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.
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.
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).
- One (1) course in Physics (four semester credit hours including lab).
- Two (2) courses in Human/Mammalian Physiology (three semester credit hours each including 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 (four semester credit hours).
- Two (2) courses in English Composition (three semester credit hours each).
- One (1) course in Psychology or Sociology (four semester credit hours).
- Two (2) courses Humanities and Social/Behavioral Sciences (three semester credit hours each)
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.
7. Successfully complete a criminal background check.
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
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 will be divided into two groups each semester. In Fall semester half of the group will be engaged in introductory pharmacy practice experiences (IPPE) [IPPE2 in second year and IPPE 3 in third year] and the other half will be engaged in interprofessional patient simulation exercises. Also starting the Fall semester of the second year, students may start their professional elective courses and are required to complete a total of 6 semester units of professional electives by the end of the Spring semester of the third 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.
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, and up-to-date e-Portfolio). 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.