Top Pharmacy Schools - Best Pharmacist Degrees, Colleges, Universities
There are over 100 accredited pharmacy schools and colleges in the U.S., so applicants to pharmacy schools should research their choices before making a decision. Many factors affect the desirability of a school including: location, cost, program duration, average class size, internship experience, and hiring opportunities for graduates. Applicants who are interested a specific aspect of pharmacy studies may want to attend a school that offers or specializes in that concentration. This helpful resource provided by the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy can help applicants narrow down their choices and compare schools by specific criteria.
Students should also consider pharmacy school rankings to determine the broader reputation of schools. There are many college rankings available, so applicants should pay attention to the methodology and the criteria used to weigh the schools. Rankings are an important guide for pharmacy school applicants, but they should be on of many resources that are used in making a decision.
The National Institutes of Health publishes 2005 rankings of pharmacy schools and colleges based on the money NIH provides to the school in grants and awards for research. This ranking is intended to provide insight into a school’s standing as an academic research institution as well the relative availability of research projects for applicants to participate in. Schools with high levels of funding also generally have a favorable reputation within the larger medical community.
The North American Pharmacist Licensure Exa provides another important measurement that students should consider. In 2005, NAPLEX relesased the passing rates of pharmacy schools. The top schools in this ranking have a 100% passing rate, meaning that 100% of graduates go on to pass the NAPLEX. This ranking, though an incomplete measure of a school’s standing, provides an objective comparison of the top pharmacy schools and the level of education each school may devote to preparing students for the licensing exam.
U.S. News and World Report publishes a list of top graduate school programs every three years. It’s 2005 pharmacy school rankings are based on scores provided by academic experts, faculty members, and deans. Another important resource for students is Studentsreview.com, a resource for students to learn what actual pharmacy students have to say. Though these rankings are based only on review from site visitors, they provide some qualitative insight into pharmacy school rankings.
Top 5 Online Pharmacist School Rankings
1. Kaplan
Kaplan’s Pharmacy Technician Certificate is designed to meet the demands of a fast-growing pharmacy field. Students will learn about medicine and the healthcare industry, and through externships, students will gain practical experience for a pharmacy technician career. Graduates of this program will be prepared to work directly under a Registered Pharmacist and sit for the Certified Pharmacy Technician Field.
Students who want to become a Pharmacy Technician will benefit from the accelerated program at Baker College. Baker offers a Pharmacy Technician certificate and an Associate of Applied Science Degree. Graduates of both programs will be prepared to sit for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board and fill positions in a wide variety of facilities including hospitals, retail pharmacies, nursing homes, assisted-living communities, and health clinics.
3. Grand Canyon
Students who want to pursue graduate studies in pharmacy will benefit from the Pre-Pharmacy undergraduate program at Grand Canyon. This rigorous program prepares students for doctor of pharmacy programs or continued medical education. Through small class sizes and mentorships at Grand Canyon, students are assured a top-notch education in pharmacy studies.
Everest’s 8-month Pharmacy Technician training program provides hands-on education in pharmacy administration, pharmaceutical calculations, medical terminology, and more. Students of this program will develop strong interpersonal and communication skills as well as mathematics and organization skills that are essential to a pharmacy career.
University of Phoenix offers an Associate of Arts in Healthcare Administration/Pharmacy Practice Concentration. The coursework provides students with a foundation for further studies in healthcare or pharmacy. Students will learn medical terminology and basic pharmacy processes that will prepare them for a variety of fields in medicine and healthcare.
