Some colleges require one, two, or three years of prepharmacy education, while others integrate the curriculum with all years of study in the professional college. Preprofessional education may be taken at any approved junior college or university. According to the Implementation Procedures published by the ACPE, all accreditation cycles for baccalaureate programs will expire no later than June 30, 2004. Either degree currently fulfills the degree requirements to take the licensure examination of a state board of pharmacy in order to practice pharmacy. D. degree requires at least four academic years of professional study, following a minimum of two years of preprofessional study.
Individual schools have specific requirements for preprofessional study.
The pharmacy curriculum is designed to produce a scientifically and technically competent pharmacist who can apply this training in such a manner as to provide maximum health care services to patients. D. program provides the opportunity for students to gain experience in patient-centered learning experiences and in working in close, cooperative relationships with health practitioners. It is the goal of all pharmacy schools to prepare pharmacists who can assume responsibilities in the care of patients and assure the provision of rational drug therapy. After graduating from pharmacy school, increasing numbers of students are seeking residency training in institutional and community pharmacy practice. These residency programs may be in pharmacy practice or specialty areas, depending upon personal interests and specific career requirements.