Navigating Walgreens Pharmacy Internship Requirements: A Comprehensive Guide

Walgreens offers a variety of internship opportunities across different business areas. Sometimes a stepping-stone to a full-time role, internships are a great way to gain experience in your desired occupation. At Walgreens, our internship and rotational programs are comprehensive learning experiences - putting you right at the heart of reimagining local healthcare and wellbeing. On day one, you’ll take on real-world challenges and dive into critical projects, surrounded by plenty of opportunities to grow. This article provides a detailed overview of the requirements and opportunities associated with Walgreens pharmacy internships, offering insights for students and graduates aiming to launch their careers in pharmacy.

Types of Walgreens Pharmacy Internships

Walgreens provides several pathways for aspiring pharmacy professionals:

Traditional Pharmacy Internships: These programs offer on-the-job training activities that supplement coursework throughout the school year. As an intern with Walgreens, you'll have the ability to build and expand on your clinical, regulatory and leadership capabilities. This is your opportunity to experience the difference we make every day, as you interact with patients and learn how our pharmacists impact health and well-being. Build on your pharmacy education with a unique corporate perspective and learn what it takes to be an innovator in the industry. Career readiness is empowered through structured IPPE and APPE rotations, while networking opportunities help you connect with professionals across the organization. We’ve reimagined our Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experiences (IPPE) and Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences (APPE) programs to emphasize direct patient care over traditional prescription fulfillment, reflecting the evolving landscape of pharmacy practice. It’s a customized experience, reflecting your current year within a PharmD program and a crucial step in gaining hands-on training and developing the skills necessary for pharmacy practice.
Corporate Internships: These internships provide firsthand exposure to a fast-paced, collaborative corporate environment. Opportunities exist across many corporate functions like Technology, Finance, HR, Operations, Supply Chain, Government Affairs, Corporate Pharmacy and more. You can expect to gain new skills, learn ways to navigate the dynamics of a corporate business setting and contribute to solving highly relevant business challenges. You’ll gain first-hand financial and accounting experience and be part of a team that supports a top-performing organization ranked 26th on the Fortune 500 list. As a supply chain intern or rotational analyst, you and your team will focus on driving cost productivity, cash generation and impeccable service to our customers through innovation and continuous improvement. The goal of our early career programs is to allow young professionals to gain hands-on experience and wide-reaching exposure to all aspects of supply chain, generating strong future leaders. This is a full immersion in distribution logistics. You'll learn one of the most sophisticated supply chain processes in the nation, working across departments and side-by-side with experienced managers.
Pharmacy Technician Programs: Walgreens is proud to invest in and champion an “earn while you learn” Pharmacy Technician Training Program recognized by ASHP and the Department of Labor. This apprenticeship program gives you an entry point to a career in healthcare by guiding you in taking steps towards becoming a certified pharmacy technician, through the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) or the National Healthcareer Association (NHA), and helping you maintain the high level of skill required in the pharmacy care industry. Through our ASHP Accredited training program, our team member PTCE (PTCB) pass rates are 81%, which is 11% higher than the national average. Our program arms you with a nationally recognized, portable credential that will help you advance your career. Whether you are new to working in pharmacies or are an experienced Pharmacy Technician, this is a great chance for you. Walgreens will train you to use your skills and talents to serve and care for our patients and customers. The courses, learning activities and resources provided to you in our pharmacy technician training program are designed to give you the foundational and advanced knowledge, skills and on-the-job experiences you need to prepare to become a certified pharmacy technician.

Core Requirements for Pharmacy Internships

Several core requirements must be met to be eligible for a Walgreens pharmacy internship. These requirements ensure that candidates are qualified and prepared to contribute to the pharmacy team.

Educational Requirements

Applicants must be enrolled in an intern program at an accredited school or college of pharmacy or be a graduate of accredited school or college of pharmacy and not yet be licensed in the state. This foundational requirement ensures that interns possess the necessary academic background to understand and apply pharmaceutical principles.

School Seal Form

The School Seal Form must be submitted directly from the university or it will not be accepted. This document verifies current or past attendance at an accredited pharmacy college or school. The submission of this form directly from the university ensures its authenticity and confirms the applicant's academic standing.

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Social Security Number (SSN)

Please make sure to include your Social Security Number (SSN) on your application. Your application will not be approved unless this information is included on your application. Providing an SSN is essential for identification and processing of the application.

