The practice of pharmacy is a vital part of a complete health care system. Pharmacists are professionals, uniquely prepared and available, committed to public service and the achievement of this goal. Pharmacists are the principal resource to patients and other health professionals in assuring appropriate use of and optimal therapeutic outcomes from medications. They are committed to pharmaceutical care. The principal goal of pharmaceutical care is to achieve positive outcomes from the use of medication which improves patients’ quality of life.

Career Options for Pharmacy Professionals:

1. Community: retail distribution of medications. Privately owned business, large retail chains.

2. Consulting: offer expert advice in various areas. Medicaid Pharmacy Consultant, legal expert.

3. Academia: teaching at a School of Pharmacy, Medicine, Dentistry or Allied Health.

4. Industry: producing or manufacturing chemicals, prescription or nonprescription drugs. Sales, medical information, product formulation.

5. Regulatory: regulate the use and distribution of drugs. Drug Enforcement Agency, or Food and Drug Administration.

6. Institution: Government Affiliate or private hospitals.

7. Other: Third Party Insurance companies, Armed Services.

Personal Qualifications:

As a pharmacist, your decisions and actions involve human life and well being. In order to meet pharmacy’s demands, you must

• assess your qualifications for judgement, dependability and conscientious performance.

• You must pay close attention to details and be willing to check and double check your work.

• By law, pharmacists are entrusted with the proper storage, handling and dispensing of

dangerous and habit-forming drug substances; thus they must be scrupulous in handling them.

• Their ethical standards must be high and they must use facts and good judgement when answering their patient’s questions. Pharmacists are considered the drug information expert.

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Admissions to the Professional Program

Step 1: Preferred Criteria

The preferred criteria to be considered for the College of Pharmacy’s professional program are:

1. Completion of the pre-pharmacy requirements (see ULM Catalog) with no grade less than “C” prior to enrollment in the professional program;

2. Possess a pre-requisite and cumulative grade-point average around a 3.000 (uncorrected, based on a 4.0 system) or higher in all previous coursework undertaken, exclusive of developmental courses, whether passed or failed at all institutions of attendance;

3. Possess a PCAT composite score, percentile rank of around 50% or higher;

4. Possess a PCAT writing evaluation score of around 3 or higher.

Step 2: NEEDED APPLICATIONS

1. Completion of the PharmCAS Application and fee submission by November 1 of each year (http://www.PharmCAS.org);

2. Completion of the ULM Undergraduate Admissions (Undergraduate Transfer) process by March 2, 2009;

• Please note that successful admittance to ULM does not guarantee admissions into the professional pharmacy program;

• Preference for admission is extended to Louisiana residents.

• Completion of all stated admissions components does not guarantee admissions into the professional program. Annual admissions are competitive.  Each year, the College evaluates more applications than are required to fill vacancies in the class.

3. Completion of the College of Pharmacy Supplemental Application and fee submission by March 2, 2009.

Edwin H. Adams, Pharm.D., Director
Office of Student and Professional Affairs
ULM College of Pharmacy
700 University Avenue
Monroe LA  71209-0470
ph. 318-342-3800
fx. 318-342-3802
www.ulm.edu/pharmacy