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At the College of Pharmacy, Downers Grove Campus, we are focused on training compassionate, patient-centered pharmacists. Our student-centered curriculum is an innovative year-round, three-year program that integrates the latest in basic and pharmaceutical sciences while emphasizing the clinical skills and experiences you need for success. Through our depth of partnerships with the best medical centers, clinics, and diversity of pharmacies in the region, and the proven track record of our alumni, CPDG will build your future as a pharmacist.
Program
Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.)
Location
Downers Grove, IL
Duration
Three Years, full time, year round
Intake
June
Class Size
160
Graduation Rate
93% (89% on time)
Midwestern University was founded in 1900 as the American College of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery. In 1991, the College of Pharmacy, Downers Grove Campus (CPDG) was established, and we have been educating patient-centered pharmacists for a wide array of practice settings since then. Located 25 miles west of Chicago, our beautiful gated campus features 105-acres of wooded land and provides students with excellent living and learning opportunities.
Streamlined Admissions – You’ve worked hard on your pre-pharmacy coursework, and this is evident in your application. As such, we no longer require PCAT scores as part of the admissions process (though you are welcome to submit them if you wish to enhance your application).
Three-year, year-round curriculum - In our program, you will attend courses year-round beginning in June, with an ultimate May graduation. Our innovative program prepares you to begin your pharmacy career sooner, while still benefiting from a well-rounded education focused on excellent patient care.
Dynamic Curriculum - In your first years in the program, you will engage in interactive lectures, labs, workshops, clinical simulations, and introductory pharmacy practice experiences. In these environments, the safety of our students is our utmost priority. So when needed, interactive technology is leveraged, along with small group sizes and other safety protocols.
In your final year, you will participate in advanced pharmacy practice experiences, where you will be off campus learning in a variety of healthcare environments.
Premier Clinical Partners – We have longstanding partnerships with the best medical centers, healthcare groups, clinics, and diverse pharmacies in the Chicago area to provide a large variety of rotation sites for you, as you explore the many ways pharmacists provide patient-centered care. International, out-of-state, and government agency rotations are also available. Learn more about our pharmacy student rotation opportunities.
Interprofessional Education - At Midwestern University, healthcare education is all we do. In our curriculum, you will have the opportunity to work with other healthcare profession students to practice communication across disciplines, as well as collaboration.
Student Success – Each year a large portion of our students vie for desired residency positions that begin after graduation. In the spring of 2020, our competing Class of 2020 students achieved the highest Phase I match rate of all Illinois pharmacy schools and collectively were 4% above the national Phase I match-rate average. For more student successes as they happen, visit our social media sites listed below.
Accessible Faculty - As soon as you arrive on campus, you will meet your own faculty mentor who will be available to you throughout your studies at CPDG. In addition to teaching, our dedicated faculty also support students in clinical service, research projects, community outreach, and leadership.
Accomplished Faculty –
Community Outreach - With more than 20 pharmacy-related student organizations, you will have multiple opportunities to develop your leadership skills, serve the community, and work with professional pharmacy organizations. Several of our organizations have won regional and national awards for their local initiatives.
Supportive Alumni - CPDG has more than 4,000 alumni who practice in all areas of pharmacy all over the country.
Career Support - From part-time pharmacy jobs to residency training and full-time career searches, we offer valuable resources for you to help ensure your success as you embark on your professional pharmacy career.
Facebook.com/chicagocollegeofpharmacy
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Thanks to PioneerRx, our students have the opportunity to apply their knowledge in simulated, real-world pharmacy functions in preparation for future practice. See how PioneerRx compares to other pharmacy systems.
For the new three-year program, all graduates will achieve these outcomes at the conclusion of the Pharm.D. program:
1. Educate and prepare pharmacists to excel in a changing healthcare environment.
2. Promote advancements in the profession of pharmacy.
3. Contribute meaningfully to the advancement of knowledge.
4. Foster professional development of faculty, staff, preceptors, and students.
5. Develop and cultivate relationships with alumni and external stakeholders.
6. Optimize and enhance resources needed to fulfill the College's mission.
The Midwestern University College of Pharmacy, Downers Grove Campus Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), 190 S. LaSalle Street, Suite 2850, Chicago, IL 60603; 312-664-3575, 800-533-3606; Fax 312-664-4652; or www.acpe-accredit.org.
Midwestern University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, 230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500, Chicago, IL 60604-1413.
2019 MEDIAN SALARY for all pharmacists was $128,090, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Pharmacists, on the Internet at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/pharmacists.htm (accessed 7/14/2020)
Students seeking admission to CPDG must submit the following documented evidence:
The Pharm.D. Program at CPDG is rigorous and challenging. The CPDG Admissions Committee will
To see which courses at your undergraduate institution will fulfill our prerequisites, please visit our CPDG Course Guides page.
Course |
Sem Hrs |
Qtr Hrs |
Biology with labs |
8 |
12 |
Human or Vertebrate Anatomy |
3 |
4 |
General Chemistry with labs |
8 |
12 |
Organic Chemistry with labs |
8 |
12 |
Physics (mechanics, heat, force, and motion must be included in the course) |
3 |
4 |
Calculus (integral and differential) |
3 |
4 |
English Composition |
6 |
9 |
Speech/Public Speaking |
3 |
4 |
Economics |
3 |
4 |
Statistics (general statistics or biostatistics) |
3 |
4 |
Social and Behavioral Science Electives (Any two courses within the areas of psychology, sociology, anthropology, or political science) |
6 |
9 |
General Education Electives |
8 |
12 |
Total |
62 |
90 |
Pharmacy: A Profession with Many, Many Career Paths - While you may be familiar with traditional pharmacists in retail settings, there are numerous other career pathways for pharmacists that also mix medication expertise and patient-centered care.
Special PCAT NOTE: The Pharmacy College Admissions Test (PCAT) score is not required for admission. However, if an applicant's cumulative and science GPAs are below 2.75, then the submission of PCAT scores is preferred to enhance the application. Also accepted in such cases are MCAT, DAT, OAT, or GRE scores from those who are current MWU students in other programs, or those who have additionally applied to other MWU programs that require these exams.
CPDG offers a three-year, year-round curriculum that begins in June, with an eventual May graduation date. This innovative curriculum provides the high-quality pharmacy and experiential education that Midwestern University is long known for, in an efficient timeframe for the benefit of our students.
Pharmacists practice patient-centered care in community pharmacies, hospitals, physician offices, home health care, managed care organizations, and in corporate offices as patient advocates. For additional insights, visit Pharmacy as a Career.
2019 MEDIAN SALARY for all pharmacists was $128,090, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Pharmacists, on the Internet at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/pharmacists.htm (accessed 7/14/2020)