PharmD vs. PhD in Pharmacy?

[emerald]

Ok, I've been looking at some pharmacy schools but I'm confused about what I should be looking for. Many have PhD and PharmD options. Which is better? Which has better job prospects etc. ?

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[LVPharm]

Are you asking about PhD programs in pharmacology vs. PharmD programs?

PharmD is a professional degree (like MD, DO, JD, etc). It prepares you to work as a practicing pharmacist upon graduation and successful passage of a board examination. You can work in retail, hospital, consulting, nuclear pharmacy settings. You can even work in industry (research positions in industry may require completion of a post-graduate fellowship; clinical pharmacist positions in hospitals may require completion of post-graduate residencies).

PhD is an academic graduate degree (in this case,the field of pharmacology). If your goal is to work in the pharm industry in research, or academia (as a pharmaceutical sciences professor), then it might be for you. You'll have to do research in your field with the goal of completing a dissertation that will display your unique contribution to scientific knowledge. You cannot practice as a "pharmacist" with the PhD degree alone.

There are dual PharmD/PhD degree options at some universities.

 

[phar]

Originally posted by LVPharm
Are you asking about PhD programs in pharmacology vs. PharmD programs?

PharmD is a professional degree (like MD, DO, JD, etc). It prepares you to work as a practicing pharmacist upon graduation and successful passage of a board examination. You can work in retail, hospital, consulting, nuclear pharmacy settings. You can even work in industry (research positions in industry may require completion of a post-graduate fellowship; clinical pharmacist positions in hospitals may require completion of post-graduate residencies).

PhD is an academic graduate degree (in this case,the field of pharmacology). If your goal is to work in the pharm industry in research, or academia (as a pharmaceutical sciences professor), then it might be for you. You'll have to do research in your field with the goal of completing a dissertation that will display your unique contribution to scientific knowledge. You cannot practice as a "pharmacist" with the PhD degree alone.

There are dual PharmD/PhD degree options at some universities.

Well Stated!!!

 

[phar]

broken english. Clearly stated... (much better wording).

 

[StevenS]

heh, even simpler - Pharm D is the degree that allows you to get a license, which in turn, gives you access to jobs that require licensure. Ph D is just a degree that like in any other field is usually for those who want to teach or do research.

 

[LVPharm]

Showoff!