Pharmacy

School/College: Pharmacy


Field of Study

The Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) program prepares students to become pharmacists, the medication experts of the health care team. Through lectures, discussions, laboratories, and clinical experiences, Pharm.D. students gain the knowledge and skills that allow them to understand the action, selection, preparation, monitoring, and cost-effectiveness of drugs. Gaining an understanding of the biological, social, and psychological aspects of disease, Pharm.D. students learn how to counsel patients effectively about medications to improve health.

Possible Careers

Careers in pharmacy have great opportunity and flexibility. Graduates choose from many career areas, which include pharmacy practice and management (e.g., community pharmacy, hospital pharmacy, long-term care, home health care), the pharmaceutical and biotechnological industries (e.g., research, development, production, marketing, sales, clinical trials, regulatory affairs), the insurance industry (e.g., pharmacy benefit management), professional pharmaceutical organizations, government (e.g., Public Health Service, Food and Drug Administration), and universities (e.g., research, teaching, service).

Special Opportunities & Additional Information

  • The Pharm.D program, which fulfills the educational requirement for licensure as a pharmacist, consists of 62 credits of pre-pharmacy course work and four years of professional pharmacy course work. The amount of time spent completing pre-pharmacy course work varies from student to student (average time is three years).
  • Admission to the Pharm.D. program is competitive. Preference for Pharm.D. admission is given to qualified Wisconsin residents; a maximum of ten per cent of any new Pharm.D. class may be nonresidents. The Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT) is required for application to the Pharm.D. program. For more information about the Pharm.D. program, admission requirements and criteria, application procedures, the application deadline, and career opportunities, contact the School of Pharmacy Student Services Office for referral to an advisor. School of Pharmacy Student Services Office, 1203 Rennebohm Hall, 777 Highland Ave., (608-262-6234).