Doctor of Pharmacy Degree Program

In UNE’s Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree program, you’ll gain the knowledge, experiences, and confidence to begin your professional life — ready to lead in more than 100 pharmacy careers. Our faculty and staff help guide you to advance the practice of pharmacy through hands-on learning in patient care, service, interprofessional collaboration, and research — and along with alumni and classmates — provide a wide network of friends and colleagues to help throughout your career.

Earn Your Pharm.D. at Maine's Leading Health University

As a student in UNE’s Doctor of Pharmacy program, you’ll receive an education that empowers you to succeed and lead in the evolving pharmacy landscape. Today’s pharmacists go beyond the counter to provide an array of services and expertise. UNE’s innovative curriculum and experiential learning focus will prepare you with specialized and general skills that stand out.

The Pharm.D. program is housed on the UNE Portland Campus for the Health Sciences, in a modern facility with state-of-the-art gear. Join our close-knit community, along with students from across the health disciplines, all of whom share your passion for helping others. 

As a way to help bring a UNE education within reach for future pharmacy leaders, we also offer three levels of merit scholarships to incoming students.

Fill out the form below for an info sheet on UNE's Pharm.D.

 
A pharmacy student in a white coat and smiling at the camera stands behind a counter in a pharmacy
Title
Best Pharmacy Schools
Source
U.S. News & World Report
Year
2020*
*Represents the most recent year the ranking was released.

Why UNE for Your Pharm.D.

  • UNE stands out for providing a high-quality education — we’re recognized in The Princeton Review’s Best Colleges guide and elsewhere. This echoes student success: UNE has a NAPLEX licensure exam first-time pass rate that is in the top tier for New England.
  • Career support is built into UNE's pharmacy degree, starting with academic support, and extending through career mentorship. In our close community, faculty pay attention to the success of each student.
  • You'll have the opportunity to pursue specialized instruction in such topics as Pharmaceutical Sciences; Wellness and Integrative Medicine; Veterinary Pharmacy, and Interprofessional Healthcare in Rural America at no extra cost.
  • You'll receive interdisciplinary training alongside future physicians, dentists, and other health professionals, so you’ll be able to lead in today’s collaborative health care.
  • You’ll have access to diverse learning experiences for career flexibility, from global travel courses to rotations in fascinating workplaces.
  • You'll learn in state-of-the-art facilities. The Pharmacy building, built in 2012, contains learning labs, classrooms, study spaces, and biomedical research labs. Nearby, UNE’s Sim Lab is an authentic hospital environment with robotic patient simulators, where students gain real-life clinical experience.
  • You'll be in Portland, Maine — an ideal place to study and live — learning on our historical brick campus, and enjoying the cultural and foodie scenes downtown as well as the natural beauty of the area.
Headshot of U N E student Abigail Bloom

I definitely feel like the Pre-Pharmacy classes that I took prepared me for the classes that I'm in now. There are perfect parallels, it’s set up just for pharmacy students.

Pharmacy (Pharm.D.), Pre-Pharmacy

What Will You study? Doctor of Pharmacy Curriculum Overview

At the School of Pharmacy you’ll gain comprehensive knowledge of patient-focused and team-based care, vital skills for today’s health care providers. Our robust curriculum combines experiential learning with an emphasis on both the pharmaceutical and clinical sciences, preparing you for careers spanning the discipline.

Curriculum

First Year

Fall Semester Required Courses Credits
PHAR 355 – Integrated Group Learning I 2
PHAR 357 – Abilities Lab I 2
PHAR 361 – Introduction to Pharmacy 1
PHAR 363 – Foundations of Medicinal Chemistry 1
PHAR 365 – Foundations of Pharmacology 1
PHAR 367 – Foundations of Drug Information 1
PHAR 369 – Foundations of Pharmacy Calculations 1
PHAR 371 – Biochemistry 3
PHAR 373 – Pharmaceutics 3
Total 15
Spring Semester Required Courses Credits
PHAR 356 – Integrated Group Learning II 2
PHAR 358 – Abilities Lab II 2
PHAR 362 – Foundations of Pharmacogenomics 2
PHAR 364 – Medical Immunology 3
PHAR 366 – Pharmacokinetics 3
PHAR 374 – Evidence-Based Medicine & Biostatistics 3
PHAR 376 – Introduction to Self-Care 2
Total 17
Summer Semester Required Courses Credits
PHAR 370 – Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience I 4
PHAR 380 – AST Bridge Course *(completed by students applying under the Advanced Standing Track) 4

