The Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program provides professional education in a number of areas, including pharmaceutical technology, biopharmaceutics, medicinal chemistry and natural products, pharmaceutical socioeconomics, pharmacotherapy, patient care, clinical and hospital pharmacy, and aspects of biotechnology. Graduates of the program are qualified to take the Iowa Board of Pharmacy examination that is required for licensure as a pharmacist.
The program requires four years of full-time pharmacy study preceded by at least two years of pre-pharmacy study in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at the University of Iowa or at an accredited community or liberal arts college in the United States or Canada. During pre-pharmacy study, students complete the prerequisites for admission to the PharmD program (see Admission in this section of the catalog for a list of prerequisite coursework). If possible, students should complete all 20 s.h. of their general education work before they enter the PharmD program. Courses in moral reasoning or ethics, communication, computer science, business, behavioral and social sciences, and the humanities are recommended. Courses in physical education skills, applied music, and studio art do not count toward the general education electives requirement. Students must maintain a pharmacy and cumulative grade-point average of at least 2.00.
For rules and regulations concerning academic probation, pass/nonpass, credit by examination, maximum schedule, second-grade-only option, waiver or substitution of courses, cancellation of registration, and drop date, see PharmD Student Resources on the College of Pharmacy website.
The College of Pharmacy provides students with the highest possible quality in the professional experiential program. Faculty and adjunct faculty serve as preceptors, providing introductory and advanced practice experience at institutions and pharmacies in Iowa, nationwide, and around the world.
Professional Curriculum
The PharmD degree requires the coursework listed below, including at least 6 s.h. of professional electives. In addition, students must complete all prerequisites for admission to the PharmD program, including a minimum of 16 s.h. of general education courses chosen from behavioral, social, humanistic, and business disciplines (see Admission in this section of the catalog). They also must complete an additional 8 s.h. of general education coursework either before or after admission to the PharmD program.
First Year, Fall
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PHAR:8130 | Foundations of Pharmacy Practice I | 4 |
| PHAR:8131 | Engagement: Professional Skills and Values | 1 |
| PHAR:8133 | Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience Career Exploration (unless taken spring semester) | 1 |
| PHAR:8134 | Foundations of Health Services | 3 |
| PHAR:8135 | Health Information Retrieval and Informatics | 3 |
| PHAR:8136 | Foundations of Pharmaceutical Sciences | 6 |
| PHAR:8152 | Fundamentals of Compounding | 1 |
First Year, Spring
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PHAR:8133 | Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience Career Exploration (unless taken first semester) | 1 |
| PHAR:8140 | Foundations of Pharmacy Practice II | 4 |
| PHAR:8148 | Pharmacokinetics and Dose Optimization | 2 |
| PHAR:8149 | Foundations of Pharmacology and Toxicology | 3 |
| PHAR:8150 | Foundations of Health, Wellness, and Disease | 2 |
| PHAR:8151 | Discovery I: Introduction and Background | 3 |
| PHAR:8153 | Integrated Pharmacotherapy: Dermatology and Sensory | 2 |
Second Professional Year, Fall
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PHAR:8207 | Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experiences Community (may be taken in a different semester) | 3 |
| PHAR:8209 | Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experiences Hospital (may be taken in first or second semester of second year) | 3 |
| PHAR:8250 | Applications of Pharmacy Practice I | 2 |
| PHAR:8254 | Integrated Pharmacotherapy: Endocrine | 3 |
| PHAR:8255 | Discovery II: Design and Methods | 1 |
