Pharmacists play critical roles in the US healthcare system. They dispense medications prescribed by doctors and provide instructions on how to use them.
They also play an important role in advising patients on potential side effects and interactions with other medications.
It takes several years of professional studies leading to a PharmD degree to develop this expertise. Choosing the best pharmacy school is a difficult process that can start as early as freshman year of college.
This article provides an overview of what to consider when choosing a school and the pharmacy schools in Oklahoma to get your certificate to enable you to work as a licensed professional pharmacist.
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Finding The Right Pharmacy School
When selecting a pharmacy school, there are numerous factors to consider. There is no one-size-fits-all school.
You can narrow down your list of potential schools after determining which factors are most important.
Related: Accredited Pharmacy Schools in Montana; Requirements
The structure of the PharmD program is the most basic consideration, depending on how many years you want to study, whether you prefer full-time or part-time, what time you want to start and finish school, even the option for more rigorous accelerated programs available.
0/6-7 programs include 2 to 3 years of pre-pharmacy coursework followed by 4 years of professional study (6-7 of years total of post secondary education).
2-3 years programs: Pre-pharmacy courses last two years, followed by three years of professional study (5 years total). Because these programs are year-round and intense, they can be completed more quickly.
2 – 4 year programs consist of 2 years of pre-pharmacy courses followed by 4 years of professional study (6 years total)
3 – 4 year programs: 3 years of pre-pharmacy coursework, followed by 4 years of professional study (7 years total).
2 to 4 years of pre-pharmacy courses followed by 4 years of professional study (6 to 8 years total).
Programs for early assurance: These programs are typically only available by invitation to prospective students who have been offered a position at a college’s own pharmacy school based on their performance during the first 1 to 2 years of college. They can adhere to any of the program structures listed above.
Pharmacy Schools in Oklahoma
There are 2 Accredited Pharmacy schools in Oklahoma namely:
1. Southwestern Oklahoma State University
SWOSU is one of the country’s leading regional universities, with campuses in Weatherford, Yukon, and Sayre, as well as online degree programs.
Just know that if you choose one of their programs, you will be receiving a top-tier education from a school that is nationally recognized for its excellent courses, quality students, staff, and faculty, and competitive athletic teams.
Since its inception in 1939, the Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) College of Pharmacy in Weatherford, Oklahoma, has established itself as one of the best educational values for pharmacy schools in the country.
Read also: Top Pharmacy schools in Michigan
The SWOSU College of Pharmacy, which is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education and a member of the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy, provides a dynamic educational environment in which students develop personal, professional, intellectual, and leadership abilities required to advance in the pharmacy profession.
Their primary focus is teaching, as evidenced by their small class sizes and dedicated faculty and preceptors.
Consider the Doctor of Pharmacy program at SWOSU if you want a rewarding career as a healthcare professional.
Their graduates are leaders in every aspect of pharmacy practice. The Doctor of Pharmacy program is a demanding but rewarding educational experience. Students must meet certain requirements in order to be considered for admission to the Doctor of Pharmacy program.
Students must first complete two years of pre-professional study, which includes general education courses as well as specific biology, chemistry, physics, and math courses. Candidates will be invited to participate in an interview with their faculty.
This will remove the reference and link to the no longer required Pharmacy College Admissions Test (PCAT). Students admitted to the College of Pharmacy will study pharmaceutical sciences and pharmacotherapy for four years, including a year of rotations in a variety of pharmacy practice settings.
On the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX), the national pharmacy licensing exam, SWOSU College of Pharmacy graduates consistently outperform the national average.
Contact: +1 580-448-0461
Address: 100 W Campus Dr, Weatherford, OK 73096, United States
2. The University of Oklahoma
The University of Oklahoma is a comprehensive university dedicated to providing cutting-edge education, research, and service. One of the academic units in charge of this mission is the College of Pharmacy.
Pharmacy was The University of Oklahoma’s first professional program, and the College of Pharmacy has graduated over 5,300 students since 1896. The College offers a professional Doctor of Pharmacy degree program as well as graduate programs in Pharmaceutical Sciences leading to Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees.
