Earning a Doctor of Pharmacy or PharmD degree is required to become a pharmacist with responsibilities in a patient care setting, such as a pharmacy, clinic, or even patients’ homes. The prerequisite for this doctorate program is a bachelor’s degree. After you earn your PharmD degree, you can pursue licensing in your state. Once you’ve met the qualifications and proven your skills for licensure, you can fill prescriptions for patients. In some states, you can prescribe medication, too. A PharmD degree differs from a PhD in that the latter prepares you for a career focused on research-based duties.