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Revolutionizing Health Care, Improving Lives
USC School of Pharmacy
PharmD University of Southern California 2011-13
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USC School of Pharmacy PharmD 4
Dean’s Message
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Departments and Degree Programs
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Careers in Pharmacy
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Los Angeles: An Urban Laboratory
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Community Outreach
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Admission
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Degree Requirements
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Financial Aid
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How to Apply
On the cover: PharmD students Hector Mendoza Jr. and Tritta Herrera use the School of Pharmacy’s Translational Research Laboratory. Open to all research groups, the lab has a bioinformatics/computational chemistry unit and a therapeutic screening unit.
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As the top-ranked private school of its kind according to U.S. News and World Report, the USC School of Pharmacy leads the nation in the advancement of pharmaceutical care, changing the profession’s focus from products to patients. We are also one of the top two recipients of pharmacy school funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which recently awarded $56.8 million to the USC-based Los Angeles Basin Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI). We prepare future pharmacists for their roles as vital members of the health care team in a variety of careers. Pharmacists of tomorrow will provide preventive and therapeutic pharmaceutical care, furnish drugs to patients, communicate health care matters, meet the ethical and legal requirements of the practice of pharmacy, and maintain professional expertise. The Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD), our largest degree program, combines rigorous basic science education with extensive and varied clinical experiences. We train our future pharmacists by providing a range of experiential learning opportunities. During their first three weeks of classes, students receive intensive, hands-on training in immunization and screening tests for blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes. Patient care experiences increase in scope and complexity as students progress through the program. By the time our students graduate, they are prepared to contribute to revolutionizing the future of health care through new discoveries and innovations to improve patient lives.
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University of Southern California
Preparing Pharmacists for th
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or the Future
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The USC School of Pharmacy plays a distinctive and essential leadership role in the academic and professional evolution of the pharmaceutical professions. Since its inception more than a century ago, the school has remained a place of innovation, creativity and excellence in pharmacy education. As the needs of society and the profession changed, the school pioneered new programs USC School of Pharmacy
to better prepare future pharmacists for an expanded role in
Meeting the Needs of a Changing World
the health care profession. USC developed the nation’s first Doctor of Pharmacy degree in 1950, and we were among the first pharmacy schools to establish a clinical curriculum, beginning in 1968. Those were radical advances at the time but are now considered the foundation of training for all pharmacists throughout the United States. Consistently the top-ranked private school of pharmacy, the school continues to be an innovative force in pharmacy education to meet the needs of a changing world, launching the nation’s first PharmD/MBA dual degree in 1990, the first PhD in pharmaceutical economics and policy in 1994, and the first professional doctorate in regulatory science in 2008. Our faculty, alumni and students remain passionate about enhancing the quality and scope of the profession and providing service to those most in need. The school holds a leadership position in a national movement promoting pharmacy practice in safety-net clinics serving the homeless and uninsured. Today the school offers numerous dual- and joint-degree programs — in such fields as law, public health, regulatory science and gerontology — that are creating graduates with unique skills and knowledge who are highly sought after for a variety of career options. Our location in Los Angeles and on USC’s Health Sciences campus provides students with an array of clinical experiential opportunities in a wide variety of settings, working with a diverse range of patients and disease states. USC is the only private school of pharmacy on a major health sciences campus. This affords our students a unique environment of professionalism and opens the doors for clinical opportunities immediately on campus, including those at the Keck Hospital of USC, USC Norris Cancer Hospital, and either of the pharmacies owned and operated by the school. USC School of Pharmacy students also find a rich professional and social atmosphere on the Health Sciences campus, interacting with colleagues and faculty from various schools. This interdisciplinary environment also fosters leading-edge research and strengthens the school’s dedication to revolutionizing health care through discoveries and innovations that improve people’s lives. Our research enterprise has been rewarded with
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significant grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) that support the school’s unique interdisciplinary approaches to drug development, targeting, delivery and discovery. Our drug research platforms are complemented by a vibrant program in health economics and policy, which includes a unique collaboration between our school and the USC School of Policy, Planning, and Development in the Schaeffer Center for Health Policy and Economics. In fact, the USC School of Pharmacy is number two in the nation for National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding for pharmacy schools. This provides an exciting and engaging environment for students pursuing MS and PhD degrees at the school. Also, the school’s regulatory science program, preparing the next generation of leaders for the pharmaceutical and medical device industries, offers both MS and DRSc degrees. Since many of our regulatory science students are working executives, classes are offered in either a traditional or distance-learning format. Whatever you choose to study at the USC School of Pharmacy, you will find a welcoming place where talented individuals solve complex problems by working collaboratively with colleagues in other disciplines throughout the university and at academic institutions around the world, as well as with industry and governmental partners. We transcend traditional ways of thinking to creatively generate transformative ideas and outcomes. The school also helped pioneer the transformation of the pharmacist’s role from a traditional dispenser of medicines to a direct provider of patient care. Changes in the way health care is delivered and the emphasis on wellness and prevention of disease have helped shape our curricula. The USC School of Pharmacy continues to evolve and grow. What remains constant is our commitment to preparing students to be agents of change within their field, seeking to apply their knowledge and skills to improve the lives of people nationwide and around the world. R. Peter Vanderveen, PhD, RPh Dean, John Stauffer Dean’s Chair in Pharmaceutical Sciences
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Uniting P
PhD student Nick Morwinkin researches the effectiveness of combining various drugs to treat HIV and cancer.
