Academic Policies

Doctor Of Pharmacy Program

Students must refer to the Student Pharmacist Handbook for additional information and updates throughout the academic year.

Pre-Professional Phase Academic Policies

Class of 2028
All students in the pre-professional phase of the Doctor of Pharmacy program are required to remain in academic good standing and to maintain normal academic progress toward entering into the professional phase of the program. Progression from the pre-professional to
the professional phase of the Doctor of Pharmacy program will be contingent upon the successful completion of all pre-professional coursework and a competitive School of Pharmacy-based application process.

Normal academic progress is defined as the completion of the pre-professional curriculum with a minimum of a ‘C' grade in each pre-professional course, for a duration of two academic years. However, with additional academic guidance, students may take up to a maximum of three academic years in order to complete the pre-professional coursework. Any student who fails to maintain normal academic progress toward graduation is subject to forfeiture of a guaranteed seat in the class of his/her initial matriculation. Subsequent accommodation of that student's continuation in the program in the next matriculated class must be on a space available basis. In the event that a student fails to maintain normal academic progress and cannot be accommodated in the next matriculated class, the student will be required to transfer out of the pre-professional Doctor of Pharmacy program, into another program within the University, or withdraw from the University.

Normal academic progress within the pre-professional program is measured by the cumulative quality point average (QPA) and attempted credit. Academic records will be reviewed at the conclusion of each academic semester. Letters are sent on behalf of the Student Standing Committee of the School of Pharmacy by the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs to students in the following categories according to University policy as stated in the current University Undergraduate Catalog: Academic Warning, Academic Probation, and Academic Dismissal. Readmission consideration to the pre-professional phase of the program may be permitted via recommendation of the Student Standing Committee of the School of Pharmacy.

Class of 2029 and Beyond
All students in the pre-professional phase of the Doctor of Pharmacy program are required to remain in academic good standing and to maintain normal academic progress toward entering into the professional phase of the program. Normal academic progress in the pre-professional phase of the Doctor of Pharmacy program is defined as (1) the completion of the pre-professional curriculum with a minimum of a ‘C’ grade in each pre-professional course within two academic years and (2) earning a minimum cumulative quality point average (QPA) of 3.0. Please note in the School of Pharmacy, a ‘D’, ‘F’, or ‘W’ grade in any course is considered a deficiency and failing to maintain normal academic progress.

Guaranteed progression from the pre-professional to the professional phase of the Doctor of Pharmacy program will be contingent upon three requirements: (a) the successful completion of all pre-professional courses with a “C” grade or better, (b) earning a minimum cumulative QPA of 3.0, and (c) completing an interview. However, students who have not completed all pre-professional coursework or do not maintain normal academic progress must formally apply to the professional phase and will be individually evaluated by the School of Pharmacy Admissions Committee. Because these students do not qualify for guaranteed progression, they may or may not be accepted for admission into the professional phase in the School of Pharmacy.

Any student who fails to maintain normal academic progress is subject to forfeiture of a guaranteed seat in the class of their initial matriculation. Subsequent accommodation of that student's continuation in the program in the next matriculated class must be on a space available basis. With additional academic guidance, students may take up to a maximum of three academic years in order to complete the pre-professional coursework. In the event that a student cannot be accommodated in the next matriculated class or is not accepted into the professional phase of the program, the student will be required to transfer out of the pre-professional Doctor of Pharmacy program, transfer into another program within the University, or withdraw from the University.

Academic records of each student will be reviewed after the conclusion of each academic semester. Students earning a course deficiency or who are not in good academic standing in the pre-professional program will receive a letter outlining their academic status. Letters are sent on behalf of the Student Standing Committee of the School of Pharmacy by the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. The categories of Academic Warning, Academic Probation, and Academic Dismissal will be utilized according to University policy as stated in the current University Undergraduate Catalog. Students dismissed from the pre-professional phase of the program may petition the Student Standing Committee of the School of Pharmacy for consideration of special student status to allow for temporary readmission for one semester only. After one semester of readmission, the student must transfer out of the School of Pharmacy. The student is not permitted to reapply again to the pre-professional nor professional phase in any pathway in the School of Pharmacy.

