Pharmacy

Doctor of Pharmacy

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

**The West Coast University School of Pharmacy has submitted a formal request to the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) for an accelerated hybrid program. The request is currently pending ACPE approval, and it is our hope that ACPE will take the necessary actions to enable a Fall 2023 launch of the program. If approved, the accelerated hybrid Doctor of Pharmacy program will be the only available program version being offered at WCU starting with the Fall 2023 semester (August 14, 2023).  

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.

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.