Advanced Standing Curriculum

This is the first in a series of three foundational courses that provide the basis for pharmacist patient-centered care. The courses integrate concepts from pharmaceutical sciences, socio-behavioral and administrative pharmacy, and pharmacy practice. This course is delivered online and introduces topics such as health care systems, interprofessional collaboration, the laws that govern the pharmacist’s scope of practice, ethics in professional practice, health literacy, and health disparities. Problem-solving skills are emphasized using pharmaceutical calculations and the application of drug information skills. (32-0-2)

This is the second in a series of three foundational courses that provide the basis for pharmacist patient-centered care. The courses integrate concepts from pharmaceutical sciences, sociobehavioral and administrative pharmacy and pharmacy practice. This comprehensive blended course addresses calculations, patient and professional communication, pharmacokinetic principles, disease management, and non-prescription medication use and self-care skills. The course contains four weekly laboratories in which students apply knowledge and practice skills complementary to course content. (60-20-5)

The Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience (IPPE): Community Pharmacy is a four-week, full-time (160-hour total), out-of-classroom, supervised, outpatient experience highlighting the operations and practice management aspects of community pharmacy practice. The experience is designed to introduce students to medication use processes, patient and healthcare provider communication, and outpatient healthcare delivery. Emphasis is placed on medication dispensing, patient counseling, pharmacy policy/procedure, application of local, state and federal regulations, and exploring the community pharmacist’s approach to patient care. Students will participate in all applicable pharmacy operations and patient care activities, reply to drug information questions, complete projects, and participate in topic discussions. (0-160-0)

This course provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to perform comprehensive patient assessments utilizing the skills of history taking, inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation and specimen extraction to conduct point of care testing. Charting, interpretation of findings, and evaluation of common clinical conditions, especially as related to medications, are integrated into these activities. The course emphasizes the first two steps of the Pharmacists’ Patient Care Process: Collect and Assess and is taught using a combination of self-study and laboratory sections that allow students to practice and demonstrate acquired skills. (16-48-2)

This is the third in a series of three foundational courses that provide the basis for pharmacist patient-centered care. This course incorporates the principles of pathophysiology, pharmaceutics, pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics and pharmacotherapy in the treatment of diseases. Students learn how to appropriately select, and monitor pharmacotherapy regimens based on drug, disease, and patient characteristics and apply the Pharmacists' Patient Care Process in solving patient care cases. The course focuses on fluid and electrolytes, acid-base balance, anemias, and renal, hepatic and clotting disorders. (32-0-2)

This is the second in a series of eight courses that integrate the principles of pathophysiology,pharmaceutics, pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacotherapy in the treatment of diseases. Students learn how to appropriately select and monitor pharmacotherapy regimens based on drug, disease, and patient characteristics and apply the Pharmacists’ Patient Care Process in solving patient-care cases. The course focuses on the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. (64-0-4)

This is the third in a series of eight courses that integrate the principles of pathophysiology, pharmaceutics, pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics and pharmacotherapy in the treatment of diseases. Students learn how to appropriately select, and monitor pharmacotherapy regimens based on drug, disease, and patient characteristics and apply the Pharmacists' Patient Care Process in solving patient care cases. This course focuses on respiratory, hepatic, fluid and electrolytes, acid-base balance, anemias, renal, and clotting disorders. (64-0-4)

This is the third of a five course sequence that prepares the student to develop the knowledge and problem solving skills needed to become a practice-ready professional who can apply concepts to manage the quality and safety of the medication use process and deliver patient-centered care. This course addresses advanced patient communication, patient health education, finance, resource management, and pharmaceutical marketing concepts. (32-0-2)

This is the third of a five-course sequence that prepares the student to retrieve, evaluate, and use the medical and scientific literature and other drug information resources. It introduces pharmacoepidemiology and applies the fundamentals of biostatistics, research design and methodology to evaluate scientific and medical literature. (32-0-2)

This is the third in a series of five courses which center on the development of self-awareness, professionalism, leadership skills and an innovative and entrepreneurial mindset. This course emphasizes goal setting, career planning, teamwork, constructive criticism, and professional growth. Students reflect on their strengths and weaknesses, update professional goals, create a curriculum vitae and develop a professional development plan. Teamwork is reinforced through team-based learning and curriculum and co-curriculum activities stimulating student growth are tracked through the electronic portfolio. (16-0-1)

