People need medications for a variety of reasons, but no matter what the ailment, pharmacists are essential in order for consumers to get the medicines that will make them better. If you are interested in science and healthcare, then a major in pre-pharmacy might be right for you!
Education
To work as a practicing pharmacist, you must earn a doctorate degree. As an undergraduate, majoring in pre-pharmacy will prepare you to continue your education and prepare you for your career. The courses you will take will focus heavily on science, including biology, chemistry, anatomy and physiology, and physics, as well as math courses such as statistics and calculus. To help lessen your load in college, consider taking college-level science courses in high school like AP Biology and Chemistry. Be prepared to spend a lot of your time in a lab and doing research at an internship program.
What to know before you apply
Some colleges offer a 6-year Pharm.D. program which will allow you to earn your undergraduate and doctorate over the course of six years. This will allow you to continue your education without having to apply to pharmacy school which can often prove difficult to get into. Make sure you are confident that this is the path you want to take before signing up for a Pharm.D. program as this program is rigorous and costly.
Salary and outlook
Pharmacists earned an average of $116,270 per year as of 2012 and the field is expected to grow 20% by 2022.