| PHAR:8256 | Integrated Pharmacotherapy: Renal, Fluids, and Electrolytes | 2 |
| PHAR:8260 | Integrated Pharmacotherapy: Cardiovascular | 4 |
| PHAR:8275 | Advanced Health Services | 2 |
Second Professional Year, Spring
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PHAR:8207 | Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experiences Community (may be taken in a different semester) | 3 |
| PHAR:8260 | Integrated Pharmacotherapy: Cardiovascular | 4 |
| PHAR:8261 | Integrated Pharmacotherapy: Neurology and Psychiatry | 4 |
| PHAR:8263 | Integrated Pharmacotherapy: Infectious Diseases | 4 |
| PHAR:8264 | Discovery III: Data Collection and Results | 1 |
| PHAR:8265 | Applications of Pharmacy Practice II | 2 |
Third Professional Year, Fall
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PHAR:8301 | Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience Clinical | 1 |
| PHAR:8370 | Integrated Pharmacotherapy: Respiratory and Allergy | 2 |
| PHAR:8371 | Integrated Pharmacotherapy: Oncology and Hematology | 2 |
| PHAR:8372 | Integrated Pharmacotherapy: Gastroenterology and Nutrition | 3 |
| PHAR:8373 | Integrated Pharmacotherapy: Renal, Fluids, and Electrolytes | 2 |
| PHAR:8374 | Applications of Pharmacy Practice III | 2 |
| PHAR:8375 | Advanced Topics in Health Services | 2 |
| PHAR:8376 | Discovery IV: Presentation of Results | 1 |
Third Professional Year, Spring
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PHAR:8132 | Continuing Professional Development | 1 |
| PHAR:8377 | Integrated Pharmacotherapy: Capstone | 4 |
| PHAR:8378 | Pharmacy Law and Ethics | 2 |
| PHAR:8379 | Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences Preparation | 1 |
Third Year Spring Semester and Fourth Year: Advanced Pharmacy Practice Rotations
During the spring semester of the third year, students may choose to complete one or two rotations in addition to the eight rotations required during the fourth year. During the fourth year, students must complete eight advanced pharmacy practice rotations. All students must complete the first four rotations listed below (24 s.h.); the remaining rotations may be selected by each student.
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| All of these: | ||
| PHAR:9401 | Ambulatory Care Rotation | 6 |
| PHAR:9404 | Community Clinical Rotation | 6 |
| PHAR:9410 | Hospital Pharmacy Rotation | 6 |
| PHAR:9413 | Acute Care Medicine Rotation | 6 |
| Four of these: | ||
| PHAR:9402 | Elective Ambulatory Care Rotation | 6 |
| PHAR:9403 | Elective Nuclear Pharmacy Rotation | 6 |
| PHAR:9406 | Elective: Drug Information Rotation | 6 |
| PHAR:9407 | Elective Family Medicine Rotation | 6 |
| PHAR:9408 | Elective Hematology/Oncology Rotation | 6 |
| PHAR:9409 | Elective Home Health Care Rotation | 6 |
| PHAR:9411 | Elective Long Term Care Rotation | 6 |
| PHAR:9412 | Elective Managed Care Rotation | 6 |
| PHAR:9415 | Elective: Pediatrics Rotation | 6 |
| PHAR:9416 | Elective: Pharmacy Rotation | 6 |
| PHAR:9417 | Elective Psychiatry Rotation | 6 |
| PHAR:9418 | Elective Research Rotation | 6 |
| PHAR:9419 | Elective: Surgery Rotation | 6 |
| PHAR:9420 | Elective Pharmacy Practice Underserved Population Rotation | 6 |
| PHAR:9422 | Elective: Compounding/Complementary Alternative Medicine Rotation | 6 |
| PHAR:9423 | Elective: Critical Care Medicine Rotation | 6 |
| PHAR:9424 | Elective Emergency Medicine Rotation | 6 |
| PHAR:9425 | Elective Hospital Management Rotation | 6 |
| PHAR:9426 | Elective Infectious Disease Rotation | 6 |
| PHAR:9427 | Elective Medication Use Evaluation Rotation | 6 |
| PHAR:9428 | Elective Pharmacy Industry Rotation | 6 |
| PHAR:9429 | Elective: Pharmacy Regulatory Rotation | 6 |
| PHAR:9430 | Elective: Professional Association Rotation | 6 |
| PHAR:9431 | Elective: Veterinary Pharmacy Rotation | 6 |
| PHAR:9432 | Elective Community Rotation | 6 |
| PHAR:9433 | Elective Academic Rotation | 6 |
| PHAR:9440 | Elective Virtual Rotation | 6 |
| PHAR:9441 | Elective Neurology Rotation | 6 |
Professional Electives
PharmD students must complete at least 6 s.h. of professional electives, which they may choose from the following list.
