Pharmacy is a highly trusted profession and a vital part of the health care system. A pharmacy professional can have a direct impact on people’s lives and health. A career in pharmacy offers you diverse opportunities and excellent earning potential.
If you’re considering pharmacy as a career, congratulations! You’ve reached this point by realizing that you want a people-oriented profession that provides a reward in knowing that you have helped someone who is in need. The focus in pharmacy today is on the patient, determining their needs and what should be provided to best meet those needs.
Graduates from accredited schools of pharmacy are able to prepare and dispense medication, consult with other healthcare professionals, provide medication therapy management and education, participate in clinical research, and talk with patients about medications.
The ultimate goal of a pharmacy professional is to improve an individual’s quality of life. The study of pharmacy prepares you for such a lifelong commitment.
To practice as a licensed pharmacist in the U.S., students must complete a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree at an ACPE-accredited pharmacy school.
For admission to the University of Oklahoma College of Pharmacy, pre-pharmacy students complete approximately 64 semester hours of pre-requisite coursework. A bachelor’s degree is not required for admission. Most students complete the prerequisites in two to three calendar years.
Additionally, students can select any major they want to or they can choose just to complete the pre-pharmacy courses.
The University of Oklahoma College of Pharmacy Pharm.D. program is a four-year, full-time, professional doctoral program. Students spend the first three years in the classroom and spend the fourth year completing nine, one month rotations in various pharmacy settings including but not limited to community, hospital, clinical services, social and administrative services, and more.
Then pharmacy may be for you! Pharmacy combines science, health care, computer technology, business, math, and counseling. Pharmacy offers a rare balance of independence and interaction with patients. Pharmacists are consistently ranked as some of the most highly trusted professionals. Pharmacy is one of the most financially rewarding careers. In 2016, over 90% of pharmacists reported warning more than $100,000 per year.
By choosing to concentrate on pre-pharmacy coursework, students can make sure to stay on track with completing their education in a shorter timeframe, saving money and jump-starting their career as a pharmacist!
The OU College of Pharmacy also offers the Pharm.D. Early Assurance Program (PEAP) for high school seniors who know they want to be a pharmacist. Visit their website to learn more and to apply by April 1 of your senior year.
*Electives may be chosen from the following subject areas: Fine Arts; History; Political Science; Anthropology; Humanities; Geography; Philosophy; Literature; Social Science; Behavioral Science; Foreign Language; Communications; English; Business (may include management, marketing, accounting, economics); Computer Science; Statistics
For a list of the most common OU Norman courses taken to satisfy prerequisites, please take a look at Pre-Reqs (pdf). For full information on pre-pharmacy coursework requirements, please take a look at Course Requirements (pdf).
Additionally, we encourage students to gain pharmacy experience, whether it is paid or unpaid. For a listing of local free clinics you can volunteer at, please email OUPharmD@ouhsc.edu with your request.
OU has numerous study abroad opportunities for students of all majors. Whether you want to take electives, lower-division courses, or major requirements, be sure to check out what education abroad opportunities are available to you through the College of International Studies.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, the median pay for pharmacists nationally is over $124,000 per year. The median pay for pharmacists in Oklahoma is over $114,000 per year.
Community Pharmacy Practice
Ambulatory Care Pharmacy Practice (Chronic Disease Management)
Consulting Pharmacy
Institutional (Hospital or Health-System) Pharmacy Practice
Public Service Pharmacy Practice
Managed Care Pharmacy Practice
Nuclear Pharmacy
Pharmaceutical Industry
Pharmacy Professional Associations
Poison Control Centers
Regulatory Agencies
Visit the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ website to explore the median pay for jobs you can pursue with this degree.
OU College of Pharmacy is fully accredited through the American Council on Pharmaceutical Education (ACPE), the accrediting body for all U.S. pharmacy schools. Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education, 135 South LaSalle Street, Suite 4100, Chicago, IL 60503, 312/664-3575; FAX 312/664-4652, http://www.acpe-accredit.org.
OUCOP is regionally accredited through the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools via the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center.
The University of Oklahoma College of Pharmacy
1110 N Stonewall Ave
Oklahoma City, OK 73117
Jennifer L. Richardson
Director of Recruitment & Admissions
Phone: (405) 271-6598
Email: OUPharmD@ouhsc.edu
Website: pharmacy.ouhsc.edu
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