Hybrid Doctor of Pharmacy

Our PharmD program blends in-person and online learning, providing flexibility as you earn your PharmD degree in less than three years.

Eligible transfer students accepted! Click to learn more! Hybrid Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) Eligible transfer students accepted! Click to learn more! Hybrid Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD)

33 Months

Obtain your PharmD degree in as little as 33 months through our accelerated hybrid program1

Competitive Tuition

Our competitive tuition helps put your PharmD degree within reach

Want to Transfer to WCU?

We’ll review your previous pharmacy coursework for credit! Learn More

Reasons to Choose WCU

Attend classes wherever you have a stable WiFi connection

Visit our Los Angeles campus one week per trimester to practice pharmaceutical compounding and other hands-on skills

Learn using tools such as VR headsets that let you tend your own virtual pharmacy

Stethoscope

Participate in simulation activities at our vibrant Center for Graduate Studies campus in Los Angeles

Why Pursue a PharmD Degree at WCU?

WCU is one of the first pharmacy schools in the nation to launch an accelerated hybrid curriculum! Earn your PharmD degree in as little as 33 months — that’s less than three years.

WCU’s Doctor of Pharmacy program helps you develop the skills needed to take on the challenges of today’s pharmacy field through a combination of classroom learning, in-person clinical practice, and community outreach activities, such as wellness fairs and immunization clinics. Study online while completing one week per trimester of hands-on practice at our  Center for Graduate Studies campus in the heart of Los Angeles.

From online learning tools to practice time at your own virtual pharmacy, our goal is to help develop you into a skilled pharmacist capable of practicing in diverse settings, from research labs to community drug stores. Graduates of the program are prepared to succeed in the industry.

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  • Flexible online and campus programs
  • 58,000 alumni across the globe
  • Experienced faculty and staff

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Explore the PharmD program at WCU!

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Program Details

Program Pace

Hybrid Online and In-Person

144 Credits

33 Months

8 Trimesters

Curriculum

Accelerated Hybrid Curriculum

Course Number Course Name Total Credit Hours
Number Name Hours
Longitudinal Skills Lab I 1
Longitudinal Skills Lab II 1
Pharmaceutics I 3
Pharmaceutics II 3
Biosystems 4
Pharmacy Practice Foundations I 4
Pharmacy Practice Foundations II 4
Calculations 2
Principles of Drug Action I 4
Biostatistics and Drug Literature Evaluation 2
Principles of Drug Action II 4
IPC Fundamental 2
Professional and Interprofessional Development I 1
Professional and Interprofessional Development II 1
IPPE-1 Community Practice 2
Longitudinal Skills Lab III 1
Longitudinal Skills Lab IV 1
Pharmacokinetics 4
US Healthcare and Public Health 3
Institutional Pharmacy Practice 2
Pharmacogenomics & Biotechnology 3
IPC I 4
IPC III 4
IPC II 4
IPC IV 4
IPC Supplemental I 2
Professional and Interprofessional Development III 1
Professional and Interprofessional Development IV 1
IPPE-2 institutional Practice 2
Longitudinal Skills Lab V 2
Capstone Skills Lab 2
Pharmacy Practice Management 2
Pharmacy Law & Ethics 2
Pharmacoeconomics & Outcomes Science 2
IPC VII 4
IPC V 4
IPC VIII 4
IPC VI 4
IPC Supplemental II 2
Professional and Interprofessional Development V 1
Professional and Interprofessional Development VI 1
IPPE-3 Selective Elective 2
Professional Electives 4
APPE – Acute Care 5
APPE – Hospital Practice 5
APPE – Community Practice 5
APPE – Ambulatory Care Practice 5
APPE – Elective I 5
APPE – Elective II 5
Board Preparation I 2
Board Preparation II 1
Board Preparation III 1
Total Credit Hours: 144
*Professional electives include , , , ,

Graduation Requirements

To fulfill requirements for graduation, beyond successful completion of coursework, all students are required to successfully complete all programmatic co-curricular and non-credit requirements (e.g., outreach activities, course reflections, PCOA, up-to-date e-Portfolio, Board Preparation exams). In the event of an excused or unexcused absence, students are required to contact the course or event coordinator to determine how missed co-curricular activities will be made up. The format and completion date of any missed co-curricular activity (e.g., project work, evaluations, and assignments) is at the discretion of the course or event coordinator. Failure to successfully complete any required co-curricular work may compromise a student’s ability to graduate.

Pharmacy Curriculum – On ground

Integrated Patient Care (IPC) courses are designed as an integrated course drawing from pharmacology, medicinal chemistry, and therapeutics concepts.

Explanation of Variable Credits

In the second and third professional year of the curriculum, students are divided into two groups each semester. Half the cohort is engaged in Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experiences (IPPE) and the other half will be engaged in Interprofessional Patient Simulation Exercises (IPE). Also, from the Fall semester of the second year students start their professional elective courses, and are required to complete a total of 6 semester units of electives by the end of the third professional year. These factors will result in variable credit units each semester during the second and third year of the curriculum.

