Do want to help patients get the most from their medications? Pharmacy is a rewarding career with flexible hours in variety of healthcare, research and corporate settings. Take these steps to start your Pharmacy career:

  1. Earn your bachelor's degree or meet pre-requisite requirements

    • You can pursue this degree in a subject like biology, chemistry or biochemistry

  2. Choose a Pharmacy School

    Apply and Complete the PharmD program
    • Apply to PharmCAS
    • Get your Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree, which requires a four-year professional program from an accredited pharmacy school
    • You can apply to Loma Linda University School of Pharmacy with or without a degree

  3. Pass qualifying exams and Complete Licensure

    • North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX)
    • Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination (MPJE) or a state-specific law exam
    • Some states may also require you to complete a certain number of supervised practice hours

  4. Apply for jobs

You'll need a Doctor of Pharmacy Degree

Get your PharmD at LLU

High School or College Students

Are you a high school or college student thinking about becoming a pharmacist? You'll need to earn your Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree first. Read on to learn about the specific steps you’ll need to take.

APPLY TO PHARMACY SCHOOL

STEP 1 - Complete Prerequisite Courses
STEP 2 - Submit a PharmCas Application

All application materials including official transcripts and recommendation letters are submitted and verified through PharmCAS, our centralized application service. We accept applications from July to June for admission to the class that starts in August.

STEP 3 - Interview with LLUSP

All qualified applicants are interviewed by faculty members on-campus or via Zoom.

STEP 4 - Begin the PharmD program

Once accepted into our PharmD program you'll be on your way to 100+ Pharmacy Career Pathways.

WHILE IN PHARMACY SCHOOL

STEP 5 - Work as a Pharmacy Intern

Most students work as pharmacy interns during pharmacy school. Student pharmacists receive their pharmacy intern licenses from the California State Board of Pharmacy upon enrollment in the PharmD program.

AFTER YOU GRADUATE

STEP 6 - Obtain a License to Practice

In order to practice, most pharmacists must pass two board exams:

Pharmacy Technicians or Second Career

Pharmacy is a popular option for a second career because the completion of requirements are straight forward, time to practice is shorter than other healthcare careers, and you can work in the field while you’re going to school. You'll need to earn your Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) first. Read on to learn about the specific steps you’ll need to take.

APPLY TO PHARMACY SCHOOL

STEP 1 - Complete Prerequisite Courses
  • Without a College Degree: You don't need a college degree as long as you've completed the prerequisite courses in basic sciences and general education and meet the requirements. 
    • Recency is considered, so if your prerequisites are more than five-years old, recent academic or relevant work experience may be considered.
  • With a College Degree:  You can apply to Pharmacy school with any degree as long as you have completed the prerequisite courses and meet the requirements. Make a seamless transition into our program through our Pathways to PharmD. We also accept Transfer or Advanced Standing students.
STEP 2 - Submit a PharmCas Application

All application materials including official transcripts and recommendation letters are submitted and verified through PharmCAS, our centralized application service. We accept applications from July to June for admission to the class that starts in August.

STEP 3 - Interview with LLUSP

All qualified applicants are interviewed by faculty members on-campus or via Zoom.

STEP 4 - Begin the PharmD program

Once accepted into our PharmD program you'll be on your way to 100+ Pharmacy Career Pathways.

WHILE IN PHARMACY SCHOOL

STEP 5 - Work as a Pharmacy Intern

Most students work as pharmacy interns during pharmacy school. Student pharmacists receive their pharmacy intern licenses from the California State Board of Pharmacy upon enrollment in the PharmD program.

AFTER YOU GRADUATE

STEP 6 - Obtain a License to Practice

In order to practice, most pharmacists must pass two board exams: