Program Overview

Introduction to the Pharm.D. Program

The Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) program at The University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy is a professional degree program that emphasizes an integrated and problem-based approach to disease management. The program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in pharmacy practice, pharmaceutical sciences, and clinical pharmacy.

Program Structure

The Pharm.D. program is a four-year program that consists of a combination of didactic and experiential education. The program is divided into four years, with each year building on the previous one to provide a comprehensive education in pharmacy practice.

First Year (P1)

The first year of the program focuses on the foundational sciences, including pharmaceutical biochemistry, physical and chemical principles of drugs, and medicinal chemistry principles. Students also take courses in pharmacy practice, such as pharmacy professional communications and foundations of patient-centered care.

• PHM 381M, Pharmaceutical Biochemistry, 3
• PHM 387M, Physical and Chemical Principles of Drugs, 3
• PHM 180K, Medicinal Chemistry Principles, 1
• PHM 180P, Basic Pharmaceutical Sciences Lab, 1
• PHM 287N, Biopharmaceutics, 2
• PHM 480C, Human Normal Physiology/Pathophysiology and Basics in Pharmacology I, 4
• PHM 184M, Pharmacy Professional Communications, 1
• PHM 187F, Foundations of Patient-Centered Care I, 1
• PHM 181V, Pharmacy Practice Lab I, 1
• PHM 181S, Foundations of Professional Development I, 1
• PHM 191U, Foundations for Interprofessional Collaborative Practice I, 1
• PHM 081W, PharmD Year 1 Administrative Session I, 0 Total Hours: 19

Second Year (P2)

The second year of the program builds on the foundational sciences and introduces students to more advanced topics in pharmacy practice, such as pharmacotherapeutics and pharmacy law.

• PHM 283L, Health Behavior and Health Outcomes, 2
• PHM 281N, Pharmaceutical Biochemistry II, 2
• PHM 388M, Pharmaceutics, 3
• PHM 188P, Pharmaceutics Lab, 1
• PHM 480D, Human Normal Physiology/Pathophysiology II, 4
• PHM 180, Pharmacotherapeutics of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases, 1
• PHM 185N, Biomedical and Professional Ethics, 1
• PHM 187G, Foundations of Patient-Centered Care II, 1
• PHM 182V, Pharmacy Practice Lab II, 1
• PHM 181T, Foundations of Professional Development II, 1
• PHM 191V, Foundations for Interprofessional Collaborative Practice II, 1
• PHM 082W, PharmD Year 1 Administrative Session II, 0 Total Hours: 18

Third Year (P3)

The third year of the program focuses on advanced topics in pharmacy practice, such as pharmacotherapeutics and pharmacy management.

• PHM 183F, Basic Intravenous Admixtures, 1
• PHM 183G, Basic Intravenous Admixtures Lab, 1
• PHM 295R, Adv Evidence-Based Practice, 2
• PHM 187, Pharmacotherapeutics of the Endocrine System, 1
• PHM 288, Pharmacotherapeutics of Oncology and Transplant, 2
• PHM 189, Pharmacotherapeutics of the Reproductive System, 1
• PHM 190, Pharmacotherapeutics of Dermatology and Inflammation, 1
• PHM 185V, Pharmacy Practice Lab V, 1
• PHM 183S, Foundations of Professional Development V, 1
• PHM 193U, Foundations for Interprofessional Collaborative Practice V, 1
• PHM 085W, PharmD Year 3 Administrative Session I, 0 Total Hours: 15

Fourth Year (P4)

The fourth year of the program consists of advanced pharmacy practice experiences (APPEs) that provide students with hands-on experience in pharmacy practice.

• Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE) - Rotation #1, 6
• Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE) - Rotation #2, 6
• Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE) - Rotation #3, 6
• Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE) - Rotation #4, 6 Total Hours: 18

Experiential Education

Experiential education is a required component of the Pharm.D. program that provides students with experiences in pharmacy practice under the guidance of preceptor faculty. The experiences increase in duration and complexity as the student pharmacist gains knowledge and skills, starting with introductory pharmacy practice experiences (IPPE) in health-system institution, community, and ambulatory pharmacy settings.

Academic Policies and Procedures

Academic policies and procedures can be found in the most recent undergraduate catalog.

Technical Standards

The Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education Accreditation Standards and Key Elements for the Professional Program in Pharmacy Leading to the Doctor of Pharmacy Degree, July 1, 2016, articulates the requirements for professional degree programs in pharmacy.

Transportation Requirement

A major component of the PharmD curriculum involves Introductory (IPPE) and Advanced (APPE) Pharmacy Practice Experiences. These experiences take place in a variety of locations. All students who matriculate into the program must be able to fulfill the IPPE and APPE requirements. Therefore, students must provide their own transportation that allows them to be present at IPPE and APPE locations on assigned days and times.

Tuition and Costs

Attaining a quality pharmacy education does not come without cost, and approximately 85% of our students received some form of financial assistance from UT Austin’s Student Financial Services and/or the College of Pharmacy.

Advising for Pharm.D. Students

The College of Pharmacy takes pride in providing excellence in academic advising through a team of informed, dedicated advisors who help students navigate through the opportunities the Pharm.D. curriculum has to offer while providing direction in career path explorations.

Mission Statement

Our mission is to provide exemplary education, training, research, and professional development in the pharmaceutical sciences; to advance discovery, innovation, and patient care; and to provide service to the university, professional and scientific communities, and society.