In this article, we take a look at the best pharmacy schools in Texas, entry requirements for pharmacy schools in Texas and finally answer some frequently asked questions concerning the best pharmacy schools in Texas.
With chances for patient care, scientific research, and innovation, working as a pharmacist may be a satisfying job. You can help patients control their health through the use of pharmaceuticals in this line of work. However to become one, you need to get a degree. These are the best pharmacy schools for you to consider when applying.
Job Outlook And Salary For Pharmacists In Texas
Compared to any other healthcare occupation, a pharmacist often earns a higher average annual pay.
In the state of Texas, a pharmacist makes an average salary of $125,470, according to the BLS.
Given that Texas is one of the states with the highest population in the country, the expanding need for healthcare further expands job prospects in the pharmaceutical sector for both pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. In Texas, you can earn up to $163,230 with years of experience and a starting salary of $83,160.
Pharmacist employment is expected to fall by 2% between 2020 and 2030.
Despite decreased employment, an average of 11,300 openings for pharmacists are expected each year over the next decade.
All of those positions are expected to be filled as a result of the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or leave the labor force for other reasons, such as retirement.
What Do Pharmacists Do & Where Do They Work?
Pharmacists are in charge of:
- The standard of medications given to patients.
- Making sure that the distribution of medicines complies with the law.
- Ensuring the patients’ prescription medications are appropriate.
- Providing patients with information on medications, including how to take them, possible side effects, and answers to their queries.
- Overseeing the pharmacy supply chain and making sure the facilities and equipment are suitable for the job.
- Encouraging other medical professionals to utilize medications in a safe and effective manner and to source medications in a secure and safe manner.
- Responding to patient symptoms and offering prescription medication advice.
- Offer patients services like blood pressure monitoring, cholesterol treatment, and smoking cessation.
- Prior to pharmaceutical manufacturers supplying medicines to patients, monitor the production, preparation, and quality evaluation of the medications.
Pharmacists are employed in a variety of settings. These consist of:
- Hospitals and neighborhood pharmacies (sometimes referred to as high street or retail pharmacies). Most pharmacists are employed by community and hospital pharmacies.
- Pharmaceutical industry production or sales.
- Prisons, primary healthcare facilities, research and teaching institutions at universities, the military, veterinary pharmacies, and pharmaceutical organizations.
How To Become A Pharmacist In Texas
You must fulfill the following requirements in order to be qualified to practice as a licensed pharmacist in the state of Texas:
- Age of at least eighteen;
- Possess AT LEAST ONE of the following:
- A Pharm.D. or Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from an institution with Board approval and ACPE accreditation;
OR
- If you’ve completed a pharmacy school program outside the US, you’ll need full certification from the Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Equivalency Committee (FPGEC).
- Completed the minimal amount of time (1,740 hours) necessary to be accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE)
- Taken, with passing grades on BOTH the:
- North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX)
- Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination (MPJE)
The List of Best Pharmacy Schools In Texas
The pharmacy schools in Texas are not many. However, learning about each of these schools and their requirements will make it easier to decide on the best pharmacy school in Texas for you.
Texas A&M Health Science Center Rangel School of Pharmacy
The Texas A&M Irma Lerma Rangel School of Pharmacy started in 2006 to alleviate a pharmacist shortage in south Texas’ border region.
They have since built a remarkable, fully-accredited pharmacy program that prepares a diverse student body to be competent, compassionate, and ethical Aggie pharmacists through a well-balanced curriculum of instruction, research, and service.
They offer both a PhD and Doctor of Pharmacy degree at this institution.
Click here for more information.
Admission Requirements: To be considered for admission to the Rangel School of Pharmacy’s PharmD program, applicants must:
- Have a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or above as verified by PharmCAS.
- Complete all necessary courses by Summer Session I of the matriculation year.
- Earn a desired aggregate PCAT score of 40 or higher, as well as a recommended PCAT writing score of 3.0 or higher.
- Complete Online application
- Complete supplemental application
- Submit all official transcripts.
