Online Pre-Pharmacy Degrees: Program Information

A pre-pharmacy program prepares students for entry to a Doctor of Pharmacy degree program by ensuring that they have completed all course prerequisites. Online programs are rare, but would-be pharmacists may be able to take some science courses via the Internet and complete the rest, including lab classes, on-campus.

Online Pre-Pharmacy Program Overview

The Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) program is a 4-year, professional degree program required of all U.S. students who want to become pharmacists. Pharm.D. programs require that applicants complete prerequisite coursework before admittance. A pre-pharmacy program offers students the opportunity to fulfill these course requirements, most of which are in chemistry, mathematics and biology.
Most pre-pharmacy programs are not degree-granting themselves. Rather, they are intended to ensure that a student is adequately prepared to begin a pharmacy doctoral program. The pre-pharmacy courses may also count toward a bachelor's degree in general science, chemistry or biology. Some universities with Doctor of Pharmacy programs offer their own pre-pharmacy programs, which may facilitate admission for undergraduate students who satisfactorily complete pre-pharmacy requirements. Alternatively, many community colleges offer Associate of Science degree programs that fulfill the pre-pharmacy course requirements.

Program Information and Requirements

Coursework for a pre-pharmacy program can usually be completed with two years of full-time study. Because most coursework is science-based and requires laboratory work, online programs are rare. Students may be able to complete some theoretical components of their pre-pharmacy programs via distance learning and find on-campus programs to complete the rest. A distance program may allow students to complete lab requirements during an intensive summer session.

Common Course List

Pre-pharmacy classes provide students with background knowledge of mathematics and science, with a particular focus on biology, chemistry, healthcare law, anatomy, physiology and other subjects relevant to pharmacology.

Organic Chemistry Course

The structure of carbon-based compounds is the focus of this course. Topics include substitution reactions and elimination reactions.

Anatomy Course

Students learn about the structure of the human body. Bones, muscles and organ systems are examined through textbook readings and lectures. Some courses include dissections of cadavers or animals.

Microbiology Course

Microbiology students examine cellular organisms, viruses and bacteria. Common pathogens and immune system responses to them are discussed.

Calculus Course

Integrals, derivatives and other fundamental calculus concepts are studied. Exams cover problem-solving and proof of theorems.

Career Information for Pharm.D. Graduates

Most pharmacists work in drugstores and hospitals. Other places of employment include mail-order pharmacies, government agencies and physicians' offices. Job openings for pharmacists were expected to increase 17% during the time period of 2008-2018, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) (www.bls.gov). The median annual salary for pharmacists was $109,180 in 2009, reported the BLS.

Continuing Education Information

Pharmacy doctorate programs build on the core science and mathematics knowledge that students gain from pre-pharmacy programs. Coursework covers physiology, anatomy and the effects and interactions of various drugs. Health care law and patient communication are also addressed. Many classes have substantial laboratory components, making exclusively online programs rare; however, some schools offer hybrid programs that allow students to complete theoretical coursework online and travel to campus periodically for intensive laboratory work.
Graduates of Doctor of Pharmacy programs must apply for state licensure and pass standardized exams before they can legally practice as pharmacists. As a condition for license renewal, most states require that pharmacists take a minimum amount of continuing education coursework every few years. Such continuing education courses must meet accreditation standards set forth by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE).