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.
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 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.
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 & 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.