Doctor of Pharmacy Degree and Curriculum

Educational Outcomes for Pharmacy Graduates

Creighton University pharmacy graduates will be practice-ready; equipped with the knowledge, skills, attitudes, attributes and values necessary to provide evidence-based, collaborative, and ethical patient-centered care.  Graduates will obtain the foundational knowledge and experience needed to become innovative leaders, as well as pharmacists who exhibit professionalism, self-awareness and entrepreneurship. Graduates will possess the abilities to be reflective practitioners educated in the Ignatian tradition, will be capable of maximizing medication outcomes and patient wellbeing and will be able to provide service to persons and the community in harmony with the law. In this regard, graduates must demonstrate competence in the following areas/ 

Educational Outcome 

The graduate will… 

  • Demonstrate and apply the foundational knowledge of contemporary pharmacy practice to achieve optimal health outcomes. 
  • Provide comprehensive patient-centered care.
  • Utilize human, financial, technologicalphysical and policy resources to optimize the safety and efficacy of medication use systems.   
  • Apply critical thinking skills to support evidence-based pharmacy practice and research. 
  • Educate, advocate, and collaborate utilizing effective and professional communication. 
  • Demonstrate personal and professional attributes of an ethical, reflective, and responsible practitioner in the Ignatian Tradition.
  • Contribute to the profession and society by demonstrating professionalism, leadership, innovation, and entrepreneurship. 

OMAHA and PHOENIX Pathways

The Omaha and Phoenix Pathways to the Doctor of Pharmacy degree require nine semesters of professional course work (thirteen semesters including the two years of pre-pharmacy courses). Students are required to attend rotations during the summer prior to the last year of the program. A full semester of tuition is charged for the summer rotation experience.

Doctor of Pharmacy Curriculum (Pharm.D.)

Plan of Study Grid
First Professional Year
FallCredits
IPE 500 Introduction to Collaborative Care 0
OTD 215 Medical Terminology 1
PHA 301 Principles of Biochemistry for Pharmacy 3
PHA 312 Professional Development and Experience I 1.5
PHA 313 Calculations in Pharmacy Practice 2
PHA 317 Pharmaceutics I: Physiochemical Principles of Drugs 3
PHA 320 Communication Skills 2
PHA 359 Dispensing and Patient Care I 3
 Term Credits15.5
Spring
MIC 541 Medical Microbiology and Immunology 3
PHA 314 Professional Development and Experience II 1.5
PHA 321 Health Systems and Patient Safety 3
PHA 339 Pharmaceutics II - Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms and Drug Delivery Systems 3
PHA 443 Basic Pharmacokinetics 2
PHA 470 Pharmacy-Based Immunization Delivery 1
 Term Credits13.5
Second Professional Year
Fall
PHR 241 Pharmacology I 4.5
PHA 326 Patient Assessment 2
PHA 333 Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience II 1 3
PHA 337 The Chemical Basis of Drug Action I 2.5
PHA 413 Pharmacotherapeutics I: Focus on Nonprescription Products & Self-Care 5
 Term Credits17
Spring
PHR 242 Pharmacology II 4.5
PHA 338 Professional Development Seminar III 1
PHA 414 Pharmacotherapeutics II 6
PHA 424 Pharmacotherapeutics II Case Studies 1
PHA 447 Chemical Basis of Drug Action II 2.5
PHA 469 Dispensing and Patient Care II 2
 Term Credits17
Third Professional Year
Fall
PHA 350 Introduction to Research Methods and Biostatistics 2
PHA 351 Foundations of Public Health 2
PHA 415 Pharmacotherapeutics III 6
PHA 425 Pharmacotherapeutics III Case Studies 1
PHA 430 Immunopharmacology and Biotechnology 2
PHA 433 Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience III 1 3
PHA 442 Pharmacy Practice Management 3
 Term Credits19
Spring
PHA 416 Pharmacotherapeutics IV 6
PHA 426 Pharmacotherapeutics IV Case Studies 1
PHA 448 Professional Development Seminar IV 1
PHA 454 Pharmacy Practice Law 3
PHA 456 Ethics in the Health Care Professions 3
PHA 458 Literature Evaluation and Evidence-Based Practice 3
PHA 489 Dispensing and Patient Care III 2
 Term Credits19
Summer
PHA 434 Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience IV 1
Rotations (2) 10
 Term Credits11
Fourth Professional Year
Fall
PHA 421 Delivering Medication Therapy Management Services 1
Rotations (3) 15
 Term Credits16
Spring
Rotations (3) 15
Professional Electives 2 4
 Term Credits19
 Total Credits147

