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Experiential Training

Experiential training is critical in permitting the faculty to assess the pharmacist's clinical application and integration of didactic material. However, the NTPD program recognizes that the time commitment to perform several traditional APPEs may not be workable for some practicing pharmacists, and also present potential scheduling challenges for employers. To make the experiential components as flexible and feasible as possible, several accommodations have been implemented:

• The experiential component of the NTPD program is shorter than that of the full time on-campus program (30 weeks maximum, compared with 44 weeks). This is possible because pharmacists enrolled in the NTPD have greater pharmacy practice experience before entering the program than most students enrolled in full time on-campus programs. You also have greater opportunity to apply your new didactic knowledge to your clinical practice while you are taking classes.
• Pharmacists may apply for credit by challenge of one to four APPEs, based on their professional experiences. Time limits apply. Challenges require preparation of portfolios that describe and document how you have met the expected outcomes for specific practice areas. They require a narrative description of the work done, as well as documentation of clinical experiences, interventions, presentations, programs, and so on. Tuition is not currently charged for successful APPE challenges, although a challenge fee applies.
• Some APPEs may be performed at the pharmacist's usual practice site with prior approval. Approval depends on factors such as the size of the institution, the availability of qualified preceptors, potential conflicts of interest, and many other factors. Realize that you will not likely be able to do all of your rotations at your place of work. APPEs are meant to expand students’ knowledge and skills beyond their current practice. Current work experience is usually applied to the credit-by-challenge process rather than prospective, in-person rotations. Rotations are meant to be time spent in learning experiences, for which financial compensation is usually not allowed.
• Many APPEs are available on a part-time basis.
• APPEs need not be taken consecutively.
• NTPD students may begin taking APPEs only after completing four Advanced Disease State Management classes; after January 2007, students will also be required to complete the Advanced Drug Literature and Instructional Methods courses before starting rotations.  However, students can prepare a challenge to a clerkship at any point in the program.
• Students should plan to complete the Drug Information rotation before doing other patient care rotations. Note that the drug information APPE is available through distance learning.
• Nontraditional clerkship models are available. Examples include rotations taken by distance delivery, or the design and implementation of a pharmaceutical care project. Such APPEs must be approved in advance.
• Every attempt will be made to arrange APPEs at sites near the pharmacist's home or usual workplace. However, students are asked to remain flexible as some regions of the country, including rural areas, have limited sites appropriate for APPEs.
• New ACPE accreditation standards specify that required APPEs be performed within the US if the student started the NTPD program after July 1, 2007.

For inquiries related to experiential training, please contact Pam Duval, Administrative Assistant for Experiential Programs.

Last updated: 8/27/08