Pharmacy (Online Program)
Be Prepared to Become a Key Player in Healthier Outcomes for All
Ready to take the next step in your journey to become a pharmacists? Our Online Pharm.D. Program (OPP) offers a flexible path to a rewarding career, combining the convenience of online learning with limited on-campus instruction in Pittsburgh. You’ll feel supported in the mentoring relationships of faculty and our commitment to an inclusive community. We leverage educational technology to support your academic goals while helping you manage school, work, family, and other commitments. With minimal evening hours and summer sessions focused on hands-on clinical experiences, you'll have more control over your schedule.
Online and Immersive Training
- Each week, spend one synchronous day online. Meet with faculty and your classmates Thursdays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Spend one week on campus in May. First-year students are required to visit campus an additional three days in October.
Scholarships and Earning Potential
- All undergraduates receive a merit scholarship for all years of their program. Post-baccalaureate students receive a 15% scholarship.
- Our online graduates are eligible for the same positions as any student graduating with a Pharm.D. in our on-campus program. Graduates start at an average $112,000 annual salary.
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. If you've earned a degree, you'll submit your application as a graduate student, otherwise, you'll submit your application as an undergraduate transfer student.
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
Questions About The Online Pharm.D. Program?
Jason Stack, Ed.D., MBA
Featured content
Innovative Curriculum
Customize your education with an academic concentration—acute care, ambulatory care, community practice, entrepreneurial pharmacy or geriatric pharmacotherapy. All of our student pharmacists earn immunization, tobacco treatment specialist and pharmacist-patient care network certificates with the option to earn additional certificates in diabetes care, medication therapy management, substance use disorders, point-of-care testing and healthcare leadership. Continuous Professional Development courses help you develop and maintain professional skills and build confidence, credibility and expertise in areas including advocacy, career exploration, interview skills, licensure exam preparation, study strategies and more.
Experiential Education
You’ll graduate with 1,784 hours of experiential education experience and a wide range of skills in different practice settings. We’ll work with you to schedule available rotations according to your career goals and interests, where you can explore different career paths at a variety of unique and prestigious practice sites, including Allegheny General Hospital, UPMC, 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.
Pharmacy Student Organizations
You'll have the opportunity to explore 18 pharmacy student organizations, with areas of focus like addiction and rehabilitation, pediatrics, psychiatry and mental health. We also have Duquesne University chapters of national pharmacy honors and leadership societies and four professional pharmacy Greek organizations.
Research with Faculty
Conduct research with our world-class faculty that are developing new drugs, seeking methods for curing diseases, improving the quality and safety of drugs, and enhancing patient care. You can participate in active research projects with our faculty members for credit or as a volunteer. Our students publish papers, posters and give presentations on the research that they have conducted at Duquesne.
By the Numbers
Become A Pharmacist
Transfer into the Online Pharm.D. program or join as a graduate student. Contact Samuel%20Pulver, Admission Coordinator, to learn more about your specific situation!
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 program focuses 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)
Starting with 2023 graduates, all eligible students enrolled in the Duquesne University School of Pharmacy Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) program automatically earn a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy Foundations (BSPF) in addition to a Pharm.D. simultaneously with no added cost, time or stress. Make the most of your time on campus by graduating with two degrees and the knowledge, skills and confidence to build a rewarding and exciting pharmacy career.
Pharm.D. graduates ineligible to receive the B.S. in Pharmacy Foundations include applicants already holding a bachelor's degree prior to starting the Pharm.D. program and student pharmacists opting to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences degree.
Admissions Requirements
We look for students who appear to have the best chance of completing the program, and have a strong aptitude for Science and Math. Applicants should have excellent grades and as many prerequisites completed as possible. Students with multiple “D,” “F” and/or “W” grades will not be competitive.
Students are encouraged to apply even if they've not yet completed all prerequisite
courses. All courses must be successfully completed by the time the program begins
in August (successfully completed is defined as earning a “C” grade or better.) 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, going year-round for four years.
