2 Best Pharmacy Schools In Los Angeles

The best pharmacy schools in Los Angeles are all ACPE-accredited institutions that can help start your pharmacy career. 

As lifespans increase, so does the need for pharmacists who understand a vast range of new and traditional medications. The Doctor of Pharmacy program reflects the most up-to-date practices and philosophies in the field, shaped by administrators and faculty with comprehensive research expertise and experience delivering care nationwide.

Going to the best pharmacy schools in Los Angeles takes a considerable amount of time, energy, and commitment, but can be incredibly rewarding for your profession. To become one, having a relevant educational background and considerable field experience can help when pursuing this type of work.

In this article, we discuss who a pharmacist is, the best pharmacy schools in Los Angeles, the requirements of the Doctor of Pharmacy program in Los Angeles, and the average salary for a pharmacist in Los Angeles.

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Who Is a Pharmacist

Pharmacists, also known as chemists or druggists, are health professionals who control, formulate, preserve and dispense medications and provide advice and counseling on how medicines should be used to achieve maximum benefit, minimal side effects and avoid drug interactions. They also serve as primary care providers in the community. Pharmacists undergo university or graduate-level education to understand the biochemical mechanisms and actions of drugs, drug uses, therapeutic roles, side effects, potential drug interactions, and monitoring parameters. This is mated to anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology. Pharmacists interpret and communicate this specialized knowledge to patients, physicians, and other healthcare providers.

Related: 6 Best Pharmacy Schools In Tennessee

Pharmacy Schools In Los Angeles

If you’re looking for a list of the best pharmacy schools in Los Angeles, look no further. Click on a facility to learn more about it and see the address to know how to get there.

University of Southern California School of Pharmacy

The USC School of Pharmacy is the pharmacy school of the University of Southern California, originally established in 1905 as the USC College of Pharmacy.

In 1918, it created the four-year Bachelor of Science pharmacy degree program. And in 1950, it established the nation’s first Doctor of Pharmacy program in Los Angeles. The School offers numerous dual- and joint-degree programs in such fields as law, business, public health, regulatory science, healthcare decision analysis, and gerontology.

The School launched the nation’s first PharmD/MBA dual degree in 1990, the first Ph.D. in pharmaceutical economics and policy in 1994, the first professional doctorate in regulatory science in 2008, and a translational science graduate program that merges science with clinical expertise. The School is led by Dean Vassilios Papadopoulos.

University of Southern California School of Pharmacy provides an enormous number of options for aspiring professionals within the field of pharmacology.

To complete a four-year degree in pharmacology, students will be required to take 133 units of classroom coursework with a grade point average of 2.5 or higher and participate in a minimum of 1,740 hours of clinical experience.

Sponsoring hospitals and community clinics typically require criminal background checks as well as drug screening. The University of Southern California requires all students to obtain intern licensure with the California State Board of Pharmacy at the beginning of their first year and to maintain that licensure in good standing throughout their enrollment in the School of Pharmacy. It is one of the best pharmacy schools in Los Angeles. Tuition at USC college of pharmacy is $58,836.

Address: 1985 Zonal Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90089, United States

Phone: +1 323-442-1369

West Coast University

West Coast University (WCU) is a private, for-profit university focused on healthcare degrees with campus locations in Los Angeles, Anaheim, and Ontario, California; Richardson, Texas; and Miami, Florida.

David Pyle founded American Career College in 1979 under the name of American College of Optics. Originally the school focused only on optical dispensing. In May 1997, Pyle purchased West Coast University, which was chartered by the State of California in 1909, out of bankruptcy, and developed a program for the training of registered nurses.

The Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program at West Coast University is designed around providing hands-on practical experiences in real-life clinical settings.

The interactive-learning environment emphasizes interprofessional clinical experiences with students from other health professions, extensive use of innovative technology, and a multitude of community engagement and outreach activities.

West Coast University School of Pharmacy’s Doctor of Pharmacy Program in Los Angeles is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education. This is one of the best pharmacy schools in Los Angeles. The total tuition for the (PharmD) program at West Coast University is $190,224 for 9 trimesters.

