Online Pharmacy Degrees

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The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports a median salary of $128,710 annually for pharmacists, much higher than the $41,950 median salary for all occupations. The BLS projects a 3% decline for pharmacist jobs in 2019-2029. Some states, however, experience positive projections in an otherwise shrinking field. Pharmacists in Arizona, Colorado, and Louisiana enjoy projections of 18%, 15%, and 14%, respectively.

With a science and research background, pharmacy bachelor's degree graduates can explore other professions with higher growth potential, including nursing, medical and health services managers, and biomedical engineers.

Our guide provides a ranking of the top online bachelor's in pharmacy programs to help degree-seekers choose the best fit. We highlight the typical costs and courses for a pharmacy bachelor's degree.

Frequently Asked Questions: Bachelor's in Pharmacy

Why Get a Degree in Pharmacy?

A bachelor's in pharmacy uniquely positions graduates for admission to a professional pharmacy program. After earning a professional degree in pharmacy, most graduates work as pharmacists in hospitals, drugstores, and community clinics. Several institutions accept pharmacy bachelor's degrees as meeting the educational requirement for postgraduate degrees or professional programs in fields including medicine, psychiatry, or clinical psychology.

A well-developed bachelor's in pharmacy prepares students for careers in other fields as well, including technical writing and medical research. The BLS projects faster-than-average growth for these positions, suggesting ample professional opportunities for pharmacy bachelor's degree-holders who choose to enter these fields.

How Much Does a Pharmacy Degree Cost?

National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) data shows attendance costs at four-year public schools averaged $20,598 in 2018-19. Students at private nonprofit four-year institutions paid an average of $47,541. The amounts include tuition, fees, room, and board. In most cases, a pharmacy student will incur similar expenses for a bachelor's degree in the field. A pharmacy program with laboratory requirements, however, will likely cost more.

Online enrollees do not pay for on-campus housing, which often yields substantial savings. Costs for tuition and fees alone averaged $9,212 for public schools and $34,758 for private institutions. Some schools allow non-resident online enrollees to pay in-state tuition. Since out-of-state and in-state tuition can differ significantly, students should research institutions that offer this option.

How Much Do Pharmacy Majors Make?

Pharmacy majors who then complete a professional degree can work as licensed practitioners in hospitals, drug companies, and drugstores. The BLS reports a median annual salary of $128,710 for pharmacists at this level.

A bachelor's in pharmacy can lead to other professional opportunities. With their strong scientific and pharmaceutical background, pharmacy bachelor's degree-holders can work as validation specialists for the drug or chemical industry. According to April 2021 PayScale data, validation specialists with less than one year of experience can earn over $54,000.

Pharmacy bachelor's degree-holders can also explore the nursing field. Many BSN-to-RN programs consider pharmacy graduates to possess the required educational background for the profession. The BLS reports that RNs earn an annual $75,330 median salary, higher than the $41,950 median salary for all occupations. The BLS also projects a faster-than-average growth rate of 7% for jobs in this sector.

Courses in Pharmacy

A well-developed bachelor's in pharmacy program provides students with foundational knowledge and practical skills, equally essential in this professional arena. Most schools require pharmacy enrollees to possess adequate background in hard sciences such as biology and chemistry. A pharmacy program usually expects students to master subjects such as physiology, biostatistics, and biochemistry early in their enrollment.

Alongside foundational courses, such as the three listed below, pharmacy students enroll in classes that sharpen their research and communication abilities.

• Pharmacokinetics

  The course familiarizes enrollees with the basic biological processes related to drug administration. Learners examine how various factors such as genetics, diet, age, disease, and other medications impact these processes. Participants learn how to use quantitative tools to determine individual drug dosage regimens and establish other pharmacokinetic markers.

• Pharmaceutical Compounding

  Students learn how to prepare sterile prescriptions by studying the practice and science of sterile compounding. The course covers topics such as pharmaceutical calculations, aseptic techniques in parenteral compounding, and safe handling of antineoplastic drugs. Degree-seekers study the state and federal regulations relevant to the field.

• Pharmacotherapy

  Transitioning learners from foundational coursework to patient-centered practice, the course integrates the key learning outcomes of previous classes with the basic principles of pharmacotherapy. Students learn how to formulate evidence-based pharmacotherapeutic recommendations. The course covers different organ systems including the cardiovascular, respiratory, neurologic, and endocrine systems.

Certifications and Licensure for Pharmacy

States require pharmacists to obtain a license before they can practice. Licensure requirements vary among states but commonly include completing an accredited professional pharmacy program (Pharm.D.). A Pharm.D. requires at least two more years of study beyond a bachelor's degree. The certifications below require candidates to hold this educational degree.

Scholarships for Pharmacy

Pharmacy students often apply for financial assistance from their school in the form of scholarships or work-study programs. They can explore scholarship opportunities from professional associations or private nonprofits with close ties to the pharmacy field. We list two scholarships below.

Online Bachelor's In Pharmacy Programs 2021