PharmD Student Handbook

Welcome to the PharmD Program

Welcome to the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program at our College of Pharmacy. This handbook serves as a comprehensive guide to all aspects of your journey as a pharmacy student. It outlines program requirements, academic policies, available resources, and services to support your success throughout your education. We encourage you to familiarize yourself with this information as you begin your path toward becoming a compassionate healthcare professional.

The PharmD program is designed to prepare you for a dynamic career in pharmacy, combining rigorous academics with practical experience in various healthcare settings. Our curriculum emphasizes patient-centered care, evidence-based medicine, interprofessional collaboration, and lifelong learning skills essential for modern pharmacy practice.

Mission, Vision, and Goals

Mission: Our mission is to educate and develop pharmacists who provide compassionate, evidence-based patient care, serve as leaders in healthcare transformation, and contribute to the advancement of the pharmacy profession through innovation in practice, education, and research.

Vision: To be globally recognized for excellence in pharmacy education, research, and practice, shaping the future of healthcare.

Program Goals:

• Prepare graduates to provide patient-centered care as integral members of interprofessional healthcare teams
• Foster critical thinking, problem-solving, and professional decision-making skills
• Instill ethical and professional values in pharmacy practice
• Promote lifelong learning and commitment to professional development
• Cultivate leadership skills and advocacy for the pharmacy profession
• Prepare graduates who serve diverse populations and address healthcare disparities

Curriculum Structure

The PharmD curriculum provides a comprehensive foundation in pharmaceutical sciences while developing clinical competence for all pharmacy practice settings. The program spans four years of professional study following completion of pre-pharmacy prerequisites.

Coursework by Year:

First Professional Year (P1)

• Pharmaceutical Calculations
• Biochemistry for Pharmacists
• Human Physiology
• Pharmaceutics I
• Pharmacotherapy I: Basic Principles
• Introduction to Pharmacy Practice
• Pharmacy Law and Ethics
• Pharmacokinetics I

Second Professional Year (P2)

• Medicinal Chemistry I
• Pharmacology I
• Pharmacotherapy II: Cardiovascular
• Pharmacy Information Systems and Analytics
• Pharmacy Communications
• Physical Assessment
• Drug Literature Evaluation
• Immunizations and Public Health

Third Professional Year (P3)

• Medicinal Chemistry II
• Pharmacology II
• Pharmacotherapy III: Infectious Diseases
• Pharmacotherapy IV: Special Populations
• Clinical Pharmacokinetics
• Pharmacy Management and Leadership
• Healthcare Delivery Systems

Fourth Professional Year (P4)

The final year consists entirely of Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences (APPEs) in various practice settings. Students complete a minimum of 1600 hours of experiential education.

Academic Policies

Students in the PharmD program are expected to maintain high academic standards and adhere to all academic policies of the university and the College of Pharmacy. Please review these policies carefully.

Academic Integrity

Academic honesty is fundamental to the educational process and profession of pharmacy. Plagiarism, cheating, unauthorized collaboration, fabrication, and other forms of academic dishonesty are strictly prohibited. Violations may result in disciplinary action including probation, suspension, or dismissal from the program.

Attendance and Participation

Regular attendance and active participation are essential components of pharmacy education. Students are expected to attend all scheduled classes, laboratories, and experiential rotations. Absences may impact course grades and progression in the program. Documentation may be required for excused absences.

Academic Standing

Students must maintain satisfactory academic progress to remain in the program:

• Good Standing: Cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher
• Academic Warning: Term GPA below 2.5 but cumulative GPA remains at or above 2.5
• Academic Probation: Cumulative GPA falls below 2.5
• Academic Suspension: Failure to meet probation requirements within one term

Grading System

Experiential Education

Experiential education is a vital component of the PharmD curriculum, providing students with practical experience in various pharmacy practice settings. These experiences complement classroom learning and allow students to apply pharmaceutical knowledge in real-world situations.

Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experiences (IPPEs)

IPPEs occur throughout the first three years of the curriculum and provide early exposure to pharmacy practice. These experiences introduce students to various roles of pharmacists, basic pharmacy operations, and foundational patient care activities. IPPEs total 300 hours and include community pharmacy, hospital pharmacy, and other practice settings.

Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences (APPEs)

APPEs constitute the entire fourth year of the program, consisting of rotations in different practice settings:

• Ambulatory Care Pharmacy (6 weeks)
• Community Pharmacy (6 weeks)
• Health System/Inpatient Pharmacy (6 weeks)
• Medicine (6 weeks)
• Elective rotations (24-30 weeks across various specialty areas)

Specialty elective options may include oncology, pediatrics, geriatrics, critical care, infectious diseases, psychiatry, research, academia, and more.

Experiential Requirements

• Completion of all core course requirements before beginning APPEs
• Compliance with immunization requirements, background checks, and drug screening
• Professional liability insurance coverage provided by the College
• Adherence to site-specific policies and professional expectations
• Completion of required site documentation and evaluations

Professionalism and Ethics

As future healthcare professionals, students are expected to demonstrate professionalism and ethical behavior at all times. Professionalism encompasses respect, responsibility, excellence, accountability, and service to others.

Code of Conduct

All pharmacy students must adhere to the College's Code of Conduct and the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) Code of Ethics for Pharmacists. Violations may result in disciplinary action and could affect progression through the program.

Professional Appearance

Students are expected to maintain a professional appearance appropriate for healthcare settings during experiential rotations and certain class activities. Specific guidelines for attire, name badges, and identification requirements are detailed in the experiential manual.

Patient Confidentiality

Students must protect patient information in accordance with HIPAA regulations and institutional policies. Any breach of patient confidentiality is a serious matter and may result in immediate removal from experiential sites and potential disciplinary action.

Student Resources and Support Services

The College of Pharmacy offers various resources to support student success, wellness, and professional development throughout the PharmD program.

Academic Support

• Academic advising and career counseling
• Tutoring services for challenging courses
• Study skills workshops and time management sessions
• Test-taking strategies and exam preparation

Wellness Resources

• Counseling and psychological services
• Stress management and mindfulness programs
• Physical health resources including campus recreation facilities
• Substance abuse prevention and intervention programs

Financial Services

• Financial aid counseling and application assistance
• Scholarship opportunities specific to pharmacy students
• Budget planning workshops
• Student employment opportunities

Library and Research Resources

• Specialized pharmacy and biomedical databases
• Research consultation with health sciences librarians
• Study spaces and computer labs
• Access to pharmaceutical journals and reference materials

Professional Development

• Student chapters of national pharmacy organizations
• Residency preparation workshops
• Licensure exam preparation resources
• Networking events with practicing pharmacists
• Leadership development opportunities