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 Credit

The Doctor of Pharmacy program does not accept transfer credits.

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. Achieve a minimum 2.50 Cumulative Grade Point Average (cGPA), and a minimum 2.50 Math/Science GPA in program prerequisite courses.

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 (containing items 1-3 above), supplemental application,       and supplemental application fee.

6. Complete an on-site interview and extemporaneous essay.

7. Successfully complete a criminal background check.

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. 

PHAR 601Pharmaceutics I

4.0

PHAR 602Biochemistry

4.0

PHAR 603Evidence Based Practice I

1.0

PHAR 604Communication and Professionalism in Healthcare

2.0

PHAR 605Pharmacy Law & Ethics

3.0

PHAR 606My First Patient

2.0

PHAR 607Pharmaceutics II

4.0

PHAR 608Microbiology and Immunology

3.0

PHAR 609Patient Self-Care

2.0

PHAR 610Evidence Based Practice II

3.0

PHAR 611Principles of Drug Action

3.0

PHAR 612My First Colleague

1.0

PHAR 613IPC 1-Fluids and Electrolytes

2.0

PHAR 614Health Promotion and Disease Prevention

2.0

PHAR 615IPC 2-Renal/Respiratory

3.0

PHAR 616IPC 3-Endocrine

3.0

PHAR 617Pharmacokinetics (Basic & Clinical)

4.0

PHAR 618Institutional Pharmacy Practice

2.0

PHAR 619US Healthcare System

2.0

PHAR 620Pharmacogenomics and Contemporary Biotechnology

2.0

PHAR 621Patient-Centered Care

2.0

PHAR 622IPC 4-Cardiology

6.0

PHAR 623IPC 5-Gastrointestinal / Nutrition

3.0

PHAR 624Bio-Informatics

1.0

PHAR 625IPC 6-Infectious Disease

6.0

PHAR 626IPC 7-Neurology / Psychiatry

4.0

PHAR 627Pharmacy Practice Management

3.0

PHAR 628Capstone Course

4.0

PHAR 629IPC 8-Hematology / Oncology

4.0

PHAR 630IPC 9-Special Topics

3.0

PHAR 631Pharmaeconomics and Outcome Science

3.0

PHAR 751IPPE 1-Community Practice

3.0

PHAR 752Patient Simulation 1 (IPE)

1.0

PHAR 753IPPE 2-Institutional Practice

3.0

PHAR 754Patient Simulation 2 (IPE)

1.0

PHAR 755IPPE 3-Selective Elective

3.0

PHAR 700Professional Electives

6.0

PHAR 756Acute Care Pharmacy Practice

6.0

PHAR 757Hospital Pharmacy Practice

6.0

PHAR 758Community Pharmacy Practice

6.0

PHAR 759Ambulatory Care Pharmacy Practice

6.0

PHAR 760APPE Elective 1

6.0

PHAR 761APPE Elective 2

6.0

Total Credit Hours:144.0
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.