Pharmacy (Online Program)
Experience a transformative path to becoming a licensed pharmacist with Duquesne University's
Online Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) program. This program combines the flexibility
of online learning with strategic on-campus experiences at our Pittsburgh campus.
Choose between a four-year or a six-year pathway balancing your education and personal
commitments while connecting with distinguished faculty and fellow students with our
innovative program format.
Throughout our comprehensive program, you engage in comprehensive professional development,
gain invaluable clinical experience through direct patient care, and develop deep
scientific expertise in pharmaceutical sciences and pharmacy practice.
Apply to the Online Doctor of Pharmacy Program today to pursue a rewarding career
as a Duquesne pharmacist and make a meaningful difference by improving the health
outcomes of patients and their communities.
Why Earn Your Pharm.D. Degree Online at Duquesne?
- Take charge of your Pharm.D. journey: Online classes with limited in-person on-campus sessions along with experiential education clinical rotations in different part of the country.
- Choose your pathway: Decide between the four-year or six-year pathway to complete your PharmD degree. Our new, six-year extended pathway provides students with the opportunity to concentrate on fewer classes most semesters, facilitating school and life balance.
- Affordable cost, high return on investment: Scholarships to reduce the cost for your Pharm.D. degree. Average annual starting salary for entry-level pharmacists is $136,000.
- Tailor your pharmacy education: Choose from six concentrations and earn additional certificates.
Ready to take the next step? Learn about how to apply to the program.
Program Information
Elevate your career with our online Doctor of Pharmacy program. Flexible and accessible, gain the skills needed to excel in pharmacy from anywhere. Apply now!
Program Type
Major
Degree
Doctorate
School
Duration
4 Years
Required Credit Hours
142
By the Numbers
Don’t put your career aspirations on hold. Each week, you spend one synchronous day
online, meeting and connecting with faculty and your classmates on Thursdays from
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. With minimal evening hours and summer sessions focused on hands-on
clinical training, you have more control over your schedule. To complement your online
learning, we offer interactive on-campus experiences. During your first year, you
will visit campus and spend three days with us in October. Additionally, you will
spend a week in May studying on Duquesne’s campus. Tailor your experience by choosing from the four-year or six-year Online Pharm.D.
pathway. Customize your education by selecting from six specialized concentrations
while earning core certifications in immunization, tobacco treatment, and pharmacist-patient
care networking. You can also pursue additional certificates in specialized areas,
including diabetes care, medication therapy management, substance use disorders, point-of-care
testing, and health care leadership. Through our integrated career-focused curriculum,
you acquire practical skills essential for licensure preparation, navigating the job
market, and career advancement. Strengthen your practical skill set with our hands-on approach to your Pharm.D. You
graduate with 1,784 hours of clinical experience, during which you build a broad range
of competencies and familiarize yourself with working in different practice settings.
We partner with you to schedule available rotations according to your career goals
and interests, where you can explore a variety of professional paths. You’ll have
the opportunity to work at prestigious practice sites, including University of Pennsylvania
Medical Center (UPMC) Health System, Allegheny Health Network, Cleveland Clinic, Eli
Lilly & Co., Indian Health Services, Johns Hopkins Hospital, the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration, and the University of Perugia in Italy. Beyond your coursework, you can partner with our world-class faculty to conduct research.
Topics include developing new drugs, seeking methods for curing diseases, improving
the quality and safety of drugs, and enhancing patient care. Whether you act as a
volunteer researcher or participate in active projects with our faculty members for
credit, you can publish papers and posters and give presentations on your scholarly
endeavors.Featured content
Remote Learning Meets In-Person Connection
Innovative and Customizable Curriculum
Experiential Education
Research with Faculty
Questions About The Online Pharm.D. Program?
Jason Stack, Ed.D., MBA
How to Become A Pharmacist Online
The professional phase of Duquesne’s Online Pharm.D. program lasts four years. You take coursework in pharmacology, pharmaceutics, medicinal chemistry, and pharmacy administration, building your scientific and technical knowledge. To round out your clinical expertise and skill set, you 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.
Once you have completed your coursework and clinical practicums, you officially earn your Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the Duquesne University School of Pharmacy!
After graduating, all graduates complete the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX) and other licensure required on a state-by-state basis.
In Pennsylvania, you must also:
- Earn your B.S. in Pharmacy or Pharm.D.
