Program Requirements
Doctor of Pharmacy ProgramRetention
Starting with the first professional year (P1), the College of Pharmacy calculates its own grade point average (GPA), an average which differs from the GPA calculated by the University. The grade point average calculated by the College includes only required didactic pharmacy courses (pharmacy professional electives not included) and is called the quality point average (QPA). For a student to be in good academic standing requires a cumulative QPA (cQPA) of 2.3 or higher and a grade of at least C- in each required pharmacy course.
A student will automatically be placed on probation when they do not meet one or more of the good standing requirements. Furthermore, a student whose cumulative cQPA falls below a 2.20 at the end of any semester will be dismissed from the program. A student on probation for two consecutive semesters without returning to good standing also will be dismissed from the program.
A student who receives a grade below C- in any required pharmacy course or whose cQPA falls between 2.20 and 2.30 will be reviewed by the Scholastic Standing Committee and presented with a remediation plan that must be successfully completed in order to progress in the curriculum. Remediation plans will be designed to meet program standards (cQPA and minimum grade requirements) and may include repeating courses, additional self study and or faculty assessment of proficiency through assignments and examinations. Remediation plans will be developed by the Scholastic Standing Committee taking into account the student’s cQPA, length of time enrolled in the program(i.e., P1, P2, or P3 status), the number and types of deficiencies, and trends in academic performance. A student who is not successful in completing the remediation plan developed by the Scholastic Standing Committee will be dismissed from the Pharm.D. program. The assessment of successful completion of remediation plans by the Scholastic Standing Committee shall be final.
Repeating courses to improve academic standing: A student who is not meeting the required pharmacy cQPA of 2.20 may repeat those courses in which they received a C or less, up to 6 credits a semester, and up to a total of 15 credits. A specific course may be repeated only one time. If the 15 credit maximum of repeat credits is reached without achieving the 2.20 cQPA and minimally acceptable grades (at least a C- or demonstrated proficiency) in each required course, the student will be dismissed from the program.
A student notified of dismissal for failing to remain in good standing and not meeting retention requirements shall have the right to appeal. The appeal must be made in writing and received by the Associate Dean of Student and Academic Affairs of the College of Pharmacy within five days of the date of dismissal notice. The appeal will be reviewed by the Scholastic Standing Committee of the College of Pharmacy. The Committee’s decision to confirm the dismissal or continue the student on probation shall be final.
Entry into Advanced Practice Rotations
In order to proceed into Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences (APPEs) in the P4 year of the program, a student must have a minimum cQPA of 2.20, a grade of at least a C- in all required pharmacy courses (or demonstrated proficiency through remediation), and successfully complete all other required courses, professional elective courses, co-curricular portfolio requirements, and Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experiences. Students must earn a C- or better in every APPE rotation.
Graduation Requirements
Earn a minimum cumulative quality point average of 2.20, a grade of at least a C- (or demonstrated proficiency through remediation) in all required professional courses, successfully complete all other required courses, professional elective courses, Introductory and Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences, and earn at least 207 credits.
Professional and/or legal exigencies arise from time to time which may necessitate changes in a pharmacy course, progression, and/or graduation requirements. Students should review their status with academic advisors on a timely basis and refer to current publications for updated information.