The University of Oklahoma College of Pharmacy is dedicated to educating professional and graduate students who will be able to meet the public’s need for safe and effective pharmaceutical care upon graduation.
Read also: 8 best Pharmacy Schools in Texas
Students and faculty create and disseminate knowledge, which contributes to the education and ongoing professional development of pharmacists, educators, scientists, and other health care professionals.
Quality instruction, basic and applied research, community and professional service, and extensive instruction in all types of pharmacy practice settings all contribute to the rewarding and satisfying experiences that College of Pharmacy programs provide.
The Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE)-accredited Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) program provides educational training and experience in accordance with ACPE standards and guidelines required of entry-level positions in all areas of contemporary pharmacy practice. Pharmacy graduates are prepared for careers in a variety of professional practice settings.
Graduates may also pursue opportunities in the pharmaceutical industry, government, education, and other fields. Ambulatory care, cardiology, critical care, emergency medicine, geriatrics, infectious diseases, nuclear pharmacy, nutrition support services, oncology, pediatrics, psychiatric pharmacy, and solid organ transplantation are all board-certified specialties for pharmacists.
The Pharm.D. program at the University of Oklahoma College of Pharmacy is a four-year, full-time, in-person professional doctoral program. The first three years are spent in the classroom, and the fourth year is spent completing nine one-month rotations in various pharmacy settings such as community, hospital, clinical services, social and administrative services, and more.
Also, the American Council on Pharmaceutical Education (ACPE), the accrediting body for all pharmacy schools in the United States, has fully accredited OUCOP. The current accreditation status, which was renewed in 2020, is valid until 2028. 135 South LaSalle Street, Suite 4100, Chicago, IL 60503, 312/664-3575; FAX 312/664-4652, Website; see here.
Contact: +1 405-325-0311
Address: 660 Parrington Oval, Norman, OK 73019, United States
Conclusion on the Pharmacy Schools in Oklahoma
The overall length of a pharmacy program is determined by the program structure. The more time a student spent in undergraduate pre-pharmacy studies, the less time he or she spent in the professional portion of the program.
Regardless of where they begin, most students who pursue a PharmD will spend 6 to 7 years in school after graduating from high school. Some programs offer accelerated (compressed) or year-round study options, which can save students time but come at the expense of more intense study schedules.
Dual degree programs, on the other hand, can add several years to studies; these programs grant a PharmD in addition to another degree, such as an MBA, PhD, or JD. While the majority of PharmD programs are on-campus, a few schools have begun to offer online programs.
These schools combine online courses that cover classroom elements of pharmaceutical and administrative sciences with clinical training that takes place in local community settings. These programs are typically designed for working pharmacists who want to earn their PharmD while continuing to work.
Certain lab experiences may necessitate on-campus attendance. The AACP is collaborating with academic institutions to create flexible study options, including online options. More of these programs will almost certainly become available in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
See below for the answers relating to the most asked questions about the Pharmacy Schools in Oklahoma;
- How do I become an Oklahoma pharmacy technician?
Applicants for pharmacy technician positions must have a high school diploma or G.E.D., be of good moral character, and be physically fit. Applicants for pharmacy technician positions must complete an on-the-job training (OJT) program in a licensed Oklahoma pharmacy.
- How do I go about becoming a pharmacist in Oklahoma?
To work as a licensed pharmacist in the United States, students must earn a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm. D.) degree from an ACPE-accredited pharmacy school. Pre-pharmacy students must complete approximately 64 semester hours of prerequisite coursework before being admitted to the University of Oklahoma College of Pharmacy.
- In Oklahoma, how long does pharmacy school last?
four (4) years
We provide a 2 + 4 YEAR PROGRAM (two years of undergraduate study for pre-requisites and four years in the professional program).
In Oklahoma,
- How many pharmacy schools are there?
two schools
Accreditation of Oklahoma State University’s Pharmacy School. There are currently two ACPE-accredited schools in the state of Oklahoma that offer the PharmD.
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