This is the third in a series of five courses offered each semester designed to integrate and apply knowledge and skills from previous courses. The Bring Back and Look Forward sections of the course reinforce concepts and introduce material to prepare students for future courses. It brings back pharmacotherapy cases and topics in drug literature evaluation, medication adherence, health literacy and motivational interviewing. It introduces basics of pharmacoeconomics in preparation for the Evidence-Based Practice courses that follow. (32-0-2)

This is the third of a five course pharmacy skills development series which integrates principles of pharmaceutical sciences, social and behavioral pharmacy and pharmacy practice. Students will apply knowledge and practice skills complementary to content in the third semester of the curriculum. Skills practiced include written and verbal communication, pharmacy calculations, application of commonly used medications knowledge, identification of errors, verification of orders, drug information retrieval, evaluation and provision, patient assessment, and selection and monitoring of pharmacotherapy patient care plans. Team building activities are incorporated throughout the course to enhance professionalism and communication skills. (0-48-1)

This course introduces the fundamentals of immunology, microbiology, and pharmacology of anti-infective agents. It prepares students for the Integrated Disease Management course series in infectious and immunologic diseases that follow. Topics covered include an introduction to the body’s immune response and mechanisms of defense at the cellular and humoral level. The classification, morphology, physiology, and mechanisms of virulence of microorganisms that primarily cause human pathology - such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoans - will also be covered. Therapeutic agents used to treat bacterial infections are introduced. (32-0-2)

This is the fourth in a series of eight courses that integrate the principles of pathophysiology, pharmaceutics, pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacotherapy in the treatment of diseases. Students learn how to appropriately select and monitor pharmacotherapy regimens based on drug, disease, and patient characteristics and apply the Pharmacists’ Patient Care Process in solving patient-care cases. This course focuses on the treatment of diseases of the immune system. (48-0-3)

This is the fifth in a series of eight courses that integrate the principles of pathophysiology, pharmaceutics, pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacotherapy in the treatment of diseases. Students learn how to appropriately select and monitor pharmacotherapy regimens based on drug, disease, and patient characteristics and apply the Pharmacists’ Patient Care Process in solving patient-care cases. This course focuses on the treatment of infectious diseases. (80-0-5).

This is the fourth of a five-course sequence that prepares the student to develop the knowledge and problem-solving skills needed to become a practice-ready professional who can apply concepts to manage the quality and safety of the medication use process and deliver patient-centered care. The course addresses the operations and services of hospital and community pharmacy. It explores different pharmacy practice models and sites of care. (32-0-2)

This is the fourth of a five course sequence that prepares the student to retrieve, evaluate, and use the medical and scientific literature and other drug information resources. This course exposes students to data analytics and an “abbreviated” scientific process by planning, developing, and presenting a simple research project using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database as a data source. The application of data analytics in health informatics will also be discussed. (32-0-2).

This is the fourth in a series of five courses which center on the development of self-awareness, professionalism, leadership skills and an innovative and entrepreneurial mindset. This course focuses on the development of leadership skills and collaboration among members of intra and interprofessional teams. Teamwork is reinforced through team-based learning. Curriculum and co-curriculum activities stimulating student professional growth are documented and tracked through the electronic portfolio. (16-0-1)

This is the fourth in a series of five courses offered at the end of each semester designed to integrate and apply knowledge and skills from previous courses. The Bring Back and Look Forward sections of the course reinforce previously taught concepts and introduce material to prepare students for future courses. This course brings back pharmaceutical and pharmacokinetics calculations, frequently used drugs, pharmacy management applications, and pharmacotherapy cases. It introduces concepts to prepare students to continue the Integrated Disease Management, Essentials of Professional Practice and Evidence-Based Practice course series. It reviews expectations for experiential courses in preparation for the Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience: Health Systems course. (32-0-2)

This is the fourth of a five course pharmacy skills development series which integrates principles of pharmaceutical sciences, social and behavioral pharmacy and pharmacy practice. In this course students apply knowledge and practice skills complementary to content in the fourth semester of the curriculum. Skills practiced include written and verbal communication, pharmacy calculations, application of commonly used medications knowledge, identification of errors, verification of orders, drug information retrieval, evaluation and provision, patient assessment, and selection and monitoring of pharmacotherapy patient care plans. Team building activities are incorporated throughout the course to enhance professionalism and communication skills.