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Departments and Degree Programs
ng Patient Care and Research
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Jared Russell and Shanshan Liu study the regulation of transporters and their impact on drug deposition.
Our Departments The school is organized into two academic departments, the Titus Family Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Economics and Policy, and the Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, known for their outstanding faculty, education and research. Titus Family Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Economics and Policy This department unites patient-centered care with socioeconomic insight. Our faculty represent a wide range of clinical and research specialties, including community pharmacy, geriatrics, oncology and psychiatry. Our mission is threefold: Education • Prepare PharmD students for practice • Provide advanced training to practitioners and clinical scientists through postgraduate residencies and fellowships • Enrich the drug therapy knowledge of health providers and the public • Prepare MS and PhD graduates to educate students, patients, clinicians and policy Patient Care • Provide patient care in settings that support teaching and research • Promote excellence in pharmacotherapy through clinical activities that assure safety, therapeutic efficacy and cost effectiveness Research • Pursue advances in pharmacotherapy, pharmacoeconomics and related areas
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Contact Information: Titus Family Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Economics and Policy USC School of Pharmacy 1985 Zonal Avenue, Room 100 Los Angeles, CA 90089-9121 Telephone: (323) 442-1393 Fax: (323) 224-1395 Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences This department is an international leader in pharmaceutical research, particularly in the areas of molecular mechanism of disease and drug design, development, targeting and delivery. Faculty members have won prestigious NIH awards for their cutting-edge research. Our department’s mission is to: • Conduct research on drug discovery, targeting, development and delivery • Explore the mechanism of disease development and progression, with an emphasis on aging, neuro-degeneration, autoimmune disease, cancer, acquired genetic disease and drugs of abuse • Offer high-quality, progressive teaching and training programs Contact Information: Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences USC School of Pharmacy 1985 Zonal Avenue, Room 713 Los Angeles, CA 90089-9121 Telephone: (323) 442-3269 Fax: (323) 442-1390
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“USC has been a leader in our profession for over 100 years. The Trojan Family provides an unparalleled network of professionals with vast knowledge and experience, who are willing to help you in whatever aspect of pharmacy you pursue.” Derek Garcia, PharmD student
BY THE NUMBERS
PharmD Class of 2014 Student Profile • Number applied: 1,273 • Number enrolled: 189 • Average weighted GPA: 3.49 • Average age when starting program: 24 Languages Spoken 85 percent of our students speak at least one language in addition to English. Students speak Arabic, Aramaic, Armenian, Bengali, Cambodian, Cantonese, Creole, Dari, English, Farsi, French, Gujurati, Hebrew, Hindi, Hmong, Igbo, Japanese, Khmer, Korean, Latin, Mandarin, Marathi, Portuguese, Punjabi, Russian, Serbo-Croatian, Spanish, Taiwanese, Tagalog, Teo Chew, Thai, Toi San, Turkish, Ukrainian, Urdu and Vietnamese. Students Enrolled in Degree Programs • Doctor of Pharmacy: 739 • Doctor of Philosophy: 73 • Master of Science: 107 • Doctor of Regulatory Science: 10 Instructors • Full-time faculty: 73 • Part-time faculty: 13 • Preceptors for clinical program: 430 Facilities • Translational Research Laboratory • Histology Laboratory • Flow Cytometry Laboratory • Lentiviral Laboratory • Norris Medical Library Residency Programs • Acute Care • Ambulatory Care • Cardiology • Community Pharmacy • Infectious Diseases • Oncology • Psychiatric Care
Matthew Dinh PharmD student Napa, CA
Fellowship Programs • Clinical Pharmacology and Quantitative Sciences • Global Pharmaceutical Sciences • Drug Delivery Sciences • Pharmaceutical Development • Medical Affairs • Clinical Research • Medical Communications • Regulatory Affairs and Drug Development
D E PA R T M E N T S A N D D E G R E E P R O G R A M S
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LEADING THE PROFESSION
The USC School of Pharmacy’s accomplishments include being the first: • PharmD program in the nation, 1950 • clinical pharmacy program in the nation, 1968 • pharmacy school to offer clinical clerkships, 1970 • PharmD/MBA dual-degree program in the nation, 1988 • pharmacy school to establish a PhD in pharmaceutical economics, 1990 • pharmacy school with an endowed chair in community pharmacy, 2002 • professional doctorate in regulatory science, 2008
“Our student involvement, alumni connections and passion for serving the community and making a difference in our profession make the USC School of Pharmacy special.” Jasmine Chung, PharmD student
The school also is the: • top-ranked private pharmacy school (U.S. News & World Report) • top-ranked private pharmacy school in total funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) • only private pharmacy school on a major health sciences campus • only school of pharmacy that owns and operates two pharmacies FORGING COLLABORATIONS
