Program Overview
The Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program prepares students to become knowledgeable, skilled, and compassionate pharmacists. Our curriculum combines rigorous pharmaceutical sciences with clinical practice experiences, equipping graduates with the expertise needed to optimize medication use, improve patient outcomes, and contribute effectively to healthcare teams.
As the medication expert on the healthcare team, pharmacists play a critical role in ensuring safe and effective drug therapy. With evolving healthcare needs, pharmacists are increasingly involved in direct patient care, medication therapy management, clinical decision-making, public health initiatives, and pharmaceutical research.
Program Duration
4 years of full-time study (post-baccalaureate)
Total Credits
180-200 credit hours
Instruction Format
Classroom, laboratory, and clinical experiences
Accreditation
Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE)
Program Structure
Our PharmD curriculum is designed to provide a strong foundation in pharmaceutical sciences while building clinical skills through progressive experiential education. The program follows a structured pathway from basic sciences to advanced clinical pharmacy.
First Year: Foundations
Establish fundamental knowledge in biomedical sciences, pharmaceutical calculations, and introductory pharmacy practice. Begin developing professional identity and understanding the healthcare environment.
- Introduction to Pharmacy Practice
- Pharmaceutical Calculations
- Biochemistry
- Physiology
- Pharmaceutics I
- Pharmacy Law and Ethics
Second Year: Applied Sciences
Explore pharmacology, medicinal chemistry, and pharmacokinetics. Therapeutics of common disease states are introduced, along with medication preparation skills.
- Pharmacology I & II
- Medicinal Chemistry
- Pharmacokinetics
- Therapeutics I & II
- Sterile Compounding
- Pharmacotherapy
Third Year: Advanced Therapeutics
Focus on disease state management, evidence-based practice, pharmacy information systems, and clinical decision-making. Prepare for advanced practice experiences.
- Therapeutics III & IV
- Clinical Pharmacokinetics
- Drug Information
- Pharmacy Management
- Interprofessional Healthcare
Fourth Year: Clinical Practice
Complete Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences (APPEs) allowing students to apply knowledge and skills in various clinical settings under preceptor supervision.
- Seven core APPE rotations
- Four elective APPE rotations
- Capstone Project
- Licensure Exam Preparation
Core Courses
Our comprehensive core curriculum ensures graduates have the knowledge and skills needed for contemporary pharmacy practice.
Pharmaceutical Sciences
| Course | Description |
|---|---|
| Pharmaceutics I-III | Drug formulation, delivery systems, and physical-chemical properties of medicines |
| Medicinal Chemistry | Chemical structures, properties, and design of drug molecules |
| Pharmacology I-III | Drug actions, effects, and mechanisms on biological systems |
| Pharmacokinetics | Drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion |
| Biopharmaceutics | Factors affecting drug bioavailability and bioequivalence |
Clinical Sciences
| Course | Description |
|---|---|
| Therapeutics I-VI | Disease-oriented approach to pharmacotherapy across body systems |
| Pharmacy Practice I-IV | Development of professional skills, communication, and patient care |
| Medication Therapy Management | Strategies for optimizing medication use and patient outcomes |
| Clinical Toxicology | Management of drug overdose, poisoning, and adverse drug reactions |
Social, Behavioral, and Administrative Pharmacy
| Course | Description |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Law and Regulations | Federal and state laws governing pharmacy practice |
| Pharmacy Ethics | Ethical principles applied to pharmacy practice dilemmas |
| Pharmaceutical Public Health | Population health approaches to medication use and disease prevention |
| Practice Management | Business aspects including finance, marketing, and personnel management |
Specializations and Electives
While the PharmD provides a general foundation in pharmacy practice, students can pursue specialized interests through elective courses and advanced practice experiences.
Clinical Pharmacy Specializations
- Cardiology
- Oncology
- Infectious Diseases
- Critical Care
- Pediatrics
- Geriatrics
- Psychiatry
- Transplant Pharmacy
Industry and Research Options
- Drug Development
- Clinical Research
- Regulatory Affairs
- Pharmacoepidemiology
- Pharmacoeconomics
- Medical Communications
Administrative Focus
- Pharmacy Leadership
- Healthcare Administration
- Medication Safety
- Quality Improvement
- Informatics
Community and Public Health
- Community Pharmacy Management
- Immunizations
- Medication Adherence
- Diabetes Education
- Public Policy
Clinical Rotations
Experiential education provides students with opportunities to apply classroom knowledge in real-world settings. Our structured experiential curriculum begins early in the program and progressively increases in complexity and responsibility.
Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experiences (IPPEs)
During the first three years, students complete IPPEs totaling no less than 300 hours. These experiences introduce students to basic pharmacy practice in various settings and develop fundamental skills.
Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences (APPEs)
The final year consists of APPEs totaling no less than 1,440 hours. These are full-time, 4-6 week rotations in various practice settings where students assume increased responsibility for patient care under preceptor supervision.
Required APPEs
- Community Pharmacy (2 rotations)
- Acute Care/Inpatient (2 rotations)
- Ambulatory Care (1 rotation)
- Health System Administration (1 rotation)
Elective APPEs (4 rotations)
Students select rotations based on career interests from offerings including:
- Specialty clinical pharmacy (cardiology, oncology, etc.)
- Pharmaceutical industry
- Research and drug information
- Academic pharmacy
- Nuclear pharmacy
- Compounding specialty
- Regulatory affairs
Admission Requirements
Admission to the PharmD program is competitive and based on a holistic review of each applicant. Our program seeks candidates with strong academic preparation, a commitment to patient care, and the personal qualities necessary for successful pharmacy practice.
Prerequisites
| Subject Area | Courses Required | Credits (minimum) |
|---|---|---|
| Biological Sciences | General Biology with lab, Anatomy & Physiology, Microbiology | 12-16 |
| Chemistry | General Chemistry with lab, Organic Chemistry with lab, Biochemistry | 16-20 |
| Physics | General Physics with lab | 4-8 |
| Mathematics | Calculus, Statistics | 6-8 |
| English/Writing | Composition, Literature | 6 |
| Social Sciences | Psychology, Sociology, Economics | 6 |
| Humanities | Electives in history, philosophy, arts, etc. | 6 |
Application Components
- Completed application through PharmCAS (Pharmacy College Application Service)
- Bachelor's degree or completion of required prerequisite coursework (minimum 2 years)
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7 on a 4.0 scale (competitive applicants typically have 3.0 or higher)
- Science/math GPA minimum of 2.5
- Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT) scores (optional for some applicants)
- Official transcripts from all colleges attended
- Three letters of recommendation (preferably from science professors and pharmacists)
- Personal statement addressing motivation for pharmacy and career goals
- Documentation of pharmacy experience (volunteer or paid)
- Interview (by invitation for qualified applicants)
Application Timeline
- Applications open: July 1
- Priority deadline: November 1
- Final deadline: March 1
- Interviews: September through March
- Admission decisions: Rolling, with most final decisions by April
- Classes begin: August
Career Prospects
Our graduates pursue diverse career paths across various sectors of healthcare and beyond. The pharmacy profession offers numerous opportunities for specialization, leadership, and innovation in patient care.
Community Pharmacy
Many graduates work in community pharmacies, serving as accessible healthcare providers who dispense medications, provide patient counseling, offer clinical services (immunizations, health screenings), and collaborate with other healthcare professionals. Pharmacists in community settings may serve as managers, owners, or corporate executives of pharmacy chains.
Hospital and Health System Pharmacy
Hospital pharmacists work as part of interprofessional healthcare teams, ensuring safe medication use throughout the healthcare facility. Career opportunities include clinical pharmacists specializing in various therapeutic areas, medication safety officers, pharmacy managers, clinical coordinators, and directors of pharmacy.
Clinical Pharmacy
Clinical pharmacists work directly with patients and healthcare providers to optimize drug therapy. They may practice in ambulatory care clinics, specialty clinics, or as part of medical teams managing patients with complex conditions. Many clinical pharmacists complete postgraduate residencies for additional specialized training.
Pharmaceutical Industry
PharmD graduates contribute to drug development through roles in clinical research, regulatory affairs, medical science liaison, drug information, marketing, pharmacovigilance, and medical communications. Industry careers offer opportunities to impact medication development and use on a broader scale.
Academic Pharmacy
Pharmacists interested in education pursue careers in academic pharmacy, teaching the next generation of pharmacists while contributing to research and service. Academic careers may require additional postgraduate training culminating in a PhD, fellowship, or residency.
Government and Public Health
Opportunities exist in organizations such as the FDA, CDC, NIH, VA, Department of Defense, and state health departments. Pharmacists in these settings contribute to regulatory oversight, public health initiatives, medication policy development, and military pharmacy services.
Employment Outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of pharmacists is projected to grow 2% from 2021 to 2031. While demand in traditional settings may experience modest growth, opportunities are expanding in clinical roles, healthcare systems, and specialty areas.
Postgraduate Opportunities
- PGY1 Pharmacy Residencies General pharmacy practice building clinical skills
- PGY2 Residencies Specialized training in areas such as oncology, infectious diseases, etc.
- Fellowships Specialized training in pharmaceutical industry, research, or specialized practice areas
- Graduate Education PhD programs for research-focused careers in academia or industry
