Online Doctor of Pharmacy

The Doctor of Pharmacy degree can be earned in four years through the Online Pharm.D. Program (OPP). Students must have successfully completed all prerequisite courses prior to entry into the OPP. The majority of OPP courses are taught online through synchronous and asynchronous technology. In the first three years of the OPP, students come to campus one to two times per academic year to complete the laboratory and professional development components of the curriculum with three-to-four-week introductory experiential learning occurring in the summers. The fourth and final year of the OPP is comprised of onsite advanced experiential learning. 140.5 credits are required for graduation.

Student Learning Outcomes

Knowledge

  • Scientific Thinking – Seek, analyze, integrate, and apply foundational knowledge of medications and pharmacy practice (biomedical; pharmaceutical; social, behavioral, and administrative; and clinical sciences; drug classes; and digital health).

Skills

  • Problem Solving Process – Use problem solving and critical thinking skills, along with an innovative mindset, to address challenges and to promote positive change.
  • Communication – Actively engage, listen, and communicate verbally, nonverbally, and in writing, when educating or interacting with an individual, group, or organization.
  • Cultural and Structural Humility – Mitigate health disparities by considering, recognizing, and navigating cultural and structural factors (e.g., social determinants of health, diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility) to improve access and health outcomes.
  • Person-Centered Care – Provide whole person care and comprehensive medication management to individuals as the medication specialist using the Pharmacists’ Patient Care Process.
  • Advocacy – Promote the best interests of patients and/or the pharmacy profession within healthcare settings and at the community, state, or national level.
  • Medication-Use Process Stewardship – Optimize patient healthcare outcomes using human, financial, technological, and physical resources to improve the safety, efficacy, and environmental impact of medication use systems.
  • Interprofessional Collaboration – Actively engage and contribute as a healthcare team member by demonstrating core interprofessional competencies.
  • Population Health and Wellness – Assess factors that influence the health and wellness of a population and develop strategies to address those factors.
  • Leadership – Demonstrate the ability to influence and support the achievement of shared goals, regardless of one’s role.

Attitudes

  • Self-Awareness – Examine, reflect on, and address personal and professional attributes (e.g., knowledge, metacognition, skills, abilities, beliefs, biases, motivation, help-seeking strategies, and emotional intelligence) that could enhance or limit growth, development, and professional identity formation.
  • Professionalism – Exhibit attitudes and behaviors that embody a commitment to building and maintaining trust with patients, other health care providers, and society.

Admission Requirements for Applicants with a Bachelor's Degree:

 

Prerequisite Courses (37 Credits)
These courses must be taken at an accredited 4-year college/university or 2-year community college Grades of "C" or better are required.

Course Credits
General Biology I W/ Lab 4
Intro to Microbiology W/ Lab 4
General Chemistry I W/ Lab 4
General Chemistry II W/ Lab 4
Anatomy and Physiology I and II 6
Organic Chemistry I W/ Lab 4
Organic Chemistry II W/Lab 4
Calculus I 4
Statistics 3
Total Prerequisite Credits 37

Completion of background check conducted by the School of Pharmacy through an approved vendor is required prior to matriculation.

Selected applicants will be invited to interview.

Admission Requirements for Undergraduate Applicants:

Prerequisite Courses (64 Credits)
These courses must be taken at an accredited 4-year college/university or 2-year community college.  Grades of "C" or better are required.

Science Credits: 30

Course Credits
General Biology I W/ Lab 4
Intro to Microbiology W/ Lab 4
General Chemistry I W/ Lab 4
General Chemistry II W/ Lab 4
Anatomy and Physiology I and II 6
Organic Chemistry I W/ Lab 4
Organic Chemistry II W/Lab 4

Math Credits: 6-7

Calculus 3-4
Statistics
Biostatistics Accepted
3

English Credits: 6

English Composition I 3
English Composition II or Literature Course 3

Humanities Credits: 21

Humanities Credits (must include one Ethics course) 21

Total Prerequisite Credits: 63-64

Additional Prerequisites:

  • Complete background check conducted by the School of Pharmacy through an approved vendor prior to matriculation.

