Aspiring pharmacists do not go to medical school, although they do go to a specialized school after completing required college coursework. After earning sufficient college credits, future pharmacists need to attend an accredited pharmacy program and complete coursework and supervised internships to earn a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD). After graduation, candidates must typically pass two exams to obtain a license, although requirements vary by state.^{(See disclaimer 1)}

Do pharmacists go to medical school after earning a PharmD? The only reason they would do so is if they decided to switch from pharmacist to physician. If you're not sure whether you'd like to go to pharmacy school vs. medical school, it can be helpful to take a look at the differences between the programs.

Pre-med and pre-pharmacy programs are similar in that they both emphasize science courses, particularly biology. They’re also similar in that neither are actual degrees. Rather, they are pathways that provide a concentration in either pre-medicine or pre-pharmacy. For example, you could enroll in a Bachelor of Science in Biology degree that has either a pre-med or pre-pharmacy focus.

Beyond these similarities, there are some differences to note between pre-med vs. pharmacy pathways. To understand these differences, it helps to have a more in-depth understanding of each area of focus.

Pre-medicine or pre-med is an undergraduate pathway that prepares graduates to apply to medical school. It’s often a biology degree with a pre-med emphasis that includes all of the coursework that is typically necessary to apply to medical school.

Although it’s important to keep in mind that all medical schools establish their own admission requirements, these requirements will often include at least one year each of:^{(See disclaimer 2)}

• Biology with lab
• General chemistry with lab
• Organic chemistry with lab
• Physics with lab
• English

Medical schools also typically require at least one semester of biochemistry, and they usually have a math requirement, such as statistics and/or calculus. Medical schools also usually expect applicants to have taken other courses related to medical school, such as genetics and human physiology.^{(See disclaimer 2)}

A pre-med pathway at the undergraduate level is designed to help you prepare to apply to medical school after graduation by fulfilling these course requirements.

Pre-pharmacy is an undergraduate pathway designed to prepare students to apply to pharmacy school. Since physicians and pharmacists are both healthcare professionals, pre-pharmacy is similar to pre-med in that it leans heavily on science classes.

Like medical schools, pharmacy schools each set their own admission requirements. There are different degrees you could earn to prepare to apply to pharmacy school, but some pharmacy programs either require or prefer applicants to have a degree in biology.^{(See disclaimer 1)}

Other typical admission requirements include undergraduate coursework in the following:^{(See disclaimer 3)}

• Human anatomy and physiology
• General and organic chemistry
• Microbiology
• Biochemistry
• Calculus and statistics
• Behavioral and social science
• English
• Humanities

Like their admission requirements, pharmacy schools each establish their own curriculum. In general, however, you might expect the following areas of instruction:^{(See disclaimer 4)}

• Pharmaceutical chemistry: You’ll study skills such as how to determine how much of a particular compound is present within a tablet.
• Pharmacognosy: You’ll examine natural compounds and drugs derived from plants.
• Pharmacology: You’ll dive into how drugs behave within the body and how they affect different systems or organs.

Pharmacy school students can expect a blend of didactic coursework and hands-on labs. They might also take skills labs, during which they practice skills like compounding medications, navigating patient cases and providing counseling to patients.^{(See disclaimer 5)}

During the pharmacy program, students must complete one or more supervised work experiences, similar to an internship. They might be placed in a hospital or a retail pharmacy to gain field experience prior to pursuing licensure after graduation. After graduation, some students might opt to complete additional training via a residency or fellowship.^{(See disclaimer 1)}

Medical school is similar to pharmacy school in that it combines didactic coursework with hands-on labs and supervised work experiences. The curriculum is quite different, however.

Medical schools typically divide their curriculum into preclinical and clinical components, each of which roughly comprises half of the medical school journey. During the preclinical phase, students take classes and labs in medical science and related sciences. They focus heavily on human anatomy and physiology, as well as concepts related to disease, diagnosis and treatment.^{(See disclaimer 6)}

During the clinical phase of medical school, students complete an intensive schedule of clinical rotations. They receive hands-on training and practice working with patients in different medical practice areas.^{(See disclaimer 6)}

There are other differences between pharmacy school vs. medical school. Medical school students begin taking a three-part licensure exam while still in medical school,^{(See disclaimer 6)} whereas pharmacy school students complete licensure exams after graduation.^{(See disclaimer 1)} Medical school students always pursue residency training after medical school,^{(See disclaimer 6)} whereas pharmacy students may choose to pursue additional training or not.^{(See disclaimer 1 )}

It can be tough to choose between pre-med vs. pharmacy. To make your decision, consider the following:

• Patient care roles: Would you prefer to work with patients during just the treatment phase or do you prefer to have a more comprehensive role in patient care, including assessment, diagnosis and treatment planning?
• Work-life balance: Pharmacists often work more predictable schedules with routine hours. Some physicians may work long shifts and be on call.
• Specializations: Pharmacists may choose to specialize in an area like cardiology, internal medicine, pediatric care, oncology or emergency care.^{(See disclaimer 1)} Similarly, physicians can specialize in areas like family medicine, pediatrics, psychiatry, radiology and emergency medicine.^{(See disclaimer 8)}

Compare and contrast the differences to decide which path is right for you. You might also look into job shadowing opportunities.

Whether you plan to become a physician or a pharmacist, Grand Canyon University has the right academic pathway for you. Plus, our academic advisors can check in with you throughout your journey here at GCU to ensure you’re still on track toward completing the admission requirements for your intended professional school. Choose from biology degrees with a pre-pharmacy vs. pre-med focus.

BS in Biology: Pre-Medicine

GCU’s Bachelor of Science in Biology with an Emphasis in Pre-Medicine is designed to prepare students for the challenges of medical school by offering a comprehensive, science-intensive curriculum. As a student in this pre-med pathway, you’ll complete courses that are common admission requirements for medical school, such as biology, general chemistry, physics and organic chemistry.^{(See disclaimer 2)}

You’ll also complete coursework designed to elevate your understanding of medical science, such as:

• Medical terminology, including terms used to indicate the signs and symptoms of diseases and their treatments
• Pathophysiology, including the etiology, pathogenesis, morphology and clinical manifestations of disease and other altered health states
• Human anatomy and physiology, covering topics such as the function and homeostasis of various bodily systems
• Pharmacology, with an emphasis on the fundamental mechanisms of drug actions
• Genetics, including Mendelian, molecular and population genetics

BS in Biology: Pre-Pharmacy

GCU’s Bachelor of Science in Biology with an Emphasis in Pre-Pharmacy offers many courses that are similar to the pre-medicine emphasis. However, this degree is geared more toward pharmaceutical development and processing.

You’ll take courses towards in areas such as:

• Pathophysiology
• Molecular and cellular biology
• Human anatomy and physiology
• Genetics
• Calculus and analytic geometry

This program provides the building blocks for an advanced education in pharmacy or biology, as students are taught to prepare for a graduate program or other medical pursuits. Compared to the pre-med pathway, this pre-pharmacy pathway offers a more intensive focus on pharmacology.

No matter where your career takes you, you’ll have opportunities to build a foundation in science topics at Grand Canyon University.

Regardless of which science degree you choose, you can take full advantage of the student resources offered by the College of Natural Sciences. Enjoy the use of 26 lab spaces, dedicated student advising, guidance and mentorship from experienced faculty members and internship and career services.