Second Year

Fall Semester Required Courses Credits
PHAR 455 – Integrated Group Learning III 2
PHAR 457 – Abilities Lab III 2
PHAR 477 – Healthcare Systems and Quality 3
PHAR 481 – Drugs and Disease I - Introduction to Drugs and Disease 3
PHAR 483 – Drugs and Disease II - Cardiovascular I 4
PHAR 485 – Drugs and Disease III - Cardiovascular II 2
Elective 2
Total 18
Spring Semester Required Courses Credits
PHAR 456 – Integrated Group Learning IV 2
PHAR 458 – Abilities Lab IV 2
PHAR 478 – Social Behavior, Outcomes, and Population Health 3
PHAR 482 – Drugs and Disease IV - Renal 2
PHAR 484 – Drugs and Disease V - Infectious Disease I 3
PHAR 486 – Drugs and Disease VI - Infectious Disease II 3
Elective 2
Total 17
Summer Semester Required Course Credits
PHAR 470 - Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience II 3

Third Year

Fall Semester Credits
PHAR 555 – Integrated Group Learning V 2
PHAR 557 – Abilities Lab V 2
PHAR 577 – Pharmacy Management and Leadership 3
PHAR 581 – Drugs and Disease VII - Endocrine/GI 3
PHAR 586 – Drugs and Disease XII - Respiratory, Men's/Women's Health 3
PHAR 585 – Drugs and Disease IX - Oncology 2
PHAR 591 – Interprofessional Experience 3
Total 18
Spring Semester Required Courses Credits
PHAR 556 – Integrated Group Learning VI 2
PHAR 558 – Abilities Lab VI 2
PHAR 578 – Pharmacy Law & Ethics 3
PHAR 582 – Drugs and Disease X - Psych 3
PHAR 584 – Drugs and Disease XI - Neurology 2
PHAR 583 – Drugs and Disease VIII - Pain/Inflammation 3
PHAR 570 – Longitudinal IPPE 1
Elective 2
Total 18

Fourth Year

Summer, Fall, Spring Required Courses Credits
PHAR 600's - Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences (6 x 6 weeks each) 36
Total 146

Pharmacy Practice Experiences

The process of experiential education provides the student with the ability to integrate first-hand practical experience with their didactic and laboratory coursework.

Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience (IPPE)

All course requirements in the first and second professional years must be successfully completed before a student may participate in an IPPE. The Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience will consist of two courses, one of four weeks duration, and one of three weeks duration. The four-week course will occur in a community (retail) pharmacy while the other will occur in an institutional (hospital) pharmacy. The community course experience, totaling 160 hours is four credits while the institutional course, totaling 120 hours, is three credits. A one-credit hour course, PHAR 570, registered for in the third year, is required to provide the additional credit hour needed for the full 300 hours of IPPE experience. Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experiences in community and institutional pharmacy settings begin early in the professional curriculum and are interfaced with didactic course instruction. This provides an introduction to the profession and continues in a progressive manner preparing the pharmacy student for advanced pharmacy practice experiences.

Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE)

All first- through third-year courses must be successfully completed before a student may participate in an Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience. The APPEs will begin immediately following the third year and continue throughout the fourth year. These experiences will consist of six, six-week assignments for a total of 36 credit hours (1440 contact hours). Each student will be required to successfully complete four required experiences in the following patient care settings: inpatient acute care medicine; outpatient or ambulatory care, community pharmacy, institutional pharmacy, as well as, two elective experiences in various practice environments.

Advanced Standing Track

Eligibility for application to the Advanced Standing Track will be determined in one of two ways. Pharmacists holding a pharmacy degree (Bachelor's or higher equivalent) from another country may apply or a student has completed a BS in Pharmacy Sciences (or equivalent) from a US pharmacy school. Students accepted into this track will complete the AST Bridge course in the summer term and then matriculate into the second year of pharmacy school in the following fall term.

