Program Overview

Introduction to the PharmD Program

The PharmD program at the University of Waterloo School of Pharmacy is a comprehensive program that combines academic and experiential elements. The program is designed to provide students with a strong foundation in pharmacy practice, as well as the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in a variety of practice settings.

Academic Requirements

The PharmD program has various academic requirements that students must familiarize themselves with prior to beginning the program. These requirements include:

• Course sequence and descriptions
• Important dates, such as the last day to add/drop courses, start/end dates of academic terms, and exam period dates
• Timetables, which are published three months prior to the beginning of the academic term
• Schedule of classes, which outlines class schedule information
• Graduation and convocation requirements, including reviewing unofficial transcripts and following the Office of the Registrar's graduation checklist

Experiential Requirements

The University of Waterloo School of Pharmacy offers a robust experiential learning program, which includes:

Co-operative Education

• Three paid co-op work terms are completed throughout the program, allowing students to explore a variety of practice settings

Patient Care Rotations

• Take place during the last two terms of the program and comprise direct patient care clinical placements completed in one of 14 regions throughout Ontario
• These are academic courses that have associated tuition and fee requirements

Interprofessional Education (IPE)

• IPE's goal is to provide students with opportunities to learn with, from, and about other health care professionals and students in order to prepare them to improve patient outcomes through interprofessional collaboration

Post-Admission Requirements

• To participate in and complete the experiential curricular components of the PharmD program, students must fulfill a number of immunization and documentation requirements

Living Arrangements and Transportation Requirements

The PharmD program is an in-person program that requires students to live in the Waterloo Region or within a reasonable commuting distance. Students are responsible for their own transportation and living arrangements during the experiential components of the program.

Electronic Requirements

The School of Pharmacy uses a cloud-based exam software called ExamSoft to administer exams. Students must have a compatible electronic device to participate in exams and mandatory course activities. Additional electronic requirements include:

• Laptops and Examplify
• Email responsibilities, with all official communications sent to students' Waterloo email address accounts
• Calculators, with only non-programmable calculators allowed during tests
• Online course material, with pharmacy instructors using the Waterloo LEARN system for distribution of course materials and communication with students

Additional Information

The PharmD program at the University of Waterloo School of Pharmacy is a unique and comprehensive program that provides students with a strong foundation in pharmacy practice. The program's academic and experiential elements are designed to prepare students for success in a variety of practice settings. By familiarizing themselves with the program's requirements and expectations, students can ensure a successful and rewarding experience in the PharmD program.