In this article, we tend to discover the best pharmacy schools in Georgia – and by the end of this piece, you will be having a concise view to make the most informed study decision.
Related Post: Best Pharmacology Schools in Philadelphia (Top 10)
This article will list and thoroughly explain the ten best Pharmacy schools in Georgia (GA), as well as their requirements and costs.
In addition to this, you will learn about the admission requirements of the Pharmacy colleges in Georgia, their lucrative programs, and their costs.
Top-rated pharmacological colleges in Georgia will confer a PharmD or Doctor of Pharmacy degree to students that complete the program.
Earning a Doctor of Pharmacy degree and all requisite internships will need to be completed before applying for a license from the Georgia pharmacy board.
As of 2019, the estimated number of pharmacists in the USA was around 10,600 pharmacists working in the state, earning an annual salary of $118,710.
To become a licensed pharmacist, you must complete your Pharm. D. from any of the accredited pharmacy schools in the state.
Related post: 20 Best Medical Schools in the USA
Studying a health-related course like Pharmacy in the U.S is very promising but in Georgia, it is much more beneficial.
The reason is that Georgia has some of the oldest and best schools in the U.S where one can acquire an outstanding world-class education in Pharmacy.
These top Pharmaceutical colleges in Georgia (GA) train students to drift from manufacturing medications to more of a clinical role.
Pharmacists are usually the first person that people meet to seek medical advice and/or medication whenever they’re sick especially in rural areas.
University of Georgia
The main campus of the College of Pharmacy at the University of Georgia is in Athens, but the College maintains satellite campuses in Albany, Savannah, and Augusta.
The University’s Center for Drug Discovery spearheads interdisciplinary research that aims to discover and develop new pharmaceuticals to fight diseases caused by infectious viruses and microbial agents.
The 10-semester Doctor of Pharmacy curriculum typically takes four years to complete. Students are admitted once a year in the fall.
Applicants must take the Pharmacy College Admission Test and submit their applications by September 4 for early decision consideration and by February 1 for regular consideration.
All students take classes at the Athens campus for the first two years, but some move on to Albany, Augusta, or Savannah to complete their coursework during the third year.
All students participate in clinical experiences during their fourth year, which takes place at a variety of hospitals, healthcare systems, long-term care facilities, community pharmacies, specialty pharmacies, and ambulatory care clinics throughout Georgia.
Mercer University
Mercer University is a private research university that was established in 1833 as Mercer Institute. Four years after, the institution attained university status, making it the oldest private university in Georgia.
Mercer University’s College of Pharmacy offers four combined degree programs.
They include Pharm.D. And Ph.D. in the degree program, Pharm.D./M.B.A degree program, Pharm.D./M.P.H. degree program, and the Pharm.D./M.S. in Health Informatics degree program.
Meanwhile, the curriculum of the College of Pharmacy includes three years of classroom coursework and one year of experiential learning.
During the first year, students engage in hands-on training and pursue a capstone project.
Students undertake most clinical training in metropolitan Atlanta, Columbus, Macon, and Savannah areas.
However, they also have the option of pursuing an Advanced Clinical Tract in research or going abroad to participate in Global Medical Missions, the Indian Health Service (IHS), or an International Pharmacy elective.
The U.S. News and World Report” ranks Mercer University’s College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences No. 6 among the best in the U.S.
You can see why it is one of the best Pharmacy colleges in Georgia.
Mercer University has an acceptance rate of 72%, a graduation rate of 66%, and a student-faculty ratio of 17:1.
The tuition fee for the College of Pharmacy is $19,077.50 per semester.
In addition to the tuition fees, students will have to pay facilities and a technology fee of $150 each semester.
The university’s College of Pharmacy holds accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE).
Emory University
The Emory University School of Medicine is the graduate medical school of Emory University and a component of Emory’s Robert W. Woodruff Health Sciences Center.
Before it was established as the Emory School of Medicine in 1915, the school first began as the Atlanta Medical College. Founded in 1854 by a group of physicians led by Dr. John G. Westmoreland.
The college began during unfavorable financial conditions along with the competition of three other medical schools opening in the state, driving up competition for students.
Despite these challenges, the Atlanta Medical College continued operation until August of 1861 when classes were suspended due to the Civil War.
Several years later, the College merged with the Southern Medical College, leading to the creation of the Atlanta College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1898.
The College existed for 14 years before another merger took place, this time due to encouragement from the Council of Medical Education.
Emory University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate, baccalaureate, master’s, doctorate, and professional degrees.
Other important developments occurred in this era.
The AAMC recommended that Emory place more emphasis on bedside teaching. Instead of relying exclusively on volunteer faculty, the School of Medicine began hiring full-time faculty.
The estimated Cost of Attendance for the 2019-20 academic year (Fall 2019/Spring 2020) is approximately $85,000.
