What Can You Do With a Pharmacy Degree?

Are you hoping to secure a pharmacy degree from MCPHS, but are unsure what to do with it once you graduate? This blog will be your guide to 10 jobs you can choose from.

Many professionals who have pharmacy degrees work in a community or hospital pharmacy. However, that’s not the only option when it comes to career paths. A pharmacy degree opens the door to diverse, high-impact roles in healthcare, research, industry, and beyond. Whether you’re passionate about patient care, data analysis, or drug development, there’s a path for you.

As you select your major, it’s helpful to know what exactly your options are before graduating. Use this blog as your guide to some of the top career opportunities this degree opens up for you. We’re covering career options for pharmacy degree graduates and how to secure an education in this field.

10 Career Paths for Pharmacy Degree Graduates

If you have a degree in pharmacology or are hoping to be one of the future pharmacists who will soon enter the field, your options aren’t limited to becoming a pharmacist. While this job provides many benefits—especially if you’re passionate about advising patients on prescription use—other careers in this sector allow you to use your degree in many ways.

Here are some popular options within the pharmaceutical industry:

Community Pharmacist

One of the most popular careers for pharmacy graduates, a community pharmacist typically works in a retail setting, such as a drugstore or grocery store. These professionals provide patients with medication management, counseling on the use of prescriptions, and other health-related services. A professional in a community pharmacy role also liaises between patients, physicians, insurance companies, and other healthcare providers, ensuring all processes are streamlined and that required documents and drug information are collected.

Community pharmacists provide the following services:

• Dispense prescription medications.
• Highlight key information about medications.
• Monitor for potential drug interactions or side effects.
• Provide vaccines and health screenings.
• Adjust or manage patient medication regimens, working with physicians.
• Keep detailed patient records and communicate these regimens when needed.

Hospital Pharmacist

A hospital pharmacist’s role is to manage medications for patients within a medical facility. Unlike a community pharmacist, these professionals work inside hospitals or care units to manage the timely dosage of medications for patients undergoing treatment. They’re also advisors and managers for both patients and health professionals, ensuring all medication inventory is used correctly and on time.

Hospital pharmacists provide the following services:

• Decide which type of medication is appropriate for each patient, based on the doctor’s input.
• Monitor drug charts to make sure medical staff members receive proper medication instructions.
• Inform patients about a medication’s possible side effects.
• Watch over the drug supply used in hospitals to ensure the space has the necessary prescriptions in stock.
• Participate in policy-making committees on topics like hospital infections, drug selection, and antibiotics.
• Review patients’ medications before they leave the hospital to ensure they match the discharge summary.

Clinical Pharmacist

Clinical pharmacists coordinate with physicians and care providers to provide patients with the proper medications based on their specific needs. These specialized pharmacists have medical expertise and an extensive understanding of drug administration, enabling them to recommend medications for various age groups, diseases, and risk factors. You can often find this type of pharmacist working in healthcare environments like hospitals, specialty clinics, and outpatient centers.

Clinical pharmacists provide the following services:

• Assess patient conditions and needs to determine the proper medication therapy to deploy.
• Determine proper dosages and frequencies based on the patient’s data and history.
• Explain treatment regimens to patients and educate them on how to take them safely.
• Evaluate patients and meet with physicians to identify possible unknown risk factors.
• Document treatments and patient progress thoroughly.
• Ensure patients receive consistent, high-quality care.
• Review clinical trials and test results to learn more about certain medicines and their side effects.
• Store medications effectively based on safety and compliance measures.

Pharmaceutical Research Technician

Pharmaceutical research technicians help doctors, veterinarians, and scientists with the research and development of new or existing medicines. They often work in laboratory settings to assist with the testing and manufacturing of pharmaceutical products that will serve patients and healthcare providers with much-needed goods. These professionals work under the supervision of a pharmacist or chemist, and their role is critical to ensuring that products are safe and effective.

Pharmaceutical research technicians provide the following services:

• Prepare samples to test various medications.
• Conduct experiments to learn about drug efficiency.
• Analyze data on patterns and outcomes to create more effective medications for future use.
• Maintain laboratory equipment and operations.
• Keep detailed records of all work performed for reference.
• Follow strict safety protocols to make sure nothing is tampered with or cross-contaminated.

Oncology Pharmacist

Oncology pharmacists specialize in providing medications needed for cancer treatment. These medical professionals work with oncologists and other medical teams to provide patients with treatments that are often unavailable at traditional pharmacies. They select appropriate medications, ensure the correct dosage, and handle chemotherapy safety protocols to make sure all medications fight the specific type of cancer.

Oncology pharmacists provide the following services:

• Oversee medication regimens, managing complex treatment plans that may include oral, intravenous, and other therapies.
• Provide patient and caregiver education to ensure they’re aware of possible side effects.
• Prepare all cancer treatments and chemotherapy for safety and quality control.
• Create treatment plans based on the specific type of cancer and patient history.
• Monitor treatment regularly to watch results and make sure treatment performs properly. 