The USC School of Pharmacy partners with: • Andrus Gerontology Center • Children’s Hospital Los Angeles • USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences • Doheny Eye Institute • Keck Hospital of USC • Keck School of Medicine of USC • LAC+USC Medical Center • USC Norris Cancer Hospital • USC School of Policy, Planning, and Development • Stevens Institute for Innovation • USC Viterbi School of Engineering
Chandra Smallwood PharmD student Rialto, CA
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Our Degree Programs We offer many programs that prepare students for a wide range of clinical and academic careers. Doctor of Pharmacy Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD)* Doctor of Pharmacy Dual Degrees Doctor of Pharmacy/Master of Business Administration (PharmD/MBA)* Doctor of Pharmacy/Juris Doctor (PharmD/JD)* Doctor of Pharmacy/Master of Public Health (PharmD/MPH)* Doctor of Pharmacy/Master of Science, Regulatory Science (PharmD/MS)* Doctor of Pharmacy/Master of Science, Gerontology (PharmD/MS)* Doctor of Pharmacy/Doctor of Philosophy (PharmD/PhD)* Doctor of Philosophy PhD in Clinical and Experimental Therapeutics* PhD in Pharmaceutical Economics and Policy* PhD in Molecular Pharmacology and Toxicology** PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences** Doctor of Regulatory Science DRSc in Regulatory Science* * Titus Family Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Economics and Policy ** Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences
Master of Science and Certificate Programs MS in Molecular Pharmacology and Toxicology** MS in Pharmaceutical Sciences** MS in Pharmaceutical Economics and Policy* Progressive MS in Pharmaceutical Economics and Policy* MS in Regulatory Science* Certificate Programs in Regulatory Science* Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) Training Clinical Professionals The Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD), our largest degree program, is a four-year, full-time, professional degree program that provides students with: • a unique externship beginning the first year of study that delivers challenging clinical experience; • a variety of dual degree, joint degree and certificate programs; and • the largest alumni network of pharmacists in the region, which offers valuable career support to graduates entering the pharmaceutical profession. Our Curriculum Committee develops the PharmD curriculum to meet scientific and technological advances, demographic changes, increasing health expectations, the growing government role in health services and other demands of the field. In addition, the PharmD program incorporates problembased learning, clinical experience, networking opportunities and electives that allow students to personalize their education to reflect their interests and professional goals.
D E PA R T M E N T S A N D D E G R E E P R O G R A M S
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Careers in Pharmacy
One Profession, Many Paths
Associate Professor Roger Duncan’s research focuses on how exposure to stress causes cells to alter molecular processes and reprogram their physiological states.
hs
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PhD candidate Allen Hung-Kang Chang conducts research on signaling regulation in the brain, which governs neuron function.
Home Health Care Patients formerly treated in hospitals are now receiving professional care in their homes. PharmD graduates who work in this field provide medications such as intravenous antibiotics, pain management drugs, nutritional supplements and chemotherapy. Pharmacists also monitor patients’ progress and adjust therapy as needed. Hospital Pharmacies Many graduates pursue careers in hospital pharmacies, where they are directly involved in patient care. Pharmacists in hospitals monitor and adjust patient medications and work closely with physicians, nurses and other health professionals to determine the most appropriate drug therapies possible. Clinical pharmacists may specialize in a variety of pharmacy practice areas, including ambulatory care, cardiology, critical care, drug information, emergency medicine, geriatrics, immunology, infectious diseases, informatics, internal medicine, nuclear pharmacy, nutrition support, oncology, pediatrics, pharmacotherapy, practice management/administration, psychiatry, and sterile and non-sterile compounding. USC graduates possess the strong clinical education background and confidence to interact with patients and other members of the health care team.
Careers in Pharmacy Half of the pharmacists in the Southern California region are graduates of the USC School of Pharmacy. Alumni occupy leadership positions in academia, government, industry and private business throughout California and the world. The USC School of Pharmacy prepares students for a variety of exciting careers in the following environments: Community Pharmacy Community pharmacists are often on the front line of health care. In addition to dispensing medications and monitoring patients for adverse effects and interacting drugs, they provide important counseling services, such as the proper selection of over-the-counter medications and referral to other health care providers. Today’s pharmacist also must be versed in alternative medicines. Geriatric Pharmacy By 2020, 37 percent of the U.S. population will be mature adults who will likely consume more than half of all health care resources. Because of the advances in geriatrics being made at USC, the school’s PharmD graduates are leaders in the growing field of geriatric pharmacy. Governmental Agencies Local, state and federal governmental agencies such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Veterans Administration (VA) and the Armed Forces require the expertise of skilled pharmacists. Many USC graduates work in hospitals and clinics within these agencies.