Professional Phase Academic Standards

All students in the Doctor of Pharmacy program are required to remain in academic good standing throughout the professional phase of the Doctor of Pharmacy program and to maintain normal progress, as described below, toward completing the degree requirements within the minimum four-year period. The maximum period for the completion of the professional phase of the Doctor of Pharmacy curriculum is five (5) academic years. Only students that maintain good academic standing and normal progress to completion of degree can be expected to graduate on time.

Academic Good Standing

Academic good standing is defined as maintaining normal progress, which is defined as achieving a minimum cumulative quality point average (QPA) of 2.00 and earning no grade less than ‘C' in the required courses and electives.

Academic Progression To Graduation

Normal progress is defined as successfully completing all required courses (professional and elective) in the approved curricular sequences. That is, all courses in the first professional year in all pathways must be successfully completed (grade of ‘C' or better) before proceeding to the next and subsequent professional years.
For those courses that are sequential from one semester to the next in a given academic year, (e.g., Biochemistry I and Biochemistry II) and if stated in the syllabus or approved by the instructor(s), a student will be permitted to progress to the next course in the sequence with less than a ‘C' grade. However, in order to achieve academic good standing, a student who earns grades less than a ‘C' must repeat the course. Continuance in a course sequence does not guarantee normal academic progression or the ability to graduate on time.
A student who has earned less than a ‘C' grade in a required or elective course must repeat the course and earn a minimum ‘C' grade. A student may repeat the same course only one time.
Progression into the Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE) courses is contingent on successful completion of the final Capstone Evaluation. The Capstone Evaluation includes a skills-based assessment and a knowledge-based assessment.
A student who fails to maintain normal progress toward graduation as defined above, is subject to forfeit the guaranteed seat in the class of the student's initial matriculation. Subsequent accommodation of that student's continuation in the program must be on a space available basis. A student who fails to maintain normal progress is not guaranteed enrollment in future courses, including the APPE courses. A student who fails to maintain normal progress is not guaranteed an on-time graduation.

Repeating Courses

A student who has earned less than a ‘C' grade in a required or elective course must repeat the course and earn a minimum ‘C' grade. A student may repeat the same course only one time. Students should consult their Academic Advisor for advisement and academic plan development.

A student may petition the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs to be allowed to repeat a required course in an alternate pathway, depending on the student's eligibility and course availability. Otherwise, the student will be required to take the course at the next regularly scheduled offering in the pathway in which the student is enrolled.
All courses repeated external to Duquesne University require written approval from the faculty member(s) teaching the course(s) in the School of Pharmacy and from the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.

Academic Warning

A student who earns less than a ‘C' grade in a maximum of two (2) courses during the same academic year will be placed on Academic Warning and monitored closely by the Student Standing Committee. Students on Academic Warning must provide a plan whereby they can remove all deficiencies before progressing to the next year of professional courses. The repeating course(s) policy is described above. A student must successfully complete all courses in a professional year before proceeding to the next professional year. Students should consult their Academic Advisor for advisement and academic plan development.

A student on Academic Warning has not maintained normal progress and is not guaranteed an on-time graduation. The length of time for degree requirements (a maximum of 5 academic years) remains the same for a student on Academic Warning.

Academic Probation

A student who earns less than a ‘C' grade in three (3) or more required or elective courses during the same academic year or in a given academic semester will be placed on Academic Probation and monitored closely by the Student Standing Committee.

A student placed on Academic Probation is required to repeat course deficiencies at Duquesne University during the next academic year and is not permitted to repeat any professional course deficiencies during the current academic year. Students should consult their Academic Advisor for advisement and academic plan development.

A student on Academic Probation has not maintained normal progress and will not have an on-time graduation. The length of time for degree requirements (a maximum of 5 academic years) remains the same for a student on Academic Probation.

Termination From the Doctor Of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) Program

A student is subject to termination from the Doctor of Pharmacy program for the following reason(s):

The student earns a grade less than a ‘C' in a course that is being repeated.
The student has not completed the Doctor of Pharmacy program degree requirements within the maximum period of 5 years to complete the degree.
A student who is terminated from the Doctor of Pharmacy program for academic reasons has the following options:
The student may continue in other programs within the School or University if accepted into a program.
The student may be eligible for re-admission as described by the Provisional Readmission Policy of the School.

