Why Is Xavier University One of the Best Pharmacy Schools?
Our College of Pharmacy ranks in the top four in the nation for graduating African American students with Doctor of Pharmacy degrees. Building on this commitment to diversity and excellence, we offer a comprehensive and enriching program that prepares graduates for fulfilling careers:
- Xavier’s Pharm.D. program is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education.
- Experiential learning fully prepares you to enter the field of pharmacy, including 42 weeks of rotations in our Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience course.
- Our program prepares you for many career pathways in pharmacy beyond retail.
- XULA offers postgraduate residency training and an academic fellowship.
- our graduates who apply to postgraduate residency programs are accepted.
- Innovative research opportunities give you access to state-of-the-art equipment working alongside our exceptional faculty.
- We welcome students of every race, creed and background.
How to Become a Pharmacist
1. Complete a minimum of 57 semester credits in a pre-pharmacy program.How to Pick a College
Choosing the best pharmacy school is an important decision. Here are five tips on how to pick a college that’s right for you:
- What type of pharmacy career are you seeking?
- Does your top school have a history of alumni working in those types of organizations?
- Do faculty members have firsthand knowledge or experience in those types of careers?
- A typical Pharm.D. degree program includes three years of didactic study and one year of experiential learning.
- Some institutions offer the opportunity to earn a second degree, such as a master’s in a related health field, alongside your Doctor of Pharmacy.
- Top pharmacy programs have faculty members with strong and diverse knowledge and experience. Check the college’s website for faculty credentials and published work.
- The best pharmacy schools are educationally accredited and offer hands-on learning opportunities for you to gain crucial experience for your career.
- Don’t forget to ask about support outside the classroom and student learning outcomes.
- What size town or city surroundings do you prefer?
- What is the cost of living?
- Is the campus community highly competitive or mutually supportive?
- Do alumni remain active and accessible?
How Long Does it Take to Become a Pharmacist?
When asking, “How long does it take to become a pharmacist?” it’s important to consider the level of knowledge, skill, professionalism and ethical fortitude required to care for patients properly. This starts with your education.
Pre-pharmacy study can take two to three years to complete. Then, it generally takes four academic years to complete a top pharmacy program. All pharmacy schools offer a curriculum that includes classroom instruction, hands-on labs and experiential training in community, hospital and clinical pharmacy.
As your education advances, you’ll take on more responsibility for patient care in clinical environments and larger health care systems. Top pharmacy programs may also offer opportunities to select a specialty concentration.
After graduation, you’ll need to pass the NAPLEX before you can practice in the U.S. Each state requires its own law exam (the Multi-state Pharmacy Jurisprudence Exam – MPJE).
What Can You Do With a Doctor of Pharmacy?
A Doctor of Pharmacy is your pathway to diverse and rewarding careers beyond the retail environment. With your Pharm.D. degree from Xavier College of Pharmacy, you can pursue jobs in hospitals, clinics, academia, research and government agencies. This includes opportunities in:
• Specialty areas, such as nuclear pharmacy (using radioactive materials to improve health) or nutrition pharmacy (using supplemental nutrition to improve health).
• Clinical pharmacy, which involves optimizing medication selection, dosing and monitoring.
• Medical liaison, a role that promotes communication between prescribers, pharmacists and patients.
• Medical affairs, which involves the development of documents and materials for health care providers.
Learn more about Xavier University’s Doctor of Pharmacy.
Join a Top Pharmacy Program at Xavier University
At Xavier University College of Pharmacy, you’ll graduate with the knowledge, skills and experience to pursue a wide range of roles in the pharmacy industry.
Our Pharm.D. program seeks to increase the diversity of the profession by encouraging and supporting the enrollment of all students, particularly minority students. As a student at Xavier, you’ll find support and guidance every step of the way.
We offer:
• Small class sizes that encourage collaboration and foster community
• Research opportunities that engage you with hands-on learning
• Individual tutoring and on-campus career fairs
The ultimate purpose of Xavier is to contribute to the promotion of a more just and humane society by preparing you for leadership and service in a global society.
Learn more about Xavier University College of Pharmacy Prescription to Achieve.