Pharmaceutical Rep Schooling Requirements

<p>Pharmaceutical sales representatives sell prescription products to businesses and other organizations. These sales representatives need to be self-motivated and have strong negotiation, sales, and communication skills. They also need to have a working knowledge of industry practices and terms. </p> <h2 id="section---WhatDegreeDoYouNeedToBecomeAPharmaceuticalRepresentative">What Degree Do You Need to Become a Pharmaceutical Representative?</h2> <p>Pharmaceutical sales representatives need at least a high school diploma, and may need to have a college degree, depending on their employer. Certified training programs can teach the necessary knowledge and skills to entry-level candidates with only a diploma. However, due to the nature of working with scientific and medical products, many companies prefer or require candidates to have a bachelor's degree in a relevant field, such as biology or chemistry. </p> <h2 id="section---PharmaceuticalRepDegreeOptions">Pharmaceutical Rep Degree Options</h2> <p>A bachelor's degree in pharmaceutical sciences or marketing can give an individual the skills and knowledge needed to work in prescription drug sales. Read on to learn more about these degree options. </p> <h3 id="section---PharmaceuticalSciences">Pharmaceutical Sciences</h3> <p>A Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences may be the first step in <a href="https://learn.org/articles/Pharmacist_Become_a_Pharmacist_in_5_Steps.html">becoming a pharmacist</a>, but it can be useful for pharmaceutical sales reps as well. These programs teach the science behind pharmaceutical products. Biology, chemistry, math, and ethics courses help students gain knowledge in research, development, testing, and production/manufacturing concepts. Some schools have different pathways for students to choose from, such as drug development or healthcare. </p> <p>An aspiring pharmaceutical sales rep can benefit from this type of degree program because it provides industry knowledge, including technical and scientific terms. Students could also learn first-hand how products are made and distributed, as well as the ethical and legal issues the industry faces. </p> <h3 id="section---Marketing">Marketing</h3> <p>A Bachelor of Arts in Marketing is a type of business degree that shows students how to connect with customers in order to drive sales. Students learn strategies for selling products, how to promote products through several types of media, and ways to form and maintain relationships with business professionals and customers alike. <a href="https://learn.org/articles/Which_Universities_Offer_Online_Statistics_Courses.html">Courses in statistics</a>, business ethics, product selling, finance, and consumer behavior give students the tools needed to understand the product market from both sides. </p> <p>Those interested in pharmaceutical sales can benefit from a marketing degree because they will gain the knowledge and tools necessary to sell pharmaceutical products, appeal to customers, understand business economics, and foster relationships with clients. </p> <h2 id="section---PharmaceuticalSalesTraining">Pharmaceutical Sales Training</h2> <p>Some companies will provide on-the-job training, where trainees may shadow an experienced employee. Other companies will use formal programs with training manuals. Individuals looking to break into the industry or to advance their careers can pursue self-study through a certified program. </p> <p>One such program is the Certified National Pharmaceutical Representative training program. It was developed by the National Association of Pharmaceutical Sales Representatives and is an industry-standard training program. The program teaches sales tactics, medical terminology, basic pharmacology, industry practices, law, protocol, and terms, among other things. Once the program is completed, an individual can sit for the CNPR certification exam. </p> <p>Even if someone has a bachelor's degree or has completed pharmaceutical sales training, entering a training program can be beneficial. Since drug development is always changing, individuals need to stay up to date on industry news, knowledge, and practices.</p>