California is the largest state in the United States with nearly 39 million residents. In order to meet the health needs of this huge population pharmacists are in constant need.
In 2020, there were forecasted as being 32,520 pharmacists employed in the state earning an average annual income of $146,070.
To become a licensed pharmacist you have to successfully complete a Doctor of Pharmacy program from any of the accredited institutions within the state.
To assist you in narrowing down on the top pharmacy schools that we recommend, we have ranked ACPE recognized pharmacy colleges in CA in accordance with their performance in NAPLEX (North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination).
Best School of Pharmacy in California
Below is the list of the best school of pharmacy in California:
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Now let’s take an in-depth analysis into each school as well as frequently asked questions and answers about each school.
#1. University of California San Diego
- Rating Scoring: 99.69%
- Location: La Jolla
- Program Length: 4 Years
- Current Naplex Score: 100%
The College’s mission: The University of California, San Diego’s Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences is well-known for its research-oriented approach.
About 60% of the students that enroll in the course each year will continue to pursue the postgraduate degree.
Program Details: The deadline for applying is November 1st for the autumn semester of the following year. Those who show promise will be invited to an interview on site in December.
The fall semester begins the latter part of August. Alongside teaching traditional courses in pharmacology, the 4-year Pharm D curriculum emphasizes interdisciplinarity collaborations with the university’s medical school as well as other health science colleges on the campus.
It also focuses on the newest areas within the industry like pharmacogenomics, bioinformatics, and computational biology.
In the third year of their studies students are involved in clinical internships in community clinics, hospitals and research institutes located in San Diego and the surrounding region.
Frequently asked questions and answers about University of California San Diego
What is the best time to Apply To Uc San Diego?
UC San Diego enrolls for the fall term only. Applying using this UC application, fill out the year prior to when you intend to register. The UC Application begins on August 1st and applications can be submitted from between November 1 and 30. Examine your First Year Student Application timeline to get more information.
CAN I GET INTO UC SAN DIEGO?
UC San Diego is a highly competitive university. Admissions applicants always meet the minimum requirements to be admitted. Find out more about the average student profile for the First Year Admissions Students.
What are the majors offered at the UC San DIEGO?
We have more than 140 undergraduate majors across the majority of subjects you can think of. Take a look at our undergraduate majors to choose the one that is right for you.
Do I have the right to apply to UC SAN DIEGO WITHOUT DECLARING A MAJOR?
First-year students can receive admission to UC San Diego as undeclared. The transfer students have to be accepted into a specific major and can not be admitted without a major.
Students who transfer to select majors can visit their Transfer Major Preparation page for details on the coursework required in order to be considered for admission into the major.
If you need assistance selecting a major, talk with an academic advisor to help you select the appropriate major to suit your desires.
#2. University of California San Francisco
- Ranking Score: 96.89%
- Location: San Francisco
- Program Length: 3 Years
- Current Naplex Score: 100%
About the College: This School of Pharmacy at University of California San Francisco is one of the most competitive colleges for pharmacy in California. U.S.
News & World Report regularly puts this pharmacy program in its top ten nationally. In 2018, the school changed to a three-year program. Out of the 500 students who apply to the school, slightly more than 20 percent are accepted.
Program Details: The deadline for applications is November 1st for the fall semester which commences in the late part of August.
The school has an open waiting list. The curriculum emphasizes hands-on learning and applied methods of patient care to ensure students can have a solid understanding of fundamental science.
Year 1 is focused on the respiratory, cardiovascular kidney and gastrointestinal systems and Year 2 is focused on in psychiatry, infectious diseases, and oncology.
At the close of Year 2 students are given the option of choosing their or his personal Discovery Project, which is an opportunity to conduct research within a specific area of individual interest.
3. Western University of Health Sciences
- Ranking Score: 95.42%
- Location: Pomona
- Program Length: 4 Years
- Current Naplex Score: 95.50%
About the College: The Pharm.D. professions program of Western University of Health Sciences prepares pharmacists to be able to work alongside other professionals in the rapidly changing health care market.
The program offers a wide range of clinical experience as well as students have had rotations in a variety of settings that are not the southern part of California such as Hawaii, Illinois, New York, Arizona, Utah and Thailand.
Information about the program: Although the clinical experience begins early, by a rotating through the community pharmacy or hospital pharmacy, the majority of the second and first years are dedicated towards “block learning,” during the students are immersed in the intense research of a particular subject.
The intensive clinical rotations start at the end of the third semester. Western University uses 350 sites including private hospitals, county hospital, VA centers and hospitals for children.
The program also offers hands-on training possibilities in pharmacy compounding, as well with chain drug stores as well as independent pharmacies.