- Pass the NAPLEX and the Pennsylvania Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination® (PA MPJE)
- Gain 1,500 hours of experience
- Complete three hours of board-approved continuing education
Professional Licensure Disclosure
The Duquesne University School of Pharmacy Doctor of Pharmacy program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) and meets all requirements for the conferral of the Pharm.D. degree. Graduates will be eligible for licensure in all 50 states and the District of Columbia based on the academic curriculum. Attainment of the Pharm.D. degree is one element of the state licensure process for pharmacists.
In addition to the Pharm.D. degree, candidates for pharmacist licensure must pass the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX) to be licensed pharmacists 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. For your convenience, we’ve compiled the resource links for each state board.
If you are looking for advanced practice and specialized hands-on experience, then applying for a Pharm.D. residency may be the next step for you.
Duquesne’s residencies are optional one-year academic and research fellowships to refine your clinical skills and equip you for future work in academia, community pharmacy, and other professional fields. Our PGY1 residency programs focus on ambulatory care, community practice, or specialty pharmacy, while the PGY2 residency programs concentrate on internal medicine.
As you work as a licensed pharmacist and aim to advance your career, you can earn board certification in specialty practice areas, including:
Online Doctor of Pharmacy Admissions Requirements
Due to the rigorous nature of our Doctor of Pharmacy program, we take a holistic yet selective approach to our admissions process. Our Admissions Committee seeks out students with the best chance of completing the program and a strong aptitude for science and math. Pharm.D. applicants should have excellent grades and complete as many prerequisites as possible. Students with multiple “D,” “F,” and/or “W” grades will not be competitive.
We encourage you to apply to our online pharmacy program even if you've not completed all prerequisite courses. However, all courses must be successfully completed by the time the program begins in August, and we define “successfully completed” as earning a “C” grade or better. Your acceptance to the program would be contingent upon completing those courses.
The program begins each year in August; you may not apply for entry to a specific semester. The class functions as a cohort and continues year-round for four years.
Once the application opens during the summer, you can submit your application throughout the academic year. Early application does not equate to early decision. Our rolling admissions cycle for the online Pharm.D. application begins August 1 and ends in late July.
We also encourage international applicants who have earned their baccalaureate degree outside the United States to apply. They must also meet all prerequisite requirements.
Apply Now- To be considered a competitive applicant, you must have a minimum GPA of 2.5. However, a GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale is preferred.
- Earn at least a "C" or above in prerequisite courses. If you’ve earned lower than a "C," you must retake the course and achieve a higher grade.
- Participate in an interview process with the School of Pharmacy faculty.
Once accepted, you must complete a background check conducted by CastleBranch before matriculating to the School of Pharmacy.
You must complete all prerequisites before entering the professional phase of Duquesne’s
Pharm.D. program. We accept prerequisite courses from accredited two-year or four-year
U.S. colleges and universities or their equivalent, including accredited community
colleges. Prerequisites are not waived, and credit is not given for life experience
or College Level Examinations (CLEP).
Bachelor degree applicants must complete 37 prerequisite credits. Non-bachelor degree
applicants must complete 64* prerequisite credits. These courses must be taken at
an accredited four-year college/university or two-year community college, and you
must earn a grade of “C” or better.
|
Pre-Requisite Course |
Credits |
|
General Biology I & Lab |
4 |
|
Anatomy & Physiology I & II |
6 |
|
Intro to Microbiology & Lab |
4 |
|
General Chemistry I & Lab |
4 |
|
General Chemistry II & Lab |
4 |
|
Organic Chemistry I & Lab |
4 |
|
Organic Chemistry II & Lab |
4 |
|
Calculus I |
3-4 |
|
Statistics |
3 |
|
Total Prerequisite Credits |
37 |
*Non-bachelor degree applicants must also complete:
|
English Credits |
6 |
|
English Composition I |
3 |
|
English Composition II or Literature Course |
3 |
|
Humanities Credits (must include one ethics course) |
21 |
If you’ve started your academic journey to becoming a pharmacist at another institution, you can transfer previously earned credits and continue toward your online Pharm.D. program at Duquesne.
Duquesne accepts prerequisite course credits from accredited two-year or four-year U.S. colleges and universities or their equivalent, including accredited community colleges.
Online courses/programs offered through regionally accredited colleges and universities are acceptable under the same grade guidelines as on-campus courses. Please email Pharmacy Admissions to see if a particular college is appropriately accredited for such classes.
Please note that some online colleges and other technical schools do not have regional accreditation, so their credits do not transfer to Duquesne University.
Before applying, you can meet with the Assistant Dean of Enrollment Management and Retention, Jason Stack, who can help evaluate your transcripts.
Explore Your Transfer OptionsOnline Pharm.D. Program Testimonials
William Moran, Pharm.D. Candidate, 2023
William Moran, a Pharm.D. candidate in the Class of 2023 studying the Online Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) program discusses the benefits of pursuing a pharmacy education online.
Benjamin Austin, Pharm.D. Candidate, 2023
Benjamin Austin, a Pharm.D. candidate in the Class of 2023 and Online Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) program student pharmacist, talks about the program.
142 Credits The first year of the Pharm.D.’s professional phase lays the groundwork for your graduate
program and supports the growth of your foundational knowledge. You gain an enriched understanding of how to promote human health and well-being with a sequence of math
and science-dense courses, such as pharmaceutical calculations, biochemistry, physiology
and drug delivery systems. Additionally, you learn about public health and study health
care systems, laws and ethics to deepen your knowledge of the pharmaceutical industry
and its intricacies. Beyond theory-based learning, our program integrates professional development into
your more science-focused coursework to ensure you continuously improve your patient-care
skills and gain the practical competencies required to begin clinical rotations. In your second professional year, you examine biomedical sciences and other critical
areas, such as cardiology, infectious diseases, psychiatry, neurology, pain management,
and endocrine disorders. You also complete specialized certificate programs in tobacco
treatment and immunization, along with drug literature evaluation and pharmacokinetics
classes, helping you understand how the body interacts and metabolizes a substance. While most of your coursework is online, there are on-campus experiential learning
opportunities. These allow you to immerse yourself in your studies, gain hands-on
clinical experience, and connect with classmates and faculty. Your final year in Duquesne’s online Pharm.D. program culminates in intensive clinical
rotations, which allow you to transform your theoretical knowledge into first-hand
experience. You can take up to 40 credits of hands-on patient care clinical practicums
to build your confidence in working with patients and fulfilling your duties as a
pharmacist in a variety of clinical settings. In addition to clinical rotations, you
can choose specialized certification training in diabetes care, medication therapy
management, substance use disorders, or health care leadership. Our curriculum also integrates Continuous Professional Development courses into your
experiential education program to ensure you have the opportunity to refine critical
communication, career planning, and interpersonal skills to fuel your success.Online Pharm.D. Program Curriculum
OPY1 Fall
Course Number
Course Title
Credits
PHPR 300
Pharmaceutical Calculations
1
PHBM 350
Biochemistry I: Peptides and Carbohydrate Metabolism
3
PHBM 330
Clinical Pathophysiology
4
PHCE 360/360R
Pharmaceutics 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
PHEX 301
Continuous Professional Development (CPD) I
0.5
OPY1 Fall Total
17.5
OPY1 Spring
Course Number
Course Title
Credits
PHBM 351
Biochemistry II: Metabolism, Protein Synthesis and Nucleic Acids
3
PHBM 331
Basic and Applied Immunology
3
PHCE 361/361R
Pharmaceutics II/Recitation
3/0
PHBM 352
Foundations in Pharmacology and Medicinal Chemistry
3
PHPR 342W
Pharmacy Practice II: Patient Care Skills II
1
PHPR 444
Pharmacy Practice III: Self-Care in Pharmacy Practice
2
PHBA 311
Public Health and Epidemiology
2
PHEX 302
CPD II
0.5
OPY1 Spring Total
17.5
OPY1 Summer
Course Number
Course Title
Credits
PHIN 321
Ability-Based Laboratory Experience (ABLE) I
0.5
PHIN 322
ABLE II
0.5
PHEX 372
Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience (IPPE) I
0.5
OPY1 Summer Total
1.5
PY1 Total
36.5
OPY2 Fall
Course Number
Course Title
Credits
PHBM 401
Patient Case Scenarios I
0
PHBM 432
Biomedical Sciences and Therapeutics (BMST): Cardiology
5
PHBM 418
BMST: Infectious Disease I
3
PHBM 439
BMST: Respiratory, Dermatology, and Ophthalmic Disorders
3
PHPR 448
Pharmacy Practice IV: Drug Literature Evaluation
2
PHCE 430
Biopharmaceutics
3
PHEX 403
CPD III
0.5
PHPR 498
Pharmaceutical Science & Practice of Immunization
1
OPY2 Fall Total
17.5
OPY2 Spring
Course Number
Course Title
Credits
PHBM 402
Patient Case Scenarios II
1
PHBM 431
BMST: Psychiatry & Neurology
4
PHBM 419
BMST: Infectious Disease II
3
PHBM 435
BMST: Pain, Musculoskeletal, & Connective Tissue Disorders
2
PHBM 437
BMST: Endocrine Disorders I
2
PHCE 431
Pharmacokinetics
3
PHEX 404
CPD IV
0.5
PHBM ###
BMST: Endocrine Disorders II
2
OPY2 Spring Total
17.5
OPY2 Summer
Course Number
Course Title
Credits
PHIN 423
ABLE III
0.5
PHIN 424
ABLE IV
0.5
PHEX 468
IPPE II
0.5
OPY2 Summer Total
1.5
OPY2 Total
36.5
OPY3 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
BMST: Principles of Hematology, Oncology and Transplantation
3
PHBM 442
BMST: Gastroenterology
3
PHBM 403
PBL III
0
PHEX 405
CPD V
0.5
XXXX ###
Elective
*Can be moved in curriculum based on course selection3
OPY3 Fall Total
17.5
OPY3 Spring
Course Number
Course Title
Credits
PHBA 413W
Management Theory and Applications
1
PHBA 412W
Advanced Law and Ethics Applications
1
PHBM 443
BMST: Therapeutics Across the Lifespan
4
PHBM 444
BMST: Therapeutics in the Critically Ill
3
PHIN 490
Personalized Therapeutics
2
PHBM 404
PBL IV
0
PHIN 469
Health Promotion and Disease Management
1
PHEX 406
CPD VI
0.5
XXXX ###
Elective
*Can be moved in curriculum based on course selection6
OPY3 Spring Total
18.5
OPY3 Total
36
OPY4 Summer
Course Number
Course Title
Credits
PHIN 425
ABLE V
0.5
PHIN 426
ABLE VI
0.5
PHPR 50X
Required Certificate Training** - Select One (1) Option:
1
PHPR 502 - Pharmacy & Patient-Centered Diabetes Care
PHPR 503 - Medication Therapy Management
PHPR 509 - Healthcare Leadership
PHEX 482W, 483W
Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE): Blocks A & B
4-8
OPY4 Summer Total
6-10
OPY4 Fall
Course Number
Course Title
Credits
PHEX 482W, 483W,
APPE: Blocks C, D, E, & F
8-16
484W, 485W, 486W,
487W, 488W
PHEX 407
CPD VII
1
OPY4 Fall Total
9-17
OPY4 Spring
Course Number
Course Title
Credits
PHEX 485W, 486W, 487W, 488W
APPE: Blocks G, H, & I
8-16
PHEX 408
Continuous Professional Development VIII
1
PY4 Spring Total
9-17
OPY4 Total
33
Students are required to take seven Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences. These
are: PHEX 482-488 - Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences (APPE) - 4 credits each
for a total of 28 credits. These may begin in the Summer Term following the PY3 year.
There are a variety of ways in which APPE's may be scheduled. Students should be aware
that they must carry at least 4.5 credits to be considered a part-time graduate student
in the PY4 year and be eligible for financial aid.
Available concentration tracks include:
Read more about electives and concentrations.Online Pharm.D. Extended Pathway Curriculum
EPY1A Fall
Course Number
Course Title
Credits
PHBM 350
Biochemistry I: Peptides and Carbohydrate Metabolism
3
PHBM 330
Clinical Pathophysiology
4
PHBA 310
The American Health Care System
2
PHEX 301
Continuous Professional Development (CPD) I
0.5
EPY1A Fall Total
9.5
EPY1A Spring
Course Number
Course Title
Credits
PHBM 351
Biochemistry II: Metabolism, Protein Synthesis, & Nucleic Acids
3
PHBM 352
Foundations in Pharmacology and Medicinal Chemistry
3
PHBA 311
Public Health & Epidemiology
2
EPY1A Spring Total
8
EPY1A Summer
Course Number
Course Title
Credits
Electives (optional)*
EPY1B Fall
Course Number
Course Title
Credits
PHCE 360/360R
Pharmaceutics I with Recitation
3/0
PHBM 300
Pharmaceutical Calculations
1
PHPR 341W
Pharmacy Practice I: Patient Care Skills I
2
PHBA 340W
Pharmaceutical Law and Ethics
2
EPY1B Fall Total
8
EPY1B Spring
Course Number
Course Title
Credits
PHCE 361/361R
Pharmaceutics II with Recitation
3/0
PHPR 342W
Pharmacy Practice II: Patient Care Skills II
1
PHPR 444
Pharmacy Practice III: Self-Care in Pharmacy Practice
2
PHBM 331
Basic and Applied Immunology
3
PHEX 302
CPD II
0.5
EPY1B Spring Total
9.5
EPY1B Summer
Course Number
Course Title
Credits
PHIN 321
Ability-Based Laboratory Experience (ABLE) I
0.5
PHIN 322
Ability-Based Laboratory Experience (ABLE) II
0.5
Electives (optional)*
EPY1B Summer Total
1
EPY2A Fall
Course Number
Course Title
Credits
PHBM 432
Biomedical Sciences and Therapeutics (BMST): Cardiology
5
PHCE 430
Biopharmaceutics
3
PHPR 448
Pharmacy Practice IV: Drug Literature Evaluation
2
EPY2A Fall Total
10
EPY2A Spring
Course Number
Course Title
Credits
PHBM 437
BMST: Endocrine Disorders I
2
PHBM 435
BMST: Pain, Musculoskeletal, & Connective Tissue Disorders
2
PHCE 431
Pharmacokinetics
3
PHBM ###
BMST: Endocrine Disorders II
2
EPY2A Spring Total
9
EPY2A Summer
Course Number
Course Title
Credits
PHEX 372
Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience (IPPE) I
0.5
Electives (optional)*
EPY2A Summer Total
0.5
EPY2B Fall
Course Number
Course Title
Credits
PHBM 418
BMST: Infectious Disease I
3
PHBM 439
BMST: Respiratory, Dermatology, and Ophthalmic Disorders
3
PHPR 498
Pharmaceutical Science & Practice of Immunization
1
PHBM 401
Patient Case Scenarios I
0
PHEX 403
CPD III
0.5
EPY2B Fall Total
7.5
EPY2B Spring
Course Number
Course Title
Credits
PHBM 419
BMST: Infectious Disease II
3
PHBM 431
BMST: Psychiatry & Neurology
4
PHBM 402
Patient Case Scenarios II
1
PHEX 404
CPD IV
0.5
EPY2B Spring Total
8.5
EPY2B Summer
Course Number
Course Title
Credits
PHEX 468
IPPE II
0.5
PHIN 423
ABLE III
0.5
PHIN 424
ABLE IV
0.5
Electives (optional)*
EPY2B Summer Total
1.5
*8 credit hours of electives are required for students without a bachelor's degree
and 5 credits for those with bachelor's degree. This must be completed prior to start
of Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE) rotations.
EPY3 Fall
Course Number
Course Title
Credits
PHBA 411
Pharmacy Management Concepts
2
PHPR 443
Pharmacy Practice V: Clinical and Physical Assessment
3
PHBM 442
Pharmacy Practice VI: Innovative Pharmacy Services and Strategies for Health Outcomes
3
PHBM 441
BMST: Principles of Hematology, Oncology, and Transplantation
3
PHBM 442
BMST: Gasteroenterology
3
PHBM 403
PBL III
0
PHEX 405
CPD V
0.5
EPY3 Fall Total
14.5
EPY3 Spring
Course Number
Course Title
Credits
PHBA 412W
Advanced Law and Ethics Applications
1
PHBA 413W
Management Theory and Applications
1
PHBM 443
BMST: Therapeutics Across the Lifespan
4
PHBM 444
BMST: Therapeutics in the Critically Ill
3
PHIN 490
Personalized Therapeutics
2
PHBM 404
PBL IV
1
PHIN 469
Health Promotion and Disease Management
1
PHEX 406
CPD VI
0.5
EPY3 Spring Total
13.5
EPY3 Summer
Course Number
Course Title
Credits
PHEX 482-488W
Option to start Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE)
4-8
PHPR 501-509
Certificate Menu
1
PHIN 425
ABLE V
0.5
PHIN 426
ABLE VI
0.5
EPY3 Summer Total
6-10
EPY4 Fall
Course Number
Course Title
Credits
PHEX 482-488W
Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE)
8-16
PHEX 407
CPD VII
1
EPY4 Fall Total
9-17
EPY4 Spring
Course Number
Course Title
Credits
PHEX 482-488W
Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE)
8-16
PHEX 408
CPD VIII
1
EPY4 Spring Total
9-17
Non-Traditional Pharmacy Careers
Non-Traditional Pharmacy Careers
Earning your Pharm.D. degree equips you to pursue advanced positions in a broad range of fields. From becoming a compounding pharmacist to working as a science liaison or in a nuclear pharmacy, the scientific expertise and clinical experience you gain help you drive research forward and support community health and well-being.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE):
20 North Clark Street
Suite 2500
Chicago, IL 60602
312.664.3575
