Pharmacy has consistently dealt with making people see how wrong it is to engage in self-medication and drug abuse. They educate you on how best you can handle drugs to better the lives of the people they are administered to.
Although it is a competitive career path, you can outshine your counterparts if you do your best to attend one of the best pharmacy schools in Alabama.
In addition to the schools, we will list the requirements and the cost of tuition for attending the schools. Ensure you make the most out of this piece of information.
Currently, the value of the pharmaceutical market is worth $300 million, and it has continued to grow in research, job creation, and development.
The table of contents below will give a comprehensive highlight on the topics discussed.
Table of contents
Why Study Pharmacy In Alabama?
Apart from being sure of having a stable job and direct access to patients, there are many more reasons why you should study pharmacy.
Most states in the US, especially Alabama, has continually experienced an increase in the number of drugs available in the market. Because of this, you can be part of the revolution to help patients make better decisions on which drug best suits their ailments.
Also, due to the advent of the Pharm. D. degree for all pharmacists, it has further provided a wide spectrum of choice where you can practice as a pharmacist.
Additionally, according to the U.S Census Bureau, 1 in 5 Americans will be known to be aged by the year 2050.
Therefore, your position as a pharmacist will play a major role in helping the older patients go through the process and educating them on how best not to be entangled in drug abuse.
Salary And Job Outlook For A Pharmacist In Alabama
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics states that the starting salary for an Alabama based pharmacist is $85,610 going on to $122,200, with a lot of factors affecting it.
Those factors include additional skills, years of experience, level of education, and certifications.
Compared to other states in the US, Alabama has a low employment growth rate, as the job outlook for pharmacists has been projected to be at 2.78% through 2026.
There is an estimated 250 job openings as new and replacement positions for various work environments throughout Alabama.
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What Are The Requirements To Study Pharmacy In Alabama?
If you intend to attend any of the Pharmacy schools in Alabama, there are some basic requirements that you must meet up before you can be considered for admission.
Although the requirements may differ according to the school, you are advised to go through the school’s website and acquaint yourself with what they require of you.
See the list of the basic requirements.
- 2-3 Letters of recommendation
- PCAT scores
- An overall GPA score of 3.0 or even higher
- An interview with the pharmaceutical department.
What is the PCAT?
PCAT stands for Pharmacy College Admission Test. It is a standardized exam compulsory for pharmacy schools in the USA. The exam typically consists of 240 multiple choice items and two writing topics in general academic ability and scientific knowledge.
Note that students are to take the PCAT about one calendar year before their intended matriculation date to professional school. In addition, a score is valid for three years.
Lastly, the PCAT score of 40% is not seen as very good for getting an addition, but a score of 60% is favorable.
There are Pharmacy schools in USA that do not require PCAT. Check them out.
Is there a Minimum GPA for Alabama Pharmacy Schools?
Yes, there is a minimum GPA requirement for pharmacy schools in Alabama, and they vary from program to program. However, most programs have a minimum 3.0 GPA, but competitive GPA’s are closer to a 3.3 GPA.
What is the Acceptance Rate of Pharmacy Schools in Alabama?
Taking a cue from the two accredited pharmacy schools in Alabama, the general acceptance rate is 24%. This shows that the course is highly contended for, and if your application is not submitted early and backed up with good grades, you are most likely to get rejected.
What is the Tuition of Alabama Pharmacy Schools?
The tuition of pharmacy schools in Alabama is not very expensive compared to other states. Samford University charges $39,099 for all full-time students, and Auburn University costs $10,080 and #30,420 for in-state and out-of-state students, respectively.
These figures are in exclusion of pharmacy professional fees and other costs. It is solely the tuition fees.
Best Pharmacy Schools In Alabama
There are just two pharmacy schools that are accredited in Alabama state.
Therefore, the following are the ranking factors we have used as a yardstick to classify them as the best pharmacy schools in Alabama.
Ranking Factors
We will use these items to rank the Pharmacy schools in Alabama, as mentioned above.
1. Accreditation
For a school to make it to the list of the best schools in a particular state, it has to have the necessary recognition and from the responsible body known to handle the accreditation.
2. Number of Programs
The following schools are ranked according to the number of programs they offer their students.
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3. Acceptance Rate
These best pharmacy schools have a stipulated number of students they can accept in each academic session.
This is to show how competitive the rush for them can be and further urge the intending candidates to do more than they have already put in place to ensure they are considered for admission.