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
With a mission and vision to meet its educational, research, and service & practice goals, PCOM started its School of Pharmacy in 2010.
The pharmacy school facilitates academic areas and research centers; and amalgamates scientific knowledge with medicines and pharmacy practices to prepare future pharmacists and healthcare professionals.
In four years you can complete the Doctor of Pharmacy program in GA offered at the PCOM School of pharmacy.
During the first three years of this comprehensive patient-centered curriculum, you will receive pharmacy education in interactive classrooms, laboratories equipped with multimedia equipment, and hands-on training through pharmacy practice experience.
The fourth or last year is devoted to 8 APPEs, each clinical rotation of five weeks.
Related Post: Top Osteopathic Medicine Colleges (Tuition/Review)
South University School of Pharmacy
South University is a private university in Georgia U.S.A that was founded in 1899. Its main campus is in Savannah.
The university’s School of Pharmacy has two locations including Savannah, GA, and Columbia, SC.
South University’s School of Pharmacy offers an accelerated Doctor of Pharmacy program. The program provides students with four years of learning within three academic years.
Through the Pharm.D program, students develop the skills they need to provide excellent care to those they serve.
The duties of pharmacists are changing and evolving to meet the demands of the profession and society.
So, the Pharmacy degree curriculum here is designed to produce graduates who can adapt to the profession’s changes while also maintaining high standards of pharmacy practice.
Additionally, the university’s graduates do very well in community practice, hospital practice, residency training, the pharmaceutical industry, and business.
The university has an acceptance rate of 100%, a graduation rate of 3%, and a student-faculty ratio of 24:1. The tuition fee for the Pharm.D program at South University is $48,180 per year.
South University’s Doctor of Pharmacy is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE)
Augusta University
Augusta University’s main campus in Augusta, Georgia, encompasses more than 200 acres and has four local campuses.
It is made up of the former campuses between Augusta State University and Georgia Health Sciences University, with additions from the University System of Georgia Board of Regents.
The Board of Regents defines Augusta University as Georgia’s health/sciences/medical college. And we are that. Proudly.
We are also a dynamic, comprehensive research university offering more than 150 areas of study, across ten colleges through undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs.
Augusta University is a public university and academic medical center in Augusta, Georgia.
It is a part of the University System of Georgia and has satellite medical campuses in Savannah, Albany, Rome, and Athens.
It employs over 15,000 people, has more than 56,000 alumni, and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
The Augusta University Health System includes the 478-bed Augusta University Medical Center, the 154-bed Children’s Hospital of Georgia, and more than 80 outpatient clinics.
The undergraduate tuition & fees of Augusta University hover around $8,832 for Georgia residents and $24,210 for out-of-state students.
The graduate school tuition & fees are $7,444 for Georgia residents and $20,712 for others.
77 students (1.41% of the enrolled undergraduate students) have received grants or scholarship aid and the average amount is $7,166.
After receiving the financial aid, the net price for Augusta University is $15,679 for Georgia residents and $31,057 for out-of-state students including tuition, fees, books & supplies costs, and living costs.
The tuition and fees are around the average amount of similar schools’ tuition ($24,326 – Public Research University (high research activity) based on the out-of-state tuition rate.
Fortis College
Located in Orange Park, Florida, Fortis College is a small two-year private college offering undergraduate programs.
Fortis College has an open admission policy that permits enrollment by any high school graduate or GED-holding student. 431 students are enrolled on a full-time basis, and 0 attend part-time.
FORTIS is a leading post-secondary network of colleges and institutes that engages students in a powerful learning and training experience for lifelong growth.
With the addition of its new campus, FORTIS now offers career-based training, diploma, and degree-granting programs at more than 40 schools in 15 states.
FORTIS College and FORTIS Institute campuses prepare students for careers in healthcare, business and technology, and various trades.
FORTIS also offers online learning platforms for many of its programs.
Each FORTIS campus is accredited by a nationally recognized body. Program offerings and accreditations vary by campus.
The annual list price to attend Fortis College on a full-time basis for 2018/2019 is $34,335 for all students regardless of their residency.
This fee is comprised of $14,663 for tuition, $10,800 room and board, $1,081 for books and supplies, and $591 for other fees.
Out-of-state tuition for Fortis College is $14,663, the same as Florida residents.
Morehouse School of Medicine
Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM), located in Atlanta, Georgia, was founded in 1975 as the Medical Education Program at Morehouse College. In 1981, MSM became an independently chartered institution.
MSM is among the nation’s leading educators of primary care physicians and was recently recognized as the top institution among U.S. medical schools for our social mission.
MSM is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education, Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, Council on Education for Public Health, Liaison Committee on Medical Education, and Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
The annual list price to attend Morehouse College on a full-time basis for 2018/2019 is $48,500 for all students regardless of their residency.
