  Information for Pre-Pharmacy StudentsPharmacists 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, dosages, interactions, and side effects of medications. Pharmacists must understand the use, composition, and effects of drugs. UWM offers all of the prerequisite coursework necessary for students to apply to professional pharmacy schools/colleges throughout the country. Entrance to pharmacy school is very competitive. Although specific admission requirements may vary among schools, the following minimum science requirements are universal:
Other common course requirements include (but are not limited to):
Due to variance in admissions requirements, it is very important that students consult with the pre-professional health advisor every semester. Pharmacy schools now offer only the Pharm.D. degree as the professional degree in pharmacy. (Prior to 2004, pharmacy was offered as a Bachelor's level program.) Although it is theoretically possible to complete the pre-pharmacy requirements in two years, the current national average for completion of pre-pharmacy coursework is three years. In addition, given the highly competitive nature of gaining admission to pharmacy school, students may present a stronger application if they complete a Bachelor's degree. The "average number of credits completed" by students admitted to UW-Madison over the past few years has ranged from about 80-90 credits. At the University of Minnesota (2007) almost 75% of the students admitted had completed either a BA or BS degree. It is important for students to seriously consider whether or not it is in their best interest to consider completing a Bachelor's degree prior to starting pharmacy school. Some pharmacy schools are moving in the direction of requiring a Bachelor's degree prior to admission. UWM offers an exciting course for pre-pharmacy students called "Introduction to the Practice of Pharmacy." This course offers students who may have an interest in pursuing the profession of pharmacy a close look at its practice. The course provides a comprehensive overview of pharmacy including historical perspectives, specialization options, academic requirements, current issues and future trends. In addition to classroom lecture sessions with Registered Pharmacists, students participate in rotations through a variety of actual pharmacy settings. According to the "2008-09" Occupational Outlook Handbook, pharmacists held about 243,000 jobs in 2006. About 62 percent worked in community pharmacies that were either independently owned or part of a drugstore chain, grocery store, department store, or mass merchandiser. Most community pharmacists were salaried employees, but some were self-employed owners. About 23 percent of pharmacists worked in hospitals. A small proportion worked in mail-order and Internet pharmacies, pharmaceutical wholesalers, offices of physicians, and the Federal Government. Employment of pharmacists is expected to grow by 22 percent between 2006 and 2016, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. The increasing numbers of middle-aged and elderly people—who use more prescription drugs than younger people—will continue to spur demand for pharmacists throughout the projection period. Other factors likely to increase the demand for pharmacists include scientific advances that will make more drug products available and the coverage of prescription drugs by a greater number of health insurance plans and Medicare. Excellent opportunities are expected for pharmacists over the 2006 to 2016 period. Job openings will result from rapid employment growth, and from the need to replace workers who retire or leave the occupation for other reasons. Median annual of wage-and-salary pharmacists in May 2006 were $94,520. The middle 50 percent earned between $83,180 and $108,140 a year. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $67,860, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $119,480 a year. Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of pharmacists in May 2006 were:
According to a 2006 survey by Drug Topics Magazine, pharmacists in retail settings earned an average of $92,291 per year, while pharmacists in institutional settings earned an average of $97,545. Full-time pharmacists earned an average of $102,336, while part-time pharmacists earned an average of $55,589. For more information about the Pre-Pharmacy studies at UWM, please contact Patricia Cobb (Pre-Professional Health Advisor) at (414) 229-3922 or email: pacobb@uwm.edu. If you would like to make an appointment to see Ms. Cobb, please call (414) 229-4654. Links to Pharmacy Programs. |
