EXPERIENTIAL PROGRAMS

Prospective Students

The University of Colorado Denver School of Pharmacy (UCD SOP) implemented its first professional doctor of pharmacy program in 1999 in response to changes in accreditation standards (see www.acpe-accredit.org/). The historical baccalaureate degree in pharmacy was based on a knowledge-based curriculum whereas the new doctoral degree emphasizes a competency-based curriculum (i.e. it is not what you know that's important but what you can do with that knowledge). Accordingly, the new curriculum emphasizes experiential education and a third of all credit hours in the new program are associated with experiential courses. It is the school's goal to train pharmacists who have the self-confidence and competency which define an independent pharmacy practitioner. To achieve that goal, students are placed in community, hospital and other pharmacy practice settings and given increasing patient care responsibilities throughout the program.

Peer-reviewed papers describing UCD SOP experiential courses have been published and prospective students are encouraged to read those manuscripts. The school's experiential program has been recognized by the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy's Innovations in Teaching Competition.

 

Last updated: 2/29/08