Introduction to the Doctor of Pharmacy Program

The Arnold & Marie Schwartz College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences at Long Island University offers a six-year Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree program. This program is designed to prepare students for entry-level pharmacy practice and is classified as a "doctor's degree-professional practice" by the U.S. Department of Education.

Program Structure

The Doctor of Pharmacy program consists of two years of preprofessional studies and four years of professional studies. The preprofessional phase is offered through LIU Brooklyn's School of Natural and Life Sciences, while the professional phase provides specialized education necessary for developing expertise in the field of pharmacy.

Pre-Pharmacy Phase (P1-P2)

The pre-professional phase of the program consists of a minimum of four semesters of coursework in the liberal arts and sciences. Successful completion of two years of pre-professional study provides the foundation for admission to the professional pharmacy curriculum.

• First Pre-Professional Year (P-1):
  • Fall:
    • General and Inorganic Chemistry (CHM 3) - 4 credits
    • General Biology (BIO 1) - 4 credits
    • English Composition (ENG 16*) - 3 credits
    • Introduction to Psychology (PSY 3) - 3 credits
    • First Year Seminar (FYS 1) - 1 credit
  • Spring:
    • General and Inorganic Chemistry (CHM 4) - 4 credits
    • General Biology (BIO 2) - 4 credits
    • English Literature (Eng 61, 62, 63, or 64) - 3 credits
    • Calculus I (MTH 40**) - 4 credits
    • Economics (ECO 1 or 2) - 3 credits
• Second Pre-Professional Year (P-2):
  • Fall:
    • Organic Chemistry (CHM 121) - 4 credits
    • Physics for Pharmacy (PHY 27) - 4 credits
    • Writing in the Sciences (Eng 178) - 3 credits
    • Philosophy or History (PHI 61 or 62 or HIS 1 or 2) - 3 credits
    • Physiology/Anatomy (BIO 137) (lecture and lab) - 4 credits
    • Pharmacy Orientation Seminar (PHM 1) - 0 credits
  • Spring:
    • Organic Chemistry (CHM 122) - 4 credits
    • Physiology/Anatomy (BIO 138) (lecture and lab) - 4 credits
    • Oral Communication (SPE 3) - 3 credits
    • Statistics (MATH 100) - 3 credits
    • Microbiology (BIO 101) - 4 credits

Professional Phase

The professional segment of the Doctor of Pharmacy program consists of six semesters of didactic and early experiential coursework and an extramural year of advanced pharmacy practice experiences.

