Pharmacy

Pharmacists are experts in the science of medications and the art of medication therapy. Pharmaceutical care encompasses the full range of pharmacist’s skills, knowledge and abilities in providing medication services to patients.

The principal goal of pharmaceutical care is to achieve definite outcomes from medication use which improves patients’ quality of life. These outcomes include: 1) cure of a disease; 2) elimination or reduction of symptoms; 3) arresting or slowing a disease process; 4) prevention of disease; 5) diagnosis of disease; and 6) desired alterations in physiological processes, all with minimal risk to patients.
A student must possess either the baccalaureate or the doctor of pharmacy (Pharm D) degree to qualify for the licensure examination. Please note, in July 1992, a majority of the nation’s schools and colleges of pharmacy voted to move toward awarding the Doctor of Pharmacy degree as the only professional degree in pharmacy.

The baccalaureate curriculum customarily requires a five year program of college study.

A Pharm D program customarily requires six years of college study. This includes 60 credit hours of pre-pharmacy study at a four year college or community college. A Pharm D program designed as a post baccalaureate program, generally exceeds six years of college study.

Application Guide

Learn more about the admission criteria for most pharmacy programs.

Michigan Pharmacy School Prerequisites

View course requirements for Michigan pharmacy programs.

Additional Resources

Explore this profession further by accessing links to national associations, career profiles, and student resources.