Nearly 100 Years Of Experience Educating Pharmacists
The Duquesne University School of Pharmacy ranks first in the nation among Catholic pharmacy schools, according to the 2021 U.S. News and World Report. Graduates of the Pharm.D. program benefit immediately after graduation with job offers in a variety of practice settings in traditional and non-traditional pharmacist roles–with the average annual starting salary exceeding $112,000, competitive placement in residency programs, or the option for higher education in medicine, law or the pharmaceutical sciences.
Choose The Bridge To Your Future In Pharmacy
The Duquesne University School of Pharmacy offers a Pharm.D. program on the Duquesne University campus in Pittsburgh and online through the Online Pharm.D. Program and accepts applications from current high school students, current undergraduate students and college graduates.
Additionally, the School of Pharmacy offers a Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences program open to current high school students and transfer students, and a variety of M.S. and Ph.D. programs in the pharmaceutical sciences through the Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences.
Already know your program?
What Best Describes You?
On-Campus Pharm.D. Program
Students starting the six-year Pharm.D. program as freshman at Duquesne University
benefit from the Direct Entry (0-6) admission program and scholarship funding through
all six years of study.
Bachelor Of Science In Pharmaceutical Sciences
The four-year Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences program prepares students
for a career in the pharmaceutical industry or regulatory agencies or for further
education–including transitioning into the Pharm.D. program or advanced degrees in
medicine, the pharmaceutical sciences, dentistry, law and more!
On-Campus Pharm.D. Program Transfer Information
Current undergraduate students interested in pharmacy are eligible to transfer into
the Pharm.D. program after meeting all prerequisites.
Online Pharm.D. Program
Eligible current undergraduate students can transfer into the Online Pharm.D. Program
and earn a Doctor of Pharmacy in four years online with limited on-campus requirements.
Bachelor Of Science In Pharmaceutical Sciences
The four-year Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences program prepares students
for a career in the pharmaceutical industry or regulatory agencies or for further
education–including transitioning into the Pharm.D. program or advanced degrees in
medicine, the pharmaceutical sciences, dentistry, law and more!
Online Pharm.D. Program
Students already holding a bachelor's degree or higher can earn a post-baccalaureate
Pharm.D. through the Online Pharm.D. Program in only four years.
On-Campus Pharm.D. Program
Post-baccalaureate students not interested in an online program are eligible to apply
to and join the professional phase of the on-campus Pharm.D. program.
Graduate Application Information
Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Explore Master of Science degree options in Industrial Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry,
Pharmacology, Pharmaceutics and Pharmacy Administration or Ph.D. programs in Medicinal
Chemistry, Pharmacology and Pharmaceutics.
Continuing Education
The Duquesne University School of Pharmacy offers various continuing education programs
and certificate programs for pharmacists and licensed healthcare professionals throughout
the year.
Graduate School Of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Explore Master of Science degree options in Industrial Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry,
Pharmacology, Pharmaceutics and Pharmacy Administration or Ph.D. programs in Medicinal
Chemistry, Pharmacology and Pharmaceutics.
Choose The Bridge To Your Future In Pharmacy
On-Campus Pharm.D. Program
Benefit from the Direct Entry program guaranteeing your spot in the professional phase of the six-year Pharm.D. program when starting from high school. Already in or graduated from college? Transfer directly into the professional phase or earn your Pharm.D. as a graduate student!
Online Pharm.D. Program
Transfer directly into the the professional phase of the Online Pharm.D. Program or take advantage of the ability to earn your Pharm.D. online as a graduate student.
Bachelor Of Science Programs
Explore the Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences or Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy Foundations programs available through the School of Pharmacy!
M.S./Ph.D. Programs
Interested in M.S. or Ph.D. programs in medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, pharmaceutics or pharmacy administration? Explore offerings from the Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences.
Contact The Admissions Team!
Jason Stack, Ed.D., MBA
Sam Pulver, M.S.Ed.
Jack Collyer
Why Choose Us?
Through the Direct Entry (0-6) option at the Duquesne University School of Pharmacy,
students meeting progression standards automatically transition from the pre-professional
phase (years one and two) to the professional phase (years three, four, five and six)
of the six-year Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) program. Unlike most other pharmacy
schools, the guaranteed seat in the professional phase offered through the Direct
Entry option at the Duquesne University School of Pharmacy removes the professional
phase application and admissions processes, thereby eliminating competition for seats
in the professional program among pre-professional students.
Additionally, the School of Pharmacy maintains international partnerships with seven pharmacy schools in five countries across three continents, including:
China
Italy
Japan
Nigeria
Poland
Studying pharmacy allows me to grow in so many ways–helping patients, solving
problems, and working on a team make me the young professional I am.
By The Numbers
Non-Traditional Pharmacy Careers
209 CreditsPharm.D. Program Curriculum
Course Number
Course Title
Credits
BIOL 111/112
Biology I & II W/ Lab
8
CHEM 121/122
General Chemistry I & II W/ Lab & Recitation
10
CHEM 211/212
Organic Chemistry I & II W/ Lab
8
MATH 115
Calculus I
4
PHYS 201
Physics for Life Sciences & Recitation
3
BRDG 101
Writing & Analysis
3
BRDG 102
Writing and Literature
3
THEO
Theology-Based Course
3
BRDG 105
Intro to Ethical Reasoning
3
Essential Questions Seminar
3
Communication: Creative Expression
3
Business/Critical Thinking
3
Cultural Fluency and Responsiveness
3
PHIL
Philosophy-Based Course
3
BRDG 103
IPE Health Research Statistics
1
MATH 225
Introduction to Biostatistics
3
SOCI 101
Social and Historical Reasoning
3
PHAR 101
Pre-Professional Seminar (101)
0
PHAR 102
Pre-Professional Seminar (102)
0
PHAR 103
Pre-Professional Seminar (103)
0
PHAR 104
Pre-Professional Seminar (104)
0
Pre-Professional Phase Total
67
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Accreditation
Accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE):
20 North Clark Street
Suite 2500
Chicago, IL 60602
(312) 664-3575