• First Professional Year (P-3):
  • Fall:
    • Pathophysiology/immunology (PHM 310) - 3 credits
    • Pharmaceutics I (Pharmaceutical calculations) (PHM 311) - 2 credits
    • Pharmaceutics II (Basic theories in pharmaceutics) (PHM 312) - 2 credits
    • Biochemistry (PHM 313) - 3 credits
    • Pharmacy Profession and the Health Care System (PHM 314) - 3 credits
    • Pharmacy and Society (PHM 315) - 2 credits
    • P-3 Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience (PHM 300) - 0.5 credits
  • Spring:
    • Molecular Biology (PHM 320) - 2 credits
    • Principles of Pharmacology/Medicinal Chemistry/Toxicology (PHM 321) - 2.5 credits
    • Intro to Pharmacy Law and the Integrated Pharmaceutical Care Laboratory (PHM 322) - 1 credit
    • Pharmaceutics III (Biopharmaceutics/pharmacokinetics) (PHM 323) - 3 credits
    • Biostatistics (PHM 324) - 2 credits
    • Introduction to Pharmacy Practice (PHM 325) - 3 credits
    • Principles of Physical Assessment and Medication Administration (PHM 326) - 2 credits
  • Summer:
    • Community Practice Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience (PHM 400) - 4 credits
• Second Professional Year (P-4):
  • Fall:
    • Human Genetics (PHM 410) - 2 credits
    • Modular Organ Systems Therapeutics Sequence I (PHM 411) - 4 credits
    • Modular Organ Systems Therapeutics Sequence II (PHM 412) - 4 credits
    • Drug Information and Literature Evaluation (PHM 414) - 3 credits
    • Pharmacy Practice Laboratory I (PHM 415) - 1 credit
    • Professional Elective - 3 credits
  • Spring:
    • Principles of Health Behavior and Patient-provider Communication (PHM 420) - 3 credits
    • Pharmaceutics IV (Dosage forms and principles of compounding) (PHM 421) - 3 credits
    • Compounding Laboratory I (PHM 422) - 1 credit
    • Pharmacy Practice Laboratory II (PHM 423) - 1 credit
    • Modular Organ Systems Therapeutics Sequence III (PHM 424) - 3 credits
    • Modular Organ Systems Therapeutics Sequence IV (PHM 425) - 3.5 credits
    • Professional Elective - 3 credits
  • Summer:
    • Institutional Practice Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience (PHM 500) - 4 credits
• Third Professional Year (P-5):
  • Fall:
    • Health Care Informatics (PHM 510) - 2 credits
    • Pharmaceutics V (Dosage forms and principles of compounding) (PHM 511) - 3 credits
    • Compounding Laboratory II (PHM 512) - 1 credit
    • Pharmacy Practice Laboratory II (PHM 513) - 1 credit
    • Practical Applications of the Biological Sciences (PHM 514) - 1 credit
    • Pharmacoeconomics and Pharmacoepidemiology (PHM 515) - 2 credits
    • Modular Organ Systems Therapeutics Sequence V (PHM 516) - 2.5 credits
    • Modular Organ Systems Therapeutics Sequence VI (PHM 517) - 2.5 credits
    • Pharmacy Law and Ethics (PHM 525) - 3 credits
  • Spring:
    • Practice Management (PHM 521) - 2 credits
    • Public Health & Patient Safety (PHM 522) - 3 credits
    • Pharmacogenomics (PHM 523) - 2 credits
    • Clinical Pharmacokinetics (PHM 524) - 2 credits
    • Modular Organ Systems Therapeutics Sequence VII (PHM 528) - 3.5 credits
    • Modular Organ Systems Therapeutics Sequence VIII (PHM 529) - 3 credits
    • Elective - 3 credits
• Fourth Professional Year (P-6):
  • All Year:
    • Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences:
      • Acute Care (5 weeks) (PHM 610) - 5 credits
      • Ambulatory Care (5 weeks) (PHM 611) - 5 credits
      • Community Practice (5 weeks) (PHM 612) - 5 credits
      • Institutional Practice (5 weeks) (PHM 613) - 5 credits
      • Inpatient General Medicine (5 weeks) (PHM 614) - 5 credits
      • Non-Patient Care Focus APPE (PHM 616) - 5 credits
      • Patient Care Focus APPE (PHM 617) - 5 credits
      • Senior Seminar (PHM 615) - Registration required in Fall (2.5 credits) and Spring (2.5 credits) semester - 2.5 credits

Program Quality Indicators

• On-time Graduation rate for the Class of 2025: 77.72%
• First-time NAPLEX pass rate for the Class of 2025: 78.1%
• Graduation from LIU Shared Credit Programs: 10 graduates from the Class of 2025 graduated with a PharmD and a Master's Degree with the LIU shared credit program.
• Master of Science degrees include:
  • Master of Science in Drug Regulatory Affairs
  • Master of Science in Pharmaceutics
  • Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence
• Graduates employed in a variety of practice settings:
  • 22 graduates accepted into residencies/fellowships
  • 85 graduates employed in community practice
  • 34 graduates employed in the hospital setting
  • 3 graduates employed in industry/PBM

Learning Outcomes

The Arnold & Marie Schwartz College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences has adopted the Center for the Advancement of Pharmacy Education (CAPE) educational outcomes (EO) developed by the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP). These outcomes are statements that describe what a learner should be able to do at the end of a program and represent the knowledge, skills, and attitudes (KSAs) of pharmacists that all students should demonstrate upon graduation.

Domain 1: Knowledge

1.1 Scientific Thinking: Seek, analyze, integrate, and apply foundational knowledge of medications and pharmacy practice (biomedical; pharmaceutical; social, behavioral, administrative; and clinical sciences; drug classes; and digital health).