Distance Pathway

The distance pathway for the Doctor of Pharmacy degree requires nine semesters of professional course work (thirteen semesters including the two years of pre-pharmacy courses). The courses covered in this pathway are the same as in the campus pathway, however, the laboratory component of some courses are completed during required summer sessions.  Students are required to be on campus for an estimated two to three weeks each summer to take the laboratory courses in a condensed manner. As with the campus pathway, students are required to attend rotations during the summer prior to the last year of the program. The tuition for the distance pathway is assessed identically to the campus program. The overall tuition and fees are nearly identical for the total program, regardless of the pathway.

Doctor of Pharmacy Curriculum (Pharm.D.)

Plan of Study Grid
First Professional Year
FallCredits
IPE 500 Introduction to Collaborative Care 0-0.5
OTD 215 Medical Terminology 1
PHA 301 Principles of Biochemistry for Pharmacy 3
PHA 312 Professional Development and Experience I 1.5
PHA 313 Calculations in Pharmacy Practice 2
PHA 317 Pharmaceutics I: Physiochemical Principles of Drugs 3
PHA 320 Communication Skills 2
PHA 359 Dispensing and Patient Care I 3
 Term Credits15.5-16
Spring
MIC 541 Medical Microbiology and Immunology 3
PHA 404 Human Physiology 3
PHA 443 Basic Pharmacokinetics 2
PHA 314 Professional Development and Experience II 1.5
PHA 321 Health Systems and Patient Safety 3
PHA 339 Pharmaceutics II - Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms and Drug Delivery Systems 3
PHA 470 Pharmacy-Based Immunization Delivery 1
 Term Credits16.5
Second Professional Year
Fall
PHR 241 Pharmacology I 4.5
PHA 326 Patient Assessment 2
PHA 333 Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience II 1 3
PHA 337 The Chemical Basis of Drug Action I 2.5
PHA 413 Pharmacotherapeutics I: Focus on Nonprescription Products & Self-Care 5
 Term Credits17
Spring
PHR 242 Pharmacology II 4.5
PHA 338 Professional Development Seminar III 1
PHA 414 Pharmacotherapeutics II 6
PHA 424 Pharmacotherapeutics II Case Studies 1
PHA 447 Chemical Basis of Drug Action II 2.5
PHA 469 Dispensing and Patient Care II 2 2
 Term Credits17
Third Professional Year
Fall
PHA 350 Introduction to Research Methods and Biostatistics 2
PHA 351 Foundations of Public Health 2
PHA 415 Pharmacotherapeutics III 6
PHA 425 Pharmacotherapeutics III Case Studies 1
PHA 430 Immunopharmacology and Biotechnology 2
PHA 433 Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience III 1 3
PHA 442 Pharmacy Practice Management 3
 Term Credits19
Spring
PHA 416 Pharmacotherapeutics IV 6
PHA 426 Pharmacotherapeutics IV Case Studies 1
PHA 448 Professional Development Seminar IV 1
PHA 454 Pharmacy Practice Law 3
PHA 456 Ethics in the Health Care Professions 3
PHA 458 Literature Evaluation and Evidence-Based Practice 3
PHA 489 Dispensing and Patient Care III 2 2
 Term Credits19
Summer
PHA 434 Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience IV 1
Rotations (2) 10
 Term Credits11
Fourth Professional Year
Fall
PHA 421 Delivering Medication Therapy Management Services 1
Rotations (3) 15
 Term Credits16
Spring
Rotations (3) 15
Professional Electives 3 4
 Term Credits19
 Total Credits150-150.5

Elective Requirements

Within the first six semesters of the program, a total of four (4) professional elective hours must be successfully completed. These electives will relate to the practice of pharmacy or meet the needs of individual dual tracks. All electives must be approved by the Pharmacy Curriculum Committee. For elective courses not already approved, a pre-approval process will be conducted by the Assistant/Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, in conjunction with the Pharmacy Curriculum Committee.  Non-Creighton courses must be taken at a four year institution. Students will not progress to rotations in the last three semesters of the program until these requirements are met.

Elective courses must be taken for a grade unless the instructor has elected to use the Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory grading system. The Pass/No Pass option is not allowed for courses that will be applied toward the degree.

