Start Your Career with ±Ê²¹³¦¾±´Ú¾±³¦â€™s Flexible Pharmacy Degree Pathways
Tour campus, talk to expert pharmacy faculty, chat with an admissions counselor, and learn more about starting a career in pharmacy at one of the Pacific Northwest's most acclaimed healthcare programs.
Opening doors to high-paying careers in medical research, community healthcare, and specializations in everything from LGBTQ+ issues to public health, a doctorate in pharmacy is ideal for those who want to make a tangible difference in the lives of those seeking care.
While not requiring as much time investment as medical school, the amount of time it takes to become a pharmacist can be intimidating for many considering the career.
However, new flexible pharmacy school programs — like those at Pacific — are available, providing both accelerated and extended pathways that allow you to earn a doctorate in pharmacy at the tempo that fits your schedule.
Attending pharmacy school is a big commitment, but how many years does it take to become a pharmacist? Let’s dive in.
How Long is Traditional Pharmacy School?
Normally, pharmacy school takes four years to complete, not including participation in optional internships or residencies. Students who elect to pursue pharmacy residency programs can expect to add up to two more years to their education before beginning their career.
But you can get your pharmacy degree faster in an accelerated program, like 51ºÚÁÏ’s accelerated three-year pharmacy degree. You can also save time by beginning grad school while you’re still finishing your undergraduate degree in ±Ê²¹³¦¾±´Ú¾±³¦â€™s 3+3 Pathway.
Pacific also offers the only extended five-year PharmD pathway in the U.S. for those interested in attending part-time or continuing to work while earning a PharmD.
Do I need a specific bachelor’s degree to attend pharmacy school?
At Pacific we primarily value the completion of prerequisite classes, so a bachelor’s degree is not required. This means that, as long as you have taken the necessary courses in math, science and humanities, you don’t need to spend extra time to complete a bachelor's degree. Whether you complete these prerequisites at a local community college,
through online school, or as night classes, you are qualified to apply and succeed in pharmacy school.
If you do get your bachelor’s degree before applying to pharmacy school, you can choose from a variety of majors. There is no set undergraduate degree requirement for most programs. What matters instead are the prerequisites your program sees as essential to success as you work toward your doctorate.
Those prerequisites include math and science, so while you can major in everything from geology to gender studies, exploring your university’s pre-pharmacy track will make you a more competitive pharmacy candidate. Many pre-pharmacy students pursue undergraduate degrees in biology and chemistry, which often fulfill pharmacy school prerequisites naturally.
What are accelerated pharmacy programs?
Though many PharmD programs take four years to complete, Pacific's flexible PharmD program offers many different pathways to earning a pharmacy doctorate, including the accelerated three-year PharmD pathway, the extended five-year PharmD pathway and the 3+3 pathway
±Ê²¹³¦¾±´Ú¾±³¦â€™s accelerated three-year PharmD allows you to fast track your degree in just three years. This program runs year-round with shorter breaks so you can fit in more classes more quickly.
If you’d like to complete a concurrent degree, you can add one additional year to pursue the concurrent PharmD/MBA degree or a Joint PharmD/MS in Pharmaceutical Sciences.
±Ê²¹³¦¾±´Ú¾±³¦â€™s 3+3 Pathway allows you to begin pharmacy school as soon as your senior year of undergrad. You can enter Pacific's 3+3 Pathway from our undergraduate programs or from one of our partner schools. If you are an undergraduate at partner school, and take pharmacy program prerequisites, you'll be eligible to enter Pacific's 3+3 Pathway.
Can I Attend Pharmacy School Part-Time?
Designed for working professionals who want to take the next step in their healthcare career, ±Ê²¹³¦¾±´Ú¾±³¦â€™s extended five-year PharmD pathway makes pharmacy school more accessible to more people.
This unique pathway empowers pharmacy students by letting them:
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Remain employed: Because the course load is spread out over more time for the five-year pathway, students can keep some amount of employment, allowing them to earn money while in school.
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Attend to family: Whether caring for small children, a loved one, or relatives, ±Ê²¹³¦¾±´Ú¾±³¦â€™s extended pathway doesn’t force you to be on campus full time, letting you spend more time with those close to you.
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Pursue dual-degrees: An education in pharmacy pairs well with a Joint PharmD/MS in Pharmaceutical Sciences.
Whether you choose to fast-track your pharmacy degree or attend part-time, whether you’re beginning with a completed bachelor’s degree or just starting college, 51ºÚÁÏ has a pathway to help you get into your pharmacy career.