Pharmacy

Doctor of Pharmacy

Program Location	Center for Graduate Studies
Program Credits	144 Credits
Program Length	9 Semesters, 132 Instructional Weeks
Time to Complete*	45 Months

_{*Program Length may vary.  This program allots a maximum of 6 calendar years to complete.}

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.

•  Identify 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. 

•  Collaborate with other members of the healthcare team to achieve quality patient outcomes.

3.  Employ evidence-based practice.

•  Integrate basic science knowledge into clinical practice.
•  Evaluate and assimilate scientific evidence and patient specific information to continuously improve patient care.

4.  Utilize medication-use-systems, drug and health information, and other technologies.

•  Utilize resources of the health care system to provide safe, accurate, and timely medication distribution, and improve therapeutic outcomes.
•  Utilize human, physical, fiscal, informational, medical, and technological resources in compliance with state and federal regulations to optimize the delivery of health care and medication safety.

5.  Engage in the promotion of public health through pharmacy services

•  Engage patients and communities in promoting health improvement, literacy, wellness, and disease prevention.
•  Employ concepts of disease prevention and public health promotion into their practice and utilize available resources at the local, state, and federal levels to address public health issues.

6.  Demonstrate Effective Communication Skills

•  Communicate effectively in verbal and written formats.
•  Discuss ideas and concepts in audience-appropriate language and relay information in a logical and concise manner.
•  Accurately and persuasively convey proposals and recommendations.

7.  Demonstrate Positive Personal and Professional Aptitude 

•  Demonstrate self-awareness, accountability, and responsibility.
•  Identify characteristics that reflect leadership versus management.
•  Demonstrate creative decision making when confronted with novel problems or challenges.
•  Draw from professional values to make informed, rational, and ethical decisions.

Transfer Policy

Transfer students are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.  All transfer students must meet the requirements of admission.  Additionally, students seeking transfer must submit the following items directly to the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs:

• A letter from the Dean of the college/school of pharmacy in which the student is enrolled that describes good academic and professional standing. 
• A letter of recommendation from a current pharmacy school faculty member.
• A detailed letter (no more than two pages) from the student describing the specific circumstances why a transfer is being sought.
• Official transcripts from all undergraduate, graduate, and/or professional schools attended.  

International applicants who wish to receive transfer credit for prerequisite coursework completed outside the U.S. must submit an official, detailed course-by-course evaluation obtained from a professional credentialing agency such as World Education Services.  Both transfer and international applicants who move forward are invited to participate in the traditional interview process, and their files are forwarded to the Admissions Committee review.

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.