*Please note that the curriculum of the program is subject to change. Students should refer to the program handbook and/or syllabus for updated information.

Course Number Course Name Total Credit Hours
Number Name Hours
Co-Curricular Experience I 0
Co-Curricular Experience II 0
Co-Curricular Experience III 0
Longitudinal Skills Lab I 1
Longitudinal Skills Lab II 1
Pharmaceutics I 3
Pharmaceutics II 3
Biosystems I 4
Biosystems II 4
Pharmacy Practice Foundations I 5
Pharmacy Practice Foundations II 4
Evidence Based Practice 3
Principles of Drug Action 4
IPPE I- Community Practice 3
Longitudinal Skills Lab III 1
Longitudinal Skills Lab IV 1
IPC Cardiopulmonary and Renal I 4
U.S. Healthcare and Public Health 3
IPC Cardiopulmonary and Renal II 4
Pharmacogenomics and Biotechnology 2
Pharmacokinetics 4
IPC Cardiopulmonary and Renal III 3
Institutional Pharmacy Practice 3
IPC Endocrine 4
IPC GI Nutrition 3
Interprofessional Education (Simulation) I 1
IPPE II – Institutional Practice 3
Longitudinal Skills Lab V 1
Capstone Skills Lab 2
IPC Neurology/Psychiatry 4
Pharmoeconomics & Outcomes Science 2
IPC Infectious Diseases I 3
Pharmacy Law & Ethics 2
IPC Infectious Diseases II 3
IPC Immunologic Conditions and Special Populations 4
Pharmacy Practice Management 2
IPC Hematology/Oncology 4
Interprofessional Education (Simulation) II 1
IPPE III – Selective Elective 3
Professional Electives* 6
Independent Studies: A Course for Self-Directed Learning 0
APPE – Acute Care Pharmacy Practice 6
APPE – Hospital Pharmacy Practice 6
APPE – Community Pharmacy Practice 6
APPE – Ambulatory Care Pharmacy Practice 6
APPE Elective I 6
APPE Elective II 6
Pharmacy Board Preparation I 0
Pharmacy Board Preparation II 0
Pharmacy Board Preparation III 0
Total Credit Hours: 144
* Professional electives include , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Tuition & Financial Aid

How Much Does the Doctor of Pharmacy Program Cost?
To help make your PharmD degree a reality, WCU offers competitive tuition rates compared to similar PharmD programs. We aim to be transparent about tuition and fees. For a complete breakdown of program our PharmD program costs, please see the table below.

Additionally, we offer several financial aid options, including scholarships for our PharmD students. For more information about your financial support options, visit our financial aid page.

 

Doctor of Pharmacy - Accelerated Hybrid PharmD*

Tuition and Fees

Degree Type Doctorate (Enrolling prior to April 1, 2024) Doctorate (Enrolling after April 1, 2024)
Total Program Credits 144 144
Program Length (Full-time) 8 trimesters 8 trimesters
Tuition Cost (per credit) $1,321 $1,321
Total Tuition Cost $190,224 $190,224
Application Fee (non-refundable) $0 $0
STRF Fee1 (non-refundable) $492.50 $0
Estimated Total Book Costs2 $3,091 $3,091
Estimated Total Book Shipping Cost2 $310 $310
Estimate for Uniforms Fees2 $0 $0
Estimate for Materials/Supplies ($281.25 per trimester)2 $2,250 $2,250
Technology Fee3 ($200 per trimester) $1,600 $1,600
Estimated Total Program Costs (California residents) $197,967.50 $197,475
Estimated Total Program Costs (non-California residents) $197,475 $197,475

Estimated Indirect Costs

Academic Year4
Prior to Fall I 2024 Starting Fall I 2024
with parents off campus with parents off campus
Federal Student Loan Fees $220 $220 $220 $220
Course Materials (Personal Electronic Device-1st year only)
 $1,000 $1,000 $1,000 $1,000
Professional License, Certificate, or First Professional Credential
 $462 $462 $462 $462
Living Expenses (Food & Housing) $3,552 $11,840 $3,728 $12,432
Transportation $2,456 $2,456 $2,584 $2,584
Miscellaneous Personal Expenses $8,048 $8,048 $8,448 $8,448
Total $15,738 $24,026 $16,442 $25,146

Estimated Indirect costs associated with Orientation and Immersive weeks

For 5 nights in Los Angeles
Hotel $400 - $750
Rental car $300 - $750
Meals $90 - $180
Total $790 - $1,680
Estimated total for Orientation week and 6 Immersive Weeks $5,530 - $11,760

Students starting in Fall of 2023 (08/14/2023) and later will be enrolled in the Accelerated Hybrid program only.

