Top Pharmacy Schools – Best Pharmacist Degrees, Colleges, Universities
Students who want to narrow down their choices of pharmacy schools have a wealth of information available to them on the internet. Candidates often look at a number of factors when choosing a school including location, cost, program duration, average class size, and hiring trends for graduates. Some schools also specialize in a particular area of pharmacy study, so students who have a specific scholarly interest should weigh that heavily as well. Candidates can search for their top school based on specific criteria with this tool provided by the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy.
Pharmacy school rankings can also help students target schools they would prefer to attend or may be admitted to. Rankings provide insight into the school’s larger reputation, although students should pay attention to the criteria selected to create rankings. There are many college rankings available, so students should pay most heed to the rankings that more heavily weigh factors that are important to them.
OEDB’s 2007 online rankings are a valuable tool for students who are considering online study. Their rankings list schools are offer more than half of their programs online and are based on eight metrics of data: acceptance rate, financial aid, graduation rate, peer web citations, retention rate, scholarly citations, student-faculty ratio, and years accredited. These rankings may be very helpful for students eager to enter certificate programs, undergraduate programs, or graduate programs that are offered mostly online.
The NAPLEX (North American Pharmacist Licensure Exam) is used by state pharmacy boards to determine a candidate’s ability to practice in that state. NAPLEX publishes the passing rates of pharmacy school, and this ranking provides a very objective measure of pharmacy schools. The passing percentage is based on the proportion of graduates from that school who pass the NAPLEX and are therefore able to become licensed pharmacists in that state. The top schools on the 2006 rankings have a 100% passing rate.
U.S. News and World Report publishes an annual ranking of undergraduate colleges as well as rankings of graduate institutions every three years. Future students can also find vital information from the students themselves on Studentsreview.com. Though these rankings are based only on reviews provided by website visitors, they can provide valuable insight into the quality of the school. The National Institutes of Health also publishes rankings based on the total amount they award each school in grants and contracts. Many of these rankings take together can help students find the best pharmacy school for their needs and aspirations.
Top 5 Online Pharmacist 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.
