Pharmacy
What is a Pharmacist?
Pharmacists dispense drugs prescribed by physicians and other health
practitioners and provide information to patients about medications and
their use. They advise physicians and other health practitioners on the
selection of dosages, interactions, and side effects of medications.
Pharmacists must understand the use; clinical effects; and composition
of drugs, including their chemical, biological, and physical properties.
Printable Pre-Pharmacy
Information Sheet
Definition taken from the Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook
Handbook
Web Site: stats.bls.gov
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Educational
Requirements
The Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree is a 2+4 program. Students complete
2 years of prerequisite courses at an accredited college or university
and then apply for admission to a professional school to complete 4 years
of professional coursework that includes classroom, laboratory, and clinical
education. Admission to professional schools is competitive and is not
guaranteed by the University of Maryland (UM). In 1992 most of the colleges
of pharmacy in the United States agreed that the Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.)
degree would be the recognized professional degree in pharmacy. Since
that time, Bachelor's of Science degrees in Pharmacy have been eliminated.
Some prerequisite courses usually required by most professional phase
Pharm.D. programs include, but are not limited to: |
Inorganic and Organic Chemistry |
Physics |
General Biology |
Microbiology |
Calculus |
English Composition |
Public Speaking |
Ethics or Philosophy |
Humanities Courses |
Statistics |
Behavioral and Social Sciences Courses |
|
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Professional School Programs
and Colleges of Pharmacy
University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, Baltimore, MD
www.pharmacy.umaryland.edu
410-706-7653
800-852-2988
Howard University, Washington, D.C.
www.howard.edu
202-806-6530
Shenandoah University, Winchester, VA
www.su.edu
540-665-4581
Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), Richmond, VA
www.pharmacy.vcu.edu/
804-828-3000
888-212-9287
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Association and Contact
Information for Pharmacy
Contact the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy for specific
information about individual Pharm.D. program prerequisites.
American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy
1426 Prince Street
Alexandria, VA 22314-2841
703-739-2330
www.amcp.org
American College of Clinical Pharmacy
816-531-2177
www.accp.com
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Pharmacy Prerequisites
Pharmacy prerequisites for the University of Maryland Baltimore School
of Pharmacy
20 N. Pine St., Baltimore, Maryland 21201
www.pharmacy.umaryland.edu
Printable Pre-Pharmacy
Information Sheet
NOTE: Pre-Pharmacy is not a degree-granting program at University of
Maryland College Park (UMCP). The prerequisites listed on the UMB School
of Pharmacy website are required prior to matriculation in the professional
curriculum for UM School of Pharmacy. Admission to professional schools
is competitive and is not guaranteed by UMCP.
NOTE: Admission requirements vary depending upon the institution and
pre-requisites are subject to change. Contact programs for most current
requirements.
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Web Site Resources
Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy
800-827-2627
www.amcp.org
American Pharmaceutical Association
202-628-4410
www.aphanet.org
American Society of Consultant Pharmacists
703-739-1300
www.ascp.com
National Association of Boards of Pharmacy
847-698-6227
www.napb.org
National Association of Chain Drug Stores
703-549-3001
www.nacds.org
National Community Pharmacists Association
703-683-8200
www.ncpanet.org
Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America
202-835-3400
www.phrma.org
Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook
stats.bls.gov
The US Department of Labor handbook on working conditions, employment,
training, qualifications and advancement, job outlook, earnings, and
related occupations.
About.com
about.com
Descriptions of various career opportunities, including description of
job, salary, training, and national contacts.
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