Tuition: click here to calculate your tuition.
Texas Southern University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
This institution is ranked #1 in Texas for producing black or African-American pharmacists, #3 in the United States for producing black or African-American pharmacists, and #1 in Houston for producing black or African-American pharmacists.
It received $3.25 million in scholarship money for underrepresented minority pharmacy students, $8,632,115 in NIH grant funds for a Center for Biomedical and Minority Health Research, and 100% of PHD students completed their dissertation work within 5 years of study.
It has 7 undergraduate programs, Master in healthcare administration, PhD in pharmaceutical services and a Doctor of pharmacy degree in its College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences.
Click here for more information.
Admission Requirements: to be considered for admission into the master’s program, ensure you fulfill the following criteria.
- Possess a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university.
- Have a CV
- Possess official transcripts
- 3 letters of recommendation
- Statement of purpose.
- GRE or GMAT scores.
Tuition: N/A
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Jerry H. Hodge School of Pharmacy
TTUHSC Jerry H. Hodge School of Pharmacy students receive more clinical training than students in almost every other pharmacy program in the country. The majority of required rotations are taught by skilled clinical staff who are inextricably linked to the program.
The volume and quality of clinical training prepares students to excel in comparison to others in the field. 100% of the Class of 2020 graduating students agreed that their advanced pharmacy practice experiences were of good quality.
TTUHSC Based on student achievement on important pharmacy examinations and training, the Jerry H. Hodge School of Pharmacy is ranked in the top 25% of PharmD schools in the country. They have the highest percentage of graduates who become board-certified specialists in the state.
The high caliber of the teachers and the low student/faculty ratio are two critical strengths of this program.
Click here for more information
Admission Requirements: click here to see the school’s requirements for admission.
Tuition: $14,742.00 for in-state students and $26,793 for out of state students.
University of Houston College of Pharmacy
To provide its students with the best education possible, the University of Houston College of Pharmacy combines the resources of the University of Houston, the state’s top urban teaching and research university, with the opportunities and experiences of the Texas Medical Center’s world-class healthcare community.
The UH College of Pharmacy strives to create a culture where students are encouraged to pursue lifelong learning and where they can acquire the knowledge, attitudes, and abilities required to meet the high standards of their profession and/or scientific discipline.
Click here for more information.
Admission Requirements: click here to see the requirements for their masters program, Doctor of pharmacy program, and PhD program.
University of the Incarnate Word Feik School of Pharmacy
In order to produce a new generation of highly skilled, compassionate, and culturally competent pharmacists and patient advocates who can serve communities throughout Texas and beyond, with a focus on underprivileged populations, the Feik School of Pharmacy was established in 2004.
Details of the Pharm D program
The doctor of pharmacy (Pharm D) program’s four-year integrated course of study entails the following:
- Pharmaceutical sciences for 37 hours
- 11 hours in pharmacy administration
- 106 hours of pharmacy practice and hands-on instruction
Click here for more information.
Admission Requirements: The PharmCAS website is where applicants to the Feik School of Pharmacy should start their application process.
PCAT submission is optional for applicants. PCAT scores must have been taken no more than two years prior to the application deadline.
It is extremely advised to have experience in the medical or pharmacy fields.
University of North Texas Health Science Center College of Pharmacy
Professionals from HSC College of Pharmacy take a team-based approach to patient care. By combining active learning with regular practice, they keep patients at the heart of their efforts in education, research, and treatment.
This curriculum develops future healthcare leaders while preparing students for the pharmaceutical field.
Click here for more information.
Admission Requirements: Before matriculation, finish the prerequisites:
- Bachelor’s degree
- Obtain a minimum overall GPA of 2.5 in the necessary courses.
- The Doctor of Pharmacy program does not require the PCAT.
- Obtain three recommendation letters.
- Visit www.pharmcas.org to submit an application for admission.
