The Value of a Bachelor's Degree in addition to a Pharm D.

[Smilez4me]

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Hi All,
I'm sure this topic has been brought up before, but I was wondering if a Bachelor's Degree makes a difference once you're a pharmacist. I mean, for example, is there a salary difference between a Pharmacist who has a bachelor in addition to a Pharm D. compared to one who was enrolled in a 6-year pharmacy program?

Thanks. 🙂

 

[goheel]

Hi All,
I'm sure this topic has been brought up before, but I was wondering if a Bachelor's Degree makes a difference once you're a pharmacist. I mean, for example, is there a salary difference between a Pharmacist who has a bachelor in addition to a Pharm D. compared to one who was enrolled in a 6-year pharmacy program?

Thanks. 🙂

I don't think so.

 

[ultracet]

no
not at all

now if you have a masters say an MBA and do something busisnessy then maybe...

 

[Z e r o X]

no
not at all

now if you have a masters say an MBA and do something busisnessy then maybe...

If thats the case, then why don't most people go to 6-year pharmacy programs? Is the 6-year program more competitive to get into or something?

 

[NguoiVN]

It depends on what the BA/BS degree is.

 

[Mindy510]

I don't think it matters. But if you had a BS, do you have more chances of getting in most pharmacy schools? Does anyone know?

 

[Z e r o X]

Wouldn't it be better to just go to a six-year program? I mean if you completed a bachelors degree, you could have gone to med school or law school where you'll be making a hell lot more money.

Pharmacy is for those who wants to make alot of money in a relatively short period(6 years). Med school is for those who wants to to make hunk load of money in twice the time for pharmacist.

 

[cjsdca]

I don't think it matters. But if you had a BS, do you have more chances of getting in most pharmacy schools? Does anyone know?

Yes, a large majority of successful applicants have at least a BS/BA degree. This is especially favorable with highly competitive programs.

 

[OoShimmeroO]

Well, if you live in California a BS or BA defenitly helps because our programs are more competive when compared to other states.

 

[Mindy510]

Does it matter if it's BS or BA? b/c I was told that they usually consider BS. I'm still waiting on the decisions from pharm. schools. If I won't get in this year, I'm thinking of working toward a degree but not sure which one ?

 

[ultracet]

yes it does help you get in but it doesn't matter when you get out

 

[cjsdca]

Does it matter if it's BS or BA? b/c I was told that they usually consider BS. I'm still waiting on the decisions from pharm. schools. If I won't get in this year, I'm thinking of working toward a degree but not sure which one ?

Either BS or BA is acceptable, provided that you've successfully completed or about to complete all your school-specific pharmacy prereqs.

 

[ChemAngel]

I don't think it matters. But if you had a BS, do you have more chances of getting in most pharmacy schools? Does anyone know?

you nailed it on the coffin. The point of a bachelors (if you want to get into the pharm.D program) is so you have a very good chance of entering pharmacy school.

Some specialization degree might be helpful...but my suggestion to you is to save those until you know what you really want to do with your degree.

If you can get into a 6 year pharmacy degree instead of a BA...i would go for the 6 year degree...because after you have your pharm.D.....your bachelors is kind of useless.

It is like getting an associates degree...when you have your bachelors, the associates is useless (unless you specialized in an associates that you can apply to your work as a pharmacist)

hope I didn't confuse you.

 

[Smilez4me]

you nailed it on the coffin. The point of a bachelors (if you want to get into the pharm.D program) is so you have a very good chance of entering pharmacy school.

Some specialization degree might be helpful...but my suggestion to you is to save those until you know what you really want to do with your degree.

If you can get into a 6 year pharmacy degree instead of a BA...i would go for the 6 year degree...because after you have your pharm.D.....your bachelors is kind of useless.

It is like getting an associates degree...when you have your bachelors, the associates is useless (unless you specialized in an associates that you can apply to your work as a pharmacist)

hope I didn't confuse you.

Thanks for all your help! It makes a lot of sense, but let's say that I want to do research for pharmaceutical companies, later in life, after I get my pharmacy licence - what is the procedure for doing so? Do I have to go to get a Master's to examine and develop new drugs? 🙂

 

[foraminal]

Does not make a difference with a BS/BA, it may enhance your chances of getting into schools, but once they throw you out, a PharmD is a PharmD. If you have a MS or PhD in related science or research field then its a different ball game and career. MBA will get you the manager/supervisory position, but you have to climb that ladder. PharmD without a liciense=no $$.

 

[ChemAngel]

Thanks for all your help! It makes a lot of sense, but let's say that I want to do research for pharmaceutical companies, later in life, after I get my pharmacy licence - what is the procedure for doing so? Do I have to go to get a Master's to examine and develop new drugs? 🙂

honestly....there are all sorts of ways to get into a pharmaceutical company. you don't even need a Pharm.D degree.

With a standard Bachelors in chemistry, you can work at a pharmaceutical company...in fact some jobs don't even require that. (some pharmaceutical representatives only have a high school degree)

The major difference is money...they will pay you more as a pharm.D than as a bachelors.

It all boils down to WHERE in research you want to go. Yeah, a doctrant in cardiac might seem impressive....but it won't help you if you really want to research asthma medications.

I guess what I'm saying is that it depends on where in research you want to go...and while in pharmacy school, you might change your mind so many times it might be difficult.