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Clinics In many clinics that serve diverse segments of the U.S. population, pharmacists are integral members of the health care team. Working in partnership with physicians, pharmacists increasingly assume responsibility for medication therapy management — especially for patients with chronic diseases such as diabetes, asthma and high blood pressure. These pharmacists help patients achieve cost-effective and therapeutic outcomes through appropriate medication usage, diet and lifestyle choices. Research Environments Research opportunities abound in academia; government; pharmacoeconomics; pharmacy benefit management; pharmaceutical, medical device, regulatory, marketing, and drug and medical information industries; long-term, critical, nuclear, pediatric, and ambulatory care; and oncology, infectious disease, surgery, anticoagulation, and psychiatry fields.
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“Compared to other pharmacy schools, USC puts you out there from the get go. Within the first couple of weeks, I was out in the community giving flu shots and screening patients in hypertension, cholesterol and diabetes. It really reinforces the knowledge gained.” Aimy Vo, PharmD student
OUR HISTORY
Milestones include: 1880 Among USC’s three founders is pharmacist John Gately Downey, the seventh governor of California. 1905 The USC College of Pharmacy opens its doors and offers a two-year pharmacy graduate degree (PhG). Tuition and fees are $75 per year. 1918 USC creates the four-year BS in pharmacy program. 1950 USC establishes the nation’s first PharmD program. 1968 The school launches the nation’s first clinical pharmacy and MS in radiopharmacy programs. 1970 The school becomes the first to offer clinical clerkships. 1974 The school relocates to the Health Sciences campus, providing access to multidisciplinary medical facilities and the LAC+USC Medical Center, one of the world’s largest teaching hospitals. 1988 USC establishes the nation’s first PharmD/MBA dual-degree program. 1990 The school launches the first PharmD/Graduate Certificate in Gerontology program. 1993 The school launches the first PhD in pharmaceutical economics and policy. 2002 The school launches the MS in regulatory science degree program and the dual PharmD/JD. 2005 The USC School of Pharmacy celebrates its centennial. 2008 In partnership with community leaders, educators and students, the school launches a major diversity initiative to introduce more students of color to the pharmacy profession.
Lily Yip PharmD student Cerritos, CA
2009 The USC School of Pharmacy and the USC School of Policy, Planning, and Development create the Leonard D. Schaeffer Center for Health Policy and Economics to conduct innovative research that promotes both well-being and value in the delivery of health care.
CA R EER S I N P H A R M AC Y
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Los Angeles: An Urban Laboratory
Live and Learn
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Los Angeles is an ideal location to live and study pharmacy. As the nation’s most ethnically diverse and populous county, Los Angeles offers the broadest possible spectrum of career options and opportunities for hands-on education with a wide array of disease states in an incredibly
diverse patient population. Los Angeles is home to the largest Korean population outside of Seoul, the largest Filipino population outside of Manila, the largest Japanese population outside of Japan and the largest Asian population in the United States. Nearby Orange County hosts the largest Vietnamese community outside of Vietnam. The School of Pharmacy partners with more than 300 sites throughout the
region, and beyond, with some 400 area pharmacists serving as preceptors for the school’s experiential learning component. The USC Health Sciences campus itself houses four hospitals, as well as the Keck School of Medicine of USC and other health care degree programs. USC is the only private school of pharmacy located in such a setting. In addition to professional opportunities, L.A. is the perfect place to play. Los Angeles County boasts 76 miles of coastline and
famous beaches, and the Health Sciences campus is within an hour's drive of the mountains and the desert. The city is home to more than 80 theatre venues and about 300 museums — more than any other U.S. city. The LA Live entertainment complex is nearby, and the nation's largest municipal park, Griffith Park, is also close. No matter what your interests, you'll never be at a loss for something fun to do in your free time.
L O S A N G E L E S : A N U R B A N L A B O R AT O R Y
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Community Outreach
Learning by Serving
Through a Skid Row clinic, Associate Professor Steven Chen and PharmD students serve L.A.’s homeless.
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The USC School of Pharmacy leads the nation in community outreach, which creates hands-on experiential learning opportunities for students while providing health care for underserved populations. The school has won national recognition for its safety-net clinics, which deliver
services to uninsured, low-income and homeless patients. • Associate Professor Steven Chen served as the national cochair of the Health Resources and Services Administration's Patient Safety and Clinical Pharmacy Services Collaborative 2.0, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that promotes pharmacy school safety-
net clinic partnerships. • UniHealth Foundation awarded a $401,370 grant for delivering services to the Center for Community Health, a Skid Row clinic. • Board of Councilors member and preceptor Raymond Poon, PharmD 1971, received the 2010 National Health Conference Good Neighbor Pharmacy's “Pharmacy of the Year.” His Boyle Heights pharmacy, Botica del Sol, offers a weekly clinic organized by our students. • They also launched the SHARE (Students Helping and Receiving Education) project, which offers mental health and smoking cessation courses to people living on Skid Row. • Our service to uninsured, low-income and homeless patients has garnered awards, including the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy's 2008-2009 Inaugural Award for Transformative Community Service, the 2008 Best Practices Awards of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists and the 2007 Pinnacle Award of the American Pharmacists Association Foundation.