Licensure Verification (If Applicable)

If the applicant holds a license or certification in another state, territory, or foreign country, the Licensure Verification Form must be completed by the issuing office. Please have the office that issued the license or certification complete the Licensure Verification Form.

Application Completeness

Ensure that all fields are completed as instructed. An incomplete application shall expire after one (1) year. Attention to detail and thoroughness in completing the application are crucial, as incomplete applications will not be processed and will expire after a year.

Additional Considerations for Eligibility

Beyond the core requirements, several other factors can influence an applicant's eligibility for a Walgreens pharmacy internship.

Background Checks and Disciplinary Actions

Applicants must disclose any disciplinary actions taken against any license they hold. Board Actions - Certified copies of document(s), i.e. Final Order and Administrative Complaint, relative to any disciplinary action taken against any license. A detailed self-explanation of the circumstances surrounding the disciplinary action is required, along with a thorough description of the rehabilitative changes in lifestyle since the time of the disciplinary action. Self-Explanation - A detailed description of the circumstances surrounding your disciplinary action and a thorough description of the rehabilitative changes in your lifestyle since the time of the disciplinary action which would enable you to avoid future occurrences. A letter from a licensed health care practitioner, who is qualified by skill and training to address the condition identified, which explains the impact the condition may have on the ability to practice the profession with reasonable skill and safety. The letter must specify that the applicant is safe to practice the profession without restrictions or specifically indicate the restrictions that are necessary.

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Criminal History

Applicants must disclose any convictions or pleas of guilty or nolo contendere to a felony, particularly those related to social and economic assistance, fraudulent practices, or drug abuse prevention and control. Has been convicted of, or entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, regardless of adjudication, a felony under Chapter 409, F.S., (relating to social and economic assistance), Chapter 817, F.S., (relating to fraudulent practices), Chapter 893, F.S., (relating to drug abuse prevention and control) or a similar felony offense(s) in another state or jurisdiction unless the candidate or applicant has successfully completed a drug court program for that felony and provides proof that the plea has been withdrawn or the charges have been dismissed. ss. This includes providing final disposition records and completion of probation/parole/sanctions. Final Dispositions/Arrest Records - Final disposition records for offenses can be obtained at the clerk of the court in the arresting jurisdiction. Completion of Probation/Parole/Sanctions - Probation and financial sanction records for offenses can be obtained at the clerk of the court in the arresting jurisdiction. Parole records for offenses can be obtained from the Department of Corrections or at the clerk of the court in the arresting jurisdiction. A self-explanation of the circumstances surrounding the offense is also required. Self-Explanation - Applicants who have listed offenses on the application must submit a letter in their own words describing the circumstances of the offense.

Exclusion Lists

Applicants must not be listed on the United States Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General’s List of Excluded Individuals and Entities. Is currently listed on the United States Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General’s List of Excluded Individuals and Entities.

Opportunities for Foreign Pharmacy Graduates

Walgreens also provides opportunities for foreign pharmacy graduates. These applicants must obtain eligibility to sit for the Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Equivalency Examination (FPGEE). Obtain eligibility to sit for the Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Equivalency Examination (FPGEE). Please apply for the FPGEE through the NABP. Additionally, if a foreign pharmacy graduate is being supervised as an intern, the preceptor may only supervise one intern at a time. Please note that if your preceptor has not been approved by the Board office, you may NOT begin your internship hours. Additionally, pursuant to Rule 64B16-2602033, Florida Administrative Code, a preceptor may only supervise one (1) intern at a time, if such intern is a foreign pharmacy graduate. They also need to complete a certain number of internship or work experience hours. Graduate plus 1580 hours of internship or work experience hours. Please note that the 1580 hours of internship or work experience may not overlap with the 500 Florida internship hours.

The Internship Experience

Walgreens' internship programs are designed to provide immersive experiences with hands-on learning, mentorships, and valuable networking opportunities. Our 10-week internship program offers an immersive experience providing students with hands-on learning, mentorships and valuable networking opportunities. Applications for our summer 2026 internship program will open this fall.

Real-World Challenges

Interns take on real-world challenges and dive into critical projects from day one. This is your opportunity to experience the difference we make every day, as you interact with patients and learn how our pharmacists impact health and well-being.

