Master’s Degrees in Pharmaceutical Sciences and the Doctor of Pharmacy/Master of Business Administration Program.