Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians play vital roles in the healthcare system. Both professions offer opportunities to work in different settings, such as retail pharmacies, health systems, educational institutions and the pharmaceutical industry.

Pharmacists
Becoming a pharmacist requires specialized education at the graduate level. Potential pharmacists receive six years of education and graduate with a degree called a Doctor of Pharmacy, or Pharm.D.

There are three colleges of pharmacy in the state of Michigan:

• Ferris State University College of Pharmacy
  220 Ferris Drive
  Big Rapids, MI 49307
  (231) 591-3780

• University of Michigan College of Pharmacy
  428 Church Street
  Ann Arbor, MI 48109
  (734) 764-7312

• Wayne State University Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
  259 Mack Avenue
  Detroit, MI 48201
  (313) 577-1716

View a list of U.S. colleges of pharmacy.

Pharmacy Technicians
Pharmacy technicians provide valuable support to pharmacists. There are currently no licensing, education or registration requirements for pharmacy technicians in the state of Michigan; however, technicians often receive specialized training and education to perform their jobs. National certification is also suggested and is coordinated by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB). For more information on training and certification for pharmacy technicians, visit PTCB's website.

Career Opportunities
For more information about the career opportunities available in pharmacy, download one of the following:

• Career Opportunities in Pharmacy brochure
  This brochure is a PDF file and designed to print out on legal paper. Please adjust your printer settings in Adobe Acrobat Reader accordingly.

• Career Opportunities in Pharmacy Presentation
  This PDF describes what a pharmacist does and how to become a pharmacist.

For additional information about healthcare careers, visit Michigan Health Opportunities for Today and Tomorrow.