How to become a Pharmacist?

**MgpGator** · 03-14-2009, 09:22 AM

I've got a business degree but I've been thinking about going back to school to become a pharmacist. Does anyone know what type of challenge the coursework is? Do you need a bachelor's in a specific program to get into Pharma school? How long is Pharma school?

**xlxBigSexyxlx** · 03-14-2009, 09:26 AM

How long does it take to become a pharmacist?

Answer
Depending on the college of pharmacy attended, the student may need to have a bachelor's degree before starting. Some colleges allow students to complete 2-3 years of prerequisites and enter without a degree. Depending on all of these factors, the Doctor of Pharmacy degree takes between 6-8 years of schooling.

From the US Bureau of Labor

Pharmacists must earn a Pharm.D. degree from an accredited college or school of pharmacy. The Pharm.D. degree has replaced the Bachelor of Pharmacy degree, which is no longer being awarded. To be admitted to a Pharm.D. program, an applicant must have completed at least 2 years of postsecondary study, although most applicants have completed 3 or more years. Further training can include 1-year or 2-year residency programs or fellowships.

**xlxBigSexyxlx** · 03-14-2009, 09:27 AM

Where would you plan on attending?

**HOLLYWOOD.JACK** · 03-14-2009, 09:32 AM

http://www.google.com.au/search?q=+H...ient=firefox-a

Google is awesome.

**RuhlFreak55** · 03-14-2009, 09:38 AM

takes forever if i understand correctly

**HOLLYWOOD.JACK** · 03-14-2009, 09:46 AM

Originally Posted by RuhlFreak55

takes forever if i understand correctly

4-6 years in Australia

Also depends how high you go (Bachelors, Honors, Masters, Doctorate etc)

**BuffedGuy** · 03-14-2009, 10:08 AM

Originally Posted by MgpGator

I've got a business degree but I've been thinking about going back to school to become a pharmacist. Does anyone know what type of challenge the coursework is? Do you need a bachelor's in a specific program to get into Pharma school? How long is Pharma school?

Cmon admit it, you want access to the AAS.

**ni4ni** · 03-14-2009, 10:15 AM

Originally Posted by BuffedGuy

Cmon admit it, you want access to the AAS.

I DO

all the USA schools are NOW Pharmd programs- they usually will want you to have a 4yr degree prior to applying. there are those instances where you could get in w/o a 4yr degree. once in...you are going to work your ass off. Kinda like med school but w/ a focus on ALL DRUGS.
Shit, some of these guys on here are smarter than a pharm or md.

**BuffedGuy** · 03-14-2009, 10:25 AM

Originally Posted by ni4ni

I DO

all the USA schools are NOW Pharmd programs- they usually will want you to have a 4yr degree prior to applying. there are those instances where you could get in w/o a 4yr degree. once in...you are going to work your ass off. Kinda like med school but w/ a focus on ALL DRUGS.
Shit, some of these guys on here are smarter than a pharm or md.

Honestly, my head would explode memorizing so many drugs. Pharm is TOUGH.

**ni4ni** · 03-14-2009, 10:33 AM

Originally Posted by BuffedGuy

Honestly, my head would explode memorizing so many drugs. Pharm is TOUGH.

The $$ is nice once they get out and finish paying all the loans

**Kratos** · 03-14-2009, 10:44 AM

Originally Posted by BuffedGuy

Honestly, my head would explode memorizing so many drugs. Pharm is TOUGH.

nah, it's easy...I worked in a pharmacy for two years as a tech, both hospital and retail. Retail the hardest part is getting the insurance through the computer. They would just make sure the drug I put in the bottle was what was on the script. The computer warns you of interactions. Really nothing but counting and filling bottles...so boaring, I'd kill myself after a few more years of that.

I read every package insert to every drug in my down-time. Once you train your brain to learn that stuff it's easy to memorize.