Academic and Technical Standards

Pharmacy students must complete all Doctor of Pharmacy program requirements and receive a passing grade in all courses and clinical rotations to be eligible for graduation. The graduating student must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better.

Matriculation and continued enrollment requirements

In addition to receiving a passing grade in all course and clinical rotations, a student is expected to read, understand, accept and adhere to the following requirements. Failure to comply with these requirements by stated deadlines is considered unprofessional conduct and may impact or delay the student's graduation.

  • SOP Code of Professional Conduct
  • UNE SOP Name Badges
    School Name badges are issued to students upon matriculation. Students are expected to wear these name badges at all times to identify themselves as members of the School of Pharmacy community
  • Immunizations
    Students are required to have appropriate immunizations before they matriculate into and as they progress through the PharmD program
  • CPR Training
    All School of Pharmacy students are required to have current CPR certification. The training program needs to be the American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers (CPR and AED) Program or the American Red Cross CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer & Health Care Provider. An online or blended course will not be accepted. A copy of your CPR card must be uploaded to the student’s CORE account along with the expiration date
  • Pharmacy Intern License
    Students must be able to meet the Maine State Board of Pharmacy Licensing requirements to obtain a valid Maine Pharmacy Intern License, which is required to complete experiential courses in the State of Maine. Inability to obtain and maintain a valid license may prevent a student from continuing in the program and completing the requirements for graduation.
    In accordance with the Maine Board of Pharmacy rules and regulations, any change in your name, address, email address, criminal convictions, disciplinary actions, or any material change set forth in your original application for licensure must be reported to the Board of Pharmacy within 10 days. Failure to follow this requirement may result in an immediate suspension of your intern license and a possible civil penalty/fine
  • HIPPA
    Students must be in compliance with UNE HIPAA requirements to attend classes and rotations
  • PCOA Assessment
    All P2 and P3 students are required to take the PCOA exam.
  • Communication skills
    Passing a written and verbal English proficiency test.
  • NAPLEX Review Week
    All P4 students are required to take part in the School of Pharmacy NAPLEX Review week during the week between the end of the spring term of the graduation year and the UNE Commencement and WCHP Hooding ceremony.
  • Students must achieve a passing raw score of 75% or greater on a pre-NAPLEX exam during their P4 year
  • Electronic Portfolio
    Students will maintain an electronic portfolio as directed by School policy.
  • Health Insurance
    This is a requirement of all students at the University of New England.
  • Drug Screening
    Rotation sites may request drug screens. Information obtained in drug screens may inhibit students from completing introductory or advanced practice experiences and thus may delay or hinder graduation. Students must pay for these tests
  • Background checks
    The School may be required to provide information from background checks on each student who participates in IPPE and APPE rotations. Any disqualification of a student by a practice facility could prevent the student from undertaking clinical rotations that are required to complete the pharmacy program at the University of New England. Students may have to pay for these checks
  • Transportation
    All students must provide their own transportation to off-campus pharmacy practice experience sites
  • Laptop Computers
    Students must have laptop computers, meeting School of Pharmacy minimum specifications, upon arrival to campus to attend required sessions/classes
  • School-sponsored professional events
    All students are expected to be in attendance at the following events: White Coat, University of New England Commencement, and WCHP Hooding Ceremony.

Technical Standards

All students must be able to meet the following University of New England (UNE) School of Pharmacy technical standards. A student accepted into the Doctor of Pharmacy program must have abilities and skills in five categories observation, communication, motor, intellectual, and behavioral/social. Standards are developed as criteria to achieve the Doctor of Pharmacy degree in preparation for licensure as a practicing pharmacist and for postgraduate professional training and education in any of the varied fields of pharmacy. Further, the safety of the patient, on whom the pharmaceutical education process is largely focused, must be guarded as the final and ultimate consideration.

