PharmD Curriculum
College Of Pharmacy
PharmD Curriculum Overview: Year by Year
At Vanguard University School of Medicine, our PharmD curriculum is designed to take you beyond the classroom, equipping you with hands-on learning experiences that prepare you for success in diverse pharmacy settings.
With a strong emphasis on:
- Critical Thinking – Analyze complex medical challenges.
- Problem-Solving – Apply knowledge to real-world scenarios.
- Leadership Development – Become a future healthcare leader.
- Research & Innovation – Conduct impactful research projects.
Our four-year PharmD program builds a strong foundation in pharmaceutical sciences, gradually integrating clinical experiences and patient-centered care to ensure you are well-prepared for the profession.
- Year 1: Build foundational knowledge in pharmacy and medical sciences.
- Year 2: Develop clinical skills and patient care expertise.
- Year 3: Engage in advanced practice experiences and elective specializations.
- Year 4: Apply your skills through immersive clinical rotations.
Curriculum
Year 1: Foundational Sciences & Pharmaceutical Principles (40 Credits)
| Subject | CREDITS |
|---|---|
| General Pharmaceutical Sciences | 4 |
| Biochemistry & Molecular Biology | 4 |
| Human Physiology & Pathophysiology I | 4 |
| Medicinal Chemistry | 4 |
| Pharmaceutics I (Drug Formulation & Delivery) | 4 |
| Pharmaceutical Calculations | 3 |
| Introduction to Pharmacy Practice & Ethics | 3 |
| Healthcare Systems & Public Health | 3 |
| Pharmaceutical Compounding Lab | 3 |
| Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience (IPPE) I | 4 |
Hands-On Learning:
- Lab sessions for compounding & formulation
- Patient-centered learning through case studies
- Clinical exposure through IPPE-I
Year 2: Clinical & Applied Pharmaceutical Sciences (42 Credits)
| Subject | CREDITS |
|---|---|
| Pharmacology & Toxicology | 4 |
| Pharmaceutics II (Advanced Drug Delivery Systems) | 4 |
| Pathophysiology II & Pharmacotherapy I (CV, Endocrine, Respiratory) | 4 |
| Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases | 4 |
| Pharmacokinetics & Biopharmaceutics | 4 |
| Evidence-Based Medicine & Pharmacotherapy Research | 3 |
| Law, Ethics, and Pharmacy Regulations | 3 |
| Health Informatics & Technology in Pharmacy | 3 |
| Hospital & Community Pharmacy Practice | 3 |
| Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience (IPPE) II | 4 |
Hands-On Learning:
- Advanced lab simulations for drug compounding & pharmacokinetics
- Clinical exposure through IPPE-II in hospital & community settings
- Case-based learning in therapeutics
Year 3: Advanced Pharmacy Practice & Specialization (44 Credits)
| Subject | CREDITS |
|---|---|
| Pharmacotherapy II (Neurology, Psychiatry, Oncology, GI, Renal, Dermatology) | 4 |
| Immunology & Vaccination in Pharmacy | 4 |
| Clinical Research & Drug Development | 4 |
| Geriatrics & Pediatric Pharmacotherapy | 4 |
| Compounding & Sterile Preparations | 3 |
| Special Topics in Pharmacogenomics | 3 |
| Interprofessional Collaboration in Healthcare | 3 |
| Pharmacy Leadership & Management | 3 |
| Specialty Pharmacy Practice Elective (Oncology, Critical Care, Ambulatory Care, etc.) | 3 |
| Advanced Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience (IPPE) III | 4 |
Hands-On Learning:
- Advanced IPPE-III in clinical settings
- Specialized courses for tailored career paths
- Industry partnerships for real-world applications
Year 4: Advanced Clinical Rotations & Capstone (50 Credits)
| Subject | CREDITS |
|---|---|
| Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE) – 9 Rotations | 36 |
| Capstone Research Project & Publication | 6 |
| Pharmacy Management & Entrepreneurship | 4 |
| Board Exam Preparation (NAPLEX & MPJE Review) | 4 |
Hands-On Learning:
- Real-world patient management across multiple clinical settings
- Elective APPE rotations in hospital, ambulatory, industry, or academia
- Faculty-mentored capstone research project
Admission Enquiry
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