1Effective April 1, 2024, the Student Tuition Recovery Fund (STRF) assessment rate will be zero dollars and zero cents ($0.00) per one thousand dollars ($1,000) of institutional charges.

The State of California established the Student Tuition Recovery Fund (STRF) to relieve or mitigate economic loss suffered by a student in an educational program at a qualifying institution, who is or was a California resident while enrolled, or was enrolled in a residency program, if the student enrolled in the institution, prepaid tuition, and suffered an economic loss. Unless relieved of the obligation to do so, you must pay the state-imposed assessment for the STRF, or it must be paid on your behalf, if you are a student in an educational program, who is a California resident, or are enrolled in a residency program, and prepay all or part of your tuition.

You are not eligible for protection from the STRF and you are not required to pay the STRF assessment, if you are not a California resident, or are not enrolled in a residency program.

It is important that you keep copies of your enrollment agreement, financial aid documents, receipts, or any other information that documents the amount paid to the school. Questions regarding the STRF may be directed to the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education, 1747 N. Market Blvd. Ste 225 Sacramento, CA 95834, (916) 431-6959 or (888) 370-7589.

To be eligible for STRF, you must be a California resident or enrolled in a residency program, prepaid tuition, paid or deemed to have paid the STRF assessment, and suffered an economic loss as a result of any of the following:

  1. The institution, a location of the institution, or an educational program offered by the institution was closed or discontinued, and you did not choose to participate in a teach-out plan approved by the Bureau or did not complete a chosen teach-out plan approved by the Bureau.
  2. You were enrolled at an institution or a location of the institution within the 120-day period before the closure of the institution or location of the institution or were enrolled in an educational program within the 120-day period before the program was discontinued.
  3. You were enrolled at an institution or a location of the institution more than 120 days before the closure of the institution or location of the institution, in an educational program offered by the institution as to which the Bureau determined there was a significant decline in the quality or value of the program more than 120 days before closure.
  4. The institution has been ordered to pay a refund by the Bureau but has failed to do so.
  5. The institution has failed to pay or reimburse loan proceeds under a federal student loan program as required by law or has failed to pay or reimburse proceeds received by the institution in excess of tuition and other costs.
  6. You have been awarded restitution, a refund, or other monetary award by an arbitrator or court, based on a violation of this chapter by an institution or representative of an institution, but have been unable to collect the award from the institution.
  7. You sought legal counsel that resulted in the cancellation of one or more of your student loans and have an invoice for services rendered and evidence of the cancellation of the student loan or loans.

To qualify for STRF reimbursement, the application must be received within four (4) years from the date of the action or event that made the student eligible for recovery from STRF.

A student whose loan is revived by a loan holder or debt collector after a period of noncollection may, at any time, file a written application for recovery from STRF for the debt that would have otherwise been eligible for recovery. If it has been more than four (4) years since the action or event that made the student eligible, the student must have filed a written application for recovery within the original four (4) year period, unless the period has been extended by another act of law.

However, no claim can be paid to any student without a social security number or a taxpayer identification number.

2 The Estimate for Book, Uniform, and Supply fees reflect the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price totals compiled in January 2022 and are subject to change.  Supplies become student purchases once issued to student.  Students who drop or have been dismissed after supplies have been issued will assume ownership for these items and will not be eligible for refunds.  For details on all of the supplies, contact the Bursar Office.

3 Technology Fee includes student technical support, Office 365, blended and online course delivery/learning management system, mobile app, student portal technology and access, and required electronic course materials/software.

4 The purpose of the Cost of Attendance (COA) is to provide students and families with an estimated cost to attend . The COA includes both direct and indirect cost estimates. Direct costs are paid directly to and are shown separately for each program. Indirect costs are not paid to and are estimates students may use to budget expenses they may incur while attending school. While actual indirect costs may vary, estimates these amounts based on the number of months in an academic year and whether students will live with parents or off campus.

Note 1: Students who wish to take Challenge Exams will be subject to a fee of $100 for each Challenge exam.  Please see the campus Bursar Office for a full price listing.

Note 2: Course Audits - If a course(s) is being audited.  credits for these course(s) will be included for the student's schedule status for courses taken by semester. Audit course fees will be incurred by program, based on these schedule statuses shown above.

Note 3:  Applicants that are conditionally accepted to the Doctor of Pharmacy program will be required to submit a non-refundable $250.00 good faith payment for a Seat Deposit. The Seat Deposit is not a separate charge but will be credited to the program costs should the student not cancel their enrollment. The University will retain the full amount of this deposit should the student cancel their enrollment at any time, for any reason. Seat Deposits may be paid by credit card, debit card, money order, or cashier's check made payable to . A Seat Deposit will be collected for each enrollment and cannot be applied to or carried over to enrollments for other programs or start terms. At their discretion, the Executive Director may refund the full Seat Deposit for unusual or unexpected circumstances that would warrant a full refund.