The University of New England, Westbrook College of Health Professions School of Pharmacy acknowledges Section 504 of the 1973 Vocational Rehabilitation Act and PL 11-336, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) 19903, and requires minimum technical standards be present in students accepted into the Doctor of Pharmacy program. The School of Pharmacy will engage in an interactive process with applicants with disabilities but the School of Pharmacy reserves the right not to admit any applicant who cannot meet the Technical Standards set forth below, with reasonable accommodations. Applicants are not required to disclose the nature of their disability(ies), if any, to the Admissions Committee. However, any applicant with questions about these technical standards is strongly encouraged to discuss his/her specific issue(s) with the Student Access Center prior to the interview process. If appropriate, and upon the request of the applicant, reasonable accommodations will be provided.

Reasonable accommodation for persons with documented disabilities will be considered on an individual basis, but a student in the Doctor of Pharmacy program must be able to perform in an independent manner. Every applicant is considered without regard to disability. Once accepted, students must complete all elements of the curriculum with or without reasonable accommodations. In the case of a documented disability, the School of Pharmacy must be fully satisfied that the applicant can make progress through the curriculum. Students in the Doctor of Pharmacy program must have the functional use of the senses of vision and hearing. A student's skills will also be lessened without the functional use of the senses of equilibrium and smell. Additionally, they must have sufficient exteroceptive senses (touch, pain, and temperature), and sufficient motor functions to permit them to carry out the activities described in the sections that follow. Doctor of Pharmacy students must be able to integrate information received from multiple senses quickly and accurately. They must also have the intellectual ability to learn, integrate, analyze and synthesize data. Graduates of the School of Pharmacy must have the knowledge and skills to function in a broad variety of clinical, administrative, and leadership situations and to render a wide spectrum of pharmaceutical care.

Throughout the pharmacy program, a student will be expected to maintain the technical standards and demonstrate them through their coursework, interaction with peers and faculty, and in their professional experiences. Students who fail to demonstrate the technical standards while in the program will be evaluated and appropriate action (e.g., remediation, counseling, or dismissal) will be taken. Because this expectation is separate from academic achievement, simply maintaining a passing GPA is not sufficient.

While the School of Pharmacy recognizes that certain disabilities can be accommodated without compromising the standards required by the school and the integrity of the curriculum, the use of a trained intermediary means that a student's judgment must be mediated by someone else's powers of selection and observation, and is not acceptable. Additionally, those individuals who would constitute a direct threat to the health or safety of others are not considered suitable candidates for continued matriculation.

The following skills are required, with or without accommodation

Observation

Students must be able to observe demonstrations and conduct exercises in a variety of areas related to contemporary pharmacy practice, including but not limited to monitoring of drug response and preparation of specialty dosage forms. Students must be able to observe demonstrations and experiments in the basic and pharmaceutical sciences, medical illustrations and models, microscopic studies of microorganisms and tissues in normal and pathological states. A student must be able to observe a patient accurately at a distance and close at hand, noting nonverbal as well as verbal signals. The student must be able to observe and interpret presented information. Specific vision-related requirements include, but are not limited to the following abilities: visualizing and discriminating findings on monitoring tests; reading written and illustrated material; discriminating numbers and patterns associated with diagnostic and monitoring instruments and tests; observing the activities of technical staff operating under their supervision; reading information on a computer screen and small print on packages or package inserts; distinguishing shapes, colors, markings, and other characteristics of small objects (e.g. different dosage forms); and competently using instruments for monitoring drug response. Observation requires not only the functional use of the sense of vision but other sensory modalities as well such as hearing and other somatic senses. For example, observation can be enhanced in some situations by the use of the sense of smell.

Communication

A pharmacy student should be able to speak, hear, and observe patients and other health care professionals in order to elicit both verbal and non-verbal information, and must be able to communicate effectively with and about patients. Communication includes speech, reading, writing, and computer literacy. The student must be able to perceive and respond appropriately to all types of communication including telephone communications (verbal, non-verbal, written) from faculty, staff, peers, patients, caregivers, the family of patients, the public, and all members of the health care team.

