Essential Information
The two schools offering pharmacy degrees in Arizona are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education. Studies are offered as Ph.D. or Doctor of Pharmacy programs. Dual Ph.D. and Doctor of Pharmacy programs are also available, as well as combined doctoral and master's degree programs in a relevant field, such as public health.
Prospective pharmacists do not need to have a bachelor's degree in order to enter a graduate pharmacy degree program; however, they are required to have completed approximately two years of prerequisite coursework, including biology, chemistry, physics, calculus and anatomy. Admission to a pharmacy program is competitive, and students may need to satisfy additional prerequisites. Applicants to pharmacy school must pass a criminal background check and be fingerprinted.
Midwestern University - Glendale
Located in Glendale, Midwestern University offers a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree program that can be completed in three years following two years of study at a different college. After completion of the prerequisite requirements at another college, students can begin this accelerated three-year program that requires them to attend classes year-round. Students also participate in a minimum of eight experiential rotations in institutional and community pharmacy settings. Some of the courses students can expect to take include human physiology, pharmaceutics, healthcare systems and pharmacy practice.
University of Arizona
University of Arizona's College of Pharmacy can be found at two campuses, which are located in Tucson and Phoenix. The school offers a pre-pharmacy undergraduate program that fulfills the science and general education requirements for entry into the PharmD program. The PharmD program accepts 100 students each fall. This four-year program covers pharmaceutical concepts and includes pharmacy rotations. The university also offers several dual-degree programs, including a PharmD/PhD with programs in pharmacology and toxicology, drug discovery and development, clinical research, pharmaceutics or pharmaceutical economics, policy and outcomes. Other dual-degree programs include a Doctor of Pharmacy and Master of Business Administration or Doctor of Pharmacy and Master of Public Health.
Career Requirements
Arizona requires pharmacists to be licensed. Licensing requirements include providing final transcripts from an approved college of pharmacy and passing the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX) and the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination (MPJE). Criminal history requirements and fingerprinting also apply to pharmacists. The programs at both schools provide students with the necessary education to become licensed, which is set by the Arizona State Board of Pharmacy.
School Comparison: At a Glance
| School Name | School Type and Setting | Pharmacy Degrees Offered | Graduate Tuition & Fees (2018-2019) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Midwestern University - Glendale | Four-year; private, not-for-profit; large suburb | Doctor of Pharmacy | $45,812* |
| University of Arizona | Four-year; public; large city | Doctor of Pharmacy, Doctor of Pharmacy/PhD in Pharmacology and Toxicology, Doctor of Pharmacy/PhD in Drug Discovery and Development, Doctor of Pharmacy/PhD in Clinical Research, Doctor of Pharmacy/PhD in Pharmaceutics, Doctor of Pharmacy/PhD in Pharmaceutical Economics, Policy and Outcomes, Doctor Of Pharmacy/Master of Business Administration, Doctor Of Pharmacy/Master of Public Health |
$13,044 in-state; $33,393 out-of-state* |
Source: *National Center for Education Statistics.