140.5 Credits

OPY1 Fall

Course Number Course Title Credits
PHBA 310 The American Health Care System 2
PHBA 340W Pharmaceutical Law and Ethics 2
PHBM 330 Clinical Pathophysiology 4
PHBM 350 Biochemistry I: Peptides & Carbohydrate Metabolism 3
PHCE 360/360R Pharmaceutics I with Recitation 3
PHEX 301 Continuous Professional Development (CPD) I  0.5
PHPR 300 Pharmaceutical Calculations 1
PHPR 341W Pharmacy Practice I: Patient Care Skills I 2
OPY1 Fall Total 17.5

OPY1 Spring

Course Number Course Title Credits
PHBA 311 Public Health & Epidemiology 2
PHBM 331 Basic and Applied Immunology 3
PHBM 351 Biochemistry II: Metabolism, Protein Synthesis, & Nucleic Acids 3
PHBM 352 Foundations in Pharmacology and Medicinal Chemistry 3
PHCE 361/361R Pharmaceutics II with Recitation 3
PHEX 302 CPD II 0.5
PHPR 342W Pharmacy Practice II: Patient Care Skills II 1
PHPR 444 Pharmacy Practice III: Self-Care in Pharmacy Practice 2
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

OPY2 Fall

Course Number Course Title Credits
PHBM 401 Patient Case Scenarios I 0
PHBM 418 Biomedical Sciences and Therapeutics (BMST): Infectious Disease I 3
PHBM 432 BMST: Cardiology 5
PHBM 439 BMST: Respiratory, Dermatology, and Ophthalmic Disorders 3
PHCE 430 Biopharmaceutics 3
PHEX 403 CPD III 0.5
PHPR 444 Pharmacy Practice IV: Drug Literature Evaluation 2
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 419 BMST: Infectious Disease II 3
PHBM 431 BMST: Psychiatry & Neurology 4
PHBM 435 BMST: Pain, Musculoskeletal, & Connective Tissue Disorders 2
PHBM 445 BMST: Endocrine Disorders I 2
PHBM 446 BMST: Endocrine Disorders II 2
PHCE 431 Pharmacokinetics 3
PHEX 404 CPD IV 0.5
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

OPY3 Fall

Course Number Course Title Credits
PHBA 411 Pharmacy Management Concepts 2
PHBM 403 Patient Case Scenarios III 0
PHBM 441 BMST: Principles of Hematology, Oncology, and Transplantation 3
PHBM 442 BMST: Gastroenterology 3
PHEX 405 CPD V 0.5
PHPR 442 Pharmacy Practice VI: Innovative Pharmacy Services and Strategies for Health Outcomes 3
PHPR 443 Pharmacy Practice V: Clinical and Physical Assessment 3
XXXX ### Elective
*Can be moved in curriculum based on course selection
3
OPY3 Fall Total 17.5

OPY3 Spring

Course Number Course Title Credits
PHBA 412W Advanced Law and Ethics Applications 1
PHBA 413W Management Theory and Applications 1
PHBM 404 Patient Case Scenarios IV 1
PHBM 443 BMST: Therapeutics Across the Lifespan 4
PHBM 444 BMST: Therapeutics in the Critically Ill 3
PHEX 406 CPD VI 0.5
PHIN 469 Health Promotion and Disease Prevention and Management 1
PHIN 490 Personalized Therapeutics 2
XXXX ### Elective
*Can be moved in curriculum based on course selection
5
OPY3 Spring Total 18.5

OPY3 Summer/OPY4

Course Number Course Title Credits
PHIN 425 ABLE V 0.5
PHIN 426 ABLE VI 0.5
PHEX 482-483 Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE): Blocks A & B 4-8
PHPR 501-509 Certificate Menu 0.5
OPY3 Summer Total 5.5-9.5

OPY4 Fall

Course Number Course Title Credits
PHEX 407 CPD VII 1
PHEX 482-488 APPE: Blocks C, D, E, & F 8-16
OPY4 Fall Total 9-17

OPY4 Spring

Course Number Course Title Credits
PHEX 408 CPD VIII 1
PHEX 485-488 APPE: Blocks G, H, & I 8-16
OPY4 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.

Extended Program

Duquesne University School of Pharmacy also offers an extended program with a 6 year 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 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 445 BMST: Endocrine I 2
PHBM 435 BMST: Pain, Musculoskeletal, & Connective Tissue Disorders 2
PHCE 431 Pharmacokinetics 3
PHBM 446 BMST: Endocrine 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

EPY3 Fall

Course Number Course Title Credits
PHBA 411 Pharmacy Management Concepts 2
PHPR 443 Pharmacy Practice V: Clinical and Physical Assessment 3
PHPR 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 Patient Case Scenarios 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: Clinical Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacogenomics, Pharmaceutics 2
PHBM 404 Patient Case Scenarios IV 1
PHIN 469 Health Promotion/Disease Prevention and 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 0.5
PHIN 425 ABLE V 0.5
PHIN 426 ABLE VI 0.5
EPY3 Summer Total 5.5-9.5

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

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.

*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.