15 Best Pharmacy Schools & Colleges in California with PharmD Programs. Pharmacists are always in demand to take care of the healthcare needs of the population. The United States has the best pharmacy schools in the world and some of these pharmacy schools are found in California.

Pharmacist is a diverse and rewarding career, with lots of opportunities for patient care, scientific research, and innovation. It is one of the top-notch careers in healthcare that has played a very important role in the system. Below are the Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D) schools and programs.

List of ACPE Accredited Pharmacy Schools in California

California Northstate University College of Pharmacy.
Chapman University School of Pharmacy.
Keck Graduate Institute.
Loma Linda University School of Pharmacy
California Health Sciences University.
Marshall B. Ketchum University College of Pharmacy.
USC School of Pharmacy.
West Coast University School of Pharmacy
Western University of Health Sciences.
University of the Pacific Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.
Touro School of Pharmacy
UCSD Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.
UCSF School of Pharmacy.

Here are the best pharmacy schools in the US

University of Michigan–Ann Arbor.
University of Minnesota.
University of Florida.
University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill.
University of California–San Francisco.
University of Kentucky.
Ohio State University.
Purdue University.

How Much is My Pharmacy Program Going to Cost?

The tuition cost of Doctor of Pharmacy programs in California usually ranges between $150,000 to $250,000. Tuition fees usually differ from school to school.

Best ACPE Accredited Pharmacy Programs and Schools in California

The schools here are ranked using the ACPE standard and parameters for accrediting pharmacy schools in CA. The ranking was according to their NAPLEX performance.

#1. Chapman University School of Pharmacy

A reputable school of pharmacy in the city of California is the Chapman University School of Pharmacy (CUSP). The school offer pharmacy at various levels; from the bachelor’s to masters and doctoral levels. The school trains student pharmacists and scientists who desire to make a difference in people’s lives by improving human health in local communities around the world.

#2. UCSF School of Pharmacy

USCF school of pharmacy is another prestigious school among the list of pharmacy schools in California. This School of Pharmacy, USCF, is a premier graduate-level academic organization that is out to improve health through precise therapeutics. Its success is due to its undaunted innovative research, educating PharmD health professionals and Ph.D. science students, and caring for the therapeutic needs of patients.

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#3. University of the Pacific Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.

The University of the Pacific Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences is one of the best pharmacy schools in California. The university offers more than 80 undergraduate areas of study in 11 schools and colleges, more than 30 graduate and professional programs and 12 accelerated programs.

#4. California Health Sciences University.

The California Health Sciences University (CHSU) is apparently the first university of its kind in the Central Valley. It is a private pharmacist school in California. CHSU is one of the best pharmacy schools in California where you can acquire your Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) Degree. You can also acquire a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) Degree.

#5. Loma Linda University School of Pharmacy

Loma Linda University School of Pharmacy is one of the pharmacy schools in California. As one of the best pharm schools in California, it offers students a full-time, four-year professional program leading to the PharmD degree. Their curriculum follows the best education practices and evaluation set by the American Council on Pharmaceutical Education.

#6. UCSD Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.

UC San Diego is one of the best pharmacy schools in California. It offers pre-eminent health sciences, professional education, and research opportunities. It is ranked among the top research-intensive universities in the whole of California.

#7. West Coast University School of Pharmacy

West Coast University School of Pharmacy is another pharmacy school in California you can attend. The doctor of Pharmacy program at West Coast University School of Pharmacy is committed to providing students with a learning environment that emphasizes patient-centered care, interprofessional education, and leadership development.

#8. Touro School of Pharmacy.

The College of Pharmacy at Touro California is another pharmacy school in California. This school stands out for its innovative 2+2 PharmD program. Two years of foundational knowledge are taught in the classroom and after which, another two full years of clinical experience follows.

#9. Marshall B. Ketchum University College of Pharmacy.

Marshall B. Ketchum University College of Pharmacy is among the best pharmacy schools in California worth going for. As solely a health professions university, MBKU is positioned perfectly to train expert pharmacists and clinicians. At MBKU, you will earn these five certifications from the American Pharmacists Association (APhA):

Pharmacy-Based Immunization Delivery.
The Pharmacist and Patient-Centered Diabetes Care.
Pharmacy-Based Travel Health Services.
Delivering Medication Therapy Management Services.
Pharmacy-Based Cardiovascular Disease Risk Management.

#10. USC School of Pharmacy.

The University of Southern California(USC or SC) is among the pharmacy schools in California and USC is a private research university in Los Angeles. USC also has graduate and professional students in a number of different programs, including business, law, engineering, social work, occupational therapy, pharmacy, and medicine.

#11. Keck Graduate Institute School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.

The KGI School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences is another accredited pharmacy school in California. The School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program has its accreditation from the official body of the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education. KGI School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences offers a four-year Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program which builds and develops innovative, collaborative, culturally competent, articulate, and caring pharmacists

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#12. University of California San Diego

University of California San Diego’s Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences is known for its emphasis on research. Nearly half of the 60 students who enter its program each fall will go on to pursue a post-graduate degree.

#13. University of California San Francisco.

The School of Pharmacy at University of California San Francisco is one of the most competitive pharmacy colleges in California. The curriculum emphasizes experiential learning as well as applied patient care skills so that students will have a strong foundation in scientific principles. Year 1 focuses on the cardiovascular, respiratory, renal and gastrointestinal systems while Year 2 focuses psychiatry, infectious diseases and oncology.

#14. University of the Pacific

The Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences at University of Pacific offers three specializations in the pharmacy field: Pharmacy Practice, which prepares students to work as pharmacists in communities; Pharmaceutics and Medicinal Chemistry, which prepares students for careers in the pharmaceutical industry; and Physiology and Pharmacology, which prepares students for academic careers.

#15. University of Southern California.

University of Southern California School of Pharmacy provides an enormous number of options for aspiring professionals within the field of pharmacology. The school offers a number of concurrent degree programs that allow students to enroll in a Pharm.D. program in CA and pursue an MBA, a J.D. or an MPH at the same time.

What Is the Coursework at Pharmacy Schools in California?

Course work usually varies from school to school. As a fresher in pharmacy school, you will definitely begin with foundational courses. You will be introduced and exposed to core basics in biomedical, pharmaceutical, social, administrative, and clinical sciences. Students along with the classroom learning, complete Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experiences (IPPE). The IPPE gives students an opportunity to apply the newly acquired knowledge in a variety of practice settings.

Towards the end of the third and the entire fourth year, students complete the Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences (APPEs), usually set in healthcare settings such as ambulatory care, acute medicine, community pharmaceutical care, and hospital.

What else Can I do after My Pharmacy school?

To become a licensed pharmacist in California you are required to pass both, the NAPLEX, administered by the NABP and the CPJE, developed by the California State Board of Pharmacy.

CPJE: To obtain a pharmacy license in California, you must send CPJE in addition to the obtained NAPLEX. Send your application to the state board and wait 30 days for them to process your request.
NAPLEX: This exam is taken by NABP. Before applying for NAPLEX, you must contact the California State Pharmacy Council if you are eligible for this exam.

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