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PHAR:4741 | Immunology and Immunotherapies | 2 |
| PHAR:8500 | Advanced Drug Literature Evaluation and Application | 2 |
| PHAR:8501 | Introduction to Nuclear Pharmacy | 2 |
| PHAR:8502 | Advanced Pharmacopalliation of Pain | 2 |
| PHAR:8503 | Advanced Pharmacopalliation of Non-Pain Symptoms | 3 |
| PHAR:8505 | Advanced Topics in Infectious Disease, HIV, and Antimicrobial Therapy | 2 |
| PHAR:8506 | Health Informatics Essentials | 2 |
| PHAR:8508 | Interprofessional Case Studies | 2 |
| PHAR:8509 | Leaders Read: A Book Club Elective | 2 |
| PHAR:8510 | Pediatric Elective | 1 |
| PHAR:8511 | Introduction to Specialty Pharmacy | 2 |
| PHAR:8512 | Advanced Drug Literature I: Study Design, Evaluation, and Interpretation | 1 |
| PHAR:8513 | Advanced Drug Literature II: Evaluation and Clinical Application | 1 |
| PHAR:8706 | Pharmacy Projects | 1-3 |
| PHAR:8708 | Substances of Misuse | 2 |
| PHAR:8709 | Pharmacist Role in Health Coaching and Nutrition | 2 |
| PHAR:8712 | Nonprescription Pharmacotherapy and Self-Care | 2 |
| PHAR:8717 | Ambulatory Care Pharmacy | 2 |
| PHAR:8718 | Special Topics in Acute Care | 2 |
| PHAR:8721 | Leadership and Political Advocacy | arr. |
| PHAR:8722 | Current Topics in Health Policy | 2 |
| PHAR:8724 | Health System Pharmacy Practice Management | 2 |
| PHAR:8725 | Career Pathways in Pharmacy | 1 |
| PHAR:8790 | Sustainable Clinical Pharmacy Services: Leadership, Management, and Implementation | 2 |
| PHAR:8793 | Introduction to Global Health Studies | 1 |
| PHAR:8794 | Emergency Medicine and Toxicology | 2 |
| PHAR:8795 | More than Medications: Healthcare for the Whole Patient | 2 |
| PHAR:8796 | Introduction to Travel Medicine | 1 |
| PHAR:8797 | Ethics and Spirituality in Health Care | 3 |
| PHAR:8798 | Continuing Professional Development in Palliative Care | 1 |
| PHAR:8799 | Active Residency Preparation | 2 |
PharmD/MPH
The College of Pharmacy and the College of Public Health offer the combined Doctor of Pharmacy/Master of Public Health program. The combined program requires 42 s.h. of graduate credit in addition to the requirements of the PharmD degree. Students who complete the program are granted both degrees.
The PharmD/MPH program helps students develop expertise in public health related to pharmacotherapy, health promotion, disease prevention, and medication safety. Its graduates may work in areas of interest common to pharmacy and public health, such as spread and treatment of disease, community health, and immunology; bioterrorism, terrorism, and preparedness; genetics; insurance; managed care; family and juvenile health; and protection of special populations. Employment opportunities are available in hospitals and clinics and with health care providers; private practice; insurance and managed care organizations; local, county, state, and federal government; public health governmental agencies; and colleges and universities.
Separate admission to each degree program is required. Applicants must be admitted to both programs before they may be admitted to the combined degree program.
See the Master of Public Health, MPH (College of Public Health) in the catalog to learn about curriculum and admission requirements.
PharmD/MS in Informatics (Health Informatics Subprogram)
The College of Pharmacy and the Graduate College offer the combined Doctor of Pharmacy/Master of Science in informatics with a health informatics subprogram. The combined degree program requires completion of 34 s.h. beyond the bachelor's degree. Students who complete the program are granted both degrees.
The PharmD/MS program assists students to develop special expertise in information technology, including management of electronic health records, health information exchange standards, electronic prescribing, medication management, decision support, as well as other competencies. Graduates will be prepared for employment in industry or academic institutions with skills to address pharmacotherapy issues as well as information technology management.
