Pharmacy

Nature of the Work

Pharmacists are health professionals who are concerned with serving the pharmaceutical needs of patients and communities. Pharmacists can be found in a variety of settings including community and consultant pharmacies, hospitals and institutions, managed care organizations, the pharmaceutical industry, academics and research, and government agencies. The most common setting is community pharmacies, which include pharmacies such as those found in medical office buildings, and chain pharmacies (local drug stores such as CVS and Rite Aid).

Occupational Outlook and Earnings

The Occupational Outlook Handbook reports that employment of pharmacists is expected to increase by 2%, slower than the average for all occupations through the year 2031 due to the shift to online/mail prescriptions and as the pharmacy industry consolidates. The median annual wage of pharmacists in 2021 was $128,570. The lowest 10% earned less than $76,840 while the top 10% earned more than $164,590. Salaries vary by work setting and geographic location.

Education

Currently there are 142 accredited pharmacy programs offering the Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) professional degree. The Pharm.D. is a four-year program following completion of a minimum of three years of pre-pharmacy courses in college that may include a bachelor’s degree. There are fourteen pharmacy schools in CA.

Major

Any major is appropriate for pharmacy school preparation. While science majors such as Biology and Chemistry require many of the same basic prerequisites, selecting a science major is not required for admission to any pharmacy school. Students are advised to select a major they find interesting, can do well in, and use if they do not enter or finish pharmacy.

Pre-Pharmacy Preparation (Highly Selective)

The Pharmacy College Admissions Test (PCAT) will no longer be administered after the 2023-2024 admissions cycle. Programs select applicants based on a variety of characteristics, including academic background, clinical experience, personal statement, interview, and letters of recommendation. Schools require 2-3 letters of recommendation, so check with your desired program for their requirements. Personal qualities including motivation, communication, critical thinking skills, writing skills, and empathy are also very important. Most schools expect applicants to gain first-hand paid or volunteer experience in a pharmacy setting to confirm their interest in the pharmacy profession. As pharmacists become more involved in educating patients, communication and interpersonal skills are increasingly important to demonstrate. For further information on these programs or Pharmacy programs outside of California, consult the Pharmacy School Admissions Requirements book by visiting The American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy.

Pharmacy Technician Training Programs in California

There are one and two-year Pharmacy Technician training programs in California. Completion of these programs can aid in getting paid pharmacy experience and letters of recommendation, but do not include the science prerequisites necessary for pharmacy school. Here are some schools that offer these programs:

  • Allan Hancock College
  • Cerritos College
  • Chaffey College
  • Cosumnes River College
  • Foothill College
  • San Bernardino Valley College
  • San Francisco City College
  • Santa Ana College
  • Santa Rosa Junior College
  • West LA College

Pharmacy Schools in California

  • American University
  • California Health Sciences University
  • Chapman University
  • Keck Graduate Institute
  • Marshall B. Ketchum,
  • Loma Linda University
  • Touro University
  • University of the Pacific
  • USC
  • Western University
  • UC San Francisco
  • UC San Diego
  • CA Northstate College of Pharmacy
  • West Coast University

Pharmacy Courses at PCC

Subject Course Number
Anatomy 025
Physiology 001
Biology 010A, 010B, 010C
Chemistry 001A, 001B, 008A, 008B
Physics *031A, 031B or (008A, 008B, 008C) or (002A, 002B*)
Microbiology 002
Economics 001A or 001B
Mathematics 005A
Psychology 001
Speech 001 or 010
English 001A, 001B

Notes: Physics 031A & 031B is preferred by most pharmacy schools. Students who choose to have majors other than biological sciences or chemistry may take Physics 002A & 002B in preparation for pharmacy schools. Students who major in engineering should complete Physics 008A, 008B, 008C.

Statistics for Pharmacy Schools in California

Schools Average GPA Acceptance Rate
CA Northstate 2.70 16%
Loma Linda University 2.75 23%
Touro University 2.75 15%
University of the Pacific 2.70 27%
USC 3.00 29%
Western University 2.75 14%
University of California, San Francisco 2.80 11%
University of California, San Diego 3.42 7%
California Health Sciences University 2.75 14%
Chapman University 3.00 32%
Keck Graduate Institute 3.25 14%
American University 2.50 37%
West Coast University 2.50 12%
Marshall B. Ketchum University N/A 12%

Helpful Websites for Pre-Pharmacy Students: