Program Overview

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Program Overview

The NTDP program utilizes innovative information technology to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of pharmacists as decision-makers. The program delivers educational content through a user-friendly learning management system, online educational resources, streaming/downloadable lectures, and course content.

Curriculum

The NTDP Curriculum consists of 53 credit hours, including 38 credit hours of didactic courses and 15 credit hours of experiential education. All students must attend one on-site clinical skills assessment during the program.

Didactic Courses

• PHRN 534: Essentials of Pharmacogenomics (2 credits)
• PHRN 600: Principles of Pharmacokinetics (3 credits)
• PHRN 608: ICARE: Renal (2 credits)
• PHRN 619: ICARE: Cardiovascular (4 credits)
• PHRN 632: Applied Pharmacokinetics & Pharmacogenomics (1 credit)
• PHRN 662: Drug Literature Analysis/Interpretation (3 credits)
• PHRN 681: ICARE: General Medicine (3 credits)
• PHRN 709: ICARE: Hematology/Oncology (3 credits)
• PHRN 720: ICARE: Neurosensory/Psychiatry (3 credits)
• PHRN 723: Patient Assessment (2 credits)
• PHRN 733: Applied Pharmacokinetics & Pharmacogenomics II (1 credit)
• PHRN 734: Applied Pharmacokinetics & Pharmacogenomics III (1 credit)
• PHRN 742: ICARE: Infectious Disease (4 credits)
• PHRN 746: ICARE: Endocrine (2 credits)
• PHRN 747: ICARE: General Medicine II (2 credits)
• PHRN 748: ICARE: Special Populations (2 credits)

Experiential Education

• PHRN 800: Ambulatory Care APPE (5 credits)
• PHRN 803: Inpatient Acute Care APPE (5 credits)
• PHRN 804: Elective APPE (5 credits)
• PHRN 840: Community APPE (0 credits)
• PHRN 841: Institutional APPE (0 credits)
• PHRN-842: Continuing APPE (0 credits)

Estimated Program Costs

Estimated Program Costs (as of Fall 2024):

• Tuition: $43,150
• Pharmacy clinical fee: $1,175
• Technology fee: $995 (based on 8 semesters)
• Application fee: $30
• Total cost: $45,350 (based on 8 semesters)

Application Information

Students are admitted as members of a cohort once a year in the fall semester (August). Cohorts consist of students who start at the same time and progress through the curriculum at the same pace.

NTDP Frequently Asked Questions

Is financial aid available?

For graduate coursework, there is limited aid available. The most common source is low-interest government loans as well as tax credits for interest on educational loans or for education.

Will I be considered a full-time student?

Individuals enrolled in the nontraditional pathway at Shenandoah University will be considered part-time graduate students.

How many trips to the school will there be?

There is one required visit, which involves an on-site capstone clinical skills assessment that occurs toward the end of your didactic course sequence.

How or do you get credit for prior work or life experience in lieu of the APPE courses?

Credit is given for an individual's experience based upon the ability to fulfill the requirements of a prior-life portfolio. The portfolio is a detailed submission of documentation validating a student's work experience in relation to the experiential requirements for the degree.

Can someone transfer to SU and what happens to the credits I have taken?

Yes, you can transfer into the NTDP Pathway at SU. Submit a copy of the transcripts from the school of pharmacy you have been attending for your nontraditional Doctor of Pharmacy degree as these are a requirement for consideration of admission.

When can I start?

The nontraditional pathway has one cohort starting during the fall semester in August each year.

Is the Nontraditional PharmD Pathway at SU accredited?

The school of pharmacy was first accredited in July 2000 from the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and remains accredited.

How is the experiential phase of the curriculum accomplished?

Clinical experiences may be completed in your place of employ if the site is able to provide the required competencies to prevent you from taking time from work. You will complete either practice or prior-life portfolios or on-site experiences to document your achievement of the objectives for the Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE) in Ambulatory Care, Acute Care, and Medication Information.

How long does it take to complete the curriculum and when will I graduate?

Students vary in the time they take to complete the requirements. If you are already working in a clinical position and are eligible for 2 prior-life portfolios, then you may be able to graduate in 7 semesters. If you have not worked in a clinical position, then it will probably take at least 8 semesters to complete. Graduation is available three times a year in May, December, and August.

What if I have to drop out indefinitely?

We realize that there are occasionally unforeseen circumstances which may require that a student temporarily take a leave of absence. It is very important that you keep the school informed if you foresee that you may not be able to continue as scheduled.

NTDP Technology Requirements Review

This is a review of the technology requirements for the NTDP program.

Be Prepared For On-Site Visits

• If you've purchased a new laptop, make sure you've spent time using it so you feel comfortable with the device before you come.
• We recommend bringing a cordless mouse if you aren't familiar with using the track pad on your laptop.
• Also, make sure you have administrator rights on your laptop. This means you will be able to install and update software yourself.
• While you can do the majority of the program on mobile devices be sure to bring your laptop and not just your iPad/other mobile device.

The Minimum Recommended Laptop Configuration

• Computer: PC or Mac laptop
• Internet access: Broadband connection (DSL, cable modem, etc.)
• Processor: Intel Core 2 or faster
• RAM: 8GB or more
• Microphone: Sound card with speakers and a microphone (built-in or external)
• Wireless compatibility: 802.11b/g
  card
• Operating System: Windows 7 or later | Mac 10.10 or later

Software You Will Need Installed Before The Executive Weekend

• Microsoft Office 2010 or later (Windows) or Microsoft Office 2011 (Mac)
• Antivirus Software: McAfee, Symantec, BitDefender or another comparable antivirus software package