CO M M U N I T Y O U T R E AC H
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USC School of Pharmacy
Admission, Degree Require m
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re ments & Financial Aid
SECT ION NAME
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Admission Requirements for the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) • A bachelor’s degree is required before matriculation (beginning PharmD classes). • A minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) in all college work and pre-pharmacy requirements is required for consideration for an interview. All courses must be completed with grades of C or higher. Grades of pass/no pass or credit/no credit will not be accepted (unless a course is offered only on a pass/ no pass basis). Distance learning and online courses are not acceptable for pre-pharmacy required courses in biology, chemistry and physics. • The requirements may be completed at any accredited two- or four-year college or university. The school recommends that most pre-pharmacy courses be completed at four-year institutions.
Required Pre-pharmacy Prerequisite Course List PREREQUISITES
SEMESTER
QUARTERS
1 1 2 2 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 1
2 1 3 3 2 3 1 1 1 1 1 1 3 1
Calculus Statistics General chemistry with lab Organic chemistry with lab Physics with lab General biology with lab Human anatomy Microbiology Molecular or cell biology Biochemistry Psychology or sociology Microeconomics English composition* Communication*
*Applies only to applicants with international degrees
Required Pre-pharmacy Courses Mathematics and Physical Sciences Only courses designed for science majors are accepted. Science courses (chemistry, biology and physics) designed for non-science majors are not acceptable. It is highly recommended that mathematics and science courses be completed during the regular academic year and not during a summer term. Calculus: One semester or two quarters. The course(s) must include differential and integral calculus for science majors. Statistics: One course. Business statistics is not acceptable. General Chemistry: A one-year course with lab for science majors. The course must include organic chemistry and qualitative analysis. Organic Chemistry: A one-year course with lab for science majors. If the school offers less than a one-year course, the student must complete the second semester at another institution. Physics: One semester or two quarters with lab, for science majors. It is recommended that physics courses include thermodynamics and electromagnetism. Biological Sciences General Biology: A one-year course for science majors with lab (excluding courses in human anatomy, human physiology, botany and microbiology). If the college or university offers less than a one-year course, the student must complete the remaining requirement(s) at another institution. Human Anatomy: One course for science majors. If human anatomy and physiology are combined into one or two courses, the entire series must be completed. Microbiology*: One course (fundamentals of microbiology for science majors). Microbiology is offered only during the fall at some institutions.
Peter Lee PharmD student Saugus, CA
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Associate Professor Irving Steinberg lectures on the principles of pharmacotherapeutics.
Molecular or Cell Biology: One upper-division course for science majors.
The purpose of the interview is to assess your oral communication skills, writing skills, leadership ability and your motivation or potential to be a pharmacist. If you are offered an interview, you will be notified two to three weeks in advance.
Biochemistry: One upper-division course for science majors. Psychology or Sociology: One course in general psychology or sociology. Economics: One course in microeconomics.
Licensure as an Intern Pharmacist Students enrolled in the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program must obtain an intern licensure with the California Board of Pharmacy at the beginning of their first year. Intern pharmacists may perform any of the duties of a registered pharmacist while working under the direct and personal supervision of a registered pharmacist.
Transcripts Only when requested should you send one official transcript from each higher education institution you have attended directly to the USC School of Pharmacy: Office of Admission and Student Affairs School of Pharmacy University of Southern California 1985 Zonal Avenue, PSC 206A Los Angeles, CA 90089-9121 You must also submit transcripts to the Pharmacy College Application Service (PharmCAS). See "How to Apply," page 27, for details. Entrance Examination An in-person interview is required for admission. The PCAT is not required. Interview Process The School of Pharmacy Office of Admission uses an inperson interview process to determine admissions. The interview consists of two parts: an oral interview and a writing test.
Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) Degree Requirements Completion of the four-year professional curriculum — along with a minimum of 1,740 hours of clinical experience — is required to earn the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree. Aggregate course hours must equal a minimum of 144 units. Students must successfully complete all required courses in the PharmD curriculum with a minimum grade of C and a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 (A = 4.0) to graduate. The curriculum, except for the fourth year, is a "block" program. All students must enroll in 18 units each semester in courses designated for the fall or spring semester. Students do not have choices of courses to take, nor are they permitted to drop any course or courses during the semester. Third- and fourth-year students have elective course choices. Progress is only permitted when the prior semester is completed in full.