Now, the best Pharmacy Schools in Alabama are as follows:
#1. Samford University
This American pharmacy school located in Birmingham, Alabama, offers a four-year Doctor of Pharmacy degree to the student pharmacists.
This pharmacy school has an acceptance rate of 25% as it usually accepts about 125 students out of the pool of 500 students who apply to the school.
Therefore, you need no seer to tell you that admission into this pharmacy school is very competitive as all applications are considered based on merit.
Also, the employability rate of Samford University is very high, at 93% of the graduate pharmacists get gainfully employed within six months of graduating from the institution.
The core aim of this pharmacy school is to ensure that students are equipped in a special way to contribute their quota to taking care of others through the pharmaceutical profession.
This Pharm. D program is duly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE).
It is, however important to note that application to this school of pharmacy is submitted through the PharmCAS system.
Admission Requirements
To be amongst those considered for admission into this Pharm. D program, you must have to meet the following requirements.
- Complete 28 semester hours of basic science
- Finish between 64 and 67 college semester hours
- Complete all prerequisite courses, including Psychology/Sociology, General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Calculus I, Human Anatomy, Microbiology, and US American History.
- An overall GPA of 2.0 in maths is highly considerable.
Cost of Tuition
The cost of tuition at this Alabama pharmacy school is represented as shown in the table below.
| Charge | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition, annual (all full-time students) | $39,099 |
| Less than 10 credits, more than 21 credits (per credit) | $1,588 |
| Tuition deposit (nonrefundable) | $500 |
| Pharmacy program fee (per semester) | $450 |
| Summer study abroad tuition (per credit, elective) | $500 |
| Optional study abroad opportunities (mission service trips/courses) | Varies |
| University fee (per semester, fall and spring) | $320 |
#2. Auburn University
According to US News & World Report, this pharmacy school has gone beyond ranking as one of the best in the state of Alabama to ranking as one of the top 20 pharmacy schools in the US.
This institution offers pharmacists doctoral degrees in pharmacy (Pharm. D.) and pharmaceutical sciences (Ph.D.) alongside a master’s in pharmaceutical sciences.
Auburn University’s school of pharmacy, through its practice-ready curriculum, seeks to train students with the adequate skills, abilities, attitudes, and knowledge they need to remain successful in this profession.
This new curriculum is further characterized by active learning, critical thinking, integration, flexibility, innovation, and a professional learning environment.
The acceptance rate into this Alabama school of pharmacy is 24%. Additionally, this school’s pharmaceutical program is accredited by the ACPE too.
Admission Requirements
To be considered for admission, you must have a satisfactory GPA and a commendable Pharmacy College Admissions Test (PCAT) score.
Also, you may have to complete the pre-professional curricula in any of the College of Sciences and Mathematics with the biomedical sciences option. Or the College of Human Sciences (Nutrition Sciences Option).
The order in which your application is submitted is the order in which it is taken into consideration, as chances are also slim here. Therefore, submit your application early.
In the list of the admission requirements is a minimum of 2.5 CGPA on a 4.0 scale.
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Cost of Tuition
The tuition cost at this pharmacy school is also represented in the tables below.
| P1-P3 Years | In-State Rate | Out-of-State Rate |
|---|---|---|
| General Auburn University Tuition | $10,080 | $30,240 |
| Student Fees | $1,716 | $1,716 |
| Pharmacy Professional Fee | $10,566 | $10,566 |
| Total Tuition and Fees | $22,362 | $42,522 |
| P4 Year | In-State Rate | Out-of-State Rate |
|---|---|---|
| General Auburn University Tuition | $10,080 | $30,240 |
| Student Fees | $686 | $686 |
| Pharmacy Professional Fee | $10,566 | $10,566 |
| Total Tuition and Fees | $21,332 | $41,492 |
| Summer Term 2021 (Additional for P4s) | In-State Rate | Out-of-State Rate |
|---|---|---|
| General Auburn University Tuition | $5,040 | $15,120 |
| Student Fees | $343 | $343 |
| Total Tuition and Fees | $5,383 | $15,463 |
What Does It Take To Be A Licensed Pharmacist In Alabama?
To have the full right of practice as a pharmacist in Alabama, apply to the Alabama Board of Pharmacy.
Only when your eligibility has been confirmed can you proceed to register for the NAPLEX and MPJE.
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Conclusion
With standard coursework and rich histories, these Alabama pharmacy schools are dedicated to bringing out the best in you.
We, therefore, encourage you to make the most out of this wholesome opportunity and join the train of revolution by giving hope to the sick in Alabama and beyond.
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