Pharmacists play an important role in helping patients get well as quickly as possible. In North Carolina, there has been a rise in the use of prescription drugs because of an increase in the incidence of chronic and lifestyle diseases.
This has led to a growing demand for pharmacists in the pharmaceutical industry. So, to become a licensed pharmacist in North Carolina, you must complete your Doctor of Pharmacy program from any accredited pharmacy schools NC.
Stay with me to know more about these schools.
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are about 10,020 pharmacists in North Carolina drawing an average annual salary of $123,560.
To be among these practicing pharmacists in NC, all you need is a PharmD degree and a state Licence.
In this article, you will get to know more about the best pharmacist schools in North Carolina, the program requirements, and tuition. You also get to know how to get licensed as a pharmacist in NC.
Here is a table of what to expect:
Table of contents
- Who is Pharmacist?
- Why Study Pharmacy in North Carolina?
- How to Become a Pharmacist in North Carolina
- How Long does it Take to Complete a Pharmacy Degree Program in North Carolina?
- What are the Requirements for Pharmacy Schools in North Carolina?
- What are the Best Pharmacist Schools in North Carolina, NC?
- Licensure – Passing the NAPLEX and MPJE in North Carolina
- What Do Pharmacists in North Carolina Earn?
- Conclusion
- References
- AUTHOR’S RECOMMENDATION
Who is Pharmacist?
A pharmacist is a medication expert who uses his/her detailed knowledge of medicines to help patients get well. Pharmacists are health professionals who are involved in all forms of medicine delivery to patients.
Why Study Pharmacy in North Carolina?
If you want to make people feel better and want to work directly with them, then you should enrol for a pharmacy program.
The reason being that patients do best when pharmacists are part of their healthcare teams Pharmacists are the medication specialists; they improve medication adherence.
Another significant reason you should study pharmacy in North Carolina is that NC houses the best pharmacy school in the USA, the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill.
So, if you want to get certified by a top-notch pharmacist school, then North Carolina should be your study destination.
How to Become a Pharmacist in North Carolina
To become a pharmacist in North Carolina and the USA, fulfill the following:
- Complete Relevant Degree Programs
- Pass Licensure Requirements
- Complete Post-Doctoral Training
- Stay On Top Of Continuing Education
Read more on how to become a pharmacist HERE
How Long does it Take to Complete a Pharmacy Degree Program in North Carolina?
Completing your Doctor of Pharmacy takes about six to eight years of college study. However, completing a Pharm. D. Program takes only four years.
The additional two to four years are needed to complete the pre-pharmacy curriculum requirements, which you must do before you enroll for a PharmD Program.
What are the Requirements for Pharmacy Schools in North Carolina?
To get admitted to a pharmacy school in North Carolina, you must fulfill a set of requirements. Although these requirements differ among schools, the general requirements include:
- Transcripts
- TOEFL(For international students)
- Letter of Recommendation
- Minimum of 3.0 CGPA
- A credit score in Biology, Anatomy & Chemistry
What are the Best Pharmacist Schools in North Carolina, NC?
In North Carolina, only two schools offer accredited pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences programs. However, to effectively rank them, we use the following factors:
The ACPE must recognize and approve this North Carolina Pharmacy.
The Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), the national agency for the accreditation of professional degree programs in pharmacy and providers of continuing pharmacy education.
This shows the extent to which the school’s graduates perform in the North American Pharmacist Licensing Exam(NAPLEX).
This is self-explanatory. It refers to the number of accredited pharmacy programs the university offers at both the undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
This is all about how top-ranking websites see the university’s pharmacy program.
Here are the best universities where you can study accredited pharmacy programs in North Carolina:
- University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill
- Campbell University
- Wingate University
- High Point University Fred Wilson School of Pharmacy
#1 The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill – Eshelman School of Pharmacy
- Accreditation: ACPE
- NAPEX Pass Rate: 94.26%
- MPJE Pass Rate: 93.10%
- Number of Programs: 3
- Reputation: USNEWS – #1
- QS Ranking – 9th
Tuition (per semester): $11,193.50
Established in 1897, the University of North Carolina Eshelman School of Pharmacy is the only public school of pharmacy in North Carolina and one of the oldest in the nation.
The University of North Carolina Eshelman’s School of Pharmacy is currently ranked #1 in the country by the U.S. News World & Report. They are also ranked #9 in the best pharmacy schools in the world by the QS World University Rankings.
At the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, they are on a path of educational innovation, breaking barriers in research, and improving human health worldwide.
They believe they are in the business of taking care of people. So they come to work in their labs, pharmacies, classrooms, and offices every day striving to help people live longer, healthier lives.
Also, one of the school’s goal is to prepare and empower future healthcare leaders. In line with this, the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy offers four major programs. They include:
- PharmD Program (Doctor of Pharmacy)
- Master’s Program (MS in Pharmaceutical Sciences)
- Phd Program (PhD in pharmaceutical sciences)
With an 88% employability rate, UNC graduates work in the pharmaceutical industry, hospitals, clinics, labs, and pharmacies to optimize medication use for patients and improve patient outcomes.
#2 Campbell University College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences
Accreditation: ACPE
NAPEX Pass Rate: 88.34%
Number of Programs: 6
Reputation: USNEWS – #65
Tuition (per semester): $20,780
Campbell University’s College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (CPHS) is one of the best Pharmacy Schools in North Carolina. The school is currently ranked #65 in the best pharmacy program ranking in the USA by the USNEWS & World Reports and #2 in NC.