Academic Dismissal from The School Of Pharmacy And Duquesne University

A student is subject to dismissal for academic reasons from the School of Pharmacy and Duquesne University for one or both of the following reasons:

Earning a grade of ‘F' in three or more courses during an academic semester
Earning a cumulative QPA of:

- < 1.50 after attempting 15 – 30 credits at Duquesne
- < 1.75 after attempting 31 – 60 credits at Duquesne
- < 1.85 after attempting 61 – 89 credits at Duquesne
- < 2.00 after attempting ≥ 90 credits at Duquesne

B.S. Pharmaceutical Sciences

Students must refer to the B.S. Pharmaceutical Sciences Student Handbook for all policies, additional information, and updates throughout the academic year.

B.S. Pharmaceutical Sciences Academic Standards

All students in the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Pharmaceutical Sciences program are subject to the following academic standards and policies:

The Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences requires 124 - 128 semester hours of course credits depending on the chosen track/concentration.
The degree requires an overall minimum quality point average of 2.0, which is a “C” grade average in a 4.0 system.
Academic good standing is defined as making normal academic progress, which is defined as achieving a minimum semester QPA of 2.0.
Students not achieving a minimum overall GPA of 2.0 or minimum semester GPA of 2.0 are subject to Academic Warning, Academic Probation, or Academic Dismissal as defined in the current University Undergraduate Catalog.
Students must successfully complete all year 1 and 2 math and science courses with a ‘C’ or better before progressing to any PHBM and PHCE courses.
Any required course with a failing grade (‘F’ or ‘N’) must be repeated.
For a student to graduate with the Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences, the student record must be cleared of all grades that are not permanent, e.g., grade of ‘I’ (incomplete), ‘IP’ (in-progress).
Students on academic probation are not candidates for graduation.
The statute of limitations to complete the Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences is 6 years.

B.S. Pharmacy Foundations Academic Standards

Students must refer to the B.S. Pharmacy Foundations Student Handbook for all policies, additional information, and updates throughout the academic year.

B.S. Pharmacy Foundations Academic Standards

All students in the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Pharmacy Foundations program are subject to the following academic standards and policies:

The Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacy Foundations requires a minimum of 120 semester hours of course credits.
The degree requires an overall minimum quality point average of 2.0, which is a “C” grade average in a 4.0 system.
Academic good standing is defined as making normal academic progress, which is defined as achieving a minimum semester QPA of 2.0.
Students not achieving a minimum overall GPA of 2.0 or minimum semester GPA of 2.0 are subject to Academic Warning, Academic Probation, or Academic Dismissal as defined in the current University Undergraduate Catalog.
Any required course with a failing grade (‘F’ or ‘N’) must be repeated.
For a student to graduate with the Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacy Foundations, the student record must be cleared of all grades that are not permanent, e.g., grade of ‘I’ (incomplete), ‘IP’ (in-progress).
Students on academic probation are not candidates for graduation.
The statute of limitations to complete the Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacy Foundations is 6 years.

Technical & Professional Standards

Doctor Of Pharmacy Program

Admission, Retention, and Graduation

The School of Pharmacy has a responsibility to the University and to the public to ensure its graduates can become fully functioning, competent pharmacists. It is important that persons admitted possess the intelligence, verbal and written communication skills, integrity, interpersonal skills, and physical and emotional capacity necessary to practice pharmacy.

Admission and retention decisions are based not only on satisfactory academic achievement, but also on meeting, maintaining, and demonstrating the non-academic technical standards that serve to ensure that the applicant/student can complete the essential functions of the academic program and fully and successfully function in experiential programs as well as in career pharmacist positions post-graduation.

Technical standards, as distinguished from academic standards, refer to those physical, cognitive, and behavioral abilities required for satisfactory completion of all aspects of the curriculum. The essential skills reflected in the technical standards include: motor, sensory, verbal and written communication, intellectual, behavioral and social skills necessary for the successful provision of pharmaceutical care. Patient safety is a major factor in establishing these requirements.