Admission Requirements

Applicants for the Doctor of Pharmacy program must:

  1. Have completed specific prerequisite coursework (51 semester credit hours or 76.5 quarter hour equivalents) from an accredited institution. Coursework completed through foreign institutions may be considered.
  2. Required prerequisite courses:
    • Two (2) courses in General Chemistry (four semester credit hours each, including a lab).
    • Two (2) courses in Organic Chemistry (four semester credit hours each including a lab).
    • Two (2) courses in General Biology (with Cell Biology) (four semester credit hours each including a lab).
    • One (1) course in Human/Mammalian Physiology (three semester credit hours each including lab).
    • One (1) course in Human Anatomy (three semester credit hours each including a lab).
    • One (1) course in Calculus (with Analytical Geometry) (three semester credit hours).
    • One (1) course in Statistics (three semester credit hours).
    • One (1) course in Speech Communication/Public Speaking/Interpersonal Communication or Debate (three semester credit hours).
    • Two (2) courses in English Composition (three semester credit hours each).
    • One (1) course in Biochemistry (three semester credit hours each).
    • One (1) course in Microbiology (three semester credit hours each including a lab).

Preferred Coursework (not required):
Physics with Laboratory (may be non-calculus based) 4 credits/6 credits

  1. Completion of prerequisite coursework with cumulative and math/science grade point averages (GPA) of 2.50 or higher is preferred.
  2. Submit 2 letters of recommendation. Letters should include one (1) from a math/science professor, and one (1) from a pharmacist (supervisor), employer (supervisor), healthcare professional (supervisor), math/science professor, or liberal arts professor.
  3. Submit a complete
  4. Complete the interview process.

For more information about our admission requirements, including the transfer and advanced standing credit policy, please visit .

Graduation and Licensure Rates

Below are the previous Doctor of Pharmacy program outcomes. Data for the hybrid PharmD program will be available in 2024.

Graduation Data

Year Entering/Graduating Graduation Rate1
Year Entering/Graduating Graduation Rate1
2023 92/73 78.5%
2022 73/52 71.2%
2021 62/46 74.2%
2020 60/53 88.3%

 

NAPLEX Pass Rate

Year First-Time Pass Rate2
Year First-Time Pass Rate2
2023 68.1%
2022 79.2%
2021 77.3%
2020 68.6%

 

CPJE Pass Rate

Examination Window Overall Pass Rate3 First-Time Pass Rate2
Exam Window Pass Rate3 WCU First-Time Pass Rate2
October 2023 – March 2024 52.9% 54.7%
April 2023 – September 2023 62.05% 55.6%
October 2022 – March 2023 58.7% 68.8%
May 2022 – September 2022 63.1% 62.2%
October 2021 – April 2022 44.7% 50%
April 2021 – September 2021 55.9% 46.2%
October 2020 – March 2021 50.8% 48.6%
May 2020 – September 2020 63.7% 53.1%
December 2019 – April 2020 47.5% 37.5%

 

Employment After Graduation4

2022 2021 2020
Employed within the profession of pharmacy 60% 73.5% 73.0%
Completing post-graduate education or residency training 5% 5.9% 13.5%
Licensed / Not employed in the field 12% 20.6% 13.5%
Lost to follow-up / not licensed 24%

*Student Respondents: 68% for 2021 and 67% for 2020

The above data are based on the program accreditor’s (ACPE) standards and definitions.
1 On-Time Graduation Rate: The percentage of students who complete the program during the same calendar year as declared upon matriculation
2 First-Time Pass Rate: The percentage of graduates who take and successfully pass the licensure examination on their first attempt
3 Overall Pass Rate: Pass rate for all CPJE test takers
4 Employment After Graduation: Percentage of student respondents by employment category within one year post-graduation

  • WCU CGS campus
  • WCU CGS campus

About the Hybrid Doctor of Pharmacy Degree Program

Mission

The School of Pharmacy is a learning community that:

  1. Delivers a dynamic curriculum emphasizing evidence-based practice
  2. Prepares students to serve patients as a member of an interprofessional team
  3. Engages in scholarship
  4. Serves the community through outreach

Vision

We are committed to providing students with a learning environment that emphasizes patient-centered care, interprofessional education, and leadership development. We constantly work towards creating a culture of scholarship among faculty and students and strive to lead the pharmacy profession to the forefront of an integrated and innovative practice.

School of Pharmacy’s Doctor of Pharmacy program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education, 190 South LaSalle Street, Suite 2850, Chicago, IL 60603-4810, 312-644-3575; fax 866-228-2631, website . The Doctor of Pharmacy program at WCU received accredited status in 2018. The accreditation term granted for the Doctor of Pharmacy program extends until January 31, 2025. The professional program of the School and its accreditation status is designated on ACPE’s website, . PLEASE NOTE THAT LICENSURE TO PRACTICE AS A PHARMACIST IS REQUIRED IN EVERY STATE. HOWEVER, THE EXAM AND LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS VARY BY STATE. IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO RESEARCH THE REQUIREMENTS IN THE STATE IN WHICH YOU PLAN TO PRACTICE.

