A Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD; New LatinPharmaciae Doctor) is a professional doctorate in pharmacy. In some countries, it is a first professional degree and a prerequisite for licensing to practice the profession of pharmacy or to become a clinical pharmacist. In many countries they are allowed to practice independently and can prescribe drugs directly to patients. A PharmD program has significant experiential or clinical education components in introductory and advanced levels for the safe and effective use of drugs. Experiential education prepares graduates to be practice-ready, as they already have spent a significant amount of time training in areas of direct patient care and research. A PharmD graduate is entitled to prefix their name with “Dr.”

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The largest cities offering Master programs in Pharmacy in Turkey

Higher education statistics for the largest cities in Turkey

City	Universities	Average fees
Istanbul	8	₦3,003,394
Izmir	2	₦1,302,979
Adana	1	₦683,226
Afyonkarahisar	1	₦48,068
Agri	1	₦1,398,499
Ankara	1	₦2,697,164
Canakkale	1	₦1,343,035
Diyarbakir	1	₦273,208
Edirne	1	₦534,092
Erzurum	1	₦87,098

Learn About Being a Pharmacologist

What does a pharmacologist do?

Pharmacologists conduct research to develop chemical compounds and substances used as new medications. Some pharmacologists focus on the effects of harmful chemicals, while others research the effects of chemicals on specific regions of the body, such as the respiratory or cardiovascular system. Pharmacologists can work in applied or clinical fields. Job duties include:

• Planning and directing pharmacology studies
• Standardizing drug doses and treatment plans
• Preparing and writing research grants 
• Following safety procedures
• Performing research on subjects

Average salary

Pharmacologists are typically full-time employees, though some may work temporary or part-time jobs. Experience and the size, type and location of the company in which they work could affect a pharmacologist’s salary. Working in applied or clinical pharmacology could also be a factor in wages. 

• Common salary in the U.S.: $141,272 per year
• Some salaries range from $71,000 to $214,000 per year

Pharmacologist requirements

Pharmacologists need specific educational requirements to practice. They should also undergo training, earn certifications and develop a specialized skill set to excel. 

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Education

Pharmacologists must have an advanced degree, such as a Ph.D., Pharm.D. or M.D. to find a job. Those interested in practicing clinical pharmacology should have an M.D. or Ph.D., while those searching for a career in applied pharmacology should have a Ph.D. or Pharm.D. Medical degree programs last four years, followed by a residency and fellowship. Doctoral programs are typically five-year programs, and it takes four years to complete a pharmacy program.

During a doctoral or medical program, students complete coursework in a classroom or laboratory setting. In the final years of the program, they typically complete clinical practice or perform practical research. 

Before earning a doctoral degree, pharmacologists need to undergo an undergraduate program. Students interested in entering the field should take classes in chemistry, biology and microbiology.

Training

Pharmacologists undergo most of their training during their educational programs. After completing medical school, doctors complete a residency followed by a fellowship. Residency allows a doctor to earn years of practical experience in the medical field. Pharmacologists who earned a Ph.D. or Pharm.D. do not need to complete a residency. 

Those who wish to practice clinical pharmacology or specialize in a specific field need to complete a fellowship. Clinical and specialized pharmacology fellowships are between two and three years. During this time, pharmacologists learn advanced information on working with subjects and evaluating the results of medications and treatments. Specialized pharmacologists may receive instruction on different types of medicine, like pediatrics or oncology.

When a pharmacologist begins work with a company, they learn about the different products the organization offers and how to contribute to the process. They may receive instruction on any machines, tools or computer programs their employer uses. 

Certifications

Pharmacologists need a license issued by their state’s board to practice. The licensing requirements vary by state, but all pharmacologists must pass a two-step exam prior to applying. The first part of the exam focuses on the applicant’s ability to apply their knowledge of pharmacology practices, and the second part focuses on industry laws and regulations. A pharmacologist needs to renew their license according to their state board’s standards.

Besides licensure, pharmacologists can earn certifications from the Board of Pharmacy Specialties. The BPS offers certifications for different specializations within the field, including emergency care, cardiology, infectious diseases and nuclear pharmacy. Pharmacologists need to renew any of these certifications every seven years by submitting proof of continuing education and passing an exam. Continuing education can include completing online courses, attending seminars and other programs approved by the BPS. 

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Skills

Pharmacologists should develop certain skills, including: 

• Research: Much of a pharmacologist’s day involves research. They should be able to gather, analyze and understand medical data. Research skills can assist them in selecting all the information to get the most thorough results. 
  
• Communication: Pharmacologists may work with other pharmacological and medical professionals. To work together effectively, they should have good communication skills. They may also need to deliver findings and results to people outside of their industry, so they should know how to communicate to others in non-technical terms. 
  
• Time management: Some tests that a pharmacologist performs can take days. They may perform several tests at the same time for research. The ability to manage their time and stay organized can help them ensure they receive the correct results for each process. 
  
• Mathematical and scientific skills: Pharmacologists must have a strong background in math and science to analyze information relating to biochemistry and other scientific fields. Much of the data they work with involves parsing statistics to get the right data. 

Pharmacologist work environment

Pharmacologists are typically full-time employees who work normal business hours. They may need to work occasional nights and weekends when faced with deadlines or evaluating the results of tests. Pharmacologists can typically expect the following from their work environments:

• Sitting for long periods of time while working with computers or machines
• Performing tests on subjects
• Wearing protective gear, such as gloves, masks, goggles and laboratory coats
• Using specialized tools and machinery
• Working with hazardous materials
• Communicating with others 
• Preparing documents, such as research grants and findings

Pharmacologists can find employment in a variety of industries, including: 

• Hospitals
• Clinics
• Pharmaceutical corporations
• Education
• Nonprofits
• Government

How to become a pharmacologist

You can follow these steps to become a pharmacologist: 

1. Earn a bachelor’s degree. Consider majoring in a field such as biology or chemistry to prepare for a doctoral degree. Some pharmacy programs may accept partial undergraduate coursework, so check with your desired program to see if you enter early. 
   
2. Complete a doctoral degree. You’ll need to earn an M.D., Ph.D. or Pharm.D. to become a pharmacologist. It’s helpful to thoroughly research each type of program to determine which one is best for you. Before applying,determine whether you prefer to practice applied or clinical pharmacology. 
   
3. Earn a license. To practice officially, you  need a license from your state’s board. Each state board has different requirements, though all require you to pass a two-step exam. You will need to renew your license based on your state board’s guidelines. 
   
4. Pursue a fellowship. If you want to practice a pharmacology specialty, undergo a fellowship. Fellowships typically last two to three years and prepare you for a career in that specialization. 
   
5. Earn certifications. Earning certifications in a specialization can show your dedication to the field. Since many employers seek pharmacology certifications, they can also expand job opportunities available to you and increase your earning potential. Most certifications require you to recertify every so often. 

Pharmacologist job description example

Prestigious pharmaceutical company seeking a clinical pharmacologist to join our team. The pharmacologist is responsible for developing plans and protocols, providing support and evaluating clinical drug candidates. They will contribute to documents, offering input. They will lead and oversee analyses of different research projects. The successful candidate will have:

• Ph.D. or Pharm.D.
• At least five years of experience
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Proficiency in standard pharmacology equipment and tools
• Ability to work some overtime as required