How long does it take to get a PhD once you are a pharmacist?

[Fusionice662]

I was told by someone it only takes 2 years after you have your pharmacy degree, is this true?

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[patmcd]

I suppose it could be as short as that, but really most people would take 3ish. It all depends on your project, how hard you work at it, how many courses they make you take, etc.

 

[Fusionice662]

Can you explain to me how getting a PhD works once you have a pharmacy degree? Do you get your PhD in anything, or only in pharmacology? Also, how does transfering to a big named school for your PhD work after getting a pharmacy degree?

 

[pharmacology]

I think it depends on where you go to pharmacy school and if they have a combined pharmd/phd program. If you just go to pharm school and get a degree but than want to get a phd elsewhere it could take upwards of 5-6 more years.

Professional courses have very little to do with real graduate courses. Grad courses usually require a high level of critical thinking and are experimentally design bases. Some of the basic pharm courses can be used if you are in a combined program. Other courses that are not Pharm type courses are usually required in addition. But it you go elsewhere, don't expect to be exempt from a real graduate level pharmacology class even if you have had pharmacy pharmacology......there can be a very big difference.

Combined program ~4+2-3 years (6-7 years)
Not combined ~ 4+ 5-6 years (9-10 years)

 

[OoKellyoO]

If you're not doing a dual program, it's 4 more extra years. Why would you want to get a PhD unless you want to do research or teach, and you will make less money....lol...I dont even know why anyone would want to do that because teaching is your passion, then just skip PharmD.

 

[patmcd]

If you're not doing a dual program, it's 4 more extra years. Why would you want to get a PhD unless you want to do research or teach, and you will make less money....lol...I dont even know why anyone would want to do that because teaching is your passion, then just skip PharmD.

Just because you want to teach doesn't mean you need a PhD. If you want to teach general sciences or do bench research then a PhD is the way to go. But if you are interested in teaching clinical pharmacy classes and the like then a pharmd and residency is fine.

 

[njkid]

i wanna be rich makin drugs.

 

[WVUPharm2007]

Some people do it in 3 years, some take 7 years. There are a ton of different PhD programs, too. Pharmaceutics, Med Chem, Pharmacology, business-y type stuff, etc.