We invite you to join us as we continue our series on pharmacy school education and explore what’s involved in becoming a pharmacist.
Written by Katelin Rockey, Pharm.D. Candidate, University of Florida College of Pharmacy
While pharmacy schools vary in their curriculum structures, I will be focusing on the structure of the University of Florida Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program, as I am currently enrolled in this program. To become a licensed pharmacist, you must earn your PharmD degree, which is now a requirement for taking the licensing exams. These PharmD programs span four years, with each year dedicated to a different area of education. In this post, I will discuss what the first year of pharmacy school entails.
Entering pharmacy school is the start of an exciting journey. In their first year, students receive their “pharmacy intern” license, which allows them to gain the necessary skills to become a pharmacist. This license is crucial for their clinical rotation in the summer following their first year, which I will cover later in this article. The first-year curriculum includes foundational courses essential for the rest of the program, such as evaluating research quality, pharmacy law, and clinical classes like pathophysiology and patient assessment. At the University of Florida, the first year focuses primarily on community pharmacy and the skills needed for that career path.
After completing their first academic year, students embark on their first clinical rotation at a community pharmacy site. During this four-week rotation, student pharmacists practice their skills under the direct supervision of their assigned preceptor. They engage in activities such as counseling patients on new prescriptions, administering vaccinations, and potentially compounding medications if the site is a compounding pharmacy. Overall, the first year of pharmacy school is a period of significant professional and personal growth, instilling confidence and preparing students for the challenges and opportunities of their second year.