In accord with Section 504 of the 1973 Vocational Rehabilitation Act, the 1993 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and Duquesne University TAP 56, the Duquesne University School of Pharmacy is committed to enabling students with identified disabilities by reasonable accommodations to complete academic and experiential learning required for completion of the Doctor of Pharmacy degree.

All applicants/students are held to the same academic and technical standards for admission, retention, and graduation, with reasonable accommodations as appropriate for students with disabilities. All students will be expected to meet, maintain, and demonstrate the technical standards through their coursework, interaction with peers and faculty, and in their professional experiences.

Students who fail to meet, maintain, and demonstrate the technical standards while in the Doctor of Pharmacy degree program will be evaluated and appropriate action (e.g., remediation, counseling, or dismissal) will be taken. This expectation is separate from academic achievement. If an applicant/student does not believe he or she will be able to meet these technical standards, the applicant/student should meet with the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs & Assessment prior to submission of an application for admission or anytime throughout the program if it becomes evident that he or she will not be able to meet the standards through conclusion of the Doctor of Pharmacy degree program.

Applicants/students for the Doctor of Pharmacy degree program must be able to perform the essential functions in each of the designated categories: Observation; Communication; Physical Motor; Intellectual-Conceptual, Integrative, and Quantitative Abilities; and Behavioral, Social, and Professional.

An applicant should evaluate him/herself in regards to compliance with these technical standards prior to submission of an application and entry into didactic and experiential education courses.

Observation: The applicant/student must have adequate auditory, visual, and tactile senses to observe demonstrations, experiments, and practice-based activities; the applicant/student must be able to accurately assess a patient through the use of such senses.
Communication: The applicant/student must be able to communicate effectively with faculty/staff, fellow students, and members of the University community; the applicant/student must be able to communicate effectively with patients, caregivers, and members of the healthcare team.
To do so, the applicant/student must comprehend and communicate fluently in English through both verbal and written form. The applicant/student must be able to utilize current technology to take examinations and to access, record, and convey information integral to both didactic and experiential education.

Physical Motor: The applicant/student must have sufficient gross and fine motor function to perform basic tasks in the practice of pharmacy. These include the ability to prepare, compound, and dispense sterile and non-sterile medications; administer immunizations; and perform required aspects of patient assessment.
Intellectual-Conceptual, Integrative, and Quantitative Abilities: The applicant/student must possess the skills necessary for the practice of pharmacy. The applicant/student must be able to problem-solve through information retrieval, measurement and calculations, analysis, interpretation, reasoning, synthesis, and the utilization of technology. The applicant/student must be able to comprehend three-dimensional and spatial relationships.
Behavioral, Social, and Professional: The applicant/student must possess the emotional health required for good judgment and for the development of fiduciary relationships with patients, caregivers, and other health care providers. The applicant/student must be able to function and contribute as a member of the interprofessional health care team. The applicant/student must be able to function effectively under stress and adapt with flexibility.

The applicant/student must be able to maintain the privacy and confidentiality of patient health care records. Compassion, integrity, empathy, and concern for others are all critical personal qualities of a successful applicant/student.

The applicant/student must be able to secure an intern license in Pennsylvania. The applicant/student must be able to meet the immunization, background checks, drug testing, and other screening requirements of the School, University, and experiential education practice sites.

Capstone Examination Policy

Background

The Capstone Examination is a component of program evaluation and ACPE standards related to Assessment of Pre-Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences. To assist in meeting the standards, a series of skills-based evaluations have been instituted that will measure the student preparedness to provide patient centered care. In addition, since Pharmacist Patient Care Process (PPCP) has been widely adopted as a practice model by most of the leading national pharmacy organizations, the focus of the student assessment will be on evaluating the skills associated with PPCP.

Throughout the professional pharmacy curriculum students will learn pharmacy practice skills and behaviors through their required didactic coursework, laboratory experiences and experiential education. These skills are practiced and assessed in a formative manner throughout the required curriculum. The Capstone Examination serves a summative assessment of these skills.