Address: 590 North Vermont Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90004, United States

Phone: +1 866 508 2684

Benefits Of Going To T Best Pharmacy Schools In Los Angeles

The best Pharmacy Schools In Los Angeles are excellent choices to study pharmacy, due to the brilliant facilities and high-ranking degree courses. Here are some other reasons to study in the best pharmacy schools in Los Angeles.

Tuition

Your tuition cost will greatly vary depending on your in-state or out-of-state status. The tuition cost of the Doctor of Pharmacy program in Los Angeles usually ranges between $50,000 to $200,000.

Related: 2 Accredited Pharmacy Schools in Oregon

Develop advanced knowledge and skills

In a career of this nature, you will be constantly learning and improving your understanding of medicine and how to better assess and treat illnesses. Additional specialist skills you will gain include effective, professional communication, the operation of pharmaceutical instrumentation, and knowledge of the law and ethical concerns relating to the supply of medicines.

Flexible career options

Qualifying in pharmacy can lead to a variety of job roles, which often offer good professional progression. Alternatively to becoming a pharmacist, you could use your knowledge of medicine to become a research scientist, medical science liaison, pharmacologist, or toxicologist, among other professions.

Curriculum

The curriculum of the Doctor of Pharmacy program in Los Angeles is dynamic and undergoes regular revision, reflecting scientific and technological advances. Covered over a span of 4 years, it varies from school to school and is a combination of required and elective courses.

For example, the first three years of the program at USC include foundational courses in biomedical, pharmaceutical, social, administrative, and clinical sciences. Students along with the classroom learning, complete Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experiences (IPPE). The IPPE gives students an opportunity to apply the newly acquired knowledge in a variety of practice settings.

Towards the end of the third and the entire fourth-year students complete the Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences (APPEs), usually set in healthcare settings such as ambulatory care, acute medicine, community pharmaceutical care, and hospital.

Requirements of the Doctor of Pharmacy program in Los Angeles

To be eligible for the Doctor of Pharmacy program in Los Angeles, you must meet certain academic requirements.

1. Hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent before matriculation.
2. Have achieved a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA (on a 4.0 scale) in all college work and pre-pharmacy required courses at an accredited two- or four-year college (biochemistry must be taken at a four-year institution). Pre-pharmacy courses from vocational or technical schools are not accepted. If you did not achieve a minimum 3.0 GPA but demonstrate the ability to be successful in the program, you may still be considered for admission.
3. Complete all pre-pharmacy required courses with a grade of C or higher at least one week before you enter our program.
4. Repeat pre-pharmacy requirements in the following areas if they were taken more than 9 years before your application: biochemistry, human physiology, microbiology, and organic chemistry.

Also read: 6 Best Accredited Pharmacy Schools in Illinois

Average Salary For a Pharmacist In Los Angeles?

The average salary for a pharmacist in Los Angeles Metro Area, CA is $134,000 per year. Pharmacist salaries in Los Angeles Metro Area, CA can vary between $36,000 to $201,500 and depend on various factors, including skills, experience, employer, bonuses, tips, and more.

FAQs

See below the most asked questions about the best pharmacy schools in Los Angeles.

How long does it take to become a pharmacist in Los Angeles?

The Doctor of Pharmacy program in Los Angeles, on its own, usually takes 4 years to complete. However, since the Pharm. D. requires at least two to four years of undergraduate study to complete the pre-pharmacy curriculum requirements, you will require six to eight years of college study to earn a Pharm. D. degree.

What are the best pharmacy schools in Los Angeles?

Here are the best pharmacy schools in Los Angeles.

1. Pharmacy Schools In Los Angeles
2. West Coast University

Why should i apply for an ACPE accredited Doctor of Pharmacy program in Los Angeles?

When you apply for an ACPE Accredited Doctor of Pharmacy program in Los Angeles, you are assured of receiving quality education that is recognized across the nation for the education standards and the professional degree it offers. Moreover, employers are always on the lookout for accredited program graduates, so you can land that coveted job much sooner.