Professional Elective Courses

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 2
PHBA 428 International Pharmacy Services 2
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 2
PHPR 468 Ambulatory Care Models - Development, Implementation and Sustainability 2
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 Community Pharmacy Service Implementation and Transformation 3
PHPR 493 Advanced Acute Care Clinical Skills I 3
PHPR 494 Advanced Acute Care Clinical Skills II 3
PHPR 496 Clinical Topics in Palliative and End-of-Life Care 2

*Courses in Bold are only available to students in the concentration
†Offerings of electives can change based on registration and faculty offerings

Elective Concentrations†

Elective concentrations are designed to give student pharmacists an opportunity to develop in areas of concentration. These faculty-approved concentrations require a minimum of 6 contact hours of coursework and other required activities. A certificate of completion is presented to students at graduation.

Acute Care Concentration

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 Advanced Rotations in Acute Care/Research in addition to 1 required Acute Care Rotation (3 total rotations) 8

Pharmacy Management Concentration

14 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 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
PHPR 489 Community Pharmacy Service Implementation & Transformation (project will differ from Community Concentration) 3
PHBA 411 Pharmacy Management Topics 2
PHBA 413W Management Theory and Application 1
  Two Advanced Rotations. One APPE that takes place at an independently owned pharmacy and one APPE that contains significant managerial experience as approved by the concentration coordinator.  8

Geriatric Pharmacotherapy Concentration

14 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 Therapeutics Across the Lifespan 4
PHPR 465 Select Topics in Senior Care Pharmacy 2
Rotation(s) Two Elective Advanced Rotations in Geriatrics 8

Community Practice Concentration

12 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. 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 442 Pharmacy Practice VI: Innovative Pharmacy Services and Strategies for Health Outcomes 3
PHPR 479 Clinical Preparation for Community Pharmacy Practice 2
PHPR 489 Community Pharmacy Service Implementation & Transformation 3
Rotation(s) Advanced Rotation Requirement in Select Settings (Completion of an APPE rotation in a Community or Community Leadership setting at a site with designation of fulfilling the concentration requirement) 4

Ambulatory Care Concentration

10 Credits Required

The Ambulatory Care Concentration provides students in the professional phase of the Pharm.D. 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. 

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
 Rotation(s) Completion of an APPE rotation in a Community or Community Leadership setting at a site with designation of fulfilling the concentration requirement. 4

†Offerings of concentration can change based on registration and availability