About Pharmacy
Pharmacists give medication to patients when prescribed by their doctors. They inform patients, doctors, nurses, and other health professionals about the different side effects of drugs, how each drug works, and how to properly use the medication. Pharmacists promote healthy lifestyles and eliminate diseases through medication.
Types of Pharmacists
Academic Pharmacist
Chain Drug Pharmacist Community Pharmacist Compounding Pharmacist Critical Care Pharmacist Drug Information Specialist Home Care Pharmacist Hospice Pharmacist Hospital Staff Pharmacist Industry Based Pharmacist Infectious Disease Pharmacist Long-term Care Pharmacist |
Managed Care Pharmacist
Military Pharmacist Nuclear Pharmacist Nutrition Pharmacist Oncology Pharmacist Operating Room Pharmacist Pediatrics Pharmacist Pharmacists in Grocery Chains Pharmacists in Non-Traditional Settings Pharmacy Benefit Manager Poison Control Pharmacist |
Pharmacists vs. Pharmacy Technicians
Pharmacy Technicians work under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist to perform pharmaceutical tasks. They help distribute medication to patients, answer phone calls, type up prescriptions, help the pharmacist compound medication, and much more depending on where they work and how long they've worked for. However, unlike pharmacists, pharmacy technicians cannot consult with patients about their prescriptions.
Most schools do not require you to have a pharmacy technician license, but it would be a plus if you are licensed. In California, pharmacy technicians must submit their certification for licensing, and renew their license every two years.
Most schools do not require you to have a pharmacy technician license, but it would be a plus if you are licensed. In California, pharmacy technicians must submit their certification for licensing, and renew their license every two years.
Is Pharmacy Right for You?
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Pre-Pharmacy at Sacramento State
Preparation for Pharmacy School (Tentative Timeline CSUS) |
Did you know that you don't have to be a science major to be pre-pharmacy? As long as you have a bachelor's degree and have completed the pre-requirements for pharmacy schools, you are eligible to apply. Listed below, are required and recommended courses for most pharmacy schools:
Bio 1: Biodiversity, Evolution, and Ecology
Bio 2: Cells, Molecules, & Genes Bio 22: Human Anatomy Bio 131: Systemic Physiology Bio 139: General Microbiology Chem 1A: General Chemistry Chem 1B: General Chemistry II Chem 24: Organic Chemistry I Chem 124: Organic Chemistry II Chem 25: Organic Chemistry Lab Chem 161: Biochemistry |
Physics 5A: General Physics I
Physics 5B: General Physics II Math 26A: Calculus I for Science Majors Math 26B: Calculus II for Science Majors Stats I: Introduction to Statistics English 1A: College Composition English 20: College Composition II Coms 4: Introduction to Public Speaking Psych 2: Intro to Psychology or Soc 1: Intro to Sociology Econ 1A: Intro to Macroeconomics or Econ 1B: Intro to Microeconomics |
Disclaimers: Classes taken at a community college should transfer over to fulfill Sacramento State's requirements. Be sure to check in with your counselor to make sure courses transferred are equivalent to Sacramento State's courses, or you may visit www.assist.org.
Certain schools have different requirements. For example, some schools request that you have a Bachelors' Degree before applying, while others do not. Please make sure you check with the school you want to apply to by visiting their website, or visit www.pharmcas.org for more information.
Certain schools have different requirements. For example, some schools request that you have a Bachelors' Degree before applying, while others do not. Please make sure you check with the school you want to apply to by visiting their website, or visit www.pharmcas.org for more information.
FAQs
Q. Do I need to be a science major to be pre-pharmacy?
A: Nope, you can be whatever major you want to be! Most pharmacy schools recommend being a science major, but they do not require it. In fact, pharmacy schools nowadays are interested in students who are different majors so that there's more diversity.
Q: Do I need a bachelors' degree to get into pharmacy school?
A: Many schools accept students who have a bachelors, but there are a few that do not require a bachelor's degree to get in (UCSF and UOP). However, having a bachelor's degree shows that you are more competitive.
Q: What is the minimum GPA to apply to pharmacy school?
A: The minimum GPA requirement to apply to pharmacy school is a 2.8. However, different schools have different requirements.
Q: Do I need to be a pharmacy technician to get into pharmacy school?
A: Being a pharmacy technician may show that you are a competitive applicant; however it is not required. As long as you have some pharmacy experience (i.e. volunteering at a pharmacy) or any health care related experience, then you can still apply.
A: Nope, you can be whatever major you want to be! Most pharmacy schools recommend being a science major, but they do not require it. In fact, pharmacy schools nowadays are interested in students who are different majors so that there's more diversity.
Q: Do I need a bachelors' degree to get into pharmacy school?
A: Many schools accept students who have a bachelors, but there are a few that do not require a bachelor's degree to get in (UCSF and UOP). However, having a bachelor's degree shows that you are more competitive.
Q: What is the minimum GPA to apply to pharmacy school?
A: The minimum GPA requirement to apply to pharmacy school is a 2.8. However, different schools have different requirements.
Q: Do I need to be a pharmacy technician to get into pharmacy school?
A: Being a pharmacy technician may show that you are a competitive applicant; however it is not required. As long as you have some pharmacy experience (i.e. volunteering at a pharmacy) or any health care related experience, then you can still apply.