This fee is comprised of $25,368 for tuition, $13,438 for room and board, $2,088 for books and supplies, and $2,208 for other fees.
Out-of-state tuition for Morehouse College is $25,368, the same as Georgia residents.
Cumberland Medical Institute
Cumberland Medical Institute is a private community healthcare skills training institute. We promise students that they will learn, practice, and master the vital healthcare tools for success.
Cumberland Medical Institute is a private community healthcare skills training institute. We train people to master and acquire the skills and certifications required for jobs in the healthcare industry.
Our emphasis begins with universal precautions and centers on small class sizes. Our instructors are certified professionals in their respective fields. We work hard to get our students into clinical settings for externships.
We promise students that they will learn, practice, and master the vital healthcare tools for success.
Cumberland Medical Institute is authorized by the Georgia Non-Public Postsecondary Education Commission. And are certified by the Department of Community Health through GMCF.
They are also, approved as a testing site through NHA (National Health career Association). We are also authorized by the American Heart Association for the CPR, First Aid, AED, BLS Healthcare Provider, and ACLS courses.
The school’s facility is specially designed for training students in the medical field. The facility is centrally located within Cobb County.
The facilities are also accessible to those with physical disabilities and parking is available for the convenience of students.
Cumberland Medical Institute maintains a smoke-free environment.
We do not provide housing for our students.
The cost to attend Cumberland Medical Institute ranges from $50 to $5,000 depending on the qualification, with a median cost of $1,000.
Cumberland Medical Institute has been reviewed 37 times, with an average rating of 4.51 out of 5.
About 95% of reviewers would recommend Cumberland Medical Institute to a friend.
New Horizon Medical Institute
The original incarnation of New Horizons Medical Institute, Inc., was started sixteen years ago in 1990 when Ms.
Rose Tabi Ndamukong, was associated with a training program for hard-to-employ individuals at the New York Department of Social Services.
Ms. Tabi also established a permanent job training and counseling center where these Individuals and their sponsors/counselors could meet and receive “hands-on” job training (in well-paying jobs).
And also, counseling, sharing life experiences, communicating and experiencing growth and fellowship while devoting themselves to coming out of poverty, being drug-free, and establishing a profession.
New Horizons Medical Institute is a Private (for-profit), 2-4 years school located in Norcross, Georgia. Its published tuition & fees are $8,768 for the academic year 2019-2020.
A total of 114 students are attending New Horizons Medical Institute and its graduation rate is 9%.
The largest program at New Horizons Medical Institute is Nursing Assistant/Aide and Patient Care Assistant/Aide and its 2020 tuition & fees are $8,768.
FAQ
Here is a number of what people need to learn about the best pharmacy schools in Georgia:
Why study Pharmacy?
Pharmacists in general, offer patient-centered care.
These professionals consider the relationship between medical conditions and lifestyle to help choose the best medications.
Currently, statistics show that pharmacy is one of the most important careers in the delivery of health care services.
They remain critical professionals in the health care sector who have the most detailed knowledge of drugs and how they work.
They also work with colleagues to conduct research and collaborate with doctors to ensure that patients are receiving the correct medications.
Being part of major innovations in the health field is a major reason why students venture into this field of study.
Presently, scientists know that genetic variation in genes can affect a body’s response to a drug.
Someday, they hope to sequence the entire human gene in each individual.
With this information, pharmacists and healthcare providers can choose the treatments suited best to an individual’s needs.
The demand for healthcare delivery is always inflated. There are always new drugs and treatments on the market and prescriptions to be administered.
This, therefore, makes the demand for pharmacists and other health care providers to be pertinent in society.
How long does it take to become a pharmacist in Georgia?
It takes four (4) years to bag a phamaceutical degree in Georgia.
In more clear terms, The Pharm. D. program takes 4 years to complete. For a student who have obtained a bachelor’s degree before entering the program, it will take eight years to get a degree in pharmacy in most institutions.
Does Georgia have a pharmacy school?
The need for more pharmacists in Georgia and the entire United states has prompted the establishments of over new more pharmaceutical institutions aside the top 10 listed in this guide.
So, yes! There are quite a number of accredited Pharmaceutical schools in Georgia for both the local and international students.
Who is a Pharmacist?
A pharmacist is a healthcare professional that specializes in the use and distribution of medicines, as they deal with the composition, effects, mechanism of action, and proper effective use of drugs.
Pharmacists play a major role in helping people get the best results from their medications. They prepare and dispense prescriptions and ensure medicines and doses are correctly administered.
Pharmacologists also limit harmful drug interactions and self medications and also, they advise patients on the safe use of their medications.
Additionally, pharmacists specialize in the composition of medicines such as their chemical, biological, physical properties, manufacture, and use.