What Can You Expect from Your On-Site Experiential Education?

Our on-site experiences are designed to help you develop the knowledge, values, and skills needed to be successful in the field of pharmacy. Each year, you’ll build on your previous practice experience, slowly expanding on your competencies to instill confidence.

You’ll participate in two times of practice experiences. The Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experiences (IPPEs) take place during the first part of your education and introduce you to areas such as community practice and institutional practice.

The Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences (APPEs) take place during the second half of your degree and cover advanced practice in areas such as acute care and ambulatory care, among others.

The overall goals of the experiential program are to:

  • Develop entry-level pharmacists able to practice at most major pharmacy sites
  • Prepare students to achieve the various competencies detailed in the

Feel free to contact the Office of Experiential Education to obtain further information:

| School of Pharmacy
Office of Experiential Education
590 N. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles CA 90004
Telephone: (323) 284-4799
eFax: (213) 377-5489
email: expedu@westcoastuniversity.edu

Manage Your Own Virtual Pharmacy

As technology evolves, so should your education. The WCU Innovation Lab consistently strives to bring you new and more effective ways to learn. As thought leaders in education, we are at the forefront of the learning landscape, both seeking out the best study apps in the market and creating unique WCU products just for our students.

As a student at the WCU School of Pharmacy, you’ll get to practice your skills using virtual reality! It gives you the opportunity to test how well you can locate medication within a pharmacy setting, remember important drug information, and apply medication therapy principles effectively.

The North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination® (NAPLEX®) is the national assessment test taken by graduating pharmacy students. It’s one of the final requirements you’ll need to complete in order to practice.

’s PharmD program offers an accelerated curriculum with integrated NAPLEX support so you can graduate and pursue your license with confidence. You’ll get access to one-on-one tutoring for the NAPLEX exam to help you target problem areas.

To learn more about what to expect, check out our “Guide to NAPLEX” blog post.

The priority deadline for receipt of all WCU School of Pharmacy scholarship application materials is March 31st. All scholarship offers must be accepted within 10 business days of the offer being extended. Funds remaining from unaccepted offers may be given to additional applicants on a monthly basis.

 Scholarships for Incoming Students

Presidential Academic Excellence Scholarship (up to 5 recipients)

    • $15,000 per academic year — up to $67,500 for the full 9-semester program
    • Must have a cumulative GPA of 3.50 or above
    • Must have a bachelor’s degree
    • Renewable for 4.5 years — must maintain GPA of 3.25 or higher throughout the program
    • Must have accepted admission offer at the time of the scholarship offer

Mark Hacken Trustee Scholarship (up to 5 recipients)

    • $10,000 per academic year — up to $45,000 for the full 9-semester program
    • Must have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.00 and above for the initial year offer
    • Must be a member of an underrepresented minority group (African-American, Hispanic, and Native American)
    • Renewable for 4.5 years — must maintain GPA of 3.0 or higher throughout the program
    • Must have accepted admission offer at the time of the scholarship offer
    • Must have accepted the scholarship within 10 business days of receipt of the offer being extended

Dean’s Scholarship (up to 20 recipients)

    • Up to $5,000 per academic year
    • Must have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.75 or above for the initial year offer
    • Renewable for 4.5 years — must maintain:
      • GPA of 3.0 or higher throughout the program; and
      • Excellence in service engagement
    • Must have accepted admission offer at the time of the scholarship offer
    • Must have accepted initial scholarship offer within 10 business days of the offer being extended

Scholarships for Current Students

Service Excellence Scholarship (Up to 10 recipients)

    • Must have active participation in at least one professional organization
    • Must have a proven record of leadership in community outreach and/or service agreement
    • Must have a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher
    • Scholarship amount: $1,000 scholarship toward the following year’s tuition

Leadership Engaging and Advancing Pharmacy (LEAP) Scholarship (up to 4 recipients)

    • Must maintain a leadership role in activities of a professional organization and/or student government
    • Must maintain a leadership role in a project that promotes pharmacy profession/practice
    • Must have a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher
    • Scholarship amount: $2,500 scholarship toward the following year’s tuition

Students interested in receiving the President’s, Mark Hacken, and/or Dean’s Scholarships must notify the program dean of their interest as a part of the application process.

Scholarships will be applied toward required tuition and fees. Students who withdraw prior to program completion will forfeit future disbursements.

Scholarship for Fourth Year Students

The following scholarships may be offered over and above any other scholarship for which a student may qualify.

