I got a call from KGI a few days ago and the representative told me to consider to apply to their PharmaD program. I know that KGI is part of Claremont colleges, which is nice, but when they told me their Ph.d program is a self-funding program, I couldn’t help feeling skeptical. She then explained that KGI has lots of connections with companies such as Eli Lily( a big pharma comp) and it pays itself later.
How good is KGI for Pharmacy doctorate program? I have been told countless time to not pay for Ph.D, and it sounds strange that a prestigious graduate school wants student to self-fund Ph.D
It is generally not a great idea to self-fund a Ph.D. given the time it takes to complete the research required for a dissertation. Perhaps you can find some graduates or current students in the program and find out what they think. Do you know how they found your contact information? I am not in the PharmD field and I may be wrong, but it just seems a bit off for a graduate program to solicit students to a self-funded program in that way.
A PharmD (Doctor of Pharmacy) degree is the professional pharmacy degree, not a PhD. It is the degree generally required to practice as a pharmacist. I am pretty sure that PharmD degrees are normally self funded just like for MD or DDS degrees. Most PharmD degrees take four years.
For those interested in research, some schools offer PhDs in pharmaceutical-related fields. Pharmacists also can go into research with drug companies.
Keck’s pharmacy school is very new. The ACPE lists its accreditation as “candidate.” This means it is on track for accreditation. With the first class just having graduated, full accreditation should be forthcoming.
New PharmDs make $100-125K. Four years at a private college will cost around $300K, so buyer beware.
@xraymancs Actually, I had contacted the schoolo for general information before the call was made…so long ago I forgot about it. But yes, it was still strange of them to call me and speak like a company representative rather than a school official.
@Beaudreau Oh I didn’t know that! Thanks for the info. If the school is not accredited yet, I don’t want to apply at all. Thanks!
@Beaudreau - Of course you are right, I must have had a brain cramp. PharmD is very different and generally self-fund.
@xraymancs - No worries. My wife is a pharmacist so I actually knew something first hand. She cannot believe how many kids are going into pharmacy and incurring crippling debt. At the same time, fewer and fewer pharmacists are needed per prescription. Until my wife retired, she worked for one of the largest mail-delivery pharmacies. She was able to work from home. Her job was to review on nher computer, the prescriptions, patient histories, and what the pharmacy tech proposed to deliver. Then she approved the prescription for filling and went onto the next one. She would process 60-80 patients per hour. In the old days of retail, a pharmacist could not handle more than 15-20 per hour and had to stand all day. Her job seems mind-numbing to me, but she actually enjoyed it.
Getting a PharmD is also quite difficult. I have read that 40% of students drop out before earning a degree. The number of schools offering PharmDs has doubled despite this. I’m an attorney. It seems to my wife and I that Pharmacy schools are heading the way of law schools. Too many schools, easy loan money, many students not finishing their degrees, huge student debt, and a difficult job market for those who make it.