51³Ô¹Ï undergraduates who are interested in a career as a pharmacist may choose to complete a pre-pharmacy track along with their bachelor's degree in preparation for graduate school. The 51³Ô¹Ï College of Health Professions offers a doctoral program in pharmacy for qualified graduates.
Another option is the 51³Ô¹Ï Pharmacy 3+3 Pathway that allows students to earn a bachelor’s degree in applied science and a doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) degree in just six years— two years less than it would take to complete a bachelor’s and traditional PharmD program.
About Pharmacy
Pharmacists have many important roles in the healthcare system. They ensure the safe delivery of medicines prescribed by physicians and other healthcare practitioners, and they educate patients about the risks and benefits of the medicine they are taking. They advise physicians and other healthcare providers on the selection, dosages, interactions and side effects of medications. Pharmacists must understand the use, composition and effects of drugs.
Pharmacists work in many settings, including community pharmacies where patients fill their prescriptions, hospital pharmacies where they ensure medications are ordered appropriately and prepared safely, and doctor’s offices where they assist in the management of complex diseases like diabetes and asthma. Pharmacists in Oregon can prescribe and administer many vaccines as well as birth control and medicine to help people quit smoking.
For more information about the valuable roles pharmacists play in our community, we encourage you to visit !
Program and Requirements
Pharmacists are required to complete a doctor of pharmacy degree. All doctor of pharmacy programs require applicants to have taken undergraduate courses such as chemistry, biology and physiology. Most pharmacy schools require students to have completed two to three years of undergraduate study, while some programs require a completed bachelor’s degree.
PharmD programs typically take four years to complete, though some programs offer a three-year option. Coursework includes a number of topics, such as pharmacology, pharmacotherapy and pharmacy skills, as well as supervised work experiences in various settings. Pharmacy graduates may choose to pursue one or two years of residency training after completing their PharmD degree to gain knowledge and experience in specific practice settings, such as critical care, ambulatory care, or informatics. Pharmacists also must pass two exams to earn a license: one in pharmacy skills and knowledge and the other in pharmacy law in the state of practice.
The 51³Ô¹Ï School of Pharmacy offers both an accelerated three-year pathway and an extended five-year pathway. A completed bachelor’s degree is not required but strengthens your application. Learn more about PharmD admissions prerequisites.