Policy

Progression into the Advanced Practice Experiential Education courses is contingent on successful completion of each station in the Capstone Examination. A student may attempt each station of the Capstone Examination a maximum of three times. If unsuccessful in passing any station after 3 attempts, the student:

Will not be permitted to start APPE rotations. Will be evaluated by the Student Standing Committee, who will determine the student's standing in the program and ability to progress. Further remediation/retesting will be at the discretion of the Student Standing Committee. The student will be responsible for remediation if additional attempts are permitted.

Eligibility

Eligible candidates for the Capstone Examination include students from all pathways who as of October 1 of the current academic year:

- - are enrolled in Fall PY3 Courses and are not on academic probation at the conclusion of the Fall PY3 semester, or
  - are not enrolled in Fall PY3 courses due to special circumstances (e.g. medical leave) who anticipate being enrolled in Spring PY3 courses next semester, or
  - have not matriculated from PY2 to PY3 but anticipate completion of all PY3 courses before the next Capstone offering

Eligible students are responsible for ensuring that they are enrolled in the Capstone Examination site and have reviewed the posted guidance documents and rubrics.
The Capstone Examination is offered during the Spring Semester only.
Students that successfully complete the Capstone Examination but are unsuccessful in completing other coursework required for progression are NOT required to repeat the Capstone Examination.

Examination Format & Development

The Capstone Examination will consist of 5 skills-based stations administered during the Spring Semester of the PY3 year. Students from all pathways are tested concurrently. All dates (Capstone Examination and retakes) will be part of the semester exam schedule.
Evaluators will consist of faculty from both divisions; it is an expectation that all faculty will participate in the exam. Testing dates will be provided to faculty at the start of the semester and confirmed via email. Exam materials, rubrics, and evaluator instructions will be sent out to faculty no later than 2 weeks prior to the exam with the expectation that faculty will come prepared having reviewed the materials. Graduate student support will be requested and clinical faculty may be asked to provide APPE student support.
Stations will be developed by the Capstone Examination Committee. When appropriate, materials will be vetted by faculty with expertise in the skill or related content area being tested. The committee will determine a passing score for each station prior to the exam and will make it available to students.
Within 1 week of the exam, the results of each station will be reviewed and assessed by the Capstone Examination Committee. Individual student performance will be released as pass or fail via BlackBoard. All grades for the first attempt are final and will not be re-graded.
Retake: Students who fail one or more stations on their first attempt will be offered a retake at a date and time as determined by the Capstone Examination Committee. Students will be required to retake only the stations previously failed. The retake will include the same skills and similar content and rigor as the initial exam. Retakes for will be offered as scheduled on the semester exam schedule. Students that failed a station are encouraged to review the posted guidance materials and rubric. Students who do not pass the retake will enter into remediation.
Remediation: Students must complete a remediation process in order to be eligible for a third (final) attempt. The remediation format will be developed by the Capstone Examination Committee and individualized to the student and the specific skills being tested; options could include (but are not limited to):

- - Completion of a series of exercises and/or assignments that are submitted for evaluation.
  - Development of patient cases based on selected disease states.
  - Simulated exam situations.

The third attempt will be scheduled prior to May 1 at the discretion of the Committee. Students who are unsuccessful will be referred to the Student Standing Committee as above.

Exam Review & Feedback

The exam committee will review results from all attempts in aggregate for accuracy and consistency.
Students may not appeal or request to review their results on the first attempt.
If unsuccessful on the second or third attempt, a second reviewer will evaluate the student's performance to ensure consistency.
Students will have opportunities to receive feedback on areas of improvement during the individualized remediation process.

Students with Accommodations from the Office of Disability Services

As skills-based assessments, practice requires tasks to be completed within an allotted time in a resource-limited environment. As such, accommodations will not be provided.

Exam Tardiness Policy for Capstone Examination

Prior to the Capstone Examination students will receive a schedule with their assigned report time and official exam start time. For all stations of the Capstone Examination, tardiness is defined as arriving any time after the examination begins. Therefore, the student will be denied access to the exam and will need to refer to the Missed Examination Policy for Capstone Examination (see below).

