Non-Traditional PharmD Programs

[aardvarks]

Hi everyone,

I'm a Canadian who is a RPh. I'm considering completing a Non-Traditional PharmD through a US school.

According to http://www.aacp.org/Docs/MainNavigation/InstitutionalData/9352_PSARTable2.pdf, the programs that I can potentially apply for are:

- Colorado
- Florida
- Idaho

Would anybody be able to provide any insight on each of these programs? Anybody out here currently taking the non-traditional program at these schools? Any feedback?

Thanks in advance.

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[meister]

Do you want to go into research or something? If you're already an RPh why get a PharmD?

 

[aardvarks]

It's to open more doors in the hospital practice environment.

 

[WVUPharm2007]

I know about half a dozen people that have earned their PharmD after a BS through Florida's online program. They all appeared to be satisfied with the program.

 

[iphetamine]

I know about half a dozen people that have earned their PharmD after a BS through Florida's online program. They all appeared to be satisfied with the program.

PharmD online?? Link?

 

[Pharmavixen]

Hi everyone,

I'm a Canadian who is a RPh. I'm considering completing a Non-Traditional PharmD through a US school.

Why a US school?

I'm currently doing the part-time distance program at the University of Toronto, a largely on-line program that'll give you an expanded role in hospital, getting you jobs that are all cognitive, involving no dispensing at all (one of the draws for me!) There's also opportunities to get into academia, though at a recent lecture, the faculty was saying minimally you would need to complete a fellowship on top of the PharmD - though that's only a year.

The U of T program takes 3-4 years, part-time and they also have a 2-year full-time program, and you'd have to live in Toronto for that. There's also a 2-year full-time program at UBC.

 

[Requiem]

Why a US school?

I'm currently doing the part-time distance program at the University of Toronto, a largely on-line program that'll give you an expanded role in hospital, getting you jobs that are all cognitive, involving no dispensing at all (one of the draws for me!) There's also opportunities to get into academia, though at a recent lecture, the faculty was saying minimally you would need to complete a fellowship on top of the PharmD - though that's only a year.

The U of T program takes 3-4 years, part-time and they also have a 2-year full-time program, and you'd have to live in Toronto for that. There's also a 2-year full-time program at UBC.

U o T is expensive as hell. . . and their program is largely known as "touchy feely" as my prof likes to put it. No one has fellowships at my school in academia.

Unfortunately, it's that or UBC. Not much option, really.

The US schools require at least 2 rotations be completed on US soil - have fun with those immigration papers and work visas. Apparently it's a huge hassle.

 

[Pharmavixen]

U o T is expensive as hell. . . and their program is largely known as "touchy feely" as my prof likes to put it. No one has fellowships at my school in academia.

Unfortunately, it's that or UBC. Not much option, really.

The US schools require at least 2 rotations be completed on US soil - have fun with those immigration papers and work visas. Apparently it's a huge hassle.

The U of T program is based on pharmaceutical care, which I used to disrespect. But speaking from someone in the program, it's academically rigourous and EBM-based. They have you study up on a topic, like hyperlipidemia, and then you work up a hypothetical case. (I should be studying ACS right now, memorizing the difference between the treatment you give to STE and non-STE MIs - trying to gear myself up by coming here. Is it working? Not really...)

The kids in the full-time program get about half their tuition back through grants; not sure how that works or whether non-Canadians are eligible for these.

None of the profs has a fellowship at your college? Good to know...I'm still finding out about this stuff.

A few years ago, pre-911, I tried to get US citizenship (American dad, many years stateside as a child). The paperwork was such a nightmare, I gave up.

 

[Requiem]

The U of T program is based on pharmaceutical care, which I used to disrespect. But speaking from someone in the program, it's academically rigourous and EBM-based. They have you study up on a topic, like hyperlipidemia, and then you work up a hypothetical case. (I should be studying ACS right now, memorizing the difference between the treatment you give to STE and non-STE MIs - trying to gear myself up by coming here. Is it working? Not really...)

The kids in the full-time program get about half their tuition back through grants; not sure how that works or whether non-Canadians are eligible for these.