Domain 2: Skills

2.1 Problem-solving Process: Use problem-solving and critical thinking skills, along with an innovative mindset, to address challenges and to promote positive change. 2.2 Communication: Actively engage, listen, and communicate verbally, nonverbally, and in writing when interacting with or educating an individual, group, or organization. 2.3 Cultural and Structural Humility: Mitigate health disparities by considering, recognizing, and navigating cultural and structural factors (e.g., social determinants of health, diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility) to improve access and health outcomes. 2.4 Person-centered care: Provide whole person care to individuals as the medication specialist using the Pharmacists' Patient Care Process. 2.5 Advocacy: Promote the best interests of patients and/or the pharmacy profession within healthcare settings and at the community, state, or national level. 2.6 Medication-use Process Stewardship: Optimize patient healthcare outcomes using human, financial, technological, and physical resources to improve the safety, efficacy, and environmental impact of medication use systems. 2.7 Interprofessional Collaboration: Actively engage and contribute as a healthcare team member by demonstrating core interprofessional competencies. 2.8 Population Health and Wellness: Assess factors that influence the health and wellness of a population and develop strategies to address those factors. 2.9 Leadership: Demonstrate the ability to influence and support the achievement of shared goals on a team, regardless of one's role.

Domain 3: Attitudes

3.1 Self-awareness: Examine, reflect on, and address personal and professional attributes (e.g., knowledge, metacognition, skills, abilities, beliefs, biases, motivation, help-seeking strategies, and emotional intelligence) that could enhance or limit growth, development, and professional identity formation. 3.2 Professionalism: Exhibit attitudes and behaviors that embody a commitment to building and maintaining trust with patients, colleagues, other health care professionals, and society.

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Overview:

• Founded in 1926 as the Brooklyn Law School
• Expanded to become Long Island University in 1954
• Currently has 6 campuses across New York State
• Enrolls over 20,000 students
• Notable achievements:
  • Ranked among the top 200 universities in the U.S. by U.S. News & World Report
  • Recognized for its strong programs in business, education, and health sciences
  • Home to the Arnold & Marie Schwartz College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, one of the largest pharmacy schools in the country

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Student Life:

Extracurricular Activities:

Over 200 student clubs and organizations, including academic, cultural, social, and recreational groups

Clubs:

Examples include the Student Government Association, the Black Student Union, and the International Student Association

Sports Teams:

NCAA Division I athletics in 16 sports, including basketball, football, and soccer

• Student Support Services:

  • Academic Advising
  • Career Counseling
  • Health and Wellness Center
  • Counseling and Psychological Services

• Campus Facilities:

  • Modern academic buildings
  • State-of-the-art athletic facilities
  • Student centers with dining, recreation, and study spaces
  • On-campus housing available at most campuses

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Academics:

• Academic Resources:

  • Over 100 undergraduate and graduate programs
  • Faculty of over 1,000 full-time and part-time professors
  • Research centers and institutes in various fields

• Teaching Methodologies:

  • Traditional lectures
  • Small group discussions
  • Hands-on learning experiences
  • Online and hybrid courses

• Academic Support Services:

  • Tutoring
  • Writing Center
  • Math Lab

• Unique Academic Programs or Initiatives:

  • Honors College
  • Global Studies Program
  • Experiential Learning Program

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Top Reasons to Study Here:

Reputation:

Ranked among the top 200 universities in the U.S. by U.S. News & World Report

Specialized Facilities:

State-of-the-art facilities for health sciences, business, and education

Industry Connections:

Partnerships with leading companies and organizations

Notable Alumni:

Includes politicians, business leaders, and entertainers, such as former New York City Mayor David Dinkins and actor Alec Baldwin

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Services:

Counseling:

Counseling and Psychological Services provides individual and group counseling, as well as crisis intervention

Health:

Health and Wellness Center offers medical care, vaccinations, and health education

Housing:

On-campus housing available at most campuses, including traditional dorms, apartments, and townhouses

Library Resources:

Over 1 million volumes in the university libraries, as well as access to online databases and research tools

Technology Support:

IT Help Desk provides technical assistance and support for students

Career Development:

Career Services offers resume writing, interview preparation, and job search assistance