ADMISSION , DEGREE REQ UIREMENTS AND FINANCIAL AID
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PharmD Program of Courses Year 1, Fall (18 units)
Pharmaceutics I Biological Systems I PHRD 507 Health Care Delivery Systems PHRD 509 Pharmacy Practice and Experience I PHRD 555 Biochemical and Molecular Sites of Drug Action PHRD 501 PHRD 503
Year 2, Spring (18 units) PHRD 552 UNITS
4 4 2 4
PHRD 553 PHRD 560 PHRD 561 PHRD 508
PHRD 562
Pharmaceutics III Management within Health Care Organizations Therapeutics III Parenteral Therapy Externship, or Pharmacy Literature Analysis and Drug Information Therapeutics IV
PHRD 502 PHRD 504 PHRD 505 PHRD 510 PHRD 554
Pharmaceutics II Biological Systems II Molecular Genetics and Therapy Pharmacy Practice and Experience II Public Health and Epidemiology
UNITS
3 6 3 4 2
Therapeutics V Therapeutics VI PHRD 605 Therapeutics VII PHRD 607 Nutrition Elective PHRD 601 PHRD 603
Year 3, Spring (18 units) Year 2, Fall (18 units) PHRD 506 PHRD 508
PHRD 561 PHRD 551 PHRD 557 PHRD 559
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Self Care and Non-Prescription Therapies Pharmacy Literature Analysis and Drug Information, or Parenteral Therapy Externship Immunology Therapeutics I: Introductory Principles Therapeutics II: Pharmacokinetics
U S C S C H O O L O F P H A R M AC Y
3 2 6
3 4
4 Year 3, Fall (18 units)
Year 1, Spring (18 units)
UNITS
UNITS
5
PHRD 606 PHRD 608 PHRD 610 PHRD 612
3 3 4 3
PHRD 614
PHRD 616
Elective
Therapeutics VIII Therapeutics IX Therapeutics X Therapeutics XI Pharmaceutical Economics and Outcome Studies Pharmacy Law and Ethics
UNITS
6 3 4 2 3 UNITS
2 2 3 2 3 3 3
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“The opportunity to work in different labs, learn about different research areas and understand tools and techniques has allowed me to conduct research resulting in my obtaining an NIH grant that was only awarded to four doctoral students nationwide.” Jennifer-Ann Bayan, PhD student Choose one elective (3 units each) for each semester from the following: PHRD 651 Community Pharmacy I PHRD 652 Community Pharmacy II PHRD 653 Health Systems Pharmacy I PHRD 654 Health Systems Pharmacy II PHRD 655 Geriatric Pharmacy I PHRD 656 Geriatric Pharmacy II PHRD 657L Basic Research Design PHRD 658 Sleep and the Pharmacologic Management of Its Disorders PHRD 659 Molecular Therapeutics: Signal Transduction PHRD 660 Disease State Management I PHRD 661 Pharmacy Practice in Women’s Health PHRD 662 Psychiatric Pharmacy Practice PHRD 663 Pharmaceutical Development PHRD 664 Clinical Problem Solving PHRD 665 Complementary/Alternative Therapeutics PHRD 666 Therapeutic Drug Monitoring PHRD 667 Drugs of Abuse PHRD 668 Computing Application PHRD 669 Health Care Needs of Special Populations PHRD 670 Marketing and Development in the Pharmaceutical Industry PHRD 677 Risk Assessment and Management in Pharmacy Practice Year 4, Fall (18 units)
Required Clerkships Elective Clerkships Year 4, Spring (18 units)
Required Clerkships Elective Clerkships Required Clerkships (6 units each), four rotations: PHRD 701 Acute Care Clinical Practice Clerkship PHRD 705 Community Pharmacy Clerkship PHRD 704 Primary Care Clerkship, or PHRD 718 Hospital Pharmacy Practice Clerkship
Elective Clerkships — two rotations (limit of one course that does not involve direct patient care): PHRD 702* Inpatient Psychiatric Pharmacy Clerkship PHRD 703 Long Term Care Clerkship PHRD 706 Geriatrics Clerkship PHRD 707 Outpatient Psychiatric Pharmacy Clerkship PHRD 708* Inpatient Clinical Practice Clerkship PHRD 709* Pediatric Drug Therapy Clerkship PHRD 710* Surgery Clerkship PHRD 711* Cardiovascular Drug Therapy Clerkship PHRD 712* Applied Clinical Pharmacokinetics Clerkship PHRD 713* Drug Information Clerkship PHRD 714* Radiopharmacy Clerkship PHRD 715* Oncology Clerkship PHRD 716* Ob-Gyn Clerkship PHRD 717 Dermatology Clerkship PHRD 719 Pain Management Clerkship PHRD 720* Critical Care Clerkship PHRD 721* Drug Utilization and Evaluation Clerkship PHRD 722 Home Health Care Clerkship PHRD 723* Nutritional Support Clerkship PHRD 724 Advanced Community Pharmacy Clerkship PHRD 725* International Pharmacy Clerkship PHRD 726* Directed Clinical Clerkship Project I PHRD 727 Directed Clinical Clerkship Project II PHRD 728 Directed Clinical Clerkship Project III PHRD 729 Directed Clinical Clerkship Project IV PHRD 730 Acute Care Geriatrics Clerkship PHRD 731 Advanced Geriatrics Clerkship PHRD 732* Pharmacy Administration Clerkship PHRD 733* Anticoagulation Therapy Clerkship PHRD 734* Antimicrobial Therapy Clerkship PHRD 735* Clinical Pharmacy Research Clerkship PHRD 736* Chemical Dependency Clerkship PHRD 737* Clinical Transplantation Clerkship PHRD 738* Pharmaceutical Industry Clerkship PHRD 739 AIDS/Immune Disorders Clerkship PHRD 740* Health Care Systems Administration Clerkship PHRD 741 Advanced Primary Care Clerkship *Indicates course does not involve direct patient care
An inpatient practice elective must be satisfied by PHRD 702 if the student selects PHRD 707 Outpatient Psychiatric Pharmacy Clerkship. If the student selects PHRD 702, the student may take elective clerkships marked * to satisfy the requirement.