Missed Exams Policy for Capstone Examination

Students who miss a Capstone Examination attempt will be handled in accordance with the school's missed exam policy such that an unexcused absence will result in a zero and will count against one of the three attempts permitted. Students with an excused absence will be provided a make-up opportunity, generally scheduled during the retake session. Students with an excused absence for attempts 2 or 3 will be provided a make-up opportunity typically within 2 weeks of the missed exam at the purview of the Capstone Examination Committee.

Academic Integrity Policy

Students must observe practices consistent with the School of Pharmacy Academic Integrity Policy at all times. In addition, the use of electronic devices during the Capstone Examination are prohibited unless advised by the faculty. Students will be requested to leave all electronic devices in a secure environment prior to the start of the exam. Any possession of an electronic device during the exam will be handled in accordance with the School of Pharmacy Academic Integrity Policy.

Remediation for Required Professional Courses

This policy was developed to provide a mechanism for students to remediate a course in which they were not successful. The course remediation will culminate in a single comprehensive examination.

Eligibility

Students who earn a ‘D' in a required course in the Pharm.D. professional curriculum at the end of the semester will be eligible.
A student may attempt remediation:

- in a maximum of two courses a semester;
- in a maximum of three courses in an academic year;
- in a maximum of six courses during their time in the professional program

Remediation does not count as a second attempt at the class. If the student is unsuccessful in the course remediation process, it will count as a first-time course deficiency.
Students are NOT eligible for course remediation for the following reasons:

- Student earned an ‘F’ in the course.
- Student has a deficiency (‘D’, ‘F’, or ‘N’) in three or more courses in an academic semester or an academic year
- Student is currently on Academic Probation
- The course being considered is an ability-based course or a course with a practicum component (i.e., ABLE, PBL, CPD, IPPE, APPE, Pharmacy Practice courses with a practicum component, stand-alone certificate programs).
- The course being considered is an elective course.
- Any final grade (deficiency or withdrawal, ‘D’, ‘F’, ‘N’, ‘W’) was recorded in a previous offering of the course with the Registrar. Exceptions for a final grade of a ‘W’ due to an approved leave of absence will be considered.
- Student has exceeded the maximum remediation attempts as outlined in #2 above.
- Student does not submit the course remediation request form by the deadline

- Remediation will only be offered the first time a final course grade is recorded with the Registrar.

Remediation Process

To petition for entrance into the course remediation program, students must submit a course remediation request form to the course instructors. A deadline date for submission of the form will be communicated to students.
The Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Administration will review remediation requests and inform the student and course coordinators of the student’s eligibility for remediation as soon as all requisite information is available.
Students are responsible for reviewing areas of deficiency in the course, which will be provided by the faculty through the strengths and opportunities report or other appropriate means of communicating deficiencies.
Preparation for the remediation comprehensive exam is the student’s responsibility.
The scheduled dates for remediation exams will be as follows:

- Fall courses for all pathways: Remediation exams will occur three University days prior to the published drop/add date by the University for the Spring semester.
- Spring courses for Weekday pathway: Remediation exams will occur 15 University days following the published last day of Spring semester final examinations.
- Spring and Summer courses for Online pathway: Remediation exams will occur at a predetermined date in July or August.

A successful remediation will be defined by the student achieving a 'C' grade (defined as a minimum of 69.5%) on the exam. Any grade less than a 'C' on the exam is an unsuccessful remediation attempt.

Successful remediation will result in the student receiving a 'C' grade in the course.
Unsuccessful remediation will result in the student receiving a 'D' grade in the course.

If unsuccessful in the course remediation process, the student will be required to drop any course(s) for which they are no longer eligible and must repeat the course(s) in a future offering.
Faculty are responsible for completing the change of grade process

Remediation Exam

The remediation exam is a comprehensive exam that is reflective of the entire content and rigor of the course and will be administered at the end of the remediation period.
All remediation examinations will be given on the same day regardless of the number of courses being remediated.
Exams are limited to two (2) hours per course and are to be administered using ExamSoft. The number of questions on the exam should be consistent with the expectations of a 2-hour exam, per the Exam Quality Committee guidance documents.
Instructors will grade and evaluate the remediation exam within 24 hours of the exam and notify students.
The specific contents of the remediation exam may not be reviewed by students. Students can request from the course coordinator feedback outlining content areas on which the student can improve.