Frequently asked questions and answers about the Western University of Health Sciences
Do I have to hold a bachelor’s degree in order to be eligible?
No. But a bachelor’s degree of a region-wide accredited college or university or an institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education is highly recommended. The decision will be made on a case-by-case basis candidates with an advanced professional degree providing you’ve completed at minimum 90 hours of undergraduate study of an accredited regionally accredited college or university, or a school or university recognized as such by U.S. Department of Education thirty units should be upper division courses; i.e., junior or senior-level courses.
Do I need any classes that are prerequisite to my the application?
No. There are no currently required preparatory courses for the MSHS program.
Will I have an exam called the GRE (Graduate Record Examination) in order to be eligible?
The GRE is no any longer a requirement for applying.
Would you need an absolute minimum grade point average (GPA) in order to be eligible?
Yes. You must have attained an average of 2.7 points in the undergraduate grade and at least a 3.0 points per graduate.
Will I need to go through an interview in order to be accepted to the program?
Yes, there’s a an online interview available to all applicants who are eligible. The interviewer will inform you whether you’ve been accepted.
#4. University of the Pacific
- Ranking Score: 95.27%
- Location: Stockton
- Program Length: 3 Years
- Current Naplex Score: 94.20
About the College: The Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences at the University of Pacific offers three specificizations in the field of pharmacy that include: Pharmacy Practice which helps students become pharmacists in the community; Pharmaceutics and Medicinal Chemistry which prepares students for jobs in the pharmaceutical sector; as well as Physiology and Pharmacology, which helps students get ready for academic careers.
Program Details: The Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy was the first professional pharmacy school within the U.S. to offer an acceleration program for three years.
The deadline for applications is September 4, if you wish to be considered early admission. Otherwise the deadline is seven days before the start of the academic year that begins in the fall following.
Students begin to develop the skills needed to care for patients within their first semester. Clinical rotations are conducted in medical centers or teaching hospitals as well as other practice areas across Stockton and the rest of San Joaquin Valley.
Frequently asked questions and answers about University of the Pacific
Why should I attend University of the Pacific?
Pacific is for people who are looking for a personal connection. Pacific is a small, closely connected community that is thriving in its multicultural diversity.
It is the perfect school for those looking for an intimate environment and still be able to access many options and programs that are typically found at the larger universities.
What is the cost of University of the Pacific tuition?
51,094 USD (2019 – 20)
Is UOP costly?
The tuition and fees for 2021 associated with University of the Pacific (UOP) is $51,094 for their students. Their 2020 graduate tuition and costs are 49,374. … Following receiving assistance for financial need, the total cost is $38,155, which includes the cost of tuition, fees and supplies, as well as books and living expenses.
What is the University of the Pacific best recognized for?
Pacific is well-known for its high-quality health sciences, which includes the three-year dentistry degree at Pacific’s Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry located on its San Francisco Campus, which also offers graduate degrees in music therapy, audiology and data science.
#5. University of Southern California
- Ranking Score: 95.14%
- Location: Los Angeles
- Program Length: 4 Years
- Current Naplex Score: 93.30%
The College’s mission: University of Southern California School of Pharmacy offers many possibilities for students who want to become professionals in the area of pharmacology.
The school offers a range of degree programs which allow students to participate in an Pharm.D. course in CA and then pursue an MBA or an MPH, J.D. or an MPH in the same program.
Program Description: To earn the four-year degree in pharmacology students are required to complete 133 hours of academic coursework that have an average grade of 2.5 or greater and engage in at least 1,740 hours of professional experiences.
The hospitals that sponsor the program and community clinics typically require criminal background check and an examination for drugs.
University of Southern California requires all students to get an internship license from the California State Board of Pharmacy at the start of their first year .
They are also required to keep their licensure throughout their time in the School of Pharmacy.
Frequently asked questions and answers about University of Southern California
When will I be able to see my scores?
The school publishes grades on OASIS after faculty members themselves submit the grades
I’m a graduate student. Do I have the option of taking any course with a Pass or No Pass?
Graduate students must complete any degree-related courses to earn Letter grade
I am a student sponsored by a sponsor. What do I need to show that my employer has proof of my course’s completion in order to get paid?
USC does not send automatically grade reports that are printed. Students are able to print copies of their complete course summary page from OASIS. The summary of your Completed Course includes your name, the dates of all your classes, and your grades at USC
Can I attend any class with a Pass or No Pass grade?
WRIT 150 or WRIT 340 won’t meet undergraduate requirements for writing if it is they are taken on the”Pass/No Pass (P/NP) base. The use of Pass/No Pass courses to satisfy essential requirements must be authorized with a written statement from the department responsible for academics. Coursework that is required to fulfill a minor is not permitted on a P/NP basis.
