Pharmacy School and Public Health
Considering a career path as a pharmacist? Undergraduate degrees at the UIC School of Public Health gives you the flexibility to complete all pre-pharmacy course requirements and prepares you with a broad background in the health needs of individuals and communities that can set you apart as a pharmacy school applicant.
Why public health on your journey to a career as a pharmacist? The role of the pharmacist is changing; no longer are pharmacists simply dispensing medication. Unlike seeing a doctor, no appointment is necessary at most community pharmacies, meaning pharmacists are uniquely positioned in the community to provide public health services, in some cases 24 hours per day. Pharmacists are leading health screenings for diabetes, cholesterol and osteoporosis, providing information on self-care for hypertension, asthma and HIV, working with people seeking to quit smoking, offering advice on drug use prevention and providing counseling and health education. Pharmacists with an understanding of the health needs of particular neighborhoods and communities are uniquely positioned to make a difference in achieving health equity and well-being for those they serve.
If serving people in your community as a pharmacist is where you're headed, studying public health is a great way to start.