Why Choose The School of Pharmacy at Duquesne

We work hard to ensure our students excel inside and outside the classroom. Over the years, our graduates have demonstrated notable success in their professional endeavors, and we are proud to have played a role in helping them achieve their goals.

• Duquesne Pharm.D. graduates earn an average North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX) pass rate of 86.2%, which exceeds the national average of 78.6%.
• Upon entering the workforce, graduates in traditional and non-traditional pharmacist roles typically begin with a median salary exceeding $136,000. As they acquire more experience and continue specializing in their pharmaceutical knowledge, their earning potential increases.
• Our alumni network is 7,400 strong—and growing. Even when their time at the Duquesne School of Pharmacy comes to an end, our students remain connected to a tight-knit community that provides career support, mentorship, and a variety of other benefits. 

At Duquesne, every undergraduate student in the Direct Entry Pharm.D. program receives a Student Success Coach to guide them through the pre-professional phase. Our Student Success Coaches provide insight related to transferring credits, class registration, and the ins and outs of the pre-professional pharmacy curriculum. 

Additionally, the Student Success Coaches co-leads four Pre-Professional Pharmacy Seminar classes designed to prepare students for the Pharm. D. program's professional phase (years three, four, five, and six) and introduce different pharmacy career paths. 

As you enter the professional phase, you will be assigned a faculty mentor from the School of Pharmacy to further support your growth.

The School of Pharmacy offers students access to four ground-breaking research centers that span the breadth of the pharmaceutical industry.

• The Center for Pharmacy Care provides health and wellness services to faculty, students, and Duquesne University employees.
• The Center for Pharmacy Practice offers simulated pharmacy experience and introduces student pharmacists to working in community pharmacy and clinical practice settings.
• The Center for Pharmaceutical Technology focuses on advancing pharmaceutical manufacturing. Gain experience operating state-of-the-art analytical and manufacturing equipment.
• The Center for Integrative Health equips the next generation of practitioners to address health care disparities and improve health equity in Pittsburgh and beyond.

Conduct research with the 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 volunteers. Our students publish papers, posters and give presentations on the research that they have conducted at Duquesne.

We uphold the university-wide mission of excellence and service to the world. That’s why the School of Pharmacy incorporates global study abroad opportunities into our program offerings, ensuring our students understand their role in promoting health and human well-being across the nations.

Each year, our renowned faculty and staff lead our student pharmacists on a global health rotation at the University of Perugia in Perugia, Italy. We also work hard to maintain international partnerships with seven pharmacy schools in five countries, including:

• Xi'an Jiaotong University

Italy

• University of Bologna
• University of Perugia

Japan

• Daiichi University
• Kobe Gakuin University

• Obafemi Awolowo University

• Jagiellonian University

Course Number	Course Title	Credits
BIOL 111/112	Biology I & II W/ Lab	8
CHEM 121/122	General Chemistry I & II W/ Lab & Recitation	10
CHEM 211/212	Organic Chemistry I & II W/ Lab	8
MATH 115	Calculus I	4
PHYS 201	Physics for Life Sciences & Recitation	3
BRDG 101	Writing & Analysis	3
BRDG 102	Writing and Literature	3
THEO	Theology-Based Course	3
BRDG 105	Intro to Ethical Reasoning	3
	Essential Questions Seminar	3
	Communication: Creative Expression	3
	Business/Critical Thinking	3
	Cultural Fluency and Responsiveness	3
PHIL	Philosophy-Based Course	3
BRDG 103	IPE Health Research Statistics	1
MATH 225	Introduction to Biostatistics	3
SOCI 101	Social and Historical Reasoning	3
PHAR 101	Pre-Professional Seminar (101)	0
PHAR 102	Pre-Professional Seminar (102)	0
PHAR 103	Pre-Professional Seminar (103)	0
PHAR 104	Pre-Professional Seminar (104)	0
	Pre-Professional Phase Total	67

Fall
Course Number	Course Title	Credits
PHPT 300	Pharmaceutical Calculations	1
PHBM 350	Biochemistry I – Peptides and Carbohydrate Metabolism	3
PHBM 355R	Human Physiology and Pathology I/Recitation	4/0
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
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
Summer
Course Number	Course Title	Credits
PHEX 372	Intro Experiential Education I	0.5
	PY1 Summer Total	0.5
	PY1 Total	36.5

Fall
Course Number	Course Title	Credits
PHBM 432	Biomedical Sciences and Therapeutics: Cardiology	5
PHBM 418	Biomedical Sciences and Therapeutics: Infectious Disease I	3
PHBM 436	Biomedical Sciences and Therapeutics: Respiratory Disorders	2
PHBM 401	Therapeutic Case Studies I: A Problem-Based Learning Approach	0
PHCE 430	Biopharmaceutics	3
PHPR 448	Pharmacy Practice IV: Drug Literature Evaluations	2
PHPR 444	Pharmacy Practice III: Self-Care in Pharmacy Practice	2
PHIN 423	ABLE III	0.5
PHEX 403	CPD III	0.5
	PY2 Fall Total	18
Spring
Course Number	Course Title	Credits
PHBM 431	Biomedical Sciences and Therapeutics: Psychiatry and Neurology	4
PHBM 419	Biomedical Sciences and Therapeutics: Infectious Disease II	3
PHBM 435	Biomedical Sciences and Therapeutics: Pain, Musculoskeletal and Connective Tissue Disorders	2
PHBM 437	Biomedical Sciences and Therapeutics: Endocrine Disorders	3
PHBM 402	Therapeutic Case Studies II: A Problem-Based Learning Approach	0
PHCE 431	Pharmacokinetics	3
PHPR 498	Pharmaceutical Science and Practice of Immunization	1
PHPR 499	Tobacco Treatment Specialist Training and Certificate Program	1
PHIN 424	ABLE IV	0.5
PHEX 404	CPD IV	0.5
	PY2 Spring Total	18
Summer
Course Number	Course Title	Credits
PHEX 468	Intro Experiential Education II	0.5
	PY2 Summer Total	0.5
	PY2 Total	36.5

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
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

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
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
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

Course Number	Course Title	Credits
GPSC 513	Principles of Drug Action, Design and Delivery	3
GPSC 589W	Research Methods Pharmacy Administration	3
GPSC 673	Advanced Pharmacology	3
PHBA 400	Mindfulness for Clinicians	1
PHBA 423	Perspectives in Global Health	3
PHBA 426	Basics in Investments and Personal Finance	1
PHBA 427	Applications in Investments and Personal Finance	1
PHBA 428	International Pharmacy Services	2
PHBA 431	Entrepreneurship in Pharmacy	3
PHBA 433	Special Topics in Entrepreneurship	3
PHBM 468	Independent Study and Research	1-4
PHEX 489	Optional Experiential Education	4
PHIN 452	Advanced Concepts in Oncology	3
PHPR 427	Etiology Assessment & Treatment of Pain for Health Care Professionals	3
PHPR 465	SLTP in Senior Care Pharmacy	3
PHPR 468	Ambulatory Care Models - Development, Implementation and Sustainability	3
PHPR 477	General Pediatrics Neonatal Pharmacy Therapy	3
PHPR 478	Seminar in Current Practice Guidelines in Ambulatory Care	2
PHPR 479	Clinical Preparation for Community Pharmacy Practice	2
PHPR 481	Dermatological Therapeutics and Topical Delivery Systems	3
PHPR 488	Technology Pharmacy Practitioner	2
PHPR 489	Branding of Clinical Community Practice	3
PHPR 493	Advanced Acute Care Clinical Skills	3
PHPR 494	Advanced Acute Care Clinical Skills II	3
PHPR 496	Urgent Topics in Palliative and End-of-Life Care	1

14 Credits Required

The Acute Care Concentration provides student pharmacists with education and training directed toward careers in Institutional Pharmacy Practice and preparation for ASHP Residencies. In didactic courses students study advanced clinical and hospital practice topics. In experiential rotations students are required to complete additional experiential rotations in Advanced Clinical Practice and are encouraged to develop a research project in conjunction with a practitioner, culminating in a poster presentation at a local or national meeting.

Course Number	Course Title	Credits
PHPR 493	Advanced Acute Care Clinical Skills I	3
PHPR 494	Advanced Acute Care Clinical Skills II	3
	Two Elective Advanced Rotations in Acute Care/Research	8

13 Credits Required

The Ambulatory Care Concentration provides students in the professional phase of the PharmD program with an opportunity to further develop and enhance skills related to practice in this growing area.