The Health Systems Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience (IPPE: Health Systems) is a 160-hour total, out-of-classroom, supervised, inpatient experience highlighting the operations and practice management aspects of health systems pharmacy practice. The experience is designed to introduce students to medication-use processes, patient and health care provider communication, inpatient health care delivery and the role of the pharmacist in this setting. Emphasis is placed on medication dispensing; drug procurement/inventory control; application of institutional pharmacy policy/procedure; and local, state and federal regulations. Students participate in all applicable pharmacy operations and patient-care activities, reply to drug information questions, complete projects, and participate in topic discussions. (64-0-4).

This is the sixth in a series of eight courses that integrate the principles of pathophysiology, pharmaceutics, pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics and pharmacotherapy in the treatment of diseases. Students learn how to appropriately select and monitor pharmacotherapy regimens based on drug, disease, and patient characteristics and apply the Pharmacists' Patient Care Process in solving patient care cases. This course focuses on the treatment of neurologic and psychiatric disorders. (64-0-4)

This is the seventh in a series of eight courses that integrate the principles of pathophysiology, pharmaceutics, pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics and pharmacotherapy in the treatment of diseases. Students learn how to appropriately select, and monitor pharmacotherapy regimens based on drug, disease, and patient characteristics and apply the Pharmacists' Patient Care Process in solving patient-care cases. This course focuses on clinical toxicology, pain management, substance abuse and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

This is the eighth in a series of eight courses that integrate the principles of pathophysiology, pharmaceutics, pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics and pharmacotherapy in the treatment of diseases. Students learn how to appropriately select, and monitor pharmacotherapy regimens based on drug, disease, and patient characteristics and apply the Pharmacists' Patient Care Process in solving patient care cases. This course focuses on special populations, nutrition, dermatology, and the treatment of ophthalmologic diseases. (48-0-3)

This is the conclusion of a five-course sequence that prepares the student to develop the knowledge and problem-solving skills needed to become a practice-ready professional who can apply concepts to manage the quality and safety of the medication use process and deliver patient-centered care. This course addresses pharmacy law and advanced communication concepts as it relates to professional practice. (48-0-3)

This is the fifth of a five course sequence that prepares the student to retrieve, evaluate, and use the medical and scientific literature and other drug information resources. The course focuses on theories and methodologies of pharmacoeconomics and outcomes research. Applications to clinical practice, the pharmaceutical industry, and formulary decision making are explored.

This is the fifth in a series of five courses which center on the development of self-awareness, professionalism, leadership skills, and an innovative and entrepreneurial mindset. This course emphasizes the maturation of the student into the ideal professional candidate. Students reflect on their experiences, strengths, and career goals to map a pathway to their chosen professional path. Students update their curriculum vitae and bios, create a professional website and develop job interviewing skills as they prepare to enter the Pharmacy workforce. Teamwork is reinforced through team-based learning. Curriculum and co-curriculum activities stimulating student growth are tracked through the electronic portfolio. (16-0-1)

This is the fifth in a series of five courses offered at the end of each semester designed to integrate and apply knowledge and skills from previous courses. Students in each course become certified in a specific area of pharmacy and receive software training. The Bring Back and Look Forward sections of the course reinforce concepts and introduce material to prepare students for future courses. This course utilizes patient cases to apply pharmacotherapy concepts. It offers certification in medication therapy management and outlines expectations for the following semester. (32-0-2)

This laboratory course is designed to develop the knowledge and skills necessary to prepare sterile products safely and effectively. Students will learn the history and evolution of aseptic processing and the current regulations and standards of practice that guide sterile preparation. The course is taught using a combination of self-study and a laboratory component that allows students to apply the fundamental concepts and skills required for the safe and compliant compounding of sterile products in a cleanroom.(0-48-1)

This is the fifth of a five course pharmacy skills development series which integrates principles of pharmaceutical sciences, social and behavioral pharmacy and pharmacy practice. In this course students apply knowledge and practice skills complementary to content in the fifth semester of the curriculum. Skills practiced include written and verbal communication, pharmacy calculations, application of commonly used medications knowledge, identification of errors, verification of orders, drug information retrieval, evaluation and provision, patient assessment, and selection and monitoring of pharmacotherapy patient care plans. Team building activities are incorporated throughout the course to enhance professionalism and communication skills.

This course applies the knowledge and skills gained through the Essentials of Professional Practice and Evidence Based Practice course sequences. Student teams develop a platform presentation and professional poster to showcase innovative solutions to a pharmacy practice problem identified and researched in previous courses. Presentations are made to peers and healthcare professionals, providing valuable experience in presentation skills and in medical information resource utilization. (16-0-1)

This is the final course in the core didactic curriculum. It is designed to advance students’ critical thinking skills and application of pharmaceutical knowledge to patient care in a variety of health care settings. The course enhances students’ patient care competencies and ensures students’ readiness to commence Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences (APPEs). This is achieved through a variety of learning activities and assessments including complex patient cases, pharmacy calculations, drug information questions, and commonly used drugs, among others. The course contains several assessments that must be successfully completed prior to commencing APPEs. (64-0-4)

The Internal Medicine Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE) is a six-week, full-time (minimum 40 hours per week), out-of-classroom, supervised, inpatient experience emphasizing individualized patient care. The experience is designed to optimize students' competency in pharmacist-provided patient care, inter professional collaboration, utilization of evidence-based medicine, communication, and patient education. Students apply pharmacotherapeutic principles, disease-related knowledge, dosing guidelines, best practice standards, and site-specific procedures to identify therapeutic problems, and to implement and monitor patient care plans in collaboration with health care teams. Students will be expected to communicate effectively in writing through documentation in the patients’ medical record and verbally with stakeholders. Students will present patient cases, provide formal education presentations, participate in informal topic discussions, complete assigned projects, and perform and document pharmacist activities (e.g., patient histories, transitions of care, therapeutic interventions and creation of treatment plans). Prerequisite: Successful completion of P1, P2 and P3 coursework. (0-240-6)

The Ambulatory Care Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE) is a six-week, full-time (minimum 40 hours per week), out-of-classroom, supervised, outpatient experience emphasizing individualized patient care. The experience is designed to optimize students' competency in pharmacist-provided patient care, interprofessional collaboration, utilization of evidence-based medicine, communication, and patient education. Students apply pharmacotherapeutic principles, disease-related knowledge, dosing guidelines, best practice standards, and site-specific procedures to identify therapeutic problems, and to implement and monitor patient care plans in collaboration with health care teams. Students will be expected to communicate effectively in writing through documentation in the patients’ medical record and verbally using communication techniques such as motivational interviewing, coaching, and patient education and counseling. Students will present patient cases, provide formal education presentations, participate in informal topic discussions, complete assigned projects, and perform and document pharmacist activities (e.g., patient histories, transitions of care, therapeutic interventions and creation of treatment plans). Prerequisite: Successful completion of P1, P2 and P3 coursework. (0-240-6)

The Advanced Hospital Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE) is a six-week, full-time (minimum 40 hours per week), out-of-classroom, supervised, operational and management experience in an institutional setting. This experience is designed to optimize students' competency in all aspects of the medication use process and health care delivery while emphasizing the inter professional dynamics of the health system setting. Students will be exposed to the application of management principles for oversight of pharmacy personnel, institutional policy/procedure, drug procurement/inventory, formulary management, clinical programs, development of standards of care, medication safety programs, and dispensing of sterile products. Students will be expected to communicate effectively with stakeholders verbally and in writing. Students will present case studies, provide formal education presentations, participate in informal topic discussions, complete assigned projects, and perform and document pharmacist activities (e.g. adverse drug reaction reporting, documentation of medication errors, participation in institutional committees) Prerequisite: Successful completion of P1, P2, and P3 coursework (0-240-6)