Once the application opens during the summer, applications may be submitted throughout
the academic year. Early application does not equate early decision.
International students who have earned Baccalaureate degrees from outside of the United
States are welcome to apply. Those students must also meet all prerequisite requirements.
Online Doctor of Pharmacy students pay the same per-credit rate of tuition that the
On-campus Doctor of Pharmacy students pay. For more information, visit our Tuition Rates page. This program includes a 15% tuition award for eligible students.
- A minimum GPA of 2.5 is required for application. In order to be considered competitive, applicants must possess a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
- Applicants who have obtained a grade lower than a "C" in a prerequisite course must retake the course and achieve a grade of "C" or above.
- Qualified applicants will participate in an interview process with the Duquesne University School of Pharmacy faculty.
- Accepted applicants will be required to complete a background check conducted by CastleBranch prior to matriculating to the School of Pharmacy.
- Prerequisite course credits are accepted 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 college/universities are acceptable under the same grade guidelines as on-campus courses. Check with the Pharmacy Admissions to see if a particular college is appropriately accredited for such courses.
- Please note that some online colleges and other technical schools do not have regional accreditation, and therefore their credits do not transfer to Duquesne University.
- Our admissions counselors are happy to evaluate your transcripts.
Applicants must successfully complete required prerequisites before entering the Professional Phase of the Pharm.D.
Prerequisite courses are accepted 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 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 4-year college/university or 2-year community college, and you must
earn a ggrade of “C” or better.
|
Pre-Requisite Course |
Credits |
|
General Biology I & Lab |
4 |
|
Human Anatomy & Physiology I |
3 |
|
Human Anatomy & Physiology II |
3 |
|
Microbiology |
4 |
|
General Chemistry I & Lab |
4 |
|
General Chemistry II & Lab |
4 |
|
Organic Chemistry I & Lab |
4 |
|
Organic Chemistry II & Lab |
4 |
|
Calculus I |
4 |
|
Statistics |
3 |
|
Total Prerequisite Credits |
37 |
*Non-bachelor degree applicants must also complete:
|
English Credits |
6 |
|
English (Comp and Literature) |
3 |
|
English (Literature) |
3 |
|
Humanities Credits |
21 |
Online 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.
Online Pharm.D. Program Curriculum
142 Credits
| PY1 Fall | ||
| Course Number | Course Title | Credits |
| PHPT 300 | Pharmaceutical Calculations | 1 |
| PHBM 350 | Biochemistry I – Peptides and Carbohydrate Metabolism | 3 |
| PHBM 355 & | Human Physiology and Pathology I/Recitation | 4/0 |
| PHBM 355R | ||
| 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 | |
| PY1 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 | |
| PY1 Summer | ||
| Course Number | Course Title | Credits |
| PHEX 372 | Intro Experiential Education I | 0.5 |
| PY1 Summer Total | 0.5 | |
| PY1 Total | 36.5 | |
| PY2 Fall | ||
| Course Number | Course Title | Credits |
| PHPT 300 | Pharmaceutical Calculations | 1 |
| PHBM 350 | Biochemistry I – Peptides and Carbohydrate Metabolism | 3 |
| PHBM 355 & | Human Physiology and Pathology I/Recitation | 4/0 |
| PHBM 355R | ||
| 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 |
| PY2 Fall Total | 18 | |
| PY2 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 |
| PY2 Spring Total | 18 | |
| PY2 Summer | ||
| Course Number | Course Title | Credits |
| PHEX 372 | Intro Experiential Education I | 0.5 |
| PY2 Summer Total | 0.5 | |
| PY2 Total | 36.5 | |
| PY3 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 | |
| PY3 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 | |
| PY4 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 | |
| PY4 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 | |
| PY4 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 | |
Concentrations tracks include:
- Acute care
- Ambulatory care
- Community practice
- Entrepreneurial pharmacy
- Geriatric pharmacotherapy
Non-Traditional Pharmacy Careers
Accreditation
Accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE):
190 S. LaSalle Street
Suite 3000
Chicago, IL 60603
312.664.3575