Other health care specialists depend on pharmacists to choose and recommend medicines that give the best results and quality of life to patients.
They may also administer personalized medications, engage in ward rounds in a hospital, and limit the spread of infections.
Pharmacists conduct clinical trials or focus on a particular patient population or disease state including diabetes, heart disease, asthma, HIV, and pain management.
How well are Pharmacists paid in Georgia?
According to Payscale, an entry-level Pharmacist earn an average salary of $101,975 annually.
Pharmacists that have between 1 to 4 years of experience earn an average of $109,799 annually.
Mid-career Pharmacists with 5 to 9 years of experience make an average of $108,000 annually.
Pharmacist’s in Georgia Compared to Median Income Averages:
- +238% Above State Median Income
- +213% Above National Median Income
Pharmacists in Georgia take home an average of 55.85 per hour.
Annual earnings for a Pharmacist working in Georgia is averagely $116,170 which is 238% above the state median income and 213% above the national median income for all occupations.
Employment for a Pharmacist makes up just 0.23% of the working population in Georgia and is limited due to the specific qualifications required along with the schooling principles involved in this career path.
Pharmacists in Georgia can expect to make anywhere in the range of $93,000 to $153,000.
Below is a list of average salaries for pharmacists working in major cities in Georgia:
- Augusta, Richmond County: $118,000
- Savannah: $104,000
- Athens, Clarke County: $127,000
- Columbus: $124,000
- Warner Robins: $122,000
What are the educational requirements to become a pharmacist in Georgia?
Students who wish to pursue a degree in any of the Pharmacy schools in Georgia (GA) must first, take the Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT).
The PCAT is a standardized test that helps identify qualified applicants to pharmacy colleges and schools in the U.S.
It measures general academic abilities and scientific knowledge which the commencement of professional Pharmacy education requires.
Successful applicants now move on to complete the Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree at any of the Pharmacy schools in Georgia (GA).
The Pharmacy school in GA must be accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education. Meanwhile, several students start Pharm.D. programs after only two or three years of undergraduate study.
During the undergraduate study, students take prerequisite courses including general chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry, human anatomy and physiology, biology, calculus, and statistics.
They focus on earning very high grades in these courses. Meanwhile, students in Pharm.D. programs take courses including:
- Pharmaceutical chemistry: the use of chemistry to design and evaluate drugs
- Pharmacognosy: the study of drugs derived from plants and animals
- Pharmacology: the study of the effect of drugs on the human body
Pharm.D. programs focus on dispensing medication, counseling patients, and business principles. Most times, pharmacists manage a staff of technicians and may someday open their pharmacies.
So, having a knowledge of accounting, merchandising, and legal issues will help the student.
Pharmacy students complete many hours of clinical training in diverse healthcare settings including community, hospital, and compounding pharmacies.
Toward the student’s final year, they are designated clinical rotations in hospitals, physicians’ offices, and pharmaceutical companies.
Upon successful completion of the PharmD program, graduates must also complete an internship and pass a board-approved examination before they can become licensed pharmacists in Georgia.
How much does it cost to study Pharmacy in Georgia?
The cost of acquiring a Pharmacy degree in Georgia varies from each school.
Tuition costs are usually an important factor in making your admission decision to any college or school of your choice in GA for your Pharmacy program.
You can expect to pay tuition fees ranging from $85,404 to $179,408 to study Pharmacy in Georgia. Besides, your in-state or out-of-state status will greatly influence your cost of education.
Conclusion
However, a pharmacist’s role has gone beyond just staying behind the counter and administering drugs to patients.
Pharmacist delivers pharmaceutical care, examines the suitability of the medication for a patient, and takes into account the patient’s medical history.
The top schools for Pharmacy in Georgia (GA) are adapting to the latest methods of health delivery.
Potential pharmacists in Georgia are trained to form health care teams with other health professionals whereby a patient’s health is viewed holistically and medical problems are addressed from the perspective of the patient’s life history and environment.
Additionally, the best Pharmacy colleges in Georgia train professionals who now move away from a role in manufacturing the actual medications to more of a clinical role.
This will lead to pharmacists’ understanding of disease processes and how they can be addressed with lifestyle changes and drug therapy.
Related Post:
- 9 Veterinary Schools in New York | How to apply
- Best and easy way to write a Medical School Letter of Intent
- Best Medical Schools for surgeons | 2023
- Scholarships for pharmaceutical students in the USA
- 10 Best Medical Schools in Tennessee 2023 | Application
- 7 Best Medical Schools in Pennsylvania/How to apply.
- 15 Easiest Medical Schools to get Into | Cost and Acceptance Fee
- Nursing Schools in Oregon 2023 | Requirements, Cost, Programs, and Online Programs
