School of Pharmacy—Professional Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) Program

The School of Pharmacy is committed to improving health through excellence, innovation, and leadership in education of pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists, in research and scholarship, in care of patients, and in service to our communities.

The professional curriculum is configured in a course of study requiring two years (62 credits) of pre-professional study followed by four years of professional courses. The professional curriculum emphasizes problem solving and critical thinking, blending classroom and laboratory learning with clinical practice experiences. The PharmD program prepares student pharmacists to be health care practitioners who optimize the health of patients and society through the effective use of medicines and other interventions. The PharmD program inspires students to advance the profession by fostering collaboration, lifelong learning, leadership, professionalism, and civic engagement.

In addition to the professional Doctor of Pharmacy degree, which is explained here, the school also offers graduate programs leading to an MS and a PhD.

For further information on the graduate programs, see the School of Pharmacy—Graduate (PhD/MS) Program section of this bulletin.

The PharmD program at the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education, 20 North Clark Street, Suite 2500, Chicago, IL 60602-5109; 312-664-3575; 1-800-533-3606; fax: 312-664-4652. The School of Pharmacy is a member of the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy.

Contact Information

School of Pharmacy

904 Salk Hall

Admissions: 412-383-9000

Fax: 412-383-9996

E-mail: rxschool@pitt.edu

www.pharmacy.pitt.edu

Pre-Professional Requirements

Applicants to the professional pharmacy program must have successfully completed, or be in the process of completing, all prerequisite mathematics and science subjects no later than the spring term of the year of admission. All other pre-professional courses should be completed no later than the first day of the fall term of admission. Pre-professional courses must be taken for a letter grade.

Application Procedures and Deadlines

All applicants must first file an application through PharmCAS, a Web-based Pharmacy College Application Service, and submit the Supplemental Application by the deadlines.

The application process, application deadlines, and other admission requirements are summarized on the School of Pharmacy Web site.

Admission Options

Conditional Acceptance

The School of Pharmacy does not admit freshmen directly to the professional program. However, the School offers conditional acceptance to a limited number of high school seniors who enroll at one of the University of Pittsburgh campuses. Students who rank in the upper 10% of their graduating class and score 1300 or higher on the SAT I (Math and Critical Reading sections), with a minimum of 680 in the Math section, and specify Pharmacy on the application will be offered conditional admission. Based on availability of seats, applicants that specify pharmacy on their application, are in the top 10% of their graduating class, and score at least a 1250 on the SAT 1 (Math and Critical Reading sections), will be considered for conditional admission. Since only one half of the spaces in the pharmacy class will be allocated for this type of admission, the number of offers will be limited.

Students who receive the conditional admission are expected to perform well in their pre-professional courses regardless of SAT I scores. In order to secure a place in the PharmD Program, students must earn:

• a letter grade of a C or better in all preprofessional courses with no repeat of preprofessional courses
• a 3.25 or greater overall GPA in preprofessional courses
• a 3.25 or greater GPA in the required Math and Science courses

To exercise the conditional admission, all applicants, must:

• participate in a satisfactory pre-admissions interview prior to School of Pharmacy admission
• take the Pharmacy College Admissions Test (PCAT)
• complete the PharmCAS application by deadline
• complete the Supplemental Application by deadline

Students who meet these performance criteria will be admitted into the PharmD Program.

Open Admission

Qualified University of Pittsburgh students and students attending other universities are encouraged to apply to the School of Pharmacy. More details on conditional acceptance and open admission options can be found on the school's Web site at www.pharmacy.pitt.edu/programs/PharmD/application

Financial Assistance: University-Wide and School-Specific

The University offers scholarships, grants-in-aid, tuition loans, and student employment for undergraduate students. Students should investigate with the University of Pittsburgh’s financial advisors their eligibility for federal and state programs by calling the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid at 412-624-PITT or e-mail oafa@pitt.edu.

The University’s financial advisors are the best source of information about local grants or scholarships that go beyond federal and state programs. Students are encouraged to look outside of the health professions for additional support. Students may be able to compete successfully for economically or academically awarded scholarships from private groups and associations.

In addition, the School of Pharmacy has a number of general scholarships and loan funds provided through the generosity of the school’s alumni and friends. These are described in detail on the school’s Web site at http://students.pharmacy.pitt.edu/scholarship/scholarship.html.

Academic and Professional Standards

The following sections detail the School of Pharmacy's academic and professional standards.

Academic Integrity

School of Pharmacy students are responsible for upholding the standards of behavior outlined in the University's Guidelines on Academic Integrity, the University's policy on sexual harassment, and other policies related to student behavior.

Enrollment in the School of Pharmacy carries with it obligations of conduct within and outside of the classroom. Professional students are expected to have the highest standards of personal integrity and conduct themselves in a manner that is a credit to themselves, the school, and the profession.

Each year, students will be asked to sign a copy of the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy Code of Conduct that reaffirms their commitment to ethical and professional behavior. Details of the Code are outlined on the school's Web site.

