Your Future in Pharmacy

At South College, the future of pharmacy is being written every day. With an accelerated Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program, dual learning pathways, and a faculty team at the forefront of innovation, South College is redefining what it means to be a pharmacist in today’s world.
In a recent episode of Live From South College, host Kathleen Stockham sat down with Dr. Tim Smith, newly appointed Dean of the School of Pharmacy, along with two second-year PharmD students, to explore the expanding role of pharmacists, the power of precision medicine, and the life-changing potential of an accelerated path to a doctoral degree.

A New Era for the Modern Pharmacist
The pharmacist of today is no longer just the familiar face behind the counter at a local drugstore. As Dr. Smith explains, “The modern pharmacist wears many hats—and that’s what makes the field so exciting.”
Pharmacists today can practice in more than 200 distinct areas, ranging from direct patient care to pharmaceutical research, data analytics, public health, and even corporate consulting. “We’re seeing a shift toward pharmacists being more accessible and more accountable for patient outcomes,” Dr. Smith says. “That’s where the profession is heading.”
A major catalyst for this shift is precision medicine, a rapidly evolving field that allows pharmacists to tailor therapies to each individual’s genetic makeup. Through pharmacogenomics—analyzing a person’s DNA to determine how they metabolize medications—pharmacists can help prevent adverse reactions, improve outcomes, and personalize treatment plans like never before.
“It’s not trial and error anymore,” Dr. Smith explains. “We can take a simple cheek swab and, in a few days, know which medications will work best for that patient. It’s the future of pharmacy—and it’s happening right now.”

More Than a Counter: Expanding Career Pathways
While most people associate pharmacists with retail settings, today’s graduates have a wide range of opportunities. “Anywhere there are medications, there are pharmacists,” Dr. Smith says.
Pharmacists now play vital roles in hospital and clinical environments, home infusion services, specialty pharmacies, insurance and managed care, and corporate health programs. From monitoring complex IV therapies to consulting on drug cost management for Fortune 50 companies, the profession has grown far beyond what most people imagine.
“Pharmacists are problem solvers,” Dr. Smith adds. “We’re seeing them step into roles where they help design insurance and drug coverage plans or use their expertise to manage chronic diseases and reduce healthcare costs. The possibilities are truly limitless.”

The Law, the Science, and the Safety Net
Behind the science of pharmacy lies a foundation of accountability. Pharmacists are legally and ethically bound to ensure patient safety, from monitoring controlled substances to complying with both state and federal laws.
“Our students have to understand the full legal landscape,” Dr. Smith explains. “That includes everything from controlled substance management to state-specific regulations. We are, in many ways, the final safety net in healthcare.”
At South College, PharmD students prepare for both the NAPLEX (North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination) and the MPJE (Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Exam), ensuring that they graduate fully ready to protect and serve the public.

An Accelerated Path to Success
What truly sets South College apart is its accelerated three-year program, combined with the flexibility of dual pathways—on-ground or hybrid online learning. Out of 143 pharmacy schools nationwide, only 25 offer accelerated programs, and just three combine that model with hybrid delivery.
“That makes us one of the most forward-thinking PharmD programs in the country,” Dr. Smith notes. “We’re able to meet students where they are—whether they want a traditional campus experience or the flexibility of online learning.”
The results speak for themselves. South College’s PharmD program recently achieved number two in the state and number two nationally among accelerated programs for board exam pass rates—an impressive testament to the rigor and quality of the curriculum.
“It’s proof of the hard work our students and faculty put in every day,” Dr. Smith says proudly. “We’ve built something truly exceptional.”

Finding the Right Fit
For students interested in pharmacy, finding the right academic fit is key. Dr. Smith emphasizes that the accelerated pace demands focus, discipline, and self-motivation. “Our admissions process is about fit,” he says. “We want to make sure students understand the pace and are ready for it.”
When it comes to the application itself, he advises future students to focus on authenticity. “Spend time on your personal statement,” he says. “Don’t let AI write it for you—tell us your story. Why pharmacy? Why South College? That sincerity helps our admissions committee see who you really are.”

Leadership and Innovation at the Helm
Dr. Smith’s own journey to becoming Dean reflects his deep commitment to the profession and to education. After years in health system leadership and owning his own specialty pharmacy business, he joined South College as faculty in 2012.
“I’ve always loved mentoring and supporting teams,” he says. “Becoming Dean gave me the opportunity to innovate, to look at how we deliver education differently, and to prepare the next generation of pharmacists for the world they’re stepping into.”
Despite the administrative responsibilities, Dr. Smith remains passionate about staying connected to students. “Pharmacy is a small world,” he notes. “The relationships you build here—between classmates, mentors, and faculty—last a lifetime.”

The Student Perspective: Focus, Friendship, and the Fast Track
After speaking with Dr. Smith, Stockham turned to two second-year PharmD students—Taylor and Elena—who are living the accelerated experience in real time. Both discovered their passion for pharmacy through family and early exposure to healthcare.
Taylor, who began with an associate degree, says she always knew she wanted to be in medicine. “At first, I thought I wanted to go to medical school,” she recalls. “But I realized pharmacy was where my interests really were.”
Elena’s inspiration came from her cousin, a South College graduate. “I saw her get her white coat when I was in middle school,” she says. “That moment stuck with me—and now, here I am.”
Both students were drawn to South College’s three-year format and its close-knit, supportive culture. “It’s fast, it’s intense, but it keeps you focused,” Elena says. “You never lose your rhythm.”

The Challenge and the Reward
Like many graduate-level programs, the accelerated PharmD demands hard work. Taylor recalls her toughest moment: “Biochemistry—hands down. It was my first quarter, and I’d never taken it before. But once I made it through that, everything else felt manageable.”
For Elena, adjusting to the faster pace was the biggest hurdle. “I came from a traditional semester system,” she says. “Learning to absorb so much information in shorter quarters took some adapting—but it’s made me stronger.”
Both agree that the friendships they’ve formed have been key to their success. “Our cohort is small and tight-knit,” Taylor explains. “We do everything together. We even have a nickname—the ‘quadruplets’—because we’re always in a group.”
Elena adds, “Graduate school can be tough, but it’s also some of the best years of your life. You grow, you find your people, and you realize you’re doing something that truly matters.”

A Future Built on Excellence
For students completing South College’s Associate of Science in Health Science Pre-Pharmacy, the path to a PharmD is even more streamlined. In as little as five years, students can earn three degrees—an associate, a bachelor’s in pharmaceutical science, and a Doctor of Pharmacy—opening doors to a wide range of professional opportunities.
Both Taylor and Elena hope to pursue residencies in ambulatory care, with the possibility of teaching in the future. “We love what our professors do,” Elena says. “They practice, they teach, and they make an impact every day.”

Shaping the Future of Healthcare
Dr. Smith and his team are building a PharmD program that not only meets the needs of today’s healthcare system but anticipates tomorrow’s. With cutting-edge instruction, flexible learning options, and a deep commitment to student success, South College continues to raise the bar for pharmacy education.
As Dr. Smith puts it: “Our goal is to produce not just pharmacists—but leaders. People who will transform how healthcare is delivered, one patient at a time.”