**JiGGaMaN** · 03-14-2009, 12:36 PM

Originally Posted by BuffedGuy

Honestly, my head would explode memorizing so many drugs. Pharm is TOUGH.

its not that bad. ive got pretty much every psychoactive its name, brand name, uses, side effect and dosages memorized, but for the most part you dont have to remember very many. pharmacists mostly look up the information on a computer. i think the bulk of the difficulty is getting A's in sciences.

if you go to europe you can do med school in like 3 years lol. youll be the shittiest doctor of all time, but still pretty quick. there are some programs around here that allow application for students with no science undergrad. but lets say you didnt have it: transfer your credits, get all your compulsory sciences (2 years), masters (1-2 years), med school (3-4). you can do it in 6 years, but likely quicker. depends. i was considering it myself...

**ni4ni** · 03-14-2009, 12:40 PM

gents the computer many have all the answers NOW but it's getting through the program that will bite you in the nuts-IMHO

**Hoggage_54** · 03-14-2009, 02:12 PM

I think the hardest part would be learning how to read the doctor's handwriting

**swol_je** · 03-14-2009, 02:19 PM

I go to Southwestern Oklahoma state. I is one of the top pharmacy schools in the nation. Top 5 I believe, The course work is very, very hard. But the most challenging thing is actually getting accepted to the actual program. Its all politics around here. it take 4 years after your 2 years of prerequisits.

**ni4ni** · 03-14-2009, 02:26 PM

Originally Posted by Hoggage_54

I think the hardest part would be learning how to read the doctor's handwriting

you get used to that chicken scratch- as a matter of fact, your own hand writing is the same or equal to what youre trying to read again imo

**MgpGator** · 03-14-2009, 03:04 PM

Originally Posted by swol_je

I go to Southwestern Oklahoma state. I is one of the top pharmacy schools in the nation. Top 5 I believe, The course work is very, very hard. But the most challenging thing is actually getting accepted to the actual program. Its all politics around here. it take 4 years after your 2 years of prerequisits.

If I were to get an A.S. with all pre-req's I would then take the PCAT and then try to get into a PharmaD program. Is that about right?

Is there any accredited online PharmD programs out there?

**ni4ni** · 03-14-2009, 03:08 PM

yeap, many schools online however I don't think you can apply w/ just an AS.
Creighton university, shennendoah VA(?) and campbell(NC) MAY have online programs however you will be expected to go on campus a few times/yr. google and see-pm me w/ any ?'s so we don't keep tied this board up
good luck

**LawMan018** · 03-14-2009, 03:30 PM

Great info guys, I was actually looking into this career field when I get out of the military.

**flexin-rph** · 03-31-2009, 08:45 PM

Memorization, yes....but lots of it!! I wouldn't trade my job for anything else right now!

**MuscleScience** · 03-31-2009, 09:05 PM

I have a lot of friends that are Pharm D's. I wish I would have went that route now to. They all have lives now, were as I am still in school and banging single chicks.

**Schmidty** · 04-01-2009, 12:46 AM

My x fiance was in the mid of pharmacy school when we split up. it was a 6yr degree at STLCOP St.Louis College Of Pharmacy. Its a tuff fvckn school man, she was all kindsa smart n it was hard for her.

**Matt** · 04-01-2009, 05:18 AM

Do they teach you how to make weed without getting caught??

**ni4ni** · 04-01-2009, 06:28 PM

in medicinal chem you REALLY do learn all the structures of many many narcs/ectasy/coc. etc...
can't promise you won't get caught. give it try and i'll test it for ya

**jfalco** · 04-01-2009, 06:54 PM

Originally Posted by MAD MATT

Do they teach you how to make weed without getting caught??

Ahhh yes, the ancient art of making weed.

**jfalco** · 04-01-2009, 06:56 PM

Originally Posted by ni4ni

in medicinal chem you REALLY do learn all the structures of many many narcs/ectasy/coc. etc...
can't promise you won't get caught. give it try and i'll test it for ya

The chemistry you learn in pharm school is a far cry from what you would need to synthesize any of those things.