Separate application to each degree program is required. Applicants must be admitted to both programs before they may be admitted to the combined degree program. It is recommended that students apply to the Graduate College for admission to the MS program before entering the spring semester of their first year in the pharmacy program.
For information about the Master of Science degree, see the MS in informatics (Graduate College) in the catalog.
Individuals apply to the PharmD program using PharmCAS, the American Association of College of Pharmacy application service. Applicants also must submit a supplemental application, including the application fee, to the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy; see Doctor of Pharmacy on the University of Iowa Graduate Admissions website for more information.
By selecting the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy, students choose to be part of the legacy of leaders for which the College of Pharmacy has become well known. Iowa pharmacy shapes pharmacy practice nationally and internationally with evidence-based practice models and collaborative pharmacy care innovations.
As aspiring Doctor of Pharmacy students, the first two years are spent completing general education and prerequisite courses to prepare candidates for the PharmD degree. Just before they complete their required courses, they apply to the program itself, which is comprised of an additional four years of integrated courses, hands-on research involvement, and practical experiences.
Applicants must complete the college-level work listed under "Prerequisites for Admission" below. They also must have an overall cumulative grade-point average of at least 2.50 and must submit two letters of recommendation and a personal statement. Applicants considered for admission must have a personal interview; the college contacts applicants to arrange interview appointments.
Fulfillment of the admission requirements listed above does not ensure admission to the College of Pharmacy. The admissions committee considers applicants who meet these requirements and selects individuals who, in their judgment, are the best qualified for the study and practice of pharmacy.
Applicants who are accepted for admission are required to submit to a criminal background check and pay an admission acceptance fee. The fee is applied to tuition for the student’s first semester of enrollment in the college. The deposit is not refunded to applicants who do not enroll in the College of Pharmacy.
Entering health sciences students are required to have an annual tuberculin skin test (TST) and proof of immunization against mumps, measles and rubella (two MMRs), tetanus, diphtheria and varicella before classes begin. The usual regimen of three doses of Hepatitis B vaccine and a Hepatitis B titre must be completed by the second semester of the first year. All students are required to have hospitalization and health insurance.
Prerequisites for Admission
Applicants to the PharmD program must have completed the following college-level work with a C-minus or higher.
- Rhetoric: 4 s.h. (RHET:1030 Rhetoric) or 6 s.h. of transfer credit in English composition and rhetoric and 3 s.h. in speech.
- Biochemistry: 3 s.h. (BMB:3110 Biochemistry).
- General biology: 8 s.h. (BIOL:1411 Foundations of Biology and BIOL:1412 Diversity of Form and Function).
- General chemistry: 8 s.h. (CHEM:1110 Principles of Chemistry I and CHEM:1120 Principles of Chemistry II).
- Human anatomy: 3 s.h. (ACB:3110 Principles of Human Anatomy).
- Human physiology: 3 s.h. (HHP:3500 Human Physiology).
- Organic chemistry: 6 s.h. (CHEM:2210 Organic Chemistry I and CHEM:2220 Organic Chemistry II).
- Mathematics: 3–4 s.h. of a satisfactory differential and integral calculus course (MATH:1460 Calculus for the Biological Sciences).
- Physics: one year of high school physics or one semester of college-level physics with a lab (PHYS:1400 Basic Physics).
- Statistics: 3 s.h.
- General education electives: a minimum of 12 s.h.
Courses in moral reasoning or ethics, communications, computer science, and business, behavioral and social sciences, and the humanities are accepted. Courses in physical education skills, applied music, and studio art do not count toward the general education requirement.
Each year the College of Pharmacy awards scholarships to student pharmacists through a variety of awards. In 2020, the college awarded over $1.2 million to help cover the cost of education. Around half of the student body receives a scholarship, with 235 scholarships given out in 2020.
For more information, visit Scholarship Opportunities on the College of Pharmacy website.
The College of Pharmacy has had nearly a 100% placement rate for its graduates for many years. Pharmacists often choose to practice in a community pharmacy or a hospital setting. They hold positions in government, independent businesses, home health care, consulting, clinical pharmacy, managed care facilities, higher education, or the pharmaceutical industry.