Specific requirements include but are not limited to the following abilities; reading, writing, speaking and comprehending English with sufficient mastery to accomplish didactic, clinical, and laboratory curricular requirements in a timely, professional and accurate manner; eliciting a thorough medication and medical history; and communicating complex findings in appropriate terms that are understood by patients, caregivers, and members of the healthcare team. Each student must be able to read and record observations and care plans legibly, efficiently, and accurately. Students must be able to prepare and communicate concise but complete summaries of individual activities, decisions, and encounters with patients. Students must be able to complete forms or appropriately document activities according to directions in a complete and timely fashion.

Motor

Pharmacy students must have sufficient motor function to carry out basic laboratory techniques and skills to accomplish basic pharmacy practice tasks utilizing both gross and fine motor skills. These include but are not limited to; compounding prescriptions, filling prescriptions, counting prescription medications, administering medications, preparing intravenous products, and administering intramuscular and subcutaneous injections. The student must be able to conduct a physical assessment of a patient by palpation, auscultation, and other diagnostic maneuvers. Other motor activities include performing first aid and/or cardiopulmonary resuscitation in the clinical setting.

The student must be able to transport him or herself to off-site settings and experiential locations in a timely manner. Students must be able to respond promptly to urgencies within the practice setting and must not hinder the ability of their co-workers to provide prompt care. Examples of such emergency treatment reasonably required of pharmacists include arriving quickly when called, rapidly and accurately preparing appropriate emergency medication, and the preparation of sterile intravenous medications.

Students must be able to use computer-based information systems and have sufficient motor function and coordination required for the manipulation of small and large objects. The student must have the ability to move and position another person in a manner that will facilitate physical assessment or another diagnostic lab testing. Lastly, students must exhibit the physical and mental stamina needed while standing or sitting for prolonged periods of time.

Intellectual

A student should possess sufficient intellectual, conceptual, integrative, and quantitative abilities to complete a rigorous and intense didactic and experiential curriculum. These abilities include measurement, calculation, reasoning, analysis, decision-making, judgment, information integration, and solution synthesis. In addition, the student should be able to comprehend three-dimensional relationships and to understand the spatial relations of structures. Especially important is the appropriate and rapid calculation of dosages for a variety of patient-specific conditions such as renal or hepatic failure, obesity, cardiac or respiratory arrest, etc. Additionally, calculations involving appropriate dilution or reconstitution of drug products, electrolytes, etc. must be made accurately and quickly. Students must be able to retain and recall critical information in an efficient and timely manner. Students must be able to identify and acknowledge the limits of their knowledge to others when appropriate and be able to recognize when the limits of their knowledge indicate further study or investigation before making a decision. Students must be able to interpret graphs or charts describing biological, economic, or outcome relationships. They must be able to learn through a variety of modalities including, but not limited to, classroom instruction, small group activities, individual study, preparation and presentation of reports, and use of computer technology. Students are expected to be fully alert and attentive at all times in the classroom and clinical settings.

Behavioral and Social

A pharmacy student must possess the physical and emotional health required for full utilization of his/her intellectual abilities, the exercise of good judgment, the prompt completion of all responsibilities attendant to the care of patients, and the development of effective relationships with patients. Students must adapt to changing environments, to display flexibility and function in the face of uncertainties inherent in the academic and clinical environments with appropriate coping responses. Compassion, integrity, concern for others, interpersonal skills, interest, and motivation are qualities that are assessed during the admission and education process. The student must recognize and display respect for differences in culture, values, and ethics among patients, faculty, peers, clinical and administrative staff, and colleagues. The student must be able to identify and demonstrate appropriate behavior to protect the safety and well-being of patients, faculty, peers, clinical and administrative staff, and colleagues. Lastly, the student should handle situations appropriately and professionally when those situations may be physically, emotionally, or intellectually stressful, including those situations that must be handled promptly and calmly. At times, this requires the ability to be aware of and appropriately react to one's own immediate emotional responses and environment.