ADMISSION , DEGREE REQ UIREMENTS AND FINANCIAL AID
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Financial Aid The USC School of Pharmacy is committed to helping all eligible students achieve their educational goals regardless of their economic status. More than 90 percent of USC Pharmacy students receive financial assistance. We offer several needbased low-interest loans, non-need-based loans and private loan programs. We award a number of scholarships each year to continuing students based on academic performance and/or financial need. Types of Financial Aid Each year, the USC School of Pharmacy awards $28 million in scholarships and loans through a combination of federal, university and private funds. For more information, visit pharmacyschool.usc.edu/programs/pharmd/pharmdprogram/fa. Educational Loan Programs The majority of pharmacy students borrow from a variety of loan programs to fund their education. Loans must be repaid with interest, and some loans may involve extra fees. Some loans are need-based, while others are not. These loan programs are available through the USC School of Pharmacy’s Financial Aid Office. Pharmacy Health Profession Student Loan (HPSL) • Pharmacy students who complete parental information on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and submit a copy of their and their parents’ federal tax returns, including W-2 forms, will be considered for this loan. Loans for Disadvantaged Students (LDS) • Pharmacy students who complete parental information on the FAFSA and submit a copy of their and their parents’ federal tax returns, including W-2 forms, will be considered for this loan. Federal Direct Stafford Loans • This loan is available to U.S. citizens and permanent residents. Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan • This loan is available to U.S. citizens and permanent residents. • If you need additional financing after you have borrowed the full Stafford Loan amount, USC suggests the Federal Graduate PLUS Loan, because it has a fixed interest rate and the credit check is less intensive than private student loans. Private Financing Programs • U.S. citizenship/permanent resident status is not required. • Private financing programs are unsecured educational loans made by private financial institutions such as banks or credit unions.
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U S C S C H O O L O F P H A R M AC Y
Scholarship Opportunities Scholarship for Disadvantaged Students • Students who complete parental information on the FAFSA and submit a copy of their and their parents’ federal tax returns, including W-2 forms, will be considered for this scholarship. USC School of Pharmacy Scholarships for Continuing Students • Students must demonstrate leadership, community service, career interest and academic achievement. • Award varies from $1,000 to full tuition. Visit pharmacyschool.usc.edu/docs/ scholarship_app_11_12.pdf. USC Mexican American Alumni Association • This scholarship is awarded to students on the basis of their academic achievement and commitment to the Latino/Hispanic community. • Award ranges from $1,000 to $5,000. Visit sait.usc.edu/maaa/pages/students/scholarship.html. USC Asian Pacific Alumni Association (APAA) Scholarship Program • Recipients are selected on the basis of academic achievement, personal merit, demonstration of financial need and contributions made to Asian Pacific American communities. Visit alumni.usc.edu/apaa/scholarships.php.
