Program Overview

---

About the Program

The UCSF PharmD graduate is equipped with a scientific mindset, unmatched professional skillset, and keen patient focus, making them uniquely prepared to seize opportunities in the field.

Why a UCSF PharmD Education?

Inclusive and Collaborative

Each entering class has 127 students from varied backgrounds, creating a collaborative culture through active involvement in student organizations and community engagement.

Outstanding Results

The program boasts exceptional NAPLEX pass rates and among the highest residency match rates in the nation, with an impressive cadre of alumni professional leaders across all areas of pharmacy practice.

Career Ready

Graduates excel in advanced training, residencies, and leadership roles across pharmacy practice.

One Program, Two Aims

The UCSF PharmD Degree Program prepares students academically for a wide-open future in pharmacy practice while supporting their professional growth and well-being as students.

Academic Preparation

The unique three-year, year-round curriculum is based in scientific thinking, with integrated coursework across subject areas and group learning. This foundation builds core knowledge, pharmacy practice skills, and patient care experiences necessary for a career in pharmacy as a caring, patient-centered expert in the safe and effective use of medicines.

Well-being and Professional Success

The program ensures students thrive as pharmacy students, develop skills to balance priorities, attend to their own health and well-being, and have the learning resources needed to succeed. It also prepares students for next steps after graduation, including post-graduate training.

Innovative Curriculum

Scientific Thinking Meets Experiential Practice

The PharmD curriculum is science-based, tightly integrated, and experiential, with scientific thinking underlying all coursework. Students actively engage in their learning, building core knowledge, experiencing pharmacy practice firsthand, and exploring new ideas and innovations in science and practice.

Program Format

Program Timeline

The detailed three-year curriculum structure includes coursework components, rotations, and break periods. This program requires full-time dedication Monday through Friday, and students should consult with PharmD advisors before committing to any employment.

Competency-Based Curriculum

Student progress is assessed throughout the program, focusing on the development of critical knowledge and skills needed for pharmacy practice and patient care.

Ready for Practice

At the end of the program, students will be ready to:

• Identify, examine, and systematically solve complex pharmacy problems from all angles
• Apply clinical expertise through compassionate, patient-centered care
• Be visible, accountable, and effective as part of small, interprofessional teams or within complex systems
• Learn continually and adapt to meet changing situations
• Explore advanced postgraduate training and combine pharmacy expertise in new ways

Why Pharmacy?

Pharmacists have unprecedented opportunities to apply their expertise in novel ways and across many fields, including managing new types of therapeutics, encountering changes in pharmacy practice and healthcare delivery, and working under expanded scopes of practice.

Career and Advanced Opportunities

The UCSF PharmD degree program helps students prepare for success after graduation, encouraging consideration and pursuit of post-graduate training.

Career Opportunities

Diverse career paths are available to PharmD graduates in clinical practice, research, industry, and healthcare leadership.

Advanced Training & Residencies

Residency programs, fellowships, and Advanced Practice Pharmacist licensure opportunities are available for further training.

Dual Degree Programs

PharmD-MSCR (clinical research) and PharmD-PhD programs combine pharmacy training with advanced research.

Our Pharmacy Education Legacy

The UCSF School of Pharmacy has been at the forefront of pioneering research, education, and patient care since 1872, with a drive to seek and apply new knowledge underpinning everything it does. Faculty members are recognized worldwide for their innovations in basic science research and pharmacy professional education, providing students with expert guidance and mentorship.