Pharmacy

Studying pharmacy at Drake won’t just help you get a job. It will give you the skills and the practical experiences you need to become an entrepreneur and a leader in the profession.

Learn to lead

As a student in Drake's Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program you’ll gain knowledge and experience needed for a successful career within pharmacy, including community pharmacy practice, institutional pharmacy practice, postgraduate education, and many other opportunities. 

Our program places a distinct emphasis on developing entrepreneurial leaders committed to advancing the pharmacy profession. Through a curriculum rich with high-impact teaching practices, you will become a capable communicator, problem solver, and decision maker with competence in professional, team-based, patient-centered care, health promotion, practice management, and advocacy. Nationally recognized student organizations and professional fraternities provide avenues for professional development and leadership.

Getting started

You can enter Drake’s PharmD program via the pre-pharmacy program, called the Drake PharmD Connection. In this six-year program, you’ll spend your first two years at Drake completing the necessary math, science, and liberal arts coursework for successful admission into the professional PharmD program. Once you begin the professional program, you’ll spend four years completing doctorate level courses in pharmacy. You may enter the pre-pharmacy program directly from high school or as a transfer student. You can also enter directly into the professional PharmD program through a separate admission process, outlined on the PharmD website.

Put your knowledge to work

You’ll begin your experiential education with job shadowing and career exploration in their first two years through the pre-pharmacy program. Once admitted to the professional program, you’ll complete internships and rotations in a variety of settings including community pharmacy, clinical pharmacy, health systems, long-term care, drug information systems, public health, specialized care, and many other areas of pharmacy.

Of course, you’ll benefit from the experiences that all Drake Bulldogs enjoy—mentorship from professors at the top of their field; résumé-worthy internships, research experiences, and other professional preparation; opportunities to learn while serving the community; and January Term experiences that immerse you into the fascinating topics—and locations—you choose.

Opportunities abound

As a student, you’ll choose from a wide range of curricular options that allow you great latitude in directing your professional careers. Many graduates continue into practices in community-based, clinical, health systems; long-term care; and other specialty areas, but a significant number continue to post-graduate opportunities such as law school, residencies, and fellowship training. Whichever path you choose, as a Drake graduate, you will be recognized for your commitment to advancing your practice, supporting your community, and advocating for your patients and profession.

Learn more:

Looking for your admission counselor? Visit the Admission office to find a counselor or schedule a campus visit. For all other questions about Pharmacy at Drake University, please reach out to the contact below.

Pharmacy Website | College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences

Jessica Lang, MAT
Director of Enrollment Services
515-271-3018
jessica.lang@drake.edu 
 

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