Pharmacy Degrees

Overview

Interested in working in the health and wellness industry? There has never been a better time than now to earn a healthcare degree and start down your path towards a lucrative and rewarding career, thanks to the growing demand for pharmacists, nurses, doctors, and other healthcare professionals. Due to the increasing numbers of retiring veterans, there is growing demand for healthcare professionals to take their place. One of these slots includes pharmacists, who are responsible for filling patient prescriptions and explaining to the patients how to take their medication.

Benefits

A pharmacist plays a vital role in the overall healthcare system. It is particularly an enriching career choice for those who are looking to make a difference in the lives of other people. Earning a pharmacy degree can often be likened to attending medical school. More drug therapies are becoming complicated; therefore, pharmacists must be thoroughly educated to reflect these new drug policies.

Costs

The cost for a pharmacy degree varies based on the college that you choose from. To earn your pharmacy degree at a traditional four-year college or university, expect tuition and living expenses to set you back about $40,000 - $45,000. Additionally, students have to spend around $125 for the Pharmacy College Admissions Test. The other expenses are books, uniforms, and housing expenses that may cost you some thousand dollars. Usually, the first-year books are the most expensive of all the years, while the fourth-year books are the least expensive.

Schools

Almost all the major colleges and universities offer pharmacy programs, which involve lots of math and science courses. Online courses are becoming an increasingly popular choice for those who wish for a more flexible schedule. Usually, the same colleges and universities that offer the traditional on-campus degree will also extend a distance learning program. Some of the most celebrated pharmacy schools in America include the University of California, San Francisco, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, and University of Minnesota. These universities also have distance learning programs for those who wish to earn a pharmacy degree within the comfort of their own homes.

Testing & Preparation

When you want to apply for your pharmacy program of your choice, the Pharmacy College Admissions Test (PCAT) is a major requirement and even most of the distance learning programs also require the same. As pharmacy has become more complicated, many universities and colleges have opted to get rid of their bachelor's degree program and instead offer the Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D), which is usually a six-year program. However, you can still become a pharmacist with just a bachelor's degree. Those who want to teach pharmacy at a college or university usually seek more advanced degrees.

Financial Aid

Since pharmacy degrees tend to be expensive, generous financial aid is readily available for those who qualify. Be sure to check with your financial aid office and ask about scholarships and grants available to you, or apply for student loans to help cover any fees not covered by financial aid. For more information on students loan, check out Sallie Mae. Apart from that you can also apply for outside scholarships from The American Pharmaceutical Association. Distance learning programs are usually less expensive, but you can still get financial aid to cover the tuition fees.