The Board of Pharmaceutical Specialties (BPS) defines Ambulatory Care Pharmacy as "the provision of integrated, accessible healthcare services by pharmacists who are accountable for addressing medication needs, developing sustained partnerships with patients, and practicing in the context of family and community". Ambulatory Care Pharmacy services are provided in diverse practice settings including outpatient clinics, community pharmacies, and telehealth. In 2011, BPS recognized Ambulatory Care Pharmacy as a distinct specialty within the profession by credentialing pharmacists through BCACP examination and certification. The BCACP credential is the second most common BPS credential held by pharmacists practicing in the U.S. In 2014, the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists also recognized this evolution of practice by revising their mission and brand to include pharmacists practicing in ambulatory care settings.

Ambulatory care pharmacists typically train through the completion of a PGY1 Pharmacy Practice or Community Practice Residency and some go on to complete PGY2 Ambulatory Care residencies. The data suggest that this practice area is of growing interest among pharmacy graduates. In the last 7 years, the number of Ambulatory Care PGY2 programs have more than tripled (39 in 2010 to 132 in 2017) and there are now 190 PGY1 community-based pharmacy residency programs, with many of these programs partially or entirely based in an ambulatory care practice environment.

Course Number	Course Title	Credits
PHPR 479	Clinical Preparation for Community Pharmacy Practice	2
PHPR 478	Seminar in Current Practice Guidelines in Ambulatory Care	2
PHPR 468	Ambulatory Care Models - Development, Implementation and Sustainability	2
	Complete One (1) Elective from the Following List:	3
	PHPR 481 - APPE Rotation Requirement in Select Settings
	PHIN 452 - APPE Rotation Requirement in Select Settings
	PHPR 465 - APPE Rotation Requirement in Select Settings
	PHPR 477 - APPE Rotation Requirement in Select Settings
	Elective AAPE-RAM at an Approved Site	4

11 Credits Required

Community pharmacists are described as the most accessible, and one of the most trusted, healthcare professionals. Due to the vast number of prescriptions dispensed in community pharmacy, and the plethora of chain and independent pharmacies nationwide, community pharmacy employs the highest number of working pharmacists in the United States. Approximately over 70% of Duquesne pharmacy graduates each year enter into this rewarding field. As the number of pharmacy schools across the country increase, thus increasing the supply of licensed pharmacists, it is essential for job placement and security that pharmacists are well-versed in the provision of additional pharmacy services that enhance patient care outcomes, promote wellness, enhance accessibility to and affordability of medications. While this issue is addressed in the core curriculum of Collaborative Practice Agreements, we feel it is essential that our student pharmacists have the opportunity to engage in more individualized, advanced practices of a clinical community pharmacist and to have the certificate of a concentration such as this to increase their marketability to future employers. The concentration in advanced community practice enhances the new curriculum and is not duplicative.

Course Number	Course Title	Credits
PHPR 479	Clinical Preparation for Community Pharmacy Practice	2
PHPR 478	Seminar in Current Practice Guidelines in Ambulatory Care	2
PHPR 489	Branding Community Practice	3
	APPE Rotation Requirement in Select Settings	4

6 Credits Required

This concentration is designed to allow the student to begin to understand how they can take their pharmacy knowledge and apply it to developing their own unique business which can be anything from owning their own traditional independent pharmacy or starting a new clinical pharmacy business service that has never existed before in the pharmacy industry. These courses will also allow the student to self-reflect in order to understand themselves, how best to work with others and what are their strengths and weaknesses in becoming an entrepreneur.

Course Number	Course Title	Credits
PHBA 431	Entrepreneurship in Pharmacy	3
PHBA 433	Special Topics in Entrepreneurship	3

15 Credits Required

The geriatric concentration provides student pharmacists with additional education and training in the provision of pharmaceutical care to geriatric patients and encourages students to pursue careers in long-term care pharmacy, residencies in geriatrics and other areas within geriatric practice. The concentration culminates with a comprehensive exam similar in structure and content to the Geriatric Certification Exam.

Course Number	Course Title	Credits
PHBM 443	Biomedical Sciences and Therapeutics: Therapeutics in Special Populations	4
PHPR 465	Special Topics in Senior Care Pharmacy	3
	Two Elective Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE) in Geriatrics	8

9 Credits Required

The research concentration provides student pharmacists an opportunity train students in introductory health services and outcomes research (HSOR) that improves clinical decision making for patients, healthcare professionals, industry, and government and to conduct research on the clinical, economic, and humanistic impacts of medication and medication-related healthcare services.

Course Number	Course Title	Credits
GPSC 589	Research Methods in Health Services and Outcomes Research	3
GPSC 592	Evidence Synthesis in Healthcare	3
GPSC 520	Qualitative Methods in Healthcare Research	3