Academic Honors Scholarship

    • Must have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher
    • Must have a third-year PCOA ranking of 75th percentile or higher
    • Scholarship amount: $5,000 scholarship toward the fourth year of tuition

Academic Merit Scholarship

    • Must have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher
    • Must have a third-year PCOA ranking between 50th and 75th percentile
    • Scholarship amount: $2,500 scholarship toward the fourth year of tuition

 

Each of the above scholarship offers for new and current students is exclusive of the other offers, and each recipient will be selected at the discretion of the program using a scholarship rubric.

A student will receive the amount for the highest level for which the student was eligible and selected. For example, if the student is selected for both a Presidential Academic Excellence Scholarship and a Dean Scholarship, then that student will receive only the Presidential Scholarship. Only one scholarship will be offered per student.

The PharmD Student Handbook is designed to help you navigate through your time in our program. The handbook provides an overview of academic standards, policies and procedures, student resources, and expected behaviors — all in a single location.

View the handbook

Our PharmD Students Are Accomplishing Amazing Things!

As a WCU pharmacy student, you’ll get the support you need to go after regional and national recognitions. Check out the awards current and past students have received:

  • WCU SOP APhA/CPhA-ASP. Our student chapter won CPhA Chapter of Excellence (2019- 2023)
  • WCU SOP APhA/CPhA-ASP.  Our student chapter won Most Innovative Student Chapter of the Year (2019 – 2022)
  • CPhA Western Pharmacy Exchange Quiz Bowl Champions (2018, 2021, 2022)
  • APhA Region 8 Recognition (2023)
    • The WCU School of Pharmacy was recognized for Operation Substance Use Disorder for its novel initiative on the radio show out of all programs in Region 8. Out of 20 schools, our chapter took first place in this category, propelling our chapter to advance to the national competition taking place at the APhA’s Annual Meeting and Exposition 2023 in Phoenix, AZ

 

Information Sessions To view available dates and reserve your virtual seat, click here!
Campus Tours Available every Friday at 2pm.
Campus Address:

 

If you were previously or currently enrolled in a PharmD program accredited, or seeking accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education, you may request advanced standing transfer into the (WCU) PharmD program.

If you are looking to transfer into our program, here’s what you’ll need to get started;

  1. Official Transcripts from your current school/college/institution.
  2. Official Transcripts from all institutions where prerequisite course work was completed.
  3. Personal statement to the Dean outlining reasons for seeking a transfer to School of Pharmacy.
  4. Course syllabi for each pharmacy course completed at the school/college of origin.

To review all requirements, please click

To contact admissions, please fill out our

Mission & Vision

Mission

The School of Pharmacy is a learning community that:

  1. Delivers a dynamic curriculum emphasizing evidence-based practice
  2. Prepares students to serve patients as a member of an interprofessional team
  3. Engages in scholarship
  4. Serves the community through outreach

Vision

We are committed to providing students with a learning environment that emphasizes patient-centered care, interprofessional education, and leadership development. We constantly work towards creating a culture of scholarship among faculty and students and strive to lead the pharmacy profession to the forefront of an integrated and innovative practice.

Accreditation

School of Pharmacy’s Doctor of Pharmacy program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education, 190 South LaSalle Street, Suite 2850, Chicago, IL 60603-4810, 312-644-3575; fax 866-228-2631, website . The Doctor of Pharmacy program at WCU received accredited status in 2018. The accreditation term granted for the Doctor of Pharmacy program extends until January 31, 2025. The professional program of the School and its accreditation status is designated on ACPE’s website, . PLEASE NOTE THAT LICENSURE TO PRACTICE AS A PHARMACIST IS REQUIRED IN EVERY STATE. HOWEVER, THE EXAM AND LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS VARY BY STATE. IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO RESEARCH THE REQUIREMENTS IN THE STATE IN WHICH YOU PLAN TO PRACTICE.

In-Person Practice Experiences

What Can You Expect from Your On-Site Experiential Education?

Our on-site experiences are designed to help you develop the knowledge, values, and skills needed to be successful in the field of pharmacy. Each year, you’ll build on your previous practice experience, slowly expanding on your competencies to instill confidence.

You’ll participate in two times of practice experiences. The Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experiences (IPPEs) take place during the first part of your education and introduce you to areas such as community practice and institutional practice.

The Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences (APPEs) take place during the second half of your degree and cover advanced practice in areas such as acute care and ambulatory care, among others.

The overall goals of the experiential program are to:

  • Develop entry-level pharmacists able to practice at most major pharmacy sites
  • Prepare students to achieve the various competencies detailed in the

Feel free to contact the Office of Experiential Education to obtain further information:

| School of Pharmacy
Office of Experiential Education
590 N. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles CA 90004
Telephone: (323) 284-4799
eFax: (213) 377-5489
email: expedu@westcoastuniversity.edu

Innovation

Manage Your Own Virtual Pharmacy

As technology evolves, so should your education. The WCU Innovation Lab consistently strives to bring you new and more effective ways to learn. As thought leaders in education, we are at the forefront of the learning landscape, both seeking out the best study apps in the market and creating unique WCU products just for our students.