When a letter of acceptance to the University of New England Westbrook College of Health Professions School of Pharmacy is mailed, a detailed copy of the Technical Standards for completion of the curriculum will be included. The applicant will be asked to respond in writing whether he/she can meet the standards with or without accommodation. An applicant should be able to evaluate him or herself for compliance with these Technical Standards. In the event that accommodation is requested, the student must submit documentation of disability with the proposed accommodation from a certified specialist to UNE's Student Access Center. A continuing student who develops a disability should request accommodations based on the limitations of the disability through the Student Access Center. Individuals unable to meet the above Technical Standards may be unable to progress and/or complete the Pharm.D. program.

Students must be able to meet the Maine State Board of Pharmacy licensing requirements to obtain a valid Introductory (IPPE) and Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences (APPE) License. These licenses are required to complete off-campus experiential courses. Inability to obtain a Maine IPPE or APPE License may prevent completion of experiential courses and prevent a student from continuing in the program and completing the requirements for graduation. Students completing their experiential education in other states must meet the licensing requirements of that state.

The School of Pharmacy's Admissions Committee will consider the applicant based on the criteria for admission of all applicants. An applicant who discloses a disability and requests accommodation in the admission process may be required to submit, in writing, the request for accommodation and pertinent supporting documentation. This pertinent information may include a history of accommodations granted previously in other educational programs.

Requests for accommodation may be initiated with UNE's Student Access Center.

For more information on disabilities and accommodation, please contact the UNE Student Access Center.

Course load

A pharmacy student must be registered for at least 10 credits to be classified as full-time status. Being enrolled in less than 10 credits will result in part-time student status. Maintaining less than a 6- or 10-credit load may affect financial aid, scholarship receipt, or insurance verifications. It is the student's responsibility to monitor their own enrollment status

To learn more view the Academic Catalog.

Specialized Studies in the Pharmacy Degree Program

Wellness and Integrative Medicine 

The Wellness and Integrative Medicine focus gives pharmacy graduates advanced training and knowledge in evidence-based treatments that incorporate the whole patient’s well being into the plan of treatment. This focus provides pharmacy graduates with skills and knowledge in an emerging field of pharmacy within community and ambulatory care practice sites.

Graduates will be uniquely prepared to coach patients on lifestyle modifications and proper utilization of nutraceutical products available within the community pharmacy setting. They will also learn how to establish strong patient relationships that will promote pharmacy services within the community and beyond.

Students within this focus will take three elective courses within this topic and complete an Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience in their fourth year that concentrates on Wellness and Integrative Medicine.

Students in the Wellness and Integrative Medicine focus will learn:

  • Emotional and cognitive influences on health such as stress, resilience, and positive thinking
  • Physical influences on emotional and cognitive health such as sleep, physical activity, and nutrition
  • Behavioral lifestyle modifications that may be used as part of prevention and treatment of disease, and an appreciation of how these modifications contribute to overall health 
  • Complementary and alternative therapies, including dietary supplements and nutraceuticals for treatment of diseases
  • Evaluation of available medical literature for clinical decision making in the utilization of complementary and alternative therapies with close attention to risk vs benefit
  • Fundamentals of nutrition, including macro and micro nutrient needs, as well as dietary management of common diseases
  • How to educate patients on incorporating these concepts into their own self-care for a sustainable model of health and wellness

Interprofessional Healthcare in Rural America

Interprofessional Healthcare in Rural America provides students will:

  • Understand the barriers to accessing healthcare in a rural setting
  • Engage with a rural community to understand healthcare needs and develop collaborations with other health care professionals to meet their needs
  • Recognize health disparities and identify methods of systems-based improvements to increase access to care.
  • Recognize the cultural impact on access to care and identify methods of holistic therapy that are respectful of patients’ cultural identities.

Pharmaceutical Sciences 

The Pharmaceutical Sciences focus enables UNE Doctor of Pharmacy students to explore the broad field of pharmaceutical sciences beyond the required curriculum. The focus is offered by the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Administration to enrolled students at no additional cost.

As a student, you’ll pursue topics such as biochemistry, biopharmaceutics, computational chemistry, immunology, pharmacogenomics, pharmacokinetics, pathophysiology, and pharmacology through research or teaching experiences under faculty guidance. You have access to the modern tools and resources within the UNE School of Pharmacy which include analytical, genomic, proteomic, and simulation technologies and platforms.