Informatics Pharmacist

An informatics pharmacist, also known as a pharmacy informaticist, specializes in the health informatics— the storage, access, and use—of drug-related patient care. These professionals mainly focus on the use of technology and communication to refine certain elements of medication administration and any side effects resulting from it. From this information, informatics pharmacists make effective healthcare decisions accordingly.

Informatics pharmacists provide the following services:

• Evaluate health informatics systems and help find areas for improvement.
• Lay the foundation for metric management, determining the status of a health information system.
• Work with healthcare and IT professionals to optimize technology in medication administration and patient record-keeping.
• Research, report, and present healthcare data to improve the accuracy of healthcare professionals' drug administration.

Toxicologist

A toxicologist studies the effects of chemicals and pathogens, and other substances, on the human body, as well as animal and plant life. This niche pharmaceutical career generally focuses on one area within the field, enabling them to narrow their research on specific topics to find beneficial information for the medical industry. These findings are often published to inform the scientific community and government organizations.

Toxicologists provide the following services:

• Collect samples for testing and evaluation.
• Study short- and long-term effects related to radiation and other toxins.
• Create reports and present them to beneficial groups.
• Pinpoint and analyze harmful chemicals for medicinal use.
• Research how to treat symptoms for problems related to chemicals.

Regulatory Affairs Specialist 

A regulatory affairs specialist has a hand in ensuring the safety of a variety of different products that people use daily, from food and beverages to pharmaceuticals and medical devices. These professionals are responsible for working alongside a pharmaceutical company to help it meet all state, local, federal, and industrial regulations so all practices and products meet compliance.

Regulatory affairs specialists provide the following services:

• Maintain a deep understanding of new and existing regulations that impact the medical world.
• Use that expertise to standardize all business operations and establish clear, accessible protocols.
• Explain regulations, procedures, and policies to employees and stakeholders so everyone’s on the same page.
• Manage data and files in the case of an audit.
• Recommend changes and medical adjustments to comply with standards.

Public Health Pharmacist

A public health pharmacist’s role is to provide medication management and patient education for the wider public. These professionals can work in a variety of settings, from medical clinics to care facilities and more. They serve as a trustworthy source of health information, made accessible to any patient when needed.

Public health pharmacists provide the following services:

• Review a patient's medication list and health plan to check that everything aligns and is used properly.
• Counsel patients on how to use medications properly.
• Conduct screenings for certain conditions to help identify issues early on.
• Provide vaccines to prevent diseases.

Managed Care Pharmacist

A managed care pharmacist works with a variety of healthcare providers to provide patients with medical services, ensuring people receive the proper medication therapies. They often work in doctors’ offices, hospitals and other healthcare facilities, ensuring the right drugs are made accessible and cost-effective.

Managed care pharmacists provide the following services:

• Evaluate scientific evidence to provide appropriate prescriptions.
• Assess the effectiveness and safety of new treatments compared to standards of care.
• Use clinical and research data to create medication management plans.
• Manage patients with chronic conditions using complex medication regimens.

How Can You Earn a Degree in Pharmacy?

There are multiple paths to earning a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS), depending on your educational background and career goals.

For Students Entering from High School

• Direct-Entry PharmD (6-Year Pathway): Designed specifically for high school graduates. This program includes 2 years of preprofessional coursework followed by 4 years of professional PharmD training, allowing seamless progression without reapplying.

For Students with Prior College Experience or a Bachelor's Degree

• Accelerated PharmD (3-Year Program): An intensive, on-campus program for applicants who have completed a bachelor's degree or equivalent prerequisites (typically 60+ college credits). Ideal for those seeking a faster path to licensure.
• Online PharmD (Flexible Accelerated Pathway): A primarily online option for working professionals or those preferring remote learning. It includes three required on-campus experiences and delivers the same rigorous PharmD curriculum and credential as the on-campus programs, with flexibility to balance work, life, and study.

Additional Opportunities

If you already hold a bachelor’s degree and want to enhance your skills or specialize, you can:

• Transfer into the professional phase after completing prerequisite coursework.
• Gain hands-on experience through internships, clinical rotations, and experiential learning.
• Learn directly from practicing pharmacists, researchers, and healthcare leaders.

All MCPHS PharmD pathways—direct-entry, accelerated on-campus, and online—provide the same high level of expertise, exposure to industry professionals, experienced faculty, and renowned facilities. Choose the format that best fits your background, schedule, and lifestyle while preparing for a successful career in pharmacy.

Start Your Pharmacy Career on the Right Foot

Your future in the industry starts with the right pharmacy education and support system. MCPHS provides the academic foundation, clinical experience, and career services to help you thrive in a variety of pharmacy-related roles. Explore your career options, talk to an admissions counselor, and take the first step toward a meaningful, rewarding career.

Apply to the MCPHS PharmD program today.