Becoming a Pharmacist in Wisconsin

Pharmacists play an essential role in helping people get better and are crucial to the healthcare industry. The pharmacy profession is highly respected and rewarding, but not without its unique demands, especially regarding education. Becoming a pharmacist in Wisconsin also opens you up to a wide variety of career opportunities. You can fit into different professional settings like patient care or scientific research and innovation.

Wisconsin also has an encouraging pharmacy industry, as there are nearly 6,000 pharmacists currently employed in different capacities statewide. Wisconsin, in fact, employs more pharmacists than the average state.

However, considering the gravity and impact of this career, pharmacists require specialized training and licensure. The PharmD degree, in particular, requires determination and a stint of time to fulfill. Nonetheless, the opportunities and fulfillment that the career path brings make it worth it.

Average Pharmacist Salary In Wisconsin

The average salary of a pharmacist in Wisconsin is $129,640. Compared to the national average of $128,570, Pharmacists in Wisconsin earn higher wages than the typical U.S. wage earner and rank as one of the top-paying states for pharmacists. Wisconsin also has a reasonable cost of living which is 9.1% lower than the average of the U.S.

Wisconsin Requirements for Pharmacists

The Wisconsin Board of Pharmacy is the body that gives directives on the requirements to become a licensed pharmacist in Wisconsin. According to the Board, each prospective candidate must first attend Pharmacy school, take the licensure exam and pass. Afterward, the Board will approve the candidate and give the license.

Another option for getting licensed is to present a board-approved license from another state to the Board of Wisconsin to secure licensure by reciprocity.

Becoming a New Pharmacist in Wisconsin

Wisconsin requires the highest quality of care, attention, and adherence to laws and policies from prospective pharmacists. In addition, the following are requirements that must be fulfilled:

Complete your education in an approved school,
Complete an internship program or have practical experience acquired in another state which is equivalent,
Pass the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX),
Passing the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination (MPJE),
Submit medical records,
Fill out the required application,
Pay the required $155 fee.

Transferring Your License to Wisconsin from Another State

If you’re already licensed in another state that’s recognized by the Board of Pharmacy of Wisconsin, you can follow the licensure by reciprocity route and transfer to Wisconsin to practice. The other required terms include;

Passing the NAPLEX and MPJE,
Take the Wisconsin state jurisprudence examination
Total practical experience in pharmacy at least 1,500 hours
Submit a verification form displaying the licensing authority you received your license.
Foreign graduates and non-US citizens need to pass the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Equivalency Examination (FPGEE) as an additional requirement.

Schools That Offer PharmD in Wisconsin

Wisconsin has two accredited schools that offer programs in pharmacy. These two schools are Concordia University Wisconsin and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. These schools offer excellent programs, and one of them, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, ranks one of the top finest pharmacy schools in the U.S. today.

Concordia University Wisconsin

Concordia University is a school that integrates faith-based engagements with the students and has a welcoming Christian community that’s committed to maximizing the students’ successes. Concordia also boasts of a 99% employment rate among its graduates in various areas of the field of healthcare.

Concordia University’s School of Pharmacy is situated in Mequon, Wisconsin. The pharmacy school is relatively new but has been accredited by The Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE). A PharmD degree from Concordia University School of Pharmacy gives you leeway to pursue licensure as a pharmacist in any state in the United States.

Concordia University is a private school with tuition that’s the same for in-state and out-of-state students. The tuition is $37,326 per year for the program. The program also includes courses covering Pharmacy Sciences, Pharmacy Practices, and Clinical and Administrative Sciences. Concordia University offers experiential education right from the first year. It steadily includes rotation with other practice sites up until the final year of the program.

If Concordia University seems like the perfect choice to kick start your pharmacy career, apply here.

University of Wisconsin-Madison

The University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Pharmacy is located in Madison, Wisconsin. Since 1883, the school has offered top-notch options for students interested in pharmacy research, education, and the application of pharmaceutical sciences in healthcare service. It is currently ranked as the 7th best Pharmacy school in the country. The school’s ranking is based on its facilities, research, faculty and staff members.

In addition to the PharmD degree, the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Pharmacy also offers other ranges of degrees related to the pharmaceutical field, some of which are the Bachelor of Science degrees in Pharmacology-Toxicology, and the Masters of Science degree.

Tuition costs for the PharmD program at the University of Wisconsin depend on the student’s residency status.

In-State Residents pay $25,711 for years one-three and $36,350 for year four.
Minnesota residents pay $27,865 for years one-three and $41,796 for year four.
Non-Residents and international students pay $43,554 for years one-three and $61,124 for year four.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison has maintained a track record of student success with one of the best ASHP residency match rates at 92%, which is 14 points better than the national average.

If the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s School of Pharmacy fits into your goals for a pharmacy career, you can kick-start it here.

Schools That Offer Online PharmD Programs

If attending an accredited in-person school doesn’t seem like an option that can work for you, then online programs are a great option as well for you. You can obtain a Doctorate of Pharmacy degree from an accredited online school if you need an opportunity to balance your learning pace with your schedule. Some of your best options include Creighton University and St. John Fisher College

St. John Fisher College

Based in Rochester, New York, St. John Fisher College is an excellent option if you’re looking to obtain an online PharmD degree. This school offers you a top-notch education focused on practice-oriented instruction, individual attention, and the flexibility to accommodate your busy schedule. The program comprises 11 clinical rotations totaling 2,000 hours and 151 credits.

Through the Wegmans School of Pharmacy, St. John Fisher College pharmacy graduates constantly outperform their peers in their different licensing examinations. In 2020, they recorded a 100% employment rate for their graduates. The School of Pharmacy also gives you direct access to major health systems and organizations in the U.S. due to existing partnerships that facilitate unique placements.

The tuition at St. John Fisher College starts at $1,130 per credit hour, but the cost for the online program is $181,337. The tuition, together with other expenses like books, clinicals, and transportation, may be on the high side. Still, financial aid is available to those who are qualified.

You need to pay attention to the specific admission requirements for you to qualify for St. John Fisher College’s online programs.

If flexibility and quality education intrigue you, don’t hesitate to apply for St. John Fisher College’s online pharmacy program.

Creighton University

Creighton University is one of the few universities in the United States that offer a three-pathway of study for prospective students. One of those pathways is the Distance Pathway which allows you to join the thousands of students that have bagged a PharmD degree from Creighton University since 2001.

For the first three years at Creighton’s School of Pharmacy, your tuition will be $38,514, while your fourth year will be $58,318. You’ll get access to a complete and accredited online program that prepares you for a pharmacy career. Besides tuition, you must also cover your living allowance, loan fees, books, supplies, lab fees, and health insurance. You may take advantage of the financial aid made available by Creighton University.

Creighton also offers the pathway for a hybrid program if you wish to have both learning styles. The Phoenix Hybrid Pathway supports students with a state-of-the-art and high-tech facility in Arizona and an option for online classes to suit your schedule.

You may consider Creighton University’s options and apply online if the online learning option appeals to you.

Why an Online Pharmacy School May Be What You Need

If you live in Wisconsin and you intend to get a PharmD degree from an accredited school, then your options may be limited to just two schools. However, online schools also offer you the same quality of education and might be more convenient if you’re considering personal preferences like scheduling, convenience, and learning environment.

Always make sure that you research beforehand to fulfill the specific requirements that the school of your choice outlines. This guarantees a smooth educational experience and saves you from multiple obstacles later. The pharmacy profession is a distinctive one, and becoming a PharmD in Wisconsin may be your first step towards building a career that’s not only indispensable but also stands the test of time.