academics & students
Planning a Program of Study
All pharmacy colleges operate under one of three plans:
- one year of preprofessional education preceding admission to the professional curriculum,
- two years of preprofessional education followed by professional studies, or
- an integrated curriculum with all years of study in the professional college. Where preprofessional education is required for admission, the first year or two of study may be taken in any approved junior college or university.
In July 1992, a majority if the nation's schools and colleges of pharmacy voted to move toward awarding the Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree as the only professional degree in pharmacy. However, as schools make plans to offer the Pharm.D. degree and modify their curricula accordingly, some will continue to offer the B.S. in Pharmacy for the foreseeable future. Either degree fulfills the requirements for taking the licensure examination of a state board of pharmacy in order to practice.
A Pharm.D. degree requires at least 4 years of professional study, following a minimum of two years pre-pharmacy study, for a total of six academic years after high school. Including pre-pharmacy study, the minimum educational program for a B.S. in Pharmacy is five academic years.
Both the B.S. Pharmacy and the Pharm.D. curricula are designed to produce a scientifically and technically competent pharmacist who can apply this training in such a manner as to provide maximum health care services to patients. Because the Pharm.D. program is of greater length, it often provides the opportunity for students to gain more experience in patient-centered learning experiences and in working in close cooperative relationships with health practitioners.