Pharm.D. students are eligible to earn a certificate that designates their completion of the Pharmaceutical Sciences Specialty focus at the beginning of their P4 year provided they meet the following requirements:

  1. Successful completion of two elective courses offered by the department, and
  2. A letter of support from a department faculty member that is reviewed and approved by the department chair.

Examples of letters of support that would be deemed approvable include, but are not limited to:

  • A detailed description of a research project outside the scope of the two elective courses and under the guidance of department faculty;
  • A detailed description of substantial contributions to provide supplemental instruction teaching for a core course taught by department faculty.

Examples of letters of support that would *not* be deemed approvable include descriptions of:

  • A research project done within the scope of the two electives (including independent study);
  • Teaching contributions in the role of a peer tutor.

For additional information email Faculty Coordinator Dr. Srinidi Mohan at smohan@une.edu.

Veterinary Pharmacy

The Veterinary Pharmacy specialty focus area is designed to provide you with advanced training and knowledge in veterinary pharmacy, including pathophysiology; pharmacology; pharmacotherapeutics; legal/regulatory aspects; sterile and non-sterile compounding; and medication distribution systems.

Students enrolled in the Veterinary Pharmacy Specialty Focus Area will learn about:

  • The anatomic and physiologic features of non-human patients that impact medication therapy (and differences between non-human and human patients)
  • The basic pharmacology of medications for dogs, cats, horses, rodents, and exotic animals
  • Common veterinary disease states and relevant pharmacologic treatment strategies, including veterinary and human approved products and appropriate options for compounded medications
  • Basic and clinical aspects of the most common medication toxicities that affect animals
  • Safety aspects of handling veterinary medications
  • Common drug information resources utilized by veterinary pharmacists
  • Veterinary medical terminology and abbreviations
  • Regulatory and ethical issues impacting the practice of veterinary pharmacy
  • Interpretation of veterinary prescriptions
  • How to provide medication counseling (regarding appropriate medication administration and potential adverse events) in support of non-human patients
  • Sterile and non-sterile compounding (procedures, regulations, etc.)
  • Medication distribution systems (technologies, etc.)

Residency Teaching Certification Program

In a partnership with several Northern New England institutions, the UNE School of Pharmacy offers a teaching certificate program designed to immerse pharmacy residents in academic pharmacy. The post-graduate residents in the program are graduates of colleges of pharmacy from around the nation.

The program exposes residents to didactic teaching experiences, experiential teaching, and self-paced online learning. Residents are required to teach topics in courses within the UNE School of Pharmacy as part of their work. Upon completion, these residents receive dual recognition from the UNE School of Pharmacy and their primary institution.

Students and faculty conduct research in a Pharmacy lab
a pharmacy student wearing scrubs and safety goggles works in the lab
A pharmacy student examines beakers while making hand sanitizer
two students in lab coast and gloves work in a pharmacy lab

Potential Career Paths for Pharmacy Grads

A Doctor of Pharmacy degree from UNE prepares you for more than 100 pharmacy occupations, as well as career growth. UNE graduates are employed at community pharmacies, health care systems, long-term care facilities, and within the pharmaceutical industry. Many of our students have gone on to complete post-graduate residency and fellowship programs. The School of Pharmacy works with you to ensure career success in areas that fit your goals.

Watch UNE Pharm.D. Student Success Stories

Michelle O’Meara for a Healthier Planet

Richard Agbortoko’s Patient-Centered Focus

Diverse Pharmacy Careers

A recent publication by the International Pharmaceutical Federation shows there are more than 100 career pathways that pharmacists can pursue.

Pharmacy Practice and Specialty Roles

The career pathways in this category are among the most common career options for pharmacists. They generally offer opportunities for direct patient care in a variety of clinical settings.

  • Ambulatory Care Pharmacist
  • Aseptic Infusion and IV Manufacturing Pharmacist
  • Bariatrics Pharmacist
  • Biologics and Biosimilars Pharmacist
  • Chief Clinical/Medical Officer
  • Chief Pharmaceutical Officer
  • Clinical Director
  • Clinical Pharmacist
  • Clinical Programs Leader
  • Community Pharmacist
