With a Pharm.D. degree, you'll have the credentials to become a pharmacist. Doctorates inspire confidence from employers and those who rely on your guidance.
Discover the best and cheapest online pharmacy schools of 2024. Research and compare programs as you seek an affordable and rewarding learning opportunity.
Popular Online Pharmacy Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Most Affordable Online Doctorate In Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) Programs
What Kind of Doctorate in Pharmacy Should You Get?
A doctor of pharmacy degree differs from a doctor of pharmacology degree. Future practicing licensed pharmacists who work directly with patients earn a doctorate in pharmacy. Pharmacologists who wish to work in academia, testing, and research earn a doctorate in pharmacology.
An online Pharm.D. program allows students to continue working in the daytime and take classes at night or on the weekends. Online courses often follow an asynchronous format, meaning students do not need to meet at scheduled times. However, due to the clinical nature of the field, students may need to participate in some in-person lab classes or clinical rotations. They may also need to visit campus or a local facility.
How Much Does a Doctor of Pharmacy Make?
$79,950 Annual Salary for the Lowest 10% of Earners
$132,750Median Annual Salary
$164,230 Annual Salary for the Highest 10% of Earners
Source: BLS
Pharmacists directly impact the health of others and have a high earning potential. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), pharmacists earn a median annual salary of $132,750. The top 10% of earners make a median $164,230 salary annually.
Those working in outpatient care centers make the most, with a mean salary of $155,770 annually. Alaska, California, Oregon, Washington, and Minnesota pay pharmacists the most compared to other states.
What Can You Do With an Online Doctor of Pharmacy?
Graduates of online doctor of pharmacy degrees often pursue careers as pharmacists. They may be eligible for higher positions within their workplace after getting experience as a pharmacist. Other responsibilities for pharmacists include managing, hiring, or training employees.
Pharmacists can also pursue other positions:
Pharmacy school program developer
Pharmacoeconomics professional
Hospital pharmacist
Government worker (i.e., Food and Drug Administration)
Pharmacist Licensure and Certification
After graduation, aspiring pharmacists must obtain state licensure before they can independently practice. Pharmacists may also earn certifications to show expertise in a specific area, such as nutrition or diabetes.
What Are the Requirements for an Online Doctor of Pharmacy?
Online Pharm.D. programs typically take about four years to complete. The first 2-3 years typically include academic coursework. Some programs are fully online, while others require limited campus residencies.
Academic coursework typically covers pharmaceutical biochemistry, dosage forms and calculations, and drug absorption and metabolism. You'll also study pharmacy practice and integrated pharmacology.
You can apply and build your knowledge through practical training as you approach graduation. Fieldwork and clinical residencies may occur in several settings:
Hospitals or healthcare systems
Managed long-term or hospice care clinics
Retail pharmacies
Some programs also include advanced research projects, doctoral dissertations, or capstones among their graduation requirements.
After earning your degree, you'll have extensive clinical knowledge to pursue careers in patient care, drug research and development, or academia.
