School of
Pharmacy

Pharmacy is a diverse profession. We work in hospitals, outpatient clinics and doctors’ offices, universities, government agencies, insurance companies and the private sector.

Benefits to a career in pharmacy

Pharmacists use their understanding of science, health-care systems, medical literature, technology, people and their behavior to increase the likelihood that medications and other treatments will cure or prevent diseases, reduce symptoms or slow the progression of disease.

There are many benefits to a career in pharmacy. It's routinely ranked among the most trusted professions. Several professional and business publications rate the risk of pharmacy jobs being lost to automation as low, and caring for an aging population, changes in access to care and health-care delivery systems increase the need for pharmacists.

 Top five reasons to become a pharmacist

  1. Have a well-rounded career. Pharmacy is an exciting blend of science, direct patient care, management and technology.
  2. Be a vital member of health-care teams. Pharmacists play an integral role in improving patients’ health through the medicine and information they provide.
  3. Earn a good living. Pharmacy remains one of the most financially stable and rewarding careers in health care.
  4. Be offered outstanding opportunities. There is a need for pharmacists in a wide variety of health-care settings, the private sector and government settings. Pharmacy offers evolving roles and opportunities as health care evolves to meet the changing needs of patients.
  5. Be a trusted member of your community. Pharmacists are consistently ranked as one of the most highly trusted professionals because of the quality of care and service they provide.
$115,000
Annual median salary reported by our graduates

Is pharmacy right for you?

Deciding to pursue a professional degree is a big commitment. As you weigh your options for attending a professional program, we want you to ask yourself these questions.

  • Do you want to serve your community and improve people’s health?
  • Do you like working with people?
  • Do you want to help those in need?
  • Do you have strong communication skills?
  • Do you like chemistry, biology and math?
  • Are you a critical thinker, detail oriented and organized?
  • Do you think quickly on your feet?
  • Do you like to work on teams?
  • Are you comfortable using technology?

Still undecided? Find out more.

Is pharmacy right for me?

86%
Percent of graduates who say they would choose pharmacy if starting their careers again

2022 UMKC Graduate Employment

Alumni Stories

Tripp Logan (’02), a registered pharmacist in Charleston, Missouri, is founder and chief operating officer of the Enhanced Service Pharmacy Alliance (ESPhA), the pharmacy industry’s only next-generation consulting, sourcing, and group purchasing organization.

Tripp Logan

Where Our Grads Work

  • AbbVie
  • Janssen
  • Novartis
  • Merck Research Laboratories
  • Eli Lilly and Company
  • Alexion Pharmaceutica

  • Barnes Jewish Hospital
  • University of Kansas Medical Center
  • Truman Medical Center
  • Children’s Mercy Hospital
  • Cox Health
  • Mercy Health
  • AdventHealth Shawnee Mission
  • Wesley Children’s Hospital
  • Freeman Health System
  • Research Medical Center

  • U.S. Medical Information at EMD Serono
  • ProPharma Group

  • Specialty Pharmacy Walgreens
  • Walgreens
  • CVS Health
  • CVS Specialty
  • Hy-Vee Pharmacy

  • Medkare Pharmacy
  • Health Direct Pharmacy Services
  • Think Whole Person Healthcare
  • SS and C Health
  • Trestle Tree LLC
  • BriovaRx Specialty Pharmacy
  • BriovaRx Infusion Services
  • Blink Health Rx
  • Cardinal Health
  • AssistRx
  • AlixaRx
  • Accredo
  • IQVIA
  • OPTUMRx
  • Anthem
  • DST Systems
  • Tria Health
  • UnitedHealth Group
  • Cerner
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • Aetna

  • The Johns Hopkins Hospital
  • Michigan Medicine: University of Michigan
  • University of Washington Medicine
  • Cedars-Sinai
  • Boulder Community Health
  • HCA Healthcare
  • Texas Children’s Hospital
  • University of Chicago Medicine
  • Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago
  • University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine

  • U.S. Medical Affairs Oncology Post-Doctoral Fellow
  • Specialty/MTM/Retail Pharmacist
  • Pediatric Clinical Coordinator & NICU Clinical Pharmacy Specialist
  • Medical Science Liaison
  • Pharmacist at U.S. Army
  • Owner/Pharmacist
  • Pharmacist in Charge
  • Pharmacy Cardiology Specialist
  • Clinical Management Pharmacist
  • Assistant/Associate Professor
  • Senior Director, Account Management
  • District Leader of Pharmacy & Retail Operations
  • Clinical Oncology Pharmacist
  • Regional Director, Field Medical Respiratory Team
  • Captain U.S. Air Force
  • Clinical Advisor, Health Plan Clinical Accounts
  • Acute Care Clinical Pharmacist
  • Medical Outcomes Specialist
  • Strategic Leader in Healthcare
  • Director of Deployment MBB, Business Process Excellence – Global Medical Supply Chain
  • Healthcare Executive, Strategic Leadership
  • Senior Medical Information Specialist

  • Cox Medical Center
  • Mercy Hospital
  • MU Health
  • Truman Medical Center
  • Children’s Medical Center (KC)
  • St. Luke’s Hospital
  • SSM Health – SLU Hospital
  • Cook Children’s Health Care System (Fort Worth)
  • Northwestern Memorial Hospital (Chicago)
  • New Hanover Regional Medical Center (North Carolina)
  • North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine (North Carolina)
  • University of Minnesota (Minnesota)
  • Rutgers University at Daiichi Sankyo (New Jersey)
  • Rutgers University-New Brunswick (San Francisco)