Doctorate of Pharmacy Degree in Maryland

Advance your career in Pharmacy with PharmD or Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmaceutical Sciences degrees.

Pharmacists today are integral members of the health care system, helping ensure patients receive the best possible care. Pharmacy degree programs incorporate many subjects including anatomy, biology, chemistry and physiology. Where in the past pharmacists may have been viewed as providers of drug products, today they are specialists in drug therapy who can help catch problems early and improve patient outcomes.

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PharmD Program Options

The PharmD is a postgraduate professional degree. Many pharmacy programs offer the option to enter without a bachelor’s degree and complete the prerequisite undergraduate coursework immediately followed by the doctorate level work. Such programs typically take 6-8 years. The PharmD itself is generally 4 academic years; some pharm d programs offer an accelerated timeline that allows this to be completed in 3 calendar years.

Students interested in PharmD programs may need to take an entrance test known as the PCAT. PharmD programs in the US are accredited by the ACPE (Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education). Upon completion of the program, students need to pass the North American Licensure Examination (NAPLEX) and will need a certain number of internship hours depending on the state in order to become a licensed pharmacist. Some programs may offer dual degree options where students can earn an accompanying degree such as an MBA along with the pharm d degree. This helps prepare students to be effective managers and administrators in health care systems in addition to their pharmacy knowledge. Some students may choose to pursue clinical research with their pharm d degree programs rather than patient care. Some students may also complete residencies after earning a pharmd degree in order to accelerate their learning and as a requirement for certain types of positions such as a hospital pharmacist.

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