None of the profs has a fellowship at your college? Good to know...I'm still finding out about this stuff.

A few years ago, pre-911, I tried to get US citizenship (American dad, many years stateside as a child). The paperwork was such a nightmare, I gave up.

Sounds good... didn't mean to make my post sound negative (if you took it that way). End of 12 hours straight at a rotation in hospital. Tired.

Guy at my school doing the distance now, I think he gets half of the tuition for his rotations covered through grants but I think he footed all the other tuition himself, cost him ~$50,000. $20,000 per year, and $10,000 grant off 1 yr of rotations.

But if you've come up with some grants to get half total back, excellent for you.

I think once the entry level PharmD makes its way in there'll be more canadian non trad PharmD programs.

 

[bananaface]

Do you want to go into research or something? If you're already an RPh why get a PharmD?

Probably to get a 5th year in to qualify for US licensure.

 

[iphetamine]

I know about half a dozen people that have earned their PharmD after a BS through Florida's online program. They all appeared to be satisfied with the program.

Probably to get a 5th year in to qualify for US licensure.

isn't BPharm already a 5-yr program, so he would be looking at a 6th yr for PharmD.

 

[Pharmavixen]

isn't BPharm already a 5-yr program, so he would be looking at a 6th yr for PharmD.

My BscPHM was a 4-year program, though that was a while ago.

 

[fungikid]

Do you mean 1+4=5 years? 'cause that's what it is right now.

 

[aardvarks]

U o T is expensive as hell. . . and their program is largely known as "touchy feely" as my prof likes to put it. No one has fellowships at my school in academia.

Unfortunately, it's that or UBC. Not much option, really.

The US schools require at least 2 rotations be completed on US soil - have fun with those immigration papers and work visas. Apparently it's a huge hassle.

Interesting comment about the immigration papers to get into the US for rotations. The schools said that all they have to do is issue me a form, that says I am attending rotations as part of their program. Then I just show up at the border with that paper and they'll let me through. Is it supposed to be more complicated than that? Anybody have any experience doing it?

Narrowing it down further to: Colorado, Idaho, or Florida. Any more comments about each program? How many hours a week? And how many hours a week are you spending with the UT part-time program?

 

[buckm]

When I was searching for a program I considered, Florida, Mass College of Pharmacy, and Idaho State. The Idaho State program was the most economical; however the other programs allow more of your experiential work to be done at your current facility.
With current education trends stressing the benefit and an importance of residencies and fellowships a BSPharm may want to consider a non-traditional PharmD. The education standards are on par with traditional programs and for someone considering a career change after years of non-clinical to clinic the course work can greatly enhance your skill sets.
If your goals are to stay in a non-clinical setting or dispensary function, the value of the degree is debatable when you consider where you are in your career and how pharmacy will progress in the future. I would like to believe that community pharmacists will become far more involved with medication therapy management, and patient outcomes, but I don't see that happening any time soon due to a myriad of reasons.

 

[msjaweesh]

Hi aardvarks,
I'm currently on an ambulatory care rotation (Neurology) at the University Hospital in Denver. This is my last rotation and 4th year since I started the non-traditional PharmD program with UCHSC. Last year I did critical care rotation here two. Here are some answers to your questions:
The Nontraditional PharmD (NTPD) program is a part time flexible program. Classes are delivered online. Clerkship requirements are met through a combination of challenge credit and clerkships performed in traditional formats. You are required to complete 11 courses (35 credit hours), Six of which are clinical. Plus 6 rotations (30 credit hours), three must be done live (critical care, ambulatory & DI) the other three are elective and you can challenge some based on your practice experience.
To do a rotation here you need an intern license (being student in this program and a licensed pharmacist you can get one easily when you contact www.dora.state.co.us/pharmacy/ and that cost 50$)
You also need a J-Visa, this is so easy. The school will take care of everything; you just need to have your CPR training and proof of vaccination faxed when needed.
I have a lot of talk with friends in this program and other similar programs and I can tell you I'm so satisfied with my experience here. It's a great program and the rotations site is just awesome. I come across this forum as I was googling for pharmcy stuff and happened to read you post, just signed in to share my experience. Thank you and good luck with your search.