The Community Pharmacy Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE) is a six-week, full-time (minimum 40 hours per week), out-of-classroom, supervised, operational and management experience in the outpatient, community setting. This experience is designed to optimize students' competency in patient screening, medication use process and outpatient health care delivery. Emphasis will be placed on the oversight of pharmacy personnel, drug distribution, pharmacy policy/procedure, drug procurement/inventory, medication safety, and insurance adjudication. Students will participate in continuous quality improvement process and create improvement opportunities based on data. Students will have the opportunity to guide patients with self-care and medication self-administration. They will counsel patients on prescription, nonprescription medications, and non-drug therapy alternatives. Students will present patient cases, provide formal presentations, participate in informal topic discussions, complete assigned projects, and perform and document pharmacist activities (e.g. immunization, patient counseling, disease state and medication therapy management, adverse drug reaction reporting, documentation of medication errors) Prerequisite: Successful completion of P1, P2, and P3 coursework (0-240-6)

The Elective Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE) is a six-week, full-time (minimum 40 hours per week), out-of-classroom, supervised experience that may emphasize direct or indirect patient care in an outpatient, inpatient, or office-based practice setting or non-patient care pharmacy related activity. Students complete a total of three elective experiences in practice specialty areas that will allow them to obtain focused experiences in a broad range of settings. Elective experiences include, but are not limited to, administration/leadership, critical care, infectious disease, managed care, centralized pharmacy practice, nutritional support, psychiatry, medication safety, informatics, cardiology and specialty pharmacy. Students will be expected to communicate effectively with stakeholders verbally and in writing. Students may present patient cases, provide formal education presentations, participate in informal topic discussions, complete assigned projects, and perform and document pharmacist activities. Prerequisite: Successful completion of all P1, P2, and P3 coursework (0-240-6)

The Elective Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE) is a six-week, full-time (minimum 40 hours per week), out-of-classroom, supervised experience that may emphasize direct or indirect patient care in an outpatient, inpatient, or office-based practice setting or non-patient care pharmacy related activity. Students complete a total of three elective experiences in practice specialty areas that will allow them to obtain focused experiences in a broad range of settings. Elective experiences include, but are not limited to, administration/leadership, critical care, infectious disease, managed care, centralized pharmacy practice, nutritional support, psychiatry, medication safety, informatics, cardiology and specialty pharmacy. Students will be expected to communicate effectively with stakeholders verbally and in writing. Students may present patient cases, provide formal education presentations, participate in informal topic discussions, complete assigned projects, and perform and document pharmacist activities. Prerequisite: Successful completion of all P1, P2, and P3 coursework (0-240-6)

The Elective Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE) is a six-week, full-time (minimum 40 hours per week), out-of-classroom, supervised experience that may emphasize direct or indirect patient care in an outpatient, inpatient, or office-based practice setting or non-patient care pharmacy related activity. Students complete a total of three elective experiences in practice specialty areas that will allow them to obtain focused experiences in a broad range of settings. Elective experiences include, but are not limited to, administration/leadership, critical care, infectious disease, managed care, centralized pharmacy practice, nutritional support, psychiatry, medication safety, informatics, cardiology and specialty pharmacy. Students will be expected to communicate effectively with stakeholders verbally and in writing. Students may present patient cases, provide formal education presentations, participate in informal topic discussions, complete assigned projects, and perform and document pharmacist activities. Prerequisite: Successful completion of all P1, P2, and P3 coursework (0-240-6)

The primary goal for the professional development capstone course series is to assess and strengthen students’ knowledge and skills developed during the four-year pharmacy curriculum. In Curricular Review I, students review and assess their knowledge and skills in preparation for the NAPLEX. Prerequisite: P4/Adv P3 (Final Year) (16-0-1)

The primary goal for the professional development capstone course series is to assess and strengthen students’ knowledge and skills developed during the pharmacy curriculum. In Curricular Review II, students review and assess their knowledge and skills in preparation for the NAPLEX. Prerequisite: P4/Adv P3 (Final Year) (16-0-1)

Students will prepare for the NAPLEX by completing assigned practice problems, a required pre-NAPLEX examination, and an on-campus NAPLEX review course. Prerequisite: P4/Adv P3 (Final Year) (32-0-2)