The high school graduate is considering pharmacy as a career. What is

QUESTION

The high school graduate is considering pharmacy as a career. What is true of the level of education necessary for licensure as a pharmacist?

1. The pharmacist can enter practice as an intern pharmacist with an associate degree.
2. Once a person has achieved a baccalaureate degree, he or she is eligible to apply for pharmacy school.
3. The entry level education for a pharmacist is the Doctor of Pharmacy or PharmD.
4. A person wishing to be a pharmacist must earn a master’s degree in biologic science prior to beginning pharmacy school.

ANSWER:

Correct Answer: 3

A person who wishes to become a pharmacist must have at least 2 years of post-secondary education prior to applying for pharmacy school. A baccalaureate degree is not necessary, nor is a master’s degree. Once admitted to pharmacy school, the student must achieve a PharmD in order to take the licensure examination for pharmacy. There is no process by which a person with an associate degree can become a pharmacist through an internship.