As a student at the WCU School of Pharmacy, you’ll get to practice your skills using virtual reality! It gives you the opportunity to test how well you can locate medication within a pharmacy setting, remember important drug information, and apply medication therapy principles effectively.

NAPLEX Prep

The North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination® (NAPLEX®) is the national assessment test taken by graduating pharmacy students. It’s one of the final requirements you’ll need to complete in order to practice.

’s PharmD program offers an accelerated curriculum with integrated NAPLEX support so you can graduate and pursue your license with confidence. You’ll get access to one-on-one tutoring for the NAPLEX exam to help you target problem areas.

To learn more about what to expect, check out our “Guide to NAPLEX” blog post.

Scholarships

The priority deadline for receipt of all WCU School of Pharmacy scholarship application materials is March 31st. All scholarship offers must be accepted within 10 business days of the offer being extended. Funds remaining from unaccepted offers may be given to additional applicants on a monthly basis.

 Scholarships for Incoming Students

Presidential Academic Excellence Scholarship (up to 5 recipients)

    • $15,000 per academic year — up to $67,500 for the full 9-semester program
    • Must have a cumulative GPA of 3.50 or above
    • Must have a bachelor’s degree
    • Renewable for 4.5 years — must maintain GPA of 3.25 or higher throughout the program
    • Must have accepted admission offer at the time of the scholarship offer

Mark Hacken Trustee Scholarship (up to 5 recipients)

    • $10,000 per academic year — up to $45,000 for the full 9-semester program
    • Must have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.00 and above for the initial year offer
    • Must be a member of an underrepresented minority group (African-American, Hispanic, and Native American)
    • Renewable for 4.5 years — must maintain GPA of 3.0 or higher throughout the program
    • Must have accepted admission offer at the time of the scholarship offer
    • Must have accepted the scholarship within 10 business days of receipt of the offer being extended

Dean’s Scholarship (up to 20 recipients)

    • Up to $5,000 per academic year
    • Must have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.75 or above for the initial year offer
    • Renewable for 4.5 years — must maintain:
      • GPA of 3.0 or higher throughout the program; and
      • Excellence in service engagement
    • Must have accepted admission offer at the time of the scholarship offer
    • Must have accepted initial scholarship offer within 10 business days of the offer being extended

Scholarships for Current Students

Service Excellence Scholarship (Up to 10 recipients)

    • Must have active participation in at least one professional organization
    • Must have a proven record of leadership in community outreach and/or service agreement
    • Must have a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher
    • Scholarship amount: $1,000 scholarship toward the following year’s tuition

Leadership Engaging and Advancing Pharmacy (LEAP) Scholarship (up to 4 recipients)

    • Must maintain a leadership role in activities of a professional organization and/or student government
    • Must maintain a leadership role in a project that promotes pharmacy profession/practice
    • Must have a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher
    • Scholarship amount: $2,500 scholarship toward the following year’s tuition

Students interested in receiving the President’s, Mark Hacken, and/or Dean’s Scholarships must notify the program dean of their interest as a part of the application process.

Scholarships will be applied toward required tuition and fees. Students who withdraw prior to program completion will forfeit future disbursements.

Scholarship for Fourth Year Students

The following scholarships may be offered over and above any other scholarship for which a student may qualify.

Academic Honors Scholarship

    • Must have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher
    • Must have a third-year PCOA ranking of 75th percentile or higher
    • Scholarship amount: $5,000 scholarship toward the fourth year of tuition

Academic Merit Scholarship

    • Must have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher
    • Must have a third-year PCOA ranking between 50th and 75th percentile
    • Scholarship amount: $2,500 scholarship toward the fourth year of tuition

 

Each of the above scholarship offers for new and current students is exclusive of the other offers, and each recipient will be selected at the discretion of the program using a scholarship rubric.

A student will receive the amount for the highest level for which the student was eligible and selected. For example, if the student is selected for both a Presidential Academic Excellence Scholarship and a Dean Scholarship, then that student will receive only the Presidential Scholarship. Only one scholarship will be offered per student.

PharmD Student Handbook

The PharmD Student Handbook is designed to help you navigate through your time in our program. The handbook provides an overview of academic standards, policies and procedures, student resources, and expected behaviors — all in a single location.

View the handbook

Student Awards

Our PharmD Students Are Accomplishing Amazing Things!

