| The man or woman that you see behind the counter | | | | applying for pharmacy school. |
| in the pharmacy that is available to answer all of your | | | | Once the student finishes the two years of required |
| questions is a certified pharmacist. They must know | | | | class work, he will need to take the Pharmacy |
| how to measure and mix medications, and they must | | | | College Admissions Test. Once he has the test |
| be able to answer a myriad of different questions | | | | results, he must fill out the application form and |
| about those medications. Here are the things a | | | | gather the materials that are required by the |
| pharmacist must do for certification for health care. | | | | pharmacy school. Some schools require an interview |
| Just like in most professions, it is best to begin | | | | with potential students before acceptance. |
| planning and preparing to become a pharmacist while | | | | The PharmD degree is another 4 years of study |
| you are still in high school. You will need to take a | | | | resulting in a Doctorate degree in Pharmacy. The |
| variety of science and mathematics courses. Learn to | | | | total number of years of study for this degree is 6. |
| write well and express yourself on the written page, | | | | Pharmacists are, also, required to complete a certain |
| and learn all you can about computers. Volunteer to | | | | number of hours of experience working under the |
| work in a nursing home, pharmacy or hospital during | | | | supervision of a licensed pharmacist. |
| your high school years. | | | | When the student has finished his degree, he will |
| There are three ways that you can become a | | | | need to take a variety of tests in order to apply for |
| pharmacist. Most students go to an accredited college | | | | licensure or certification. Each state is different in |
| and earn a four year degree before going on to | | | | what they require. These tests will examine the |
| pharmacy school. Others opt to go straight from high | | | | student's knowledge of pharmaceutical subjects as |
| school into a pharmacy program known as "0-6". The | | | | well as the pharmaceutical laws of the state where |
| other option is to go into an accelerated program. | | | | he will be licensed. |
| Whichever program you choose should meet these | | | | The job outlook for pharmacists is above average |
| qualifications. The school should be accredited by the | | | | through 2018. One of the main reasons for this |
| Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education, they | | | | growth is the growing number of older people within |
| should have top of the line computers, science | | | | the United States who require medications of some |
| courses and science laboratories and they should be | | | | kind. The median annual wage for pharmacists is |
| a member of the American Association of Colleges | | | | $106,410. Twenty-two percent of pharmacists |
| of Pharmacy. | | | | nationwide make over $120,000 annually. |
| Most pharmacy schools require two years of specific | | | | Gaining certification for health care as a pharmacist is |
| pre-entry courses to be completed before a student | | | | not an easy task. It includes 6 years of education |
| may be considered for acceptance. There are a large | | | | and numerous hours of practice. Add to that the |
| majority of students who have at least three years | | | | numerous tests a student must take and pass to |
| of course work on the undergraduate level and a | | | | become licensed, and you have a highly qualified |
| good number finish a four year degree before | | | | individual. |