What most pharmacy students do, is that they wait until they get thier Pharm.Ds and then go on to graduate school once they know where they want to specialize. There are also some schools that offer the ability to get a doctrant at the same time you are getting your pharm.D

I always tell people to find out what you want to do BEFORE you do anything extra....because it might be a waste of time.

Maybe to get into the part of pharmaceutic industry that you want...all you need is a rotation....or an internship. You won't know until you look into it some more.

😛 👍 hoped that helped

 

[drakkan2001]

Yes, a BA/BS is helpful but not necessary.

 

[Z e r o X]

Does not make a difference with a BS/BA, it may enhance your chances of getting into schools, but once they throw you out, a PharmD is a PharmD. If you have a MS or PhD in related science or research field then its a different ball game and career. MBA will get you the manager/supervisory position, but you have to climb that ladder. PharmD without a liciense=no $$.

What kind of job can you expect to have with a pharmD and a MBA?

 

[Kawen]

As long as you have the pre-req's, you're fine. At my school, having a bachelor's degree gives you a "bonus point" on your applicant index (how they rank the applicants), but so does what school you went to (depending on how competitive it was), if your a minority, and a few other things. It's definitely not necessary- I'd say at least 25% of my class had no bachelor's degree (but those without had better grades on their pre-req's).

 

[Z e r o X]

Why the HELL don't everybody do the six year program?? Is it more competititive??

Why would people waste their time to get a bachelors in a 4+4 year program instead of a 6 year program ??

ITS JUST LIKE A GODDAMN ASSOCIATE.

 

[WVURxGal]

The only way there'd be a difference is if you had a degree in something non-science. For example, a chemistry degree won't help (though it will for admissions); however, I'd imagine having a degree and still being able to speak another language (especially Spanish if you're in the US, or German / Japanese if you're going more into business aspects of the profession) couldn't hurt, especially if you're going to work in retail.

 

[ChemAngel]

The only way there'd be a difference is if you had a degree in something non-science. For example, a chemistry degree won't help (though it will for admissions); however, I'd imagine having a degree and still being able to speak another language (especially Spanish if you're in the US, or German / Japanese if you're going more into business aspects of the profession) couldn't hurt, especially if you're going to work in retail.

actually....a chemistry degree was useful...at least for me. Alot of my classes the first year (i'm only a p1) really went around chemistry classes that I have taken. in fact, right now I'm taking pharmacokinetics and it is exactly like a class I took called "physical chemistry".

I think no matter what major you do decide to take, it never hurts to take some classes outside your major that you feel will help you in pharmacy school.

I went out of my major to take microbiology because I know we take it our 2nd year of pharmacy school. Things like that....use your common sense.....that is your best guide.

 

[WVURxGal]

actually....a chemistry degree was useful...at least for me. Alot of my classes the first year (i'm only a p1) really went around chemistry classes that I have taken. in fact, right now I'm taking pharmacokinetics and it is exactly like a class I took called "physical chemistry".

Oh sorry, I must have been unclear... I mean *after* you graduate. If you get a job I can't imagine you'd get paid more for having a Chem degree (especially in retail) since if you graduated pharmacy school, they already know that you have that advanced knowledge... whereas with a non-science degree, you'd have something to offer that most other PharmDs wouldn't. Does that make any more sense?

 

[Z e r o X]

actually....a chemistry degree was useful...at least for me. Alot of my classes the first year (i'm only a p1) really went around chemistry classes that I have taken. in fact, right now I'm taking pharmacokinetics and it is exactly like a class I took called "physical chemistry".

Oh sorry, I must have been unclear... I mean *after* you graduate. If you get a job I can't imagine you'd get paid more for having a Chem degree (especially in retail) since if you graduated pharmacy school, they already know that you have that advanced knowledge... whereas with a non-science degree, you'd have something to offer that most other PharmDs wouldn't. Does that make any more sense?

WOULD retail Even pay you More if you have an extra bachelor's degree?

ITS A JUST LIKE A GODDAMN ASSOCIATES, COMPLETLY USELESS LOL.

 

[dgroulx]

There was a rumor going around school today that UF is going to start requiring a bachelors degree for admission to the COP. The accreditation people were on campus today sitting in on campus. Later on, they were talking to the campus director. Maybe a student overheard something.

 

[yatzek]

Does not make a difference with a BS/BA, it may enhance your chances of getting into schools, but once they throw you out, a PharmD is a PharmD. If you have a MS or PhD in related science or research field then its a different ball game and career. MBA will get you the manager/supervisory position, but you have to climb that ladder. PharmD without a liciense=no $$.

im thinking of getting an MBA in addition to the pharmD... I can do this in one go by switching to a pharmD/MBA program... im not sure if its worth it though.. i heard having a pharmD is all you need to become a manager (and climb the ladder etc)... i dunno, some of those business classes are incredibly boring 😴

 

[xSsJ4s0ng0kUx10]

do you need mba to climb ladder in retail?

 

[bananaface]

do you need mba to climb ladder in retail?

No, as indicated in the post above yours.

 

[ChemAngel]

Oh sorry, I must have been unclear... I mean *after* you graduate. If you get a job I can't imagine you'd get paid more for having a Chem degree (especially in retail) since if you graduated pharmacy school, they already know that you have that advanced knowledge... whereas with a non-science degree, you'd have something to offer that most other PharmDs wouldn't. Does that make any more sense?

crystal clear. I agree with you. I knew that once I entered pharmacy school...my bachelors went down to drain.