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Skill Development

Interns build and expand on their clinical, regulatory, and leadership capabilities. With on-the-job training activities that complement your coursework, you can build your clinical, regulatory and leadership skills.

Networking Opportunities

Internships offer numerous opportunities to connect with professionals across the organization. “Make all the connections you can! Peter Atsaves feels similarly. Atsaves interned during the summer of 2022 on the Speech Science and Conventional AI team and advises interns to learn as much as possible from mentors and colleagues.

Corporate Exposure

Interns gain firsthand exposure to a fast-paced, highly collaborative corporate environment. You’ll gain firsthand exposure and experience working in a fast-paced, highly collaborative corporate environment. Opportunities exist across many corporate functions like Technology, Finance, HR, Operations, Supply Chain, Government Affairs, Corporate Pharmacy and more. You can expect to gain new skills, learn ways to navigate the dynamics of a corporate business setting and contribute to solving highly relevant business challenges.

Tips for a Successful Internship

Several current and former Walgreens interns have shared advice for future participants:

Take Initiative: Riley began her career with Walgreens as a Merchandising intern during the summer of 2022. When asked for tips for future interns, Riley emphasized the importance of requesting help if unsure about something.
Build Connections: Another useful tip for a successful internship is to take advantage of networking and build connections during the program.
Learn from Mentors: Atsaves interned during the summer of 2022 on the Speech Science and Conventional AI team and advises interns to learn as much as possible from mentors and colleagues.
Maintain a Positive Attitude: Finally, Ashbery and Atsaves both recommend having fun and enjoying the work you are doing. A positive attitude will leave a lasting impression on your managers and team members. Similarly to Ashbery, Tiger, a 2003 business management intern in Ohio emphasized the benefits of the positive attitude he demonstrated during his internship.

Walgreens Commitment to Employee Development

Walgreens is committed to developing its team members through various programs:

Pharmacy Technician Certification and Training Program: This program prepares team members for certification and provides continuing education credits. Our Pharmacy Technician Certification and Training program was the first of its kind to be accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). This best-in-class training program is designed to prepare qualifying team members to succeed in one of the most state-of-the-art pharmacy environments in the industry. We also fully support the national PTCB Certification from the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board and ExCPT Certification from the National Healthcare Association for all of our pharmacy technicians. We provide you with review classes, study materials, and even sponsor the cost of your exam. Plus, we offer online courses that are a convenient way for qualifying team members to earn free continuing education credit hours that are recognized by the ACPE (Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education).
PharmStart: This online education program helps team members meet the prerequisite requirements for pharmacy school. Additionally, PharmStart is a first-of-its-kind, fully funded online education program designed to help current eligible Walgreens team members meet the prerequisite requirements for pharmacy school.
School of Operations: This program focuses on developing frontline leaders into store managers. Our School of Operations is a development program focused on turning our frontline leaders into Walgreens store managers. You’ll learn the skills to become an effective leader, make big decisions and empower everyone on your team. You’ll get the real-world tools, resources and experience to build your knowledge about the issues that matter most in your day-to-day. At Walgreens, we are committed to developing our leaders because they are essential to providing an excellent experience for our team members and customers.

Walgreens Pharmacy Fellowship

The Walgreens Pharmacy Fellowship provides pharmacists with exceptional postgraduate training opportunities to expand their expertise and leadership skills through immersive, hands-on experiences and projects. Fellows will collaborate with cross-functional teams and gain experience in project coordination, communication and leadership. Pharmacists emerging from this fellowship will be confident, adaptable leaders equipped to make meaningful contributions to community pharmacy practice.

Walgreens Pharmacy Educational Assistance Program (PEAP)

The Walgreens Pharmacy Educational Assistance Program (PEAP) provides annual awards to Walgreens pharmacy interns enrolled in a professional pharmacy program.

Innovating Pharmacy Operations

Walgreens is at the forefront of pharmacy innovation, using technology to enhance patient care and streamline operations. Walgreens pharmacy micro-fulfillment centers are a critical part of our pharmacy operations. We’re using innovative, robotic technology in a central pharmacy environment, to help ease workload on our store pharmacy teams and streamline fulfilment of prescription orders. Our pharmacy micro-fulfillment centers free up capacity for our store pharmacists and technicians to do what they do best - provide amazing, personalized patient care.

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