An online doctoral degree in pharmacy may provide the skills and training required to fill and dispense medication, advise patients on dosages and side-effects, and maintain patient information. In this three to five-year programs, students may learn how to communicate with physicians on proper dosage amounts, track drug interactions, and counsel patients on the use of medications. Program coursework may include foundation courses alongside major coursework including pharmacology, calculations in pharmacy practice, and pharmaceutics.

Upon graduation, students may seek employment in their chosen area of pharmacy. Doctoral-level graduates may pursue employment in hospitals, elder care facilities, retail pharmacies, clinics, and government health programs.

Program Overview

• Prerequisite: Bachelor’s Degree at minimum
• Program Length: Three to five years to complete
• Post-Grad Options: Employment
• Projected Employment Growth: 25% (2010-2020)*

Program Coursework

The curriculum for a doctoral-level pharmacy degree programs may consist of a set of major-specific courses alongside foundation courses which may provide instruction in basic sciences. These courses may teach students how to identify medications, calculate dosages, and manage a pharmacy practice. Possible pharmacy classes may include the following:

• Biochemistry
• Calculations in Pharmacy Practice
• Health Systems and Patient Safety
• Human Physiology
• Pharmaceutics
• Pharmacology
• Introductory Pharmacy Practice

Career Options

Doctoral-level graduates may gain employment in government health programs, hospitals, retail pharmacies, clinics, and in research and development. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment opportunities for pharmacists are projected to increase by 25% from 2010-2020.*

Possible careers include:

• Clinical Pharmacist
• Academic Pharmacist
• Retail Pharmacist
• Government Pharmacist
• Hospital Pharmacist

*U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook