Gain a Powerful Network and a Lifetime of Support

We’ll connect you with life-changing people, including more than 7,400 living alumni, and opportunities so you can build a professional path with purpose. Additionally, we maintain academic partnerships with eight sites in the Pittsburgh area, including sites in the UPMC Health System, Allegheny Health Network, and specialty pharmacy Alliance Rx Walgreens Pharmacy. Throughout your professional life, we’ll always be in your corner. The relationships you make here are supportive, inspiring and never stop giving.

Discover the Impact You Want to Have on the World

Pharmacists are the most accessible healthcare professional and hold many responsibilities and expansive roles, including educator, medical counselor and health care advocate. Since 2012, the Duquesne University School of Pharmacy has been the only pharmacy school in the country to require participation in a professional development and advocacy course for graduation. We believe student pharmacists must learn to advocate for the profession. 

Take Advantage of Articulation Agreements

Some current undergraduate students interested in transferring into the professional phase of the Duquesne University School of Pharmacy Pharm.D. program can benefit from articulation agreements in place with 18 colleges and universities in Pennsylvania, New York and Ohio, including:

  • Bucks County Community College
  • Butler County Community College
  • Carlow University
  • Edinboro University
  • Franciscan University of Steubenville
  • Gannon University
  • Jamestown Community College
  • Juniata College
  • Lock Haven University
  • Lorain County Community College
  • Mount Aloysius College
  • Neumann College
  • Saint Francis University
  • Saint Vincent College
  • Slippery Rock
  • Susquehanna University
  • Ursuline College
  • Waynesburg University
  • Westminster College
  • Westmorland County Community College

Financial Assistance

Enrolling in the professional phase of the Pharm.D. program with a bachelor's degree will make you eligible for different financial assistance compared to if you were joining the program without a bachelor's degree. Individuals who possess a degree will submit their application as a graduate student, while those without a degree will submit their application as an undergraduate transfer student.

Become A Pharmacist

Meet All Prerequisites:

General Biology I & Lab, 4 cr.
Human Anatomy & Physiology I,  3 cr.
Human Anatomy & Physiology II,  3 cr.
Microbiology, 3 cr.
General Chemistry I & Lab, 4 cr.
General Chemistry II & Lab, 4 cr.
Organic Chemistry I & Lab, 4 cr.
Organic Chemistry II & Lab, 4 cr.
Calculus I, 4 cr.
Statistics, 3 cr.
English (Composition & Literature), 6 cr.
Humanities, 21 cr.

In the professional phase of the Pharm.D. program, student pharmacists complete courses in pharmacology, pharmaceutics, medicinal chemistry, pharmacy administration and participate in a series of Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience (IPPE) and Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE) rotations at different sites and with different areas of focus. 

Earn your Pharm.D.! After graduating from the Duquesne University School of Pharmacy, all graduates complete the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX) and other licensure required on a state-by-state basis.

Many graduates opt to complete optional residency programs. A residency programs focus on a specific area of pharmacy, for example, the Duquesne University School of Pharmacy offers PGY1 residency programs focused in ambulatory care, community practice, specialty pharmacy and long-term care and a PGY2 residency program focused in internal medicine.

Further specialization options for licensed pharmacists include earning board certification in a specialty area of practice. Some examples include:

  • Board Certified Ambulatory Care Pharmacist (BCACP)
  • Board Certified Critical Care Pharmacy (BCCCP)
  • Board Certified Pediatric Pharmacy Specialist (BCPPS)
  • Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist (BCPS)
  • Certified Geriatric Pharmacist (CGP)

The Duquesne University School of Pharmacy Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) and meets all requirements for the conferral of the PharmD degree. Students who earn the PharmD degree will be eligible for licensure in all 50 states and the District of Columbia based on the academic curriculum. Attainment of the PharmD degree is one element of the state licensure process for pharmacists.

In addition to the PharmD degree, candidates for pharmacist licensure must also pass the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX) to be a licensed pharmacist in the United States. Most states also require passing the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Exam (MPJE) to obtain a pharmacist license in that state.

Some states may have additional requirements for pharmacist licensure. Applicants and current students should consult individual state boards for information regarding specific requirements to attain a pharmacist license in that state. Resource links for each state board can be found here.

By The Numbers

#1U.S. News & World Report

Among Catholic Schools Of Pharmacy

#22021 NIH Funding

Among Catholic Schools Of Pharmacy

7,400+Living School Of Pharmacy Alumni

Across The United States

0-6Direct Entry Program

Guarantee Your Spot In The Professional Phase

Contact The Admissions Team!

Jason Stack, Ed.D., MBA

Assistant Dean of Enrollment Management and Retention

Sam Pulver

Coordinator, Admissions

Rochelle Valore headshot

I was very excited to be part of such a distinguished program and about the potential the school presented to become the best healthcare professional that I desire to be. I'm grateful that Duquesne has such a welcoming presence in their faculty, staff, organizations, and the various classes of student pharmacists.

Rochelle Valore, Pharm.D. (P'22) On-Campus Transfer Student

Non-Traditional Pharmacy Careers

 
 

Non-Traditional Pharmacy Careers

Learn More! (External Link)
 

Electives & Concentrations

Course Number Course Title Credits
GPSC 513 Principles of Drug Action, Design and Delivery 3
GPSC 589W Research Methods Pharmacy Administration 3
GPSC 673 Advanced Pharmacology 3
PHBA 400 Mindfulness for Clinicians 1
PHBA 423 Perspectives in Global Health 3
PHBA 426 Basics in Investments and Personal Finance 1
PHBA 427 Applications in Investments and Personal Finance 1
PHBA 428 International Pharmacy Services 2
PHBA 431 Entrepreneurship in Pharmacy 3
PHBA 433 Special Topics in Entrepreneurship 3
PHBM 468 Independent Study and Research 1-4
PHEX 489 Optional Experiential Education 4
PHIN 452 Advanced Concepts in Oncology 3
PHPR 427 Etiology Assessment & Treatment of Pain for Health Care Professionals 3
PHPR 465 SLTP in Senior Care Pharmacy 3
PHPR 468 Ambulatory Care Models - Development, Implementation and Sustainability 3
PHPR 477 General Pediatrics Neonatal Pharmacy Therapy 3
PHPR 478 Seminar in Current Practice Guidelines in Ambulatory Care 2
PHPR 479 Clinical Preparation for Community Pharmacy Practice 2
PHPR 481 Dermatological Therapeutics and Topical Delivery Systems 3
PHPR 488 Technology Pharmacy Practitioner 2
PHPR 489 Branding of Clinical Community Practice 3
PHPR 493 Advanced Acute Care Clinical Skills 3
PHPR 494 Advanced Acute Care Clinical Skills II 3
PHPR 496 Urgent Topics in Palliative and End-of-Life Care 1
14 Credits Required

The Acute Care Concentration provides student pharmacists with education and training directed toward careers in Institutional Pharmacy Practice and preparation for ASHP Residencies. In didactic courses students study advanced clinical and hospital practice topics. In experiential rotations students are required to complete additional experiential rotations in Advanced Clinical Practice and are encouraged to develop a research project in conjunction with a practitioner, culminating in a poster presentation at a local or national meeting.

Course Number Course Title Credits
PHPR 493 Advanced Acute Care Clinical Skills I 3
PHPR 494 Advanced Acute Care Clinical Skills II 3
  Two Elective Advanced Rotations in Acute Care/Research 8
13 Credits Required

The Ambulatory Care Concentration provides students in the professional phase of the PharmD program with an opportunity to further develop and enhance skills related to practice in this growing area.

The Board of Pharmaceutical Specialties (BPS) defines Ambulatory Care Pharmacy as "the provision of integrated, accessible healthcare services by pharmacists who are accountable for addressing medication needs, developing sustained partnerships with patients, and practicing in the context of family and community". Ambulatory Care Pharmacy services are provided in diverse practice settings including outpatient clinics, community pharmacies, and telehealth. In 2011, BPS recognized Ambulatory Care Pharmacy as a distinct specialty within the profession by credentialing pharmacists through BCACP examination and certification. The BCACP credential is the second most common BPS credential held by pharmacists practicing in the U.S. In 2014, the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists also recognized this evolution of practice by revising their mission and brand to include pharmacists practicing in ambulatory care settings.

Ambulatory care pharmacists typically train through the completion of a PGY1 Pharmacy Practice or Community Practice Residency and some go on to complete PGY2 Ambulatory Care residencies. The data suggest that this practice area is of growing interest among pharmacy graduates. In the last 7 years, the number of Ambulatory Care PGY2 programs have more than tripled (39 in 2010 to 132 in 2017) and there are now 190 PGY1 community-based pharmacy residency programs, with many of these programs partially or entirely based in an ambulatory care practice environment.

Course Number Course Title Credits
PHPR 479 Clinical Preparation for Community Pharmacy Practice 2
PHPR 478 Seminar in Current Practice Guidelines in Ambulatory Care 2
PHPR 468 Ambulatory Care Models - Development, Implementation and Sustainability 2
  Complete One (1) Elective from the Following List: 3
  PHPR 481 - APPE Rotation Requirement in Select Settings
  PHIN 452 - APPE Rotation Requirement in Select Settings
  PHPR 465 - APPE Rotation Requirement in Select Settings
  PHPR 477 - APPE Rotation Requirement in Select Settings
  Elective AAPE-RAM at an Approved Site 4
11 Credits Required

Community pharmacists are described as the most accessible, and one of the most trusted, healthcare professionals. Due to the vast number of prescriptions dispensed in community pharmacy, and the plethora of chain and independent pharmacies nationwide, community pharmacy employs the highest number of working pharmacists in the United States. Approximately over 70% of Duquesne pharmacy graduates each year enter into this rewarding field. As the number of pharmacy schools across the country increase, thus increasing the supply of licensed pharmacists, it is essential for job placement and security that pharmacists are well-versed in the provision of additional pharmacy services that enhance patient care outcomes, promote wellness, enhance accessibility to and affordability of medications. While this issue is addressed in the core curriculum of Collaborative Practice Agreements, we feel it is essential that our student pharmacists have the opportunity to engage in more individualized, advanced practices of a clinical community pharmacist and to have the certificate of a concentration such as this to increase their marketability to future employers. The concentration in advanced community practice enhances the new curriculum and is not duplicative.

Course Number Course Title Credits
PHPR 479 Clinical Preparation for Community Pharmacy Practice 2
PHPR 478 Seminar in Current Practice Guidelines in Ambulatory Care 2
PHPR 489 Branding Community Practice 3
  APPE Rotation Requirement in Select Settings 4
6 Credits Required

This concentration is designed to allow the student to begin to understand how they can take their pharmacy knowledge and apply it to developing their own unique business which can be anything from owning their own traditional independent pharmacy or starting a new clinical pharmacy business service that has never existed before in the pharmacy industry. These courses will also allow the student to self-reflect in order to understand themselves, how best to work with others and what are their strengths and weaknesses in becoming an entrepreneur.

Course Number Course Title Credits
PHBA 431 Entrepreneurship in Pharmacy 3
PHBA 433 Special Topics in Entrepreneurship 3
15 Credits Required

The geriatric concentration provides student pharmacists with additional education and training in the provision of pharmaceutical care to geriatric patients and encourages students to pursue careers in long-term care pharmacy, residencies in geriatrics and other areas within geriatric practice. The concentration culminates with a comprehensive exam similar in structure and content to the Geriatric Certification Exam.

Course Number Course Title Credits
PHBM 443 Biomedical Sciences and Therapeutics: Therapeutics in Special Populations 4
PHPR 465 Special Topics in Senior Care Pharmacy 3
  Two Elective Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE) in Geriatrics 8
9 Credits Required

The research concentration provides student pharmacists an opportunity train students in introductory health services and outcomes research (HSOR) that improves clinical decision making for patients, healthcare professionals, industry, and government and to conduct research on the clinical, economic, and humanistic impacts of medication and medication-related healthcare services.

Course Number Course Title Credits
GPSC 589 Research Methods in Health Services and Outcomes Research 3
GPSC 592 Evidence Synthesis in Healthcare 3
GPSC 520 Qualitative Methods in Healthcare Research 3
Follow Us!

 

Pharm.D. Program Curriculum

142 Credits


Course Title

Credits

General Biology I & Lab

4

Human Anatomy & Physiology I

3

Human Anatomy & Physiology II

3

Microbiology

3

General Chemistry I & Lab

4

General Chemistry II & Lab

4

Organic Chemistry I & Lab

4

Organic Chemistry II & Lab

4

Calculus 1

4

Statistics

3

English (Comp and Literature)

6

Humanities

21

 

Fall
Course Number Course Title Credits
PHPT 300 Pharmaceutical Calculations 1
PHBM 350 Biochemistry I – Peptides and Carbohydrate Metabolism 3
PHBM 355R Human Physiology and Pathology I/Recitation 4/0
PHCE 360/360R Pharmaceutical Principles and Drug Delivery Systems I/Recitation 3/0
PHBA 340W Pharmaceutical Law and Ethics 2
PHPR 341W Pharmacy Practice I: Patient Care Skills I 2
PHBA 310 The American Health Care System 2
PHIN 321 Ability-Based Laboratory Experience (ABLE) I 0.5
PHEX 301 Continuous Professional Development (CPD) I 0.5
PHAR 300 Doctor of Pharmacy Orientation Program 0
  PY1 Fall Total 18
     
Spring
Course Number Course Title Credits
PHPR 301 Sterile/Non-Sterile Compounding 1
PHBM 351 Biochemistry II – Metabolism, Protein Synthesis and Nucleic Acids 3
PHBM 356 Human Physiology and Pathology II 4
PHCE 361/361R Pharmaceutical Principles and Drug Delivery Systems II/Recitation 3/0
PHBM 352 Foundations in Pharmacology and Medicinal Chemistry 3
PHPR 342W Pharmacy Practice II: Patient Care Skills II 1
PHBA 311 Public Health and Epidemiology 2
PHIN 322 ABLE II 0.5
PHEX 302 CPD II 0.5
  PY1 Spring Total 18
     