Campbell University’s PharmD degree is a four-year, full-time professional program designed to train the next generation of quality, compassionate health care providers and leaders. Their interdisciplinary focus ensures students are equipped with the knowledge and skills to be an integral member of a healthcare team.
In 2017, the program adopted a new curriculum that uses a “block” formula for classroom work. The academic coursework for the program now comprises total immersion in a few concentrated subject areas each semester.
In fact, this Pharm.D. program in NC emphasizes interprofessional education so that graduates will know how to function effectively as part of a healthcare team.
Aside from the PharmD Program (Doctor of Pharmacy), the Campbell University’s College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences offers five other major programs (1 pharmacy degree and 4 dual degree options). They include:
- Pre-Pharmacy Program
- PharmD/MS in Clinical Research Program
- PharmD/MS in Pharmaceutical Sciences Program
- PharmD/MBA Program
- PharmD/MS in Public Health
Using the report of the Class of 2024, Campbell University has a 97% graduation rate, a 30% residency/fellowship program rate, and a 67% employment rate.
#3 Wingate University
Accreditation: ACPE
NAPEX Pass Rate: 79.21%
Number of Programs: 2
Reputation: USNEWS – #90
Tuition: P1-P3 students: $35,400/year; P4 tuition: $35,919/year or $11,973/term (3 terms)
Wingate University School of Pharmacy is one of the best pharmacy schools in North Carolina. The school is currently ranked #90 in the best pharmacy program ranking in the USA by the USNEWS & World Reports and #3 in NC.
Wingate University School of Pharmacy is committed to training the next generation of pharmacy practitioners, leaders, and innovators. This is done through the pre-pharmacy, Doctor of Pharmacy, and PharmD/MBA dual degree programs.
The Doctor of Pharmacy Program (PharmD) is designed to produce graduates with complete pharmaceutical care skills, excellent interpersonal skills, outstanding moral character, strong problem-solving skills, and the ultimate professional commitment to the patient, community, and employer.
At Wingate University School of Pharmacy, students engage with highly qualified faculty members in innovative classes, problem-based learning groups, and labs in state-of-the-art facilities.
Furthermore, with over 2,150 hours of pharmacy practice experience in hospitals, community pharmacies, and medical clinics, employers call graduates here the most practice-ready pharmacists.
#4 High Point University Fred Wilson School of Pharmacy
Accreditation: ACPE
NAPEX Pass Rate: 79.2%
Number of Programs: 2
Reputation: —
Tuition: $42,890
The Fred Wilson School of Pharmacy at High Point University is one of the best pharmacist schools in North Carolina.
Its aim is to provide an extraordinary pharmacy education through integrating biomedical and clinical sciences that enables future pharmacists to excel in a dynamic healthcare environment as healthcare team members.
The educational model here focuses on the basic pharmaceutical knowledge and skills necessary to successfully make quality critical decisions combined with clinical training in various settings.
The Fred Wilson School of Pharmacy at High Point University, NC offers two major programs. They include:
- Pre-Pharmacy Program
- PharmD Program (Doctor of Pharmacy)
Licensure – Passing the NAPLEX and MPJE in North Carolina
Just like other states, a license is vital to practice pharmacy in the state of North Carolina. To become a licensed pharmacist in North Carolina you must first apply to the state board to gain your eligibility for the NAPLEX (North American Pharmacist Licensing Exam) and MPJE (Multi-State Pharmacy Jurisprudence Exam).
After the North Carolina Board of Pharmacy (NCBOP) confirms your eligibility, you can then register for both licensure exams on the NABP website.
To register, yo must pay a $100 non-refundable application fee. Then, submit a copy of the birth certificate and passport-style photo.
- Pass the NAPLEX.
- Pass the MPJE.
- Have 1500 internship hours (at least 1000 hours from community or hospital pharmacy).
- Earn a degree from an accredited College of Pharmacy.
- Have no criminal record.
- Be at least 18 years of age.
What Do Pharmacists in North Carolina Earn?
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the annual mean wage of pharmacists in North Carolina is $123,560.
From salary.com, the average Pharmacist salary in North Carolina is $130,625 but the range typically falls between $123,081 and $139,131.
Conclusion
Pharmacists are needed in all parts of the USA as they always demand them. However, to become a licensed pharmacist, you must complete your Doctor of Pharmacy program from an accredited pharmacy school.
The article above provides vital information on the best pharmacist schools in North Carolina. Carefully go through it for guidance.
I hope this helps you in your decision-making process.
Good Luck And Success!!!
References
- PharmacyTechnicianGuide – Pharmacy Schools in North Carolina
- BeAPharmacist – North Carolina Pharmacist License
- USBLS – Occupational Outlook Handbook For Pharmacists
- Best Pharmacy Schools in South Carolina SC
- Best Pharmacist Schools In Colorado
- 13 Pharmacy Schools In California
- Best Pharmacy Schools in Pennsylvania
- Best Pharmacy Schools in Ohio | Programs, Requirements, Cost, Job Outlook
- Pharmacy Schools in Florida | Best Schools, Requirements, Cost
- Best Pharmacy Schools in New York NY | Requirements, Cost, Programs
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