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How to prep for a career in pharmacy

As an undergraduate student, you should start taking these courses to get ready for pharmacy school
Gerardo Sison medical writer headshot
By | Apr. 28, 2022
Student carrying books and smiling - pharmacy school requirements

Key takeaways

  • Pharmacy school can take 6-8 years post-high school to earn a Pharm.D. and requires extensive training and education without necessarily needing a four-year bachelor’s degree.

  • Prerequisite courses for pharmacy school generally include studies in anatomy, biochemistry, biology, chemistry, and additional requirements in humanities, microbiology, physics, psychology, mathematics, social sciences, and specific communication courses.

  • Admission into pharmacy school may require meeting minimum GPA requirements, submitting PCAT scores (though its necessity is declining), providing letters of recommendation, and undergoing interviews.

  • Preparation for a pharmacy career involves understanding financial commitments, participating in internships, meeting immunization and health safety standards, and possibly engaging in related work experiences or pharmacy organizations to strengthen applications.

In the spring, you might be preparing to graduate from high school or college and starting to think about how to become a pharmacist. You might have heard about pharmacy career options through a friend or family member. Or, you might have discovered an interest in pharmacy after scouring the web for a career that would suit you best. While they are compensated well for their work, pharmacists have many responsibilities and have to undergo extensive training and education. 

If you’ve decided to pursue a career in pharmacy, you might be wondering where to start. Where should you apply for pharmacy school? What are the requirements to enter pharmacy school? A pharmacy career involves several education requirements. 

Pharmacy course requirements

The journey to becoming a pharmacist can be a long but fulfilling one. After high school, it can take six to eight years or more to earn a doctorate of pharmacy (Pharm.D.), get fully licensed as a pharmacist, and start working. When choosing a pharmacy school, you’ll want to pick a school that fits your needs. Different schools have different requirements especially when it comes to completing pharmacy course requirements. 

Most doctor of pharmacy programs do not require a four-year bachelor’s degree. Undergraduate majors vary but biochemistry, chemistry, and biological science majors are common choices. One comparison by Pharmacy Times suggested English as an advantageous pre-pharmacy major, as English majors’ tend to have a higher GPA, better entrance exam scores, and well-prepared application process than biology and chemistry majors.

The American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) has provided a summary of prerequisite courses for pharmacy school. To get complete details on the prerequisite coursework for a particular school, check the PharmCAS School Directory. Pharmacy schools often have additional requirements and policies that dictate what you need to do before applying. Pharmacy schools may vary in their required number of credit hours for each course subject. In general, pharmacy schools will require that you complete the following courses as part of an undergraduate pharmacy program. Lab requirements will vary by school. 

Anatomy and/or physiology

Pharmacy schools may allow you to take separate human anatomy and physiology classes. Others may accept a combined anatomy and physiology course. Anatomy is the study of the structures of the body. Physiology is the study of the functions of those structures.

Biochemistry

Pharmacy schools may require a course in biochemistry. This course involves the study of the chemical processes in living organisms. 

Biology

General biology I and II are usually required to enter pharmacy school. Some schools may require that you also take a genetics or cell biology course. Biology is the study of living organisms. 

Chemistry

General Chemistry I and II, as well as Organic Chemistry I and II are usually required courses. General chemistry involves the study of the fundamentals of chemistry, such as chemical bonding, chemical reactions, and atomic or molecular structures. Organic chemistry is the study of organic compounds. 

Humanities

Most pharmacy schools will require general courses in the humanities, which can include studies in history, languages, literature, arts, religion, and philosophy. 

Microbiology

The completion of a microbiology course is often required. Microbiology is the study of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses. 

Physics

General Physics I and II are usually included in the coursework requirements for pharmacy schools. Physics is the study of matter and its motion through space and time. 

Psychology

A psychology course may be required by pharmacy schools. Psychology is the study of the mind and human behavior. Some schools may require specific social science or behavioral science courses. 

Mathematics 

Calculus is a common course prerequisite for pharmacy school. A non-business calculus course is the most common calculus course required. 

Social or behavioral science

Sociology and/or psychology may be required or preferred by some pharmacy schools. 

Speech and communications

A speech or public speaking course may be required by some pharmacy schools. 

Statistics

Statistics is required by most pharmacy schools. However, pharmacy schools may prefer or require a course in biostatistics. Statistics is the study of gathering, assessing, interpreting, and presenting data. 

Other pharmacy school requirements

In addition to pre-pharmacy course requirements, there are additional admission requirements in order to be accepted into a pharmacy school. Just like when you apply for college or grad school, you’ll need to check off a few boxes like a minimum GPA, standardized testing, and more. Here’s what you can expect:

PCAT

The Pharmacy College Admissions Test (PCAT) is a standardized test that helps identify pharmacy applicants that are qualified to enter pharmacy school. Most schools require that you take the PCAT and send your scores along with your application. However, the use of the PCAT in the application process is declining, and several pharmacy schools have stopped requiring the PCAT. Many schools will interview applicants before receiving PCAT scores. 

GPA 

Most pharmacy schools have a minimum GPA requirement. The minimum GPA requirement is usually around 2.5 to 3.0. Some schools will not review your application if your GPA is below the minimum requirement. 

Letters of recommendation 

Most pharmacy schools will require at least two letters of recommendation along with your application. These letters of recommendation can usually come from a university professor, licensed pharmacist, employer, or faculty advisor. 

Interviews

Qualified candidates for pharmacy school will be invited to an interview. Pharmacy schools use the interview process to get to know you better and see if you’ll be a good fit for the Pharm.D. program. You can also use the interview as a chance to get to know the school’s pharmacy degree program a little better and see if it’s right for you.

During the interview, they may ask you questions such as:

  • Why do you want to become a pharmacist?
  • What skills and qualities do you have that would make you a good pharmacist?
  • What are some challenges or weaknesses you have worked to improve or overcome?
  • Why did you choose this particular pharmacy program?
  • What was one difficult situation where you worked with a team to complete a project or task? 
  • What do you know about the field of pharmacy?
  • Do you have experience in a pharmacy or healthcare environment?

Making sure you’re prepared for pharmacy

As you embark on this journey to becoming a pharmacist, you’ll want to make sure you’re well-prepared. You’ll be dedicating yourself to a life-long commitment to continuing education and using your knowledge to serve your community. 

Once you’re in pharmacy school, you’ll be required to pay tuition and fees. Tuition usually ranges between $20,000 and $50,000. The cost of attending pharmacy school is usually higher for out-of-state students or students attending private schools instead of public schools. Other costs to take into account include books and supplies, as well as living expenses. 

Additionally, during pharmacy school, you’ll be working as an intern through advanced pharmacy practice experiences (APPEs). In most cases, you’ll be interacting with patients in a pharmacy or healthcare environment. Because you may be exposed to infectious diseases, most pharmacy schools will have immunization requirements. New students may have to be vaccinated for hepatitis B, measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), and varicella.  

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Some schools may require a background check or drug screening before being admitted to their program. A negative tuberculosis skin test may also be required. Check with your specific pharmacy schools of interest to see what their requirements are. 

In addition to completing the educational and health requirements for pharmacy, you’ll want to plan ahead, develop your study habits, and network while prepping for pharmacy school. You might choose to start working as a pharmacy technician before applying to pharmacy school. Working in a pharmacy or even joining pharmacy clubs and associations can help boost your application for pharmacy school—and help you save for the tuition and fees.

If you’re looking for more resources on prepping for a career in pharmacy, you can check the AACP or PharmCAS site for more information about pharmacy schools and their requirements.