Pharmacy

Doctor of Pharmacy

_{*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.

School of Pharmacy Transfer and Advanced Standing Credit Policy

Individuals previously enrolled in a Doctor of Pharmacy program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education may request advanced standing transfer into the West Coast University (WCU) PharmD program. Requests for transfer into the WCU School of Pharmacy PharmD program will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the requirements noted below, and is contingent upon space availability. Acceptance of transfer credit does not guarantee that student will enter the same academic year as the Pharmacy School they are transferring from.

Only grades of C (73%) or better are eligible for transfer. In addition to meeting all requirements for admission to the WCU School of Pharmacy, the following documentation must be submitted for review.  

1. West Coast University Center for Graduate Study (CGS) Admission Application  
2. Application Fee  
3. Personal statement to the Dean outlining reasons for seeking a transfer to West Coast University School of Pharmacy. 
4. A letter from the Dean of the originating College/School of Pharmacy outlining details of the applicant’s academic performance, and statement that transfer candidate is in good academic and professional standing. This letter must be in a sealed envelope with the respective Dean’s signature, addressed to the WCU School of Pharmacy Dean. 
5. Two Letters of Recommendation from a Professional Reference (Faculty, Healthcare Professional, or University Administrator).  
6. Official Transcripts from applicant’s current school/college/ institution.  
7. Official Transcripts from all institutions where prerequisite course work was completed.  

8. Course syllabi for each pharmacy course completed at the school/college of origin.  

Upon satisfactory submission and evaluation of the above documents, the transfer candidate will be notified to meet with the Assistant/Associate Dean of Student Affairs and the Assistant/Associate Dean of Academic Affairs for an interview.  

If approval to transfer to WCU SOP is granted, the candidate will be contacted by the School of Pharmacy Student Affairs.  

School of Pharmacy Transfer and Advanced Standing Policy

Individuals previously enrolled in a Doctor of Pharmacy program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education may request advanced standing transfer into the West Coast University (WCU) PharmD program.  Requests for transfer into the WCU School of Pharmacy PharmD program will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the requirements noted below, and is contingent upon space availability.  Acceptance of transfer credit does not guarantee that a student will enter the same academic year as the Pharmacy School they are transferring from.  Only grades of C (73%) or better are eligible for transfer.  In addition to meeting all requirements for admission to the WCU School of Pharmacy, the following must be submitted:

1. West Coast University Center for Graduate Study (CGS) Admission Application
2. Application Fee
3. Personal statement to the Dean outlining reasons for seeking a transfer to West Coast University School of Pharmacy.
4. A letter from the Dean of the originating College/School of Pharmacy outlining details of the applicant’s academic performance, and statement that transfer candidate is in good academic and professional standing. This letter must be in a sealed envelope with the respective Dean’s signature, addressed to the WCU School of Pharmacy Dean.
5. Two Letters of Recommendation from a Professional Reference (Faculty, Healthcare Professional, or University Administrator).
6. Official Transcripts from applicant’s current Pharmacy institution. Official Transcripts from all institutions where prerequisite course work was completed.
7. Course syllabi for each pharmacy course completed at the school/college of origin.

Upon satisfactory submission and evaluation of the above documents, the transfer candidate will be notified to meet with the Assistant/Associate Dean of Student Affairs and the Assistant/Associate Dean of Academic Affairs for an interview. If approval to transfer to WCU School of Pharmacy is granted, the candidate will be contacted by the School of Pharmacy Student Affairs.

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.