Doctor of Pharmacy
Program Location
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Center for Graduate Studies
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Program Credits
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144 Credits
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Program Length
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9 Semesters, 132 Instructional Weeks
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Time to Complete*
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45 Months
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*Program Length may vary. This program allots a maximum of 6 calendar years to complete.
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) Code: 29-2052.00, 29-1051.00
Program Mission: The School of Pharmacy is a learning community that delivers a dynamic curriculum emphasizing evidence-based practice, prepares students to serve patients as a member of an interprofessional team, engages in scholarship, and serves the community through outreach.
Program Learning Outcomes:
Each student will have the opportunity to develop knowledge, skills and professional behaviors in order to:
1. Provide optimal patient-centered care.
- Recognize and respect patient differences, values, preferences, and expressed needs.
- Identify medication-related problems, formulate medication treatment plans, and monitor and evaluate patient response to pharmacotherapy.
- Listen to and educate patients and/or caregivers to optimize health outcomes.
2. Collaborate as a member of interprofessional healthcare teams.
- Demonstrate a climate of mutual respect and shared values within an interprofessional team.
- Identify roles and responsibilities of interprofessional team members to optimize outcomes.
- Communicate effectively in an interprofessional team.
- Apply principles of team dynamics to perform effectively within interprofessional teams.
3. Employ evidence-based practice.
- Integrate basic science knowledge into clinical practice.
- Evaluate and assimilate scientific evidence to improve patient care.
4. Utilize medication-use-systems, drug and health information, and other technologies.
- Utilize components of medication-use-systems (i.e., procuring, storing, furnishing, transcribing, compounding/preparing, dispensing, and administering) to provide safe, accurate, and timely medication distribution.
- Apply relevant concepts in utilization of human, physical, fiscal, informational, and technological resources in the health care system in compliance with state and federal regulations.
5. Engage in the promotion of public health through pharmacy services
- Employ concepts of disease prevention, public health promotion, literacy, and/or wellness.
- Evaluate population health issues by considering quality of care, access, and cost at the local, state, and federal levels .
6. Demonstrate Effective Communication Skills
- Discuss ideas and concepts in audience-appropriate language and relay information in a logical and concise manner.
- Convey proposals and recommendations persuasively.
7. Demonstrate Positive Personal and Professional Aptitude
- Demonstrate the ability to examine and reflect on personal knowledge, skills, and attitudes.
- Apply values and principles of team dynamics to perform effectively in various team roles to achieve shared goals.
- Demonstrate creative decision making when confronted with novel problems or challenges.
- Exhibit behaviors and values that are consistent with the trust given to the profession.
School of Pharmacy Transfer and Advanced Standing Credit Policy
Individuals previously enrolled in a Doctor of Pharmacy program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education may request advanced standing transfer into the West Coast University (WCU) PharmD program. Requests for transfer into the WCU School of Pharmacy PharmD program will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the requirements noted below, and is contingent upon space availability. Acceptance of transfer credit does not guarantee that student will enter the same academic year as the Pharmacy School they are transferring from.
Only grades of C (73%) or better are eligible for transfer. In addition to meeting all requirements for admission to the WCU School of Pharmacy, the following documentation must be submitted for review.
- West Coast University Center for Graduate Study (CGS) Admission Application
- Application Fee
- Personal statement to the Dean outlining reasons for seeking a transfer to West Coast University School of Pharmacy.
- A letter from the Dean of the originating College/School of Pharmacy outlining details of the applicant’s academic performance, and statement that transfer candidate is in good academic and professional standing. This letter must be in a sealed envelope with the respective Dean’s signature, addressed to the WCU School of Pharmacy Dean.
- Two Letters of Recommendation from a Professional Reference (Faculty, Healthcare Professional, or University Administrator).
- Official Transcripts from applicant’s current school/college/ institution.
- Official Transcripts from all institutions where prerequisite course work was completed.
8. Course syllabi for each pharmacy course completed at the school/college of origin.
Upon satisfactory submission and evaluation of the above documents, the transfer candidate will be notified to meet with the Assistant/Associate Dean of Student Affairs and the Assistant/Associate Dean of Academic Affairs for an interview.
If approval to transfer to WCU SOP is granted, the candidate will be contacted by the School of Pharmacy Student Affairs.
School of Pharmacy Transfer and Advanced Standing Policy
Individuals previously enrolled in a Doctor of Pharmacy program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education may request advanced standing transfer into the West Coast University (WCU) PharmD program. Requests for transfer into the WCU School of Pharmacy PharmD program will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the requirements noted below, and is contingent upon space availability. Acceptance of transfer credit does not guarantee that a student will enter the same academic year as the Pharmacy School they are transferring from. Only grades of C (73%) or better are eligible for transfer. In addition to meeting all requirements for admission to the WCU School of Pharmacy, the following must be submitted:
- West Coast University Center for Graduate Study (CGS) Admission Application
- Application Fee
- Personal statement to the Dean outlining reasons for seeking a transfer to West Coast University School of Pharmacy.
- A letter from the Dean of the originating College/School of Pharmacy outlining details of the applicant’s academic performance, and statement that transfer candidate is in good academic and professional standing. This letter must be in a sealed envelope with the respective Dean’s signature, addressed to the WCU School of Pharmacy Dean.