Grading System

Doctor of Pharmacy students are subject to the provisions of the Guidelines and Regulations for the Promotion of Students in force at the time. All students will be given a copy of these guidelines and regulations upon entry into the program.

With the exception of experiential learning courses, all courses in the School of Pharmacy are graded on an A, B, C, D, or F basis. Experiential learning courses are graded on a satisfactory, unsatisfactory, or honors basis (H/S/U). See University policy on the grading system for first-professional programs at http://www.cfo.pitt.edu/policies/policy/09/09-01-01.html.

Dean's List

To be placed on the School of Pharmacy Dean's List, a student must have earned a term grade point average of 3.50 or greater. The academic achievement of these students is recognized with a congratulatory letter from the dean.

Immunization Policy

The School of Pharmacy requires proof of immunization against measles, mumps, rubella, chicken pox, hepatitis B, tetanus, diphtheria, and polio. In addition, all students are required to provide the results of a tuberculin skin test (PPD Mantoux method) prior to enrollment and each year thereafter. With the exception of hepatitis B, students must complete all of the immunizations prior to enrollment. The first of the three immunizations for hepatitis must be completed prior to the first day of class. The entire series must be completed before the end of the first-professional year in order to enroll in the experiential learning course. The school strongly urges students to obtain health insurance coverage.

Internship

Pharmacy students who plan to complete the requirements for pharmacy licensure in Pennsylvania must complete 1,500 hours of internship under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist. A maximum of 750 hours of internship credit may be gained from practical experience obtained through the school's curriculum. Students must complete the remaining hours on their own. Non-resident students should contact the board of pharmacy in their state to learn about internship requirements in their state.

Inquiries regarding qualifications for licensure in Pennsylvania should be made to: Executive Secretary, Pennsylvania State Board of Pharmacy, Box 2649, Harrisburg, PA 17105-2649 (the Web site is http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/state_board_of_pharmacy/12519).

Internship positions are posted on the University's Placement Center Web site. Students may learn of other intern opportunities by attending one of the many informational workshops held throughout the academic year.

Experiential Learning

Experiential learning sites are located throughout Allegheny County and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. In the first three years of the professional curriculum, students are placed at sites within a 30-mile radius of the campus. Transportation to and from experiential sites is the student's responsibility. University of Pittsburgh students can ride a Port Authority Bus at no charge anywhere in Allegheny County by showing the driver a valid and current University ID. More information about this benefit and bus schedules can be found on the University's Web site at www.pc.pitt.edu/transportation/.

At present, nearly 70 percent of pharmacy students complete their fourth-year advanced pharmacy practice experience at clinical sites in Southwestern Pennsylvania. Although every effort is made to meet individual student needs, the school cannot guarantee that students will be placed at sites near their home or campus address. Entering students should understand that they may be required to complete portions of their fourth professional year at locations other than Allegheny County. Transportation to clinical sites and housing costs are the student's responsibility. Because students are involved in a wide variety of activities during the final year of the program, a car may be a necessary resource.

Advising

Advisors in the Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences Advising Center, Thackeray Hall, assist pre-pharmacy students with pre-professional requirements. Questions regarding professional requirements, licensing, and career opportunities are referred to faculty or staff in the School of Pharmacy.

Once enrolled in the School of Pharmacy, students meet with the School's registrar to plan a course of study.

Faculty advisors are available for students who wish guidance on career decisions, advice on selection of rotations, and personal or professional problems. Student participation is voluntary, and the program is designed to be supportive and informal.

Degree Requirements

To earn the degree of Doctor of Pharmacy, the student must demonstrate satisfactory achievement in required course work prescribed by the curriculum (detailed below under Program Description), earning an overall GPA of 2.00 or higher. Refer to the school's Web site at www.pharmacy.pitt.edu for the guidelines for academic progress.

Special Academic Opportunities/Programs

Students in the School of Pharmacy begin their clinical experience during the first term of the first professional year. Their clinical experience becomes more complex as they progress in the curriculum, culminating in their last academic year. Students may select an area of practice that interests them most and complete rotations under the direction of experienced preceptors. Off-campus rotations may be arranged through the U.S. Public Health Service, the Food and Drug Administration, the pharmaceutical industry, professional associations, and a variety of non-traditional practice settings.

Research projects, ranging from molecular and basic science problems to clinical outcomes, may be completed under the guidance of a school faculty member. Research rotations are available for students interested in pursuing a graduate degree or research career.

There are a variety of professional organizations that are active in the school. Students are encouraged to attend regional, state, and national professional meetings and seminars.

Tutors are available through the Rho Chi Society, pharmacy's honor society, for students who need additional help with their courses.

Program Description

The professional curriculum leads to the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree and requires completion of 121 credits (note: this curriculum is subject to change):

School of Pharmacy Course Offerings

School of Pharmacy Faculty