Pharmacy in Glendale

Fast Facts

Degree

Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.)

General Requirements

• Two years of prerequisite course work
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50
• Minimum science GPA of 2.50
• PCAT scores

Length of Program

3 years, full-time, year-round, June start

Innovative three-year, year-round full-time program allows quicker entry into the profession

Class Size

152

2012 Matriculating Class Profile

• Female: 48%
• Male: 52%
• Average Age: 26
• Average Overall GPA: 3.36
• Top Home States: Arizona (54%), California (24%), Utah (6%)

Residency Placements

Diverse practice environments in community and hospital settings in urban, suburban, and rural locations

Graduate Programs

• Placement in M.S. in public health
• Ph.D. study in Pharmacy and Social Administrative Sciences programs

Graduation Rate

Approximately 99% of each class graduates from the program

Licensing Examination Scores (2012)

NAPLEX first time test-taking pass rate

• CPG graduates: 96.83%
• National pass rate: 96.45%

MPJE first-time test-taking pass rate

• CPG graduates: 93.26%
• National pass rate: 92.50%

Pharmacist Professional Responsibilities

• Recommend drug therapies
• Monitor drug regimens for efficacy and safety
• Counsel patients regarding their drug regimens and disease states
• Work with other healthcare providers to ensure positive outcomes with the use of medications
• Respond to questions regarding drug therapy
• Educate the public regarding chronic disease management and drug therapies

Career Opportunities

Community pharmacies, hospitals, educational institutions, laboratories, pharmaceutical companies, managed care organizations, home health care

Job Placements (Based on Survey Respondents of Graduating Class of 2012)

• Community pharmacy: 53%
• Hospital pharmacy and other positions: 38%
• Residency training programs: 7%

US Employment Projections through 2020

Employment of pharmacists is expected to increase by 25% from 2010-2020.¹

2010 Median Annual Wage

$111,570¹

1. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S., Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-2013 Edition, Pharmacists, http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/pharmcists.htm (accessed 1/29/2013)

Admission Requirements

Students seeking admission to MWU-CPG must submit the following documented evidence:

1. Completion of 62 semester hours or 90 quarter hours of nonremedial, prerequisite coursework from regionally accredited U.S. colleges or universities, or recognized postsecondary Canadian institutions that use English as its primary language of instruction and documentation. Grades of C or better for prerequisite courses (not C-).  Minimum cumulative GPA and science GPA of 2.50 on a 4.00 scale. The Pharmacy College Application Service (PharmCAS) calculates the cumulative and science GPA. Grades from all nonremedial courses completed post-high school are used to calculate the GPA. 
2. Completion of prepharmacy coursework requirements by the end of spring semester or spring quarter prior to matriculation to MWU-CPG.
3. Direct submission of PCAT scores to PharmCAS (see Application Process and Deadlines). Competitive test scores no more than 5 years prior to the planned enrollment year.
4. Demonstration of a people or service orientation through community service or extracurricular activities.
5. Motivation for and commitment to the pharmacy profession as demonstrated by previous work, volunteer work, or other life experiences.
6. Oral and written communication skills necessary to interact with patients and colleagues.
7. Completion of the MWU-CPG's on-campus interview process (by invitation only).
8. Passing the Midwestern University criminal background check.
9. Commitment to abide by the Midwestern University Drug-Free Workplace and Substance Abuse Policy.

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Prerequisite courses

Application Deadline

Applicants must apply for admission via the online Pharmacy College Application Service (PharmCAS) application www.pharmcas.org  which is available usually in June of the preceding year. The deadline for submitting a completed PharmCAS application is January 6th; however, students are strongly encouraged to apply early in the cycle. Due to the large number of applications and the limited number of seats available, applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis until all seats are filled.

Additional Application Information

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Program Description

At the College, students pursue the Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree. The Pharm.D. Program prepares the student for entry into the profession of pharmacy. The entire program requires a total of five years of coursework, the first two years at another college and the final three calendar years at the College of Pharmacy-Glendale. Students complete, on a year-round basis, required courses emphasizing the basic and pharmaceutical sciences, social and administrative sciences, pharmacy practice, elective professional courses, and clinical/experiential education.

At the conclusion of the Pharm.D. Program, all graduates will achieve the following outcomes:

• Demonstrate a scientific foundation as related to the pharmacy profession
• Integrate systems management concepts into the pharmacy profession
• Identify and evaluate research methods and practice evidence-based decision making
• Evaluate a patient case
• Implement a pharmaceutical care plan
• Implement public health, wellness, and disease prevention concepts
• Demonstrate oral and written communication skills
• Demonstrate continuous professional development

Program Improvements

The CPG Doctor of Pharmacy program is grounded in continuous quality improvement and has revised the curriculum with greater emphasis on the integration of a strong science foundation with the professional skills required for successful pharmacy practice. This is reflected in the Professional Skills Development sequence of courses that stresses patient-centered care and written and verbal communications, applying principles taught in co-requisite courses in a hands-on environment with workshops, group discussions, and patient simulations. Further, the Integrated Sequence is a series of courses designed in an organ systems approach to stress the interdependence of pathophysiology, pharmacology and medicinal chemistry with pharmacotherapeutics.

The CPG Doctor of Pharmacy program utilizes a number of teaching methods and learning techniques to better allow students to take ownership of their education. In addition to the examples listed above, active learning is also emphasized through the use of the student response system, laboratory exercises, reflective writing, and the introduction of e-portfolios.

Program Expectations

CPG educates and graduates competent and motivated pharmacists who will provide pharmaceutical care in a wide range of community and institutional settings. Standards for admission set forth by CPG outline the nonacademic abilities considered essential for students to achieve the level of competence required by the faculty and by the ACPE, the pharmacy-accrediting agency, in order to obtain the Pharm.D. degree. Candidates must have abilities and skills in five areas: 1) observation; 2) communication; 3) motor; 4) intellectual, conceptual, integrative, and quantitative; and 5) behavioral and social. Technological compensation can be made for some limitation in certain of these areas, but candidates should be able to perform in a reasonably independent manner.

Mission

The mission of Midwestern University College of Pharmacy-Glendale (MWU-CPG) is to prepare pharmacists who will provide exceptional patient care, participate in critical inquiry and scientific research, and advance public health and wellness.

Accreditation

Midwestern University College of Pharmacy-Glendale Doctor of Pharmacy program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), 135 South LaSalle Street, Suite 4100, Chicago, IL 60603-4810, Tel 312/664-3575, FAX 312/664-4652, website www.acpe-accredit.org.

Midwestern University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission/A Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (HLC/NCA), 230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500, Chicago, IL 60604-1413.

Related Links

MWU Pharmacy Program in Downers Grove

Pharmacy as a Career

Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP)

American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists

American Association of Pharmacy Technicians

American Pharmacists Association

American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP)

American Society of Health-System Pharmacists

National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP)

National Community Pharmacists Association

National Pharmacy Technician Association

PharmCAS

Pharmacy College Admissions Test (PCAT)

Midwestern University Clinics