Choosing a pharmacy school is a big decision. The right pharmacy school can help you build a strong foundation in pharmaceutical sciences while you explore career paths, gain hands-on experience, and prepare for life after graduation. From clinical learning and research opportunities to faculty support, community involvement, and preparation for residency, many factors can make a difference in your pharmacy school experience. Here are seven things to look for as you compare pharmacy schools, along with examples of how South University approaches each one, so that you can decide if our pharmacy school is right for you.
7 Things to Look for in a Pharmacy School
1. Exposure to different career types
A pharmacy career can look many different ways. While pharmacists often work in community or hospital settings, pharmacists may also pursue careers in ambulatory care, long-term care, managed care, the pharmaceutical industry, academia, research, public health, and more. A good pharmacy school exposes you to these different career possibilities. A pharmacy school should also help you understand how your interests and strengths can translate into a pharmacy career.
At South University, our Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program introduces you to a wide range of settings in which they may pursue their pharmacy careers. “Early on in your time here at South, you will be introduced to many, many different areas of pharmacy,” explains Mackenzi Meier, Associate Professor and Chair, at South University School of Pharmacy. “We have faculty in each and every one of those areas of pharmacy. In our smaller class sizes, you have access to those faculty members in order to get mentorship from them for them to help you get to wherever you want to be in pharmacy.”
2. Experiential, hands-on learning
Classroom learning is important for becoming a pharmacist, but putting that knowledge into practice is just as valuable. Hands-on experiences give you the chance to develop practical skills, interact with patients and other healthcare professionals, and see how pharmacists operate in real-world settings. When comparing pharmacy schools, look for a program with meaningful experiential learning and faculty and preceptors who prepare you to be confident applying what you’ve studied to working with patients.
The rigorous 3-year PharmD program at the South University School of Pharmacy includes approximately one year of hands-on clinical rotations. In these rotations, students are placed in pharmacy settings, where they can apply what they've learned in class with support and guidance from supervising licensed pharmacists.
3. Research opportunities
Research can help you develop valuable professional skills like problem solving, critical thinking, and evidence-based decision-making. It can also make you more competitive when it comes to finding a residency or starting your career. As you compare pharmacy schools, ask what types of research opportunities they can offer you.
At South University, our students have many opportunities to get involved in bench, clinical, and teaching and learning research. Often part of early drug development, bench research typically involves using special lab equipment to learn how drugs and the human body interact at a molecular level. Clinical research, in comparison, is what the majority of our faculty focus on. It involves studying the impact and effectiveness of existing drugs using real patient data. Our faculty also conduct research that explores the best ways to teach and learn pharmacy.
Our faculty encourage students to engage in research as early as possible and throughout their time in the PharmD program. Students also often have the chance to present their work at local and national conferences, which not only helps build their confidence but also offers an opportunity to network with the larger pharmacy community.
“My advice to students is, no matter where you see yourself, challenge yourself when you get to pharmacy school. Seek out those opportunities,” says Dr. Mackenzi Meier, Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice. “It really helps you be a better practitioner wherever you end up in pharmacy.”
4. Student support and attention
Pharmacy school can be challenging, so having supportive faculty and staff can make a huge difference. As you compare pharmacy schools, look for somewhere you’ll be able to build relationships with professors, ask questions, receive personalized guidance, and get the support you need to stay on track. Smaller class sizes, accessible faculty, academic resources, and opportunities for mentorship can all help you feel connected and supported as you work toward your PharmD degree. Look for a school where faculty and staff are invested in your success, and you’re more than just a name on a roster.
To learn about the type of student support you’ll find at South University, explore some of our alumni stories, including from Jomarie Ortiz Rivera and Genell O’Keefe.
5. Community involvement
Most students who choose pharmacy do so because they want to help others. If your pharmacy school is active in the community, you won’t have to wait until you graduate or even until your clinical rotations to start making a difference. Community involvement lets you practice your pharmacy skills and patient communication, while also helping address health disparities in the local community.
In our PharmD program, community outreach can include providing free blood pressure or blood sugar screenings, answering medication questions, educating community members, and even raising money to support community health programs. “South University emphasizes community outreach because it is central to our mission,” says Adegoke O Adeniji, Pharmacy Dean and Professor. “It gives our students the opportunity to apply the knowledge they've gained in class to solve real-world problems while also making a positive impact in the lives of individuals in the community.”
6. Faculty and student diversity
As a pharmacist, you’ll work with many different colleagues and patients. Their ages, ethnicities, education, life experiences, and even ways of thinking or problem-solving may vary widely from yours. Choosing a pharmacy school with diversity in its faculty and students can help you get comfortable working and communicating with people of various backgrounds and different cultural norms.
At South University, we are proud to attract a very diverse student body and faculty with people of many ages, races, ethnicities, and educational backgrounds. “What we stand for is a place where everybody is treated with respect, with dignity, and with love,” says Adeniji.
7. Residency preparation and support
If you’re thinking about a career that may benefit from postgraduate training, look for a pharmacy school that will help you prepare for a residency. A pharmacy residency allows licensed pharmacists to build on their pharmacy school education through advanced clinical experiences, research, and greater responsibility in patient care. Securing a residency can be competitive, and support from faculty and mentors can be especially valuable.
At South University, students interested in residency may turn to faculty for guidance throughout the process, including how to find residencies, develop a strong application, and prepare for interviews. This support is meant to help you approach residency with greater confidence and a clearer understanding of what to expect.
“I asked the faculty that were interviewing me, when I came to pharmacy school, what could they do to help set me up for success on that journey. They really let me know that they would be there every step of the way,” says Sarah Lopez, a Pharmacy Assistant Professor and South University, Savannah 2020 PharmD graduate. “They really stayed true to their word. I had faculty I could reach out to. They shared their experiences. They gave me great honest feedback on documents I would produce. It was really beneficial.”
How to Find the Right Pharmacy School for You
Choosing a pharmacy school is about more than earning your Doctor of Pharmacy degree. It’s about finding a program that will help you explore your interests, develop practical skills, build meaningful relationships with faculty and peers, and prepare for the career you want. As you compare pharmacy schools, decide which opportunities and support systems matter most to you and how each program can help you reach your professional goals.
At South University, our School of Pharmacy combines a rigorous PharmD curriculum with hands-on clinical experiences, research opportunities, faculty mentorship, and community engagement to help you prepare for your pharmacy career.
Explore South University’s Doctor of Pharmacy program or request information to learn more about how we can prepare you for a rewarding future in pharmacy.
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Programs, including all Clinical/Medical programs, have a required in-person, practicum, or externship. We cannot guarantee flexibility in these components of the program.
*Graduates are required to pass the national certification exam and obtain a state license in order to work in the field. (Exam names vary by program.) Please refer to the State Professional Licensure Determination and National Certification/Licensure section of the University catalog for additional information. South University cannot guarantee each graduate will pass the required licensure examinations. South University does not promise or guarantee licensure, employment or salary amounts.
Testimonials have been provided by students/alumni in their own words and without coercion.