As a WCU pharmacy student, you’ll get the support you need to go after regional and national recognitions. Check out the awards current and past students have received:

  • WCU SOP APhA/CPhA-ASP. Our student chapter won CPhA Chapter of Excellence (2019- 2023)
  • WCU SOP APhA/CPhA-ASP.  Our student chapter won Most Innovative Student Chapter of the Year (2019 – 2022)
  • CPhA Western Pharmacy Exchange Quiz Bowl Champions (2018, 2021, 2022)
  • APhA Region 8 Recognition (2023)
    • The WCU School of Pharmacy was recognized for Operation Substance Use Disorder for its novel initiative on the radio show out of all programs in Region 8. Out of 20 schools, our chapter took first place in this category, propelling our chapter to advance to the national competition taking place at the APhA’s Annual Meeting and Exposition 2023 in Phoenix, AZ

Events

 

Information Sessions To view available dates and reserve your virtual seat, click here!
Campus Tours Available every Friday at 2pm.
Campus Address:

 

Transfer Students

If you were previously or currently enrolled in a PharmD program accredited, or seeking accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education, you may request advanced standing transfer into the (WCU) PharmD program.

If you are looking to transfer into our program, here’s what you’ll need to get started;

  1. Official Transcripts from your current school/college/institution.
  2. Official Transcripts from all institutions where prerequisite course work was completed.
  3. Personal statement to the Dean outlining reasons for seeking a transfer to School of Pharmacy.
  4. Course syllabi for each pharmacy course completed at the school/college of origin.

To review all requirements, please click

To contact admissions, please fill out our

Meet the Dean

Kurt-Wargo-PharmD

Kurt A. Wargo, PharmD, FCCP, BCPS

Dean & Professor, WCU School of Pharmacy

Dr. Kurt Wargo is the dean and a professor of the School of Pharmacy at , where he brings decades of experience in clinical pharmacy practice and teaching in educational institutions.

Dr. Wargo received his Bachelor of Science in Biology from Kent State University in 1997 and his Doctor in Pharmacy from Creighton University School of Pharmacy in 2002. In 2003, he completed a postdoctoral residency at Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston, Texas.

Dr. Wargo served on the faculty of Auburn University School of Pharmacy and the University of Alabama-Birmingham, Huntsville School of Medicine from 2003 to 2015. There he practiced pharmacy in internal medicine and infectious diseases.

In 2015, Dr. Wargo became the regional dean of Wingate University in Hendersonville, NC, where he led the school of pharmacy and physician assistant programs. In 2020, he became the dean of the Presbyterian College School of Pharmacy in Clinton, SC.

Dr. Wargo is board-certified in pharmacotherapy, and in 2016, he was elected as a Fellow of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy. He has published over 50 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters during his career.

Meet the PharmD Dean | Watch Video

Click to play youtube content from WCU

View all WCU PharmD faculty

Jessie S., PharmD ’18

“I especially enjoyed the patient case simulation experiences. It allowed us to have very hands-on, practical experiences in real-life clinical settings.”

 

– Jessie S., PharmD ’18

A Campus Made for Hands-On Learning

You’ll complete in-person portions of the program at our Center for Graduate Studies, located in vibrant Los Angeles. Adjacent to the famous Hollywood sign, the campus provides simulation labs and industry-current technology so that you can practice real-life pharmacy skills.

The Center for Graduate Studies is home to several graduate healthcare programs, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, physician assistant studies, and mental health counseling, giving you the opportunity to connect with future professionals in a variety of healthcare fields.

FAQs

How long does it take to complete the PharmD program at WCU?

WCU’s accelerated hybrid PharmD program takes 33 months, or less than 3 years, to complete.  This swift timeline allows you to quickly enter the pharmacy profession with the credentials needed to succeed.

What’s the difference between PharmD and a pharmacist?

A pharmacist refers to the occupation of someone who practices in the field of pharmacy. PharmD is an abbreviation for Doctor of Pharmacy degree, which a pharmacist must obtain before being allowed to practice. State licensure is also a requirement of practice in the pharmaceutical industry.

Can I transfer credits from previous coursework into the program?

If you were enrolled in a Doctor of Pharmacy program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), you may request advanced standing transfer into our program. Each transfer request is reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Only coursework that received grades of C (73%) or better can be considered for transfer.’

Acceptance of transfer credit does not guarantee that you will enter the same academic year as the Pharmacy School from which you are transferring. More information about our transfer requirements for the program can be found in our PharmD catalog page.

How does WCU School of Pharmacy support students preparing for the NAPLEX exam?

We provide our PharmD students with study resources and one-on-one tutoring during their program to help ensure they feel prepared to take the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX).

How can I learn more about the PharmD program at WCU?

Fill out the form at the bottom of this page and a representative will reach out to you and answer any questions you have about our Doctor of Pharmacy program. You can also sign up for an information session.

Can I apply to the PharmD program if I am an international student?

Due to the program’s hybrid modality, which includes in-person instruction, WCU’s PharmD program can only admit students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

Would foreign coursework be considered towards the admissions requirements?

Coursework completed through foreign institutions may be considered. Please contact admissions for additional information.

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