Rotation Requirements

In the last three semesters of the program, five credits are given for each five-week rotation experience. Five rotations are required:

PHA 510Community Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience5
PHA 511Hospital Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience5
PHA 512Acute Care Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience5
PHA 515Drug Information Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience5
or PHA 534 Medication Therapy Management (MTM) Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience
PHA 516Ambulatory Care Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience5

The remaining three (3) rotations are elective but must be selected so as to provide a variety of professional experiences. Students are encouraged to enroll in rotations that will expose them to direct patient contact and clinical service, distributive functions, and nontraditional practices. The experiential year has been designed to graduate a generalist practitioner who is highly qualified to enter practice or pursue advanced study in the clinical, administrative, or basic pharmaceutical sciences. The elective rotations available to Pharm.D. students currently include:

PHA 520Elective Community Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience5
PHA 521Community Management Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience5
PHA 522Advanced Community Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience5
PHA 523Long Term Care Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience5
PHA 524Elective Ambulatory Care Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience5
PHA 525Informatics Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience5
PHA 526Home Infusion Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience5
PHA 527Compounding Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience5
PHA 528Institute For Latin American Concerns (ILAC) Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience5
PHA 529International Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience5
PHA 530Emergency Medicine Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience5
PHA 531Medication Safety Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience5
PHA 533Organization Management Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience5
PHA 534Medication Therapy Management (MTM) Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience5
PHA 535Academic Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience5
PHA 538Managed Care Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience5
PHA 540Elective Hospital Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience5
PHA 541Hospital Management Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience5
PHA 542Elective Drug Information Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience5
PHA 543Poison Center Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience5
PHA 545Nuclear Medicine Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience5
PHA 546Veterinary Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience5
PHA 550Industry Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience5
PHA 551Research Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience5
PHA 560Elective Acute Care Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience5
PHA 563Infectious Disease Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience5
PHA 566Oncology Advanced Pharmacy Practice5
PHA 568Critical Care Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience5
PHA 569Cardiology Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience5
PHA 570Psychiatry Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience5
PHA 572Pediatrics Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience5
PHA 573Nutrition Support Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience5
PHA 574Neurology Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience5
PHA 575Transition of Care Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience5

In order to satisfy the requirements for graduation, the Doctor of Pharmacy student must successfully complete:

  • all requirements for admission, including a minimum of 63 pre-professional semester hours;
  • all required courses in the Pharm.D. curriculum;
  • all required elective courses

A cumulative grade-point average of not less than 2.00 is required for graduation, based on all work attempted while enrolled in the pharmacy program.

A candidate for a degree must be determined by the faculty to be of good moral character and fit for the practice of the profession, must have paid all indebtedness to the University, and must be present at the ceremonies where the degree is conferred (unless excused under University rules).

To participate in Commencement a candidate must submit an application for degree from the Registrar’s website by the University deadline.

In an effort to comply with accreditation and ongoing programmatic quality assurance, completion of all course evaluations and senior assessments is required in order for the student to be assigned a course grade and/or graduate.

Faculty

Professors: Samuel C. Augustine, Kimberley J. Begley, J. Chris Bradberry, Alekha K. Dash, Edward M. DeSimone II, Christopher J. Destache, Gary N. Elsasser, Pamela A. Foral, Daniel E. Hilleman, Rhonda M. Jones, Manzoor M. Khan, Anthony E. Kincaid, Emily Knezevich, Mark A. Malesker, Michael S. Monaghan, Catherine A. Opere, Ann M. Ryan-Haddad, Somnath Singh, Mark V. Siracuse, Maryann Z. Skrabal, Sidney J. Stohs

Professor Emeritus: Amy M. Haddad, Ronald J. Hospodka

Associate Professors: James D. Bramble, Shana Castillo, Carla Christensen, Keith J. Christensen, Kelli L. Coover, Ryan B. Dull, Stacey Dull, Kevin T. Fuji, Darren Hein, Eric B. Hoie, Laura Klug, E. Jeffrey North, Kelly K. Nystrom, Paul L. Price, Mikayla L. Spangler, Julie A. Stading, Jennifer A. Tilleman, Justin Tolman, Nicole White, Amy Friedman Wilson

Associate Professor Emeritus: Linda K. Ohri

Assistant Professors: Molly Goessling, Timothy P. Ivers, Craig Kessler, Alyssa Pollock, Surabhi Shukla, Jessica Skradski, Jane E. Stein

Special Associate Professor: C. Curt Barr

Contributed Service Faculty: Laurie Hayes