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.
Interested in Learning More About Our Transfer Process?
Complete our inquiry form to receive additional information and get connected to an Admissions Coordinator.
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.
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.
By The Numbers
Contact The Admissions Team!
Jason Stack, Ed.D., MBA
Non-Traditional Pharmacy Careers
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 |
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 Pharm.D. Program Curriculum
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