- Two Letters of Recommendation from a Professional Reference (Faculty, Healthcare Professional, or University Administrator).
- Official Transcripts from applicant’s current Pharmacy institution. Official Transcripts from all institutions where prerequisite course work was completed.
- Course syllabi for each pharmacy course completed at the school/college of origin.
Upon satisfactory submission and evaluation of the above documents, the transfer candidate will be notified to meet with the Assistant/Associate Dean of Student Affairs and the Assistant/Associate Dean of Academic Affairs for an interview. If approval to transfer to WCU School of Pharmacy is granted, the candidate will be contacted by the School of Pharmacy Student Affairs.
Candidate Seat Deposit
Applicants that are conditionally accepted to the Doctor of Pharmacy program will be required to submit a $500.00 good faith payment for a Seat Deposit. The Seat Deposit will be credited to your program costs. The University will retain a maximum of $175.00 of this deposit should you cancel your enrollment within seven calendar days (excluding holidays) of enrollment or by the seventh calendar day of the first term, whichever is later. Deposits may be paid by money order or cashier's check made out to West Coast University.
Health Insurance Requirement
Students enrolled in the PharmD program will be required to provide evidence of health insurance during their education at West Coast University. Students are required to carry and maintain personal health insurance during their entire tenure.
Laptop Requirement
Students enrolled in the PharmD program are required to have a laptop. West Coast University does not provide laptops for rent or for sale.
Admissions Requirements
Doctor of Pharmacy Admissions Requirements
Applicants for the Doctor of Pharmacy program must:
1. Have completed specific prerequisite coursework (63 semester credit hours or 94.5 quarter credit hour equivalents) from a regionally accredited institution in the United States.
2. Required prerequisite courses:
- Two (2) courses in General Chemistry (four semester credit hours each, including a lab).
- Two (2) courses in Organic Chemistry (four semester credit hours each including a lab)
- Two (2) course in General Biology (with Cell Biology) (four semester credit hours each including a lab).
- One (1) course in Human/Mammalian Physiology (three semester credit hours each including lab).
- One (1) course in Human Anatomy (three semester credit hours each including a lab).
- One (1) course in Economics (Micro, Macro, or General) (three semester credit hours).
- One (1) course in Calculus (with Analytical Geometry) (three semester credit hours).
- One (1) course in Statistics (three semester credit hours).
- One (1) course in Speech Communication/Public Speaking/Interpersonal Communication or Debate (three semester credit hours).
- Two (2) courses in English Composition (three semester credit hours each).
- One (1) course in Psychology or Sociology (three semester credit hours).
- Two (2) courses in Humanities and Social/Behavioral Sciences (three semester credit hours each).
- One (1) course in Biochemistry (three semester credit hours each).
- One (1) course in Microbiology (three semester credit hours each including a lab).
Preferred Coursework (not required):
Physics with Laboratory (may be non-calculus based) 4 credits/6 credits
3. Completion of prerequisite coursework with cumulative and math/science grade point averages (GPA) of 2.50 or higher is preferred.
4. Submit 3 letters of recommendation (two from a math/science professor and a third letter from a pharmacist (supervisor), math/science professor, employer (supervisor), healthcare professional (supervisor), liberal arts professor).
5. Submit a complete PharmCAS application.
6. Complete an on-site interview and extemporaneous essay.
Admissions Waitlist
Based on the Admissions Committee recommendations, the School of Pharmacy may offer candidates to be placed on a Waitlist status. A Waitlist decision is neither an offer of admission nor a decision to deny admission. The School of Pharmacy will notify Waitlisted students of their final status no later than July 30th. Changes in Wait List status will take place in order of interview session attendance.
Pharmacy Curriculum & Graduation Requirements
Doctor of Pharmacy Curriculum
Integrated Patient Care (IPC) courses are designed as an integrated course drawing from pharmacology, medicinal chemistry, and therapeutics concepts.
Explanation of Variable Credits
In the second and third professional year of the curriculum, students are divided into two groups each semester. Half the cohort is engaged in Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experiences (IPPE) and the other half will be engaged in Interprofessional Patient Simulation Exercises (IPE). Also, from the Fall semester of the second year students start their professional elective courses, and are required to complete a total of 6 semester units of electives by the end of the third professional year. These factors will result in variable credit units each semester during the second and third year of the curriculum.
*Please note that the curriculum of the program is subject to change. Students should refer to the program handbook and/or syllabus for updated information.
* Professional electives include PHAR 901-1, PHAR 901-2, PHAR 901-3, PHAR 905, PHAR 915, PHAR 933, PHAR 934, PHAR 935, PHAR 936, and PHAR 937.
Graduation Requirements
To fulfill requirements for graduation, beyond successful completion of coursework, all students are required to successfully complete all programmatic co-curricular and non-credit requirements (e.g., outreach activities, course reflections, PCOA, up-to-date e-Portfolio, Board Preparation exams). In the event of an excused or unexcused absence, students are required to contact the course or event coordinator to determine how missed co-curricular activities will be made up. The format and completion date of any missed co-curricular activity (e.g., project work, evaluations, and assignments) is at the discretion of the course or event coordinator. Failure to successfully complete any required co-curricular work may compromise a student's ability to graduate.