Several colleges throughout the United States offer Doctor of Pharmacy degrees both onsite and online. Most pharmaceutical master's degree programs take four years to complete; however, some accelerated, year-round programs can be finished within three years. Some schools offer programs that focus on a specific type of pharmaceutical study.
Typically, these graduate colleges require that students have a minimum of two years of undergraduate work in a related field. Also, students should have maintained a specific grade point average, such as a 2.5 GPA throughout their time in college. Most schools perform a criminal background check on students who are applying.
Pharmacy graduate degrees often have a level of research involved, which means that graduates will be prepared to go into a research-related field if they so choose. This can involve technical writing or marketing, research administration or government regulation. Graduates can also become professors in an educational setting, a pharmacist at a hospital or drug store or an advisor to physicians. Professionals work in areas such as disease management and oncology, and settings include drug manufacturers, government agencies and colleges.
Not every pharmacy school program is created equal; there are some variations amongst the different schools. The University of Florida focuses their graduate program on disease management and drug-related issues, graduating students who have in-depth drug knowledge. Shenandoah University's program focuses on cutting-edge information technology. The program at Midwestern University in Illinois focuses on providing high-quality pharmaceutical care to patients and customers. The Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences prepares students to work in ambulatory and inpatient care, and also has programs that focus on pediatrics, geriatrics, long-term care and industry.