The Pharm.D. Degree
The Doctor of Pharmacy degree is awarded after successful completion of four years of professional study in the College of Pharmacy. Unique aspects of the first three years of the curriculum include an early experience program and an integrated lab. Opportunities for the students to experience pharmacy practice first hand are provided beginning in the first semester. Students complete:

• two semesters in community settings
• one semester in a hospital setting
• one semester in pharmacy service
• and one full semester in a service learning environment.

The final year of the Pharm.D. curriculum is composed of full-time clerkships. The first semester includes four 160 hour rotations in prearranged practice areas. During the second semester, students choose four elective rotations in specialty areas.

The clerkships are full-time commitments by the student (a minimum 40 hours per week). Students are assigned to approved off-campus facilities and must arrange their own transportation. Clerkships may be taken in any sequence, however students may not enroll in clerkships until all didactic work has been satisfactorily completed.

Descriptions of Professional Experience courses

Service Learning Rotation
Service-Learning fosters a sense of community involvement for the pharmacy student. The student learns to be a team member, improves listening and observation skills and involvement enables the student to improve in their professional demeanor. The student participates one/half day per week in community programs including the local school system. The student will volunteer time and knowledge to meet the needs of the clients of these organizations. Classroom time will be assigned to provide reflection on activities. Topics pertinent to the diverse communities we live in will help the student integrate didactic information into their role as a professional outside the walls of the pharmacy.

Early Experience Community Rotation
Early Experience Community Clerkship is a three credit hour, off-campus experience in a supervised community pharmacy affiliated with the University. This rotation promotes competency in drug distribution and enhances students' awareness of many aspects of pharmacy practice. Students are exposed to the role and responsibilities of the professionally oriented community pharmacist; the importance of effective communication between pharmacists, patients and other health care providers; the application of local, state and federal regulations governing the prescription filling process. Classroom time will be assigned to provide reflection on activities, topics pertinent to community practice will integrate the experiences of the student with the didactic course work.

Early Experience Hospital Rotation
The Early Experience Hospital rotation is a supervised experience within a hospital pharmacy affiliated with the University. Students participate various aspects of hospital pharmacy practice, including dispensing, and management. This rotation promotes competency in hospital pharmacy drug distribution and enhances student’s awareness of many aspects of pharmacy practice. These include but are not limited to: the role and responsibilities of a professionally oriented hospital pharmacist, the importance of effective communication between pharmacists and other health care providers, the importance of monitoring drug utilization, the organizational requirements necessary to achieve efficient operations, the application of local, state and federal regulations governing the prescription dispensing process.

Pharmacy Service
Pharmacy Service is an early experience rotation offered in various supervised pharmacy settings affiliated with the University. The student will participate in various aspects of clinical pharmacy practice. Exposure to these pharmacy settings enhances the students’ awareness of: the roles and responsibilities of the pharmacist; policies and procedures governing the provision of pharmacy services outside the hospital or community settings; and chart review and quality assurance issues. This rotation enables students to prepare for the Advanced Practice Experience rotations. This rotation promotes the application of didactic knowledge in non-simulated environments, development of competency in pharmacy practice and furthers the development of communication skills.

PHA7610/PHA7630/PHA7650/PHA7670 (0-160-4)
Elective Clinical Rotations
Four elective clerkships that consists of four-week, full-time (40 hours per week) off-campus experiences in a supervised pharmacy practice emphasizing nondistributive, clinical aspects of pharmacy practice in a specialty area, allowing students to specialize and obtain greater practice experience. Specialty rotations may include, but are not limited to: informatics, administration, geriatrics, pharmacoeconomics, pharmacokinetics, infectious disease, nutritional support, psycho-pharmacy, pediatrics, rheumatology, surgery, critical care, cardiology, neonatology, immunology and clinical research where available. Prerequisite(s): Successful completion of all didactic course work.

Required Clinical Rotations
Four required clerkships that consist of four-week, full-time (40 hours per week) off-campus experiences in a supervised pharmacy practice emphasizing nondistributive, clinical aspects of pharmacy practice. Students apply knowledge, develop competency in pharmacy practice and enhance knowledge of therapeutic management. Required clerkships include on e Internal Medicine, one Ambulatory Care, one Drug Information and one Internal Medicine or Ambulatory Care. Prerequisite(s): Successful completion of all didactic course work.

PHA8520, PHA8540
Elective Rotations
Two elective clerkships that consist of four-week, full-time (40 hours per week) off campus experiences in a supervised pharmacy practice emphasizing nondistributive, clinical aspects of pharmacy practice in a specialty area, allowing students to specialize and obtain greater practice experience. At least one of the elective clerkships must be in a direct patient care setting. Specialty rotations may include, but are not limited to: informatics, administration, critical care, geriatrics, pharmacoeconomics, pharmacokinetics, infectious disease, nutritional support, psycho-pharmacy, pediatrics, rheumatology, surgery, cardiology, neonatology, immunology and clinical research where available. Prerequisite(s): Successful completion of all didactic course work.

PHA8620
Acute Care Rotation
Presents treatment of patients who are acutely ill and includes the study of common disease states. Students participate as members of a health care team to develop effective, least toxic, most economical pharmacological regimens for patients in an acute care setting. Prerequisite(s): Successful completion of all didactic course work.

PHA8640
Chronic Care Rotation
Interaction with patients in chronic or long-term care settings including nursing homes and ambulatory care settings. Students follow patients over time and participate as members of a health care team to encourage drug therapy through extensive patient monitoring, and obtaining medical and drug information directly from patients during interviews. Prerequisite(s): Successful completion of all didactic course work.