What to Know Before Pursuing a PharmD Degree

Working in the medical field can be as rewarding as it is challenging; working in a field adjacent to the medical profession is just as awesome. For example, the field of pharmacy is seeing increased popularity thanks to the types of careers available in the field of pharmacy and the sheer number of job openings. Pharmacists are an indispensable and valued member of the healthcare system and are consistently ranked very high for trustworthiness by patients. If you’re considering the study of pharmacy, you’ll need a guide on what to know before pursuing a degree in the field.

We’ll begin by making sure you understand this type of degree. Then we’ll provide you with our list of acts to know before pursuing this beneficial PharmD degree. We’ll wrap it all up by giving you the answer to some of the web’s FAQs on the subject.

Understanding PharmD

If you want to understand everything you need to know before you pursue a PharmD degree, that fundamentally starts with knowing what this is.

A PharmD degree is, essentially, the doctoral degree that anyone hoping to pursue a career in pharmacy as a pharmacist would require.

This degree is, in several ways, similar to pursuing a degree as a Doctor of Medicine (or MD) or a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS).

It typically includes an internship after the regular coursework. Some may also pursue additional training in the form of a residency or fellowship following graduation. Most pharmacy programs are typically three to four years in length. Ultimately, it is the only way to become any kind of licensed pharmacist in the United States.

What to Know Before Pursuing a PharmD Degree

Getting as much information as possible is key to making the best decision for yourself you’re your future, especially when it comes to the rewarding nature of pharmacy and medicine. Below, you’ll find our list of things to know before you decide to pursue a PharmD degree.

1. What the PharmD Career Options Are
2. How Much PharmD Careers Pay
3. How to Get a PharmD Degree
4. The Average Cost of a PharmD Degree

Let’s take a deeper dive into the four general areas of knowledge that any student should understand before pursuing a PharmD degree. This way, your decision can be as informed as possible, and you’ll have not only confidence as a spring-board into education, but a passion for the careers the degree can lead you to.

What the PharmD Career Options Are

As you work toward gaining that PharmD degree, it can be helpful to remember the amount of careers you can actually get access to once you’ve earned it. Let’s take a look at some of the options below:

• Community Pharmacist – A community pharmacist may work in a retail chain or independent pharmacy.  Their primary responsibilities are processing prescriptions, dispensing medications, counseling patients on their medications, and promoting healthy lifestyle living. They check for drug interactions, ensure safe dosages, and educate patients about potential adverse reactions.
• Hospital Pharmacist – Patients in hospitals require medications and thus pharmacists also play a vital role in hospitals.  They process and dispense medications but also compound intravenous medications.  Like community pharmacists, they also check for drug interactions and ensure safe dosages.  Hospital pharmacists may also work on projects to review the safe and effective usage of medications in their hospital.
• Clinical Pharmacist – A clinical pharmacist work in clinics, hospitals, emergency rooms, and even rehab centers. They work alongside health care providers to provide drug therapy recommendations and monitoring of patients and can intervene on their behalf by either prescribing or stopping medications.
• Medical Science Liaisons – Pharmaceutical companies employ pharmacists as medical science liaisons (MSLs).  Given a pharmacist’s expertise in medications, MSLs serve as scientific resources and establish relationships with practicing healthcare providers.
• Managed Care Pharmacists – Managed care pharmacists typically work in a health insurance company.  Their primary role is to utilize clinical and scientific evidence to make decisions on the use of medications in their company formulary.  They may also develop and manage clinical programs to optimize health outcomes for their patients in their insurance plans.

These are just a few of the main career opportunities, with others including specialty pharmacists, public health roles, and even veterinary pharmacists.

How Much PharmD Careers Pay

Perhaps you’re interested in a PharmD degree, but must also think of the bottom line. This is especially true if you’re needing to think through student loan repayment.

Pharmacy careers are generally very rewarding financially, though the exact amount they are paid varies depending on which of the many positions they qualify for is chosen, and which state that practice is based in.

For example, community pharmacist’s base salary each year, on average, of $128,710.

How to Get a PharmD Degree

The main goal in getting a PharmD degree is to become a pharmacist or work in pharmaceuticals. The question is, how do you get there?

First off, you’ll need to finish the undergraduate requirements, which include prerequisite courses that are often included in some science majors. These vary from university to university, so be sure to check the program listings.

However, if you catch an interest in pharmacy early enough, you can take many of the science courses that are pre-requisites to pharmacy school beforehand, helping you to prepare for the coursework that is coming. Additionally, you will need to meet the minimum GPA requirements of the school you apply to.

Of course, the application is the final step to actually getting into a school which offers a PharmD course and degree. These can usually be found online using the school’s website and PharmCAS, and you’ll certainly want to be sure that your college of choice has been accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education. Following the submission of your application, the pharmacy school will decide whether or not to grant you an interview.  Following an interview, you will receive a decision from the school.

Once you are admitted into a PharmD program of study, buckle up. You’ve chosen a rewarding field, but one that requires plenty of quality work ethic to get into. You’ll need to be prepared to manage your time well and put just as much effort into your communication skills as you do studying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Perhaps the above information only piqued your interest in PharmD degrees and pharmacy careers even more! In anticipation of that, we’ve prepared some responses to the most often asked questions the web has to offer below.

Is a PharmD Degree Worth it?

If you are prepared to work hard for a career that supplies a comfortable salary each year and can come in all shapes and sizes in terms of job responsibilities and further opportunities, then a PharmD degree is certainly worth it.

When it comes to money considerations, you’ll find that the average earnings of a pharmacist is around $128,710, give or take the specialization of each state you base your career in.

Is PharmD Challenging?

Many prospective students want to know whether or not PharmD degrees and the pursuit of a continued interest in the pharmacist life will increase their stress. The answer is, yes, attempting to get a PharmD degree definitely comes with its fair share of challenges.

In addition to the heavy study load for getting the degree, the actual jobs involving pharmaceuticals require precision, concentration, and working closely with people. However, studying for a PharmD degree and the careers that follow can actually teach you to manage these stress levels better and better as you move toward your goal.

Placing good time-management skills into practice, flexing your communication muscles, and setting both goals and boundaries for yourself are all things that you can learn while working for that PharmD degree so that you can be ready to use them as a professional.

Can PharmD Students Start Working?

Yes!  In fact, when you are a student, you will obtain an intern license.  As a pharmacy intern, you may pursue paid work as a community or hospital intern pharmacist.

In Conclusion

In conclusion, a PharmD degree allows students to pursue a career as a pharmacist in many different avenues.

Speaking of careers, we discussed how one of the most important things to look ahead to when pursuing a PharmD degree are the career paths it can lead you to. These can, as previously mentioned, be incredibly worthwhile in terms of making a living. All in all, with knowledge of the benefits of a PharmD degree, you should be prepared to decide whether it is right for you.