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“I see myself teaching at the School of Pharmacy many years down the road. Before that, I would like to work as a clinical pharmacist in a hospital setting.” Julie Ngo, PharmD student
USC Black Alumni Association • Applicants must be current or continuing USC and/or transfer students. • Minimum GPA requirement is 2.5. • Applicants should exemplify commitment and the ability to contribute to the African-American community. • Recipients will be selected on the basis of academic achievement, personal merit and demonstrated involvement within the African-American community. Visit alumni.usc.edu/baa/scholarship.shtml. USC Town and Gown Scholarship • Applicants must be U.S. citizens. Permanent residents are not eligible to apply. • Applicants must be residents of Southern California. Bakersfield is the northern-most boundary. • Applicants must demonstrate academic strengths, leadership and community involvement. • Applicants must be full-time students and carry at least 6 to 8 units per semester. • Scholarships range from $6,000 to $10,000. • Current USC graduate students who are applying for the first time should have a cumulative GPA of 3.5. • Applicants must maintain a GPA of 3.0. Visit www.townandgownusc.com./scholarship.html. How to Apply The USC School of Pharmacy uses the Pharmacy College Application Service (PharmCAS), which allows prospective students to complete one primary application that may be submitted to multiple schools. For detailed information and links for the PharmCAS and the USC supplemental application, visit pharmacyschool.usc. edu/programs/pharmd/pharmdprogram/admission/apply. Applicants applying to the USC School of Pharmacy must submit: • A PharmCAS Application (PharmCAS is on Eastern Standard Time). Deadline for filing is November 1 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. • USC School of Pharmacy Supplemental Application* (USC is on Pacific Standard Time). Deadline for filing is November 1 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. *The USC Supplemental Application is in two parts: 1. USC Graduate Admission Application (basic demographics) 2. Pharmacy Supplemental Application
Jean Chen Shih, PhD University Professor
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USC Supplemental Application Examples Course CHEM 153a MATH 3c BIOL 005a BIOL 05La BIOL 005b BIOL 005c LIFESCI 2 LIFESCI 4 CHEM 001a CHEM 01La CHEM 001b CHEM 01Lb CHEM 001c CHEM 01Lc PHYSCI 156 MIMG 101 ECON 1 MCDBIO 165 CHEM 112a CHEM 112b CHEM 30c CHEM 30cL PHYS 002a PHYS 02La PHYS 6b PHYS 6c STAT 100a
Example of USC supplemental application submitted by a student listing course work and grades earned on a semester system
Course CHEM 421 MATH 130 BIOL 171 BIOL 172 CHEM 120a CHEM 120b BIOL 362 BIOL 302 BIOL 273 CHEM 301a CHEM 301b CHEM 302 PHYS 211 PHYS 211L MATH A160
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U S C S C H O O L O F P H A R M AC Y
UNITS
Biochemistry Calculus General Biology w/lab General Biology w/lab General Biology w/lab General Biology w/lab General Biology w/lab General Biology w/lab General Chemistry General Chemistry General Chemistry General Chemistry General Chemistry General Chemistry Human Anatomy Microbiology Microeconomics Molecular or Cell Biology Organic Chemistry Organic Chemistry Organic Chemistry Organic Chemistry Physics Physics Physics Physics Statistics (non-business)
4 4 4 1 4 4 5 5 4 1 4 1 4 1 6 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 1 5 5 5
UNITS
Biochemistry Calculus General Biology w/lab General Biology w/lab General Chemistry General Chemistry Human Anatomy Microbiology Molecular or Cell Biology Organic Chemistry Organic Chemistry Organic Chemistry Physics Physics Statistics (non-business)
3 4 5 5 5 5 4 4 5 3 3 2 3 1 3
UNIT TYPE
GRADE
COMPLETE DATE SCHOOL
Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter
B B+ AB A B AA+ AB A+ AA+ A+ AB+ IP B+ A AB IP B+ A A IP A
Spring 2010 Fall 2009 Fall 2008 Fall 2008 Winter 2009 Spring 2009 Winter 2010 Summer 2010 Winter 2008 Winter 2008 Spring 2008 Spring 2008 Fall 2008 Fall 2008 Summer 2010 Fall 2010 Spring 2011 Fall 2010 Winter 2009 Spring 2009 Winter 2010 Winter 2011 Spring 2009 Spring 2009 Fall 2009 Winter 2010 Fall 2008
UNIT TYPE
GRADE
COMPLETE DATE SCHOOL
Semester Semester Semester Semester Semester Semester Semester Semester Semester Semester Semester Semester Semester Semester Semester
IP A+ A A A+ A+ IP B+ A A+ A A A A A
Spring 2011 Spring 2009 Fall 2008 Spring 2009 Spring 2009 Fall 2009 Spring 2011 Fall 2010 Fall 2009 Spring 2010 Summer 2010 Fall 2010 Spring 2010 Spring 2010 Summer 2009
UCLA UCLA UC Riverside UC Riverside UC Riverside UC Riverside UCLA UCLA UC Riverside UC Riverside UC Riverside UC Riverside UC Riverside UC Riverside UCLA UCLA UCLA UCLA UC Riverside UC Riverside UCLA UCLA UC Riverside UC Riverside UCLA UCLA UC Riverside
CSU Fullerton CSU Fullerton CSU Fullerton CSU Fullerton CSU Fullerton CSU Fullerton CSU Fullerton CSU Fullerton CSU Fullerton CSU Fullerton CSU Fullerton CSU Fullerton CSU Fullerton CSU Fullerton Orange Coast College
Design Rick Simner Design Principal Photography Philip Channing Printing ColorGraphics
Example of USC supplemental application submitted by a student listing course work and grades earned on a quarter system
Design Rick Simner Design Principal Photography Philip Channing Printing ColorGraphics
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Contact Information: Admission and Student Affairs School of Pharmacy University of Southern California 1985 Zonal Avenue, PSC 206A Los Angeles, CA 90089-9121 Telephone: (323) 442-1466 Fax: (323) 442-2487 Email: pharmadm@usc.edu pharmacyschool.usc.edu Produced by the USC School of Pharmacy and the Division of Student Affairs, Office of University Publications, 2011. Director: Sue Vogl Editors: Diane Anderson and Cristy Lytal Photo Editor: Nathan Carter
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University of Southern California School of Pharmacy pharmacyschool.usc.edu