Summer
Course Number Course Title Credits
PHEX 372 Intro Experiential Education I 0.5
  PY1 Summer Total 0.5
  PY1 Total 36.5
Fall
Course Number Course Title Credits
PHBM 432 Biomedical Sciences and Therapeutics: Cardiology 5
PHBM 418 Biomedical Sciences and Therapeutics: Infectious Disease I 3
PHBM 436 Biomedical Sciences and Therapeutics: Respiratory Disorders 2
PHBM 401 Therapeutic Case Studies I: A Problem-Based Learning Approach 0
PHCE 430 Biopharmaceutics 3
PHPR 448 Pharmacy Practice IV: Drug Literature Evaluations 2
PHPR 444 Pharmacy Practice III: Self-Care in Pharmacy Practice 2
PHIN 423 ABLE III 0.5
PHEX 403 CPD III 0.5
  PY2 Fall Total 18
     
Spring
Course Number Course Title Credits
PHBM 431 Biomedical Sciences and Therapeutics: Psychiatry and Neurology 4
PHBM 419 Biomedical Sciences and Therapeutics: Infectious Disease II 3
PHBM 435 Biomedical Sciences and Therapeutics: Pain, Musculoskeletal and Connective Tissue Disorders 2
PHBM 437 Biomedical Sciences and Therapeutics: Endocrine Disorders 3
PHBM 402 Therapeutic Case Studies II: A Problem-Based Learning Approach 0
PHCE 431 Pharmacokinetics 3
PHPR 498 Pharmaceutical Science and Practice of Immunization 1
PHPR 499 Tobacco Treatment Specialist Training and Certificate Program 1
PHIN 424 ABLE IV 0.5
PHEX 404 CPD IV 0.5
  PY2 Spring Total 18
     
Summer
Course Number Course Title Credits
PHEX 468 Intro Experiential Education II 0.5
  PY2 Summer Total 0.5
  PY2 Total 36.5
Fall
Course Number Course Title Credits
PHPR 443 Pharmacy Practice V: Physical and Clinical Assessment 3
PHPR 442 Pharmacy Practice VI: The Development, Implementation, Management and Evaluation of Pharmacy Services in Current and Future Pharmacy Model 3
PHBA 411 Pharmacy Management Concepts 2
PHBM 441 Biomedical Sciences and Therapeutics: Principles of Hematology, Oncology and Transplantation 3
PHBM 442 Biomedical Sciences & Therapeutics: Gastroenterology  3
PHBM 403 Therapeutic Case Studies III: A Problem-Based Learning Approach 0
PHIN 469 Community Engaged Learning: Health Promotion/Disease Prevention & Management NS OR 1
PHIN 425 ABLE V 0.5
PHEX 405 CPD V 0.5
Elective(s)   3
  PY3 Fall Total 18 OR 19
     
Spring
Course Number Course Title Credits
PHBA 413W Management Theory and Application 1
PHBA 412W Advanced Law and Ethics Applications 1
PHBM 443 Biomedical Sciences & Therapeutics: Therapeutics in Special Populations 4
PHBM 444 Biomedical Sciences & Therapeutics: Therapeutics in the Critically Ill 3
PHIN 490 Personalized Therapeutics: Clinical Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacogenomics, Pharmaceutics 2
PHBM 404 Therapeutic Case Studies IV: A Problem-Based Learning Approach 0
PHIN 469 Community Engaged Learning: Health Promotion/Disease Prevention & Management NS OR 1
PHIN 426 ABLE VI 0.5
PHEX 406 CPD VI 0.5
Elective(s)   6
  PY3 Spring Total 18 OR 19
  PY3 Total 36
Summer
Course Number Course Title Credits
PHPR 500 Pharmacist-Patient Care Network Certificate 1
PHPR 50X Required Certificate Training** - Select One (1) Option: 1
  PHPR 502 - Pharmacy & Patient-Centered Diabetes Care
  PHPR 503 - Medication Therapy Management  
  PHPR 508 - Substance Use Disorder  
  PHPR 509 - Healthcare Leadership  
PHEX 482W, 483W Option to Take Advanced Experiential Education (I, II) 4-8
  PY4 Summer Total 6-10
     
Fall
Course Number Course Title Credits
PHEX 482W, 483W, Advanced Experiential Education (I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII) 8-16
484W, 485W, 486W,
487W, 488W
PHEX 407 Continuous Professional Development VII 1
  PY4 Fall Total 9-17
     
Spring
Course Number Course Title Credits
PHEX 482W, 483W, Advanced Experiential Education (I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII) 8-16
484W, 485W, 486W,
487W, 488W
PHEX 408 Continuous Professional Development VIII 1
  PY4 Spring Total 9-17
  PY4 Total 32
 

Accreditation

Accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE):

20 North Clark Street
Suite 2500
Chicago, IL 60602

312.664.3575

www.acpe-accredit.org