University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy
To improve patient care and health outcomes, Texas Pharmacy aspires to be the world’s top institution for cutting-edge, multidisciplinary teaching, research, and service. Highly regarded Pharm.D. and graduate programs, post-graduate residencies, postdoctoral training, and continuing education are all offered by the college.
They have received over $20 million in financing for their ground-breaking research, which is among the best in the country and is renowned internationally.
Click here for more information.
Admission Requirements: for admission and application details into the Pharm.D program, click here. For their masters and PhD programs, click here.
University of Texas at El Paso School of Pharmacy
The UTEP School of Pharmacy celebrated the graduation of its first student cohort in May 2021 and is eager to carry on training competent, bilingual pharmacists to serve the local community and beyond.
The UTEP School of Pharmacy is in a position to significantly help the Paso del Norte region address its health needs and issues.
Click here for more information.
Admission Requirements: please click here to see complete requirements for their program.
University of Texas at Tyler Fisch College of Pharmacy
The Doctor of Pharmacy curriculum is offered by the University of Texas at Tyler Ben and Maytee Fisch College of Pharmacy in an innovative, student-centered structure that will prepare you to become a superb pharmacist. The four-year Pharm.D. program at the University of Texas at Tyler necessitates at least two years of prerequisite study.
You will profit from a curriculum at UT Tyler that makes extensive use of team-based learning (TBL).
You will actively participate in your education under the direction of a faculty of subject matter experts who are committed to your success. W.T. Brookshire Hall, a superior facility created for interactive learning and simple access to teachers, is where pharmacy student classes are held.
Click here for more information.
Admission Requirements: The summer prior to the anticipated year of entry into the Pharm.D. program is when students can start the application process for the Fisch College of Pharmacy.
- Meet the minimal criteria for admission;
- Finish the PharmCAS registration;
- Use PharmCAS to submit three letters of recommendation;
- Send PharmCAS your certified transcripts;
- Submit the PharmCAS-included supplemental application.
Tuition: $25,006 per year.
FAQs
How long does it take to become a pharmacist in Texas?
The Pharm. D. is a four-year professional program that is cutting edge and innovative, providing all the knowledge and skills necessary in this constantly evolving industry.
Pre-professional coursework for the Doctor of Pharmacy degree must last at least two years and can be taken at any accredited college or university.
How much money do pharmacists make in Texas?
The average pharmacist pay in Texas is $125,470 per year.
How difficult is pharmacy school?
There is no denying that pharmacy school is challenging with subjects like pharmacology, pharmacotherapy, and pharmacokinetics being required. The American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy estimates that more than 10% of applicants to pharmacy school drop out before their graduation.
What is the difference between PharmD and pharmacist?
Despite similarities, the two programs are very different. A PhD program is designed for students who want to work in research, whereas a PharmD program is for those who want to become pharmacists. Students are prepared for jobs as pharmacists through PharmD programs.
How much does pharmacy school cost in Texas?
Pharmacy school tuition in Texas often runs from $23,596 on the low end to $150,000 on the high end.
What qualifications do you need for pharmacy?
You must earn a Master of Pharmacy (MPharm) degree from an accredited university as well as a one-year pre-registration training program in pharmacy before you may become a pharmacist.
You will require two or three A-levels, or the equivalent, including Chemistry, to be admitted to the MPharm program.
What pharmacy school has the highest acceptance rate?
The pharmacy program at the University of Kentucky has a 96 percent acceptance rate, which is extraordinarily high.
What degree do you need to become a pharmacist in Texas?
A person needs to graduate from a four-year pharmacy program with a Pharm. D., or Doctor of Pharmacy, in order to become a pharmacist.
Is Texas A&M a good pharmacy school?
The Texas A&M Rangel College of Pharmacy is fully accredited by the ACPE and is ranked highly by U.S. News and World Report, so even though their tuition and fees are low, the quality of their program is high.
How long does it take to be a pharmacist?
Accredited pharmacy degree programs last four years, though there are a few sandwich programs that are five years long and include a year of work experience. The course blends theoretical study with the development of practical skills.