What Type Of Courses Do I Need To Take?
The College of Pharmacy offers a six year program (2 year pre-pharmacy and 4 year professional program) leading to a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) Degree. Most of the pre-pharmacy courses are science related, especially chemistry and biological sciences, although some math is required as well. Examples of courses in the professional program include biomedical science, medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, therapeutics, drug distribution systems, clinical rotations, biopharmaceutics and clinical kinetics. These courses are concerned with the study of the chemistry of the drugs, the effects of drugs, and drug therapy of diseases. Most of our students enjoy the medical application of chemistry and biology-related topics.
How Many Students Are Admitted To The Professional Program?
We have no limit for enrollment in the pre-pharmacy program, but because of staff limitations for the sixth year, we must limit the enrollment for the professional program to 70 students. The primary factor for selection of students for the professional program is the grades obtained in the pre-pharmacy courses, communication skills, knowledge of the profession and standardized test scores (e.g. ACT). The science and math grades are especially important. Selection of applicants for the Pharm.D. professional program is made during the spring semester of the second year. The average GPA of the last few classes admitted to the professional program has been about 3.6 with a range of above 3.4 - 4.0.
We anticipate receiving over 200 applications for the 70 positions available for the Pharm.D. program. Even though non-SDSU students are admitted each year to the professional program, most of the students admitted have attended SDSU for at least one semester.
Can I Make It?
Students who have shown an aptitude in the sciences by obtaining grades of A & B in high school can generally maintain those quality grades in college if they commit themselves to good study habits and sufficient study time. Even students participating in athletics or other extracurricular activities can do well in our program if they commit themselves to good study habits and wise utilization of their time. We have graduates who were in football, swimming, basketball, music, student association president and vice-president, or participants in other activities. Those who were successful managed their time wisely from the start.
What If I'm Not Admitted Or Change My Mind About Pharmacy?
Since most of our pre-pharmacy courses are required by several other science-related majors on campus, a student who is not admitted to the professional program, or who does not want to stay in pharmacy, can transfer to other science-related majors with minimal loss of credits or time. These majors include chemistry, biology, microbiology, nutrition & food science, nursing, dairy science, clinical lab technology and some pre-professional programs.
Where Can I Practice Pharmacy If I Graduate From SDSU?
There are about 100 accredited colleges of pharmacy in the U.S. A student who graduates from any of these colleges of pharmacy can practice pharmacy anywhere in the U.S. as long as the graduate also passes the pharmacy licensure exams. Although the major component of the licensure exam is a national pharmacy board exam, there is also a portion concerning the state laws regulating pharmacy must be taken in each respective state.
What Are Internship Requirements?
To become a registered pharmacist a person must not only graduate from an accredited college of pharmacy, but also meet the internship requirement of the state in which he or she will initially be licensed. Almost all of our students complete the internship requirement before they graduate. There are usually sufficient summer internship opportunities nationwide which also provide the students an opportunity to travel. Credit for summer internship hours are easily transferred from the state of employment to the state in which a pharmacy license is being sought. Some students obtain internship positions in a community or hospital pharmacy in their hometown.
What Is The Job Market And Starting Salaries?
The job market in pharmacy has always been good but it is especially appealing now because there is a shortage of pharmacists nationwide. Consequently, all of our graduates find jobs either before graduation or soon after. A shortage of pharmacists has caused the salaries for pharmacists to increase. The average starting salaries of our recent graduates is over $90,000 with a range of about $70,000 - $100,000, depending on job location and type of position.
Each November the College of Pharmacy sponsors Pharmacy Days which is a three day period in which potential employers visit campus and interview our graduating class for permanent jobs and interview the other students for internship positions. Many students are offered permanent jobs or summer internship positions through this process. Only graduates who restrict their job opportunities to a specific city or county may have to wait for a short time for a job opportunity. Otherwise, all of the remaining graduates have jobs secured before they graduate.
Part of the reason for the excellent job placement is the increased number of new pharmacist positions that have opened in recent years and the diversity of career options available to our graduates. These careers include community pharmacy, clinical and hospital pharmacy, nursing home consultant, clinical and laboratory research, pharmaceutical sales, and positions with the federal and state agencies.
Other Questions?
Please feel free to contact the College of Pharmacy by phone (605-688-6197), through the College's Web site, or by mail at: College of Pharmacy, Box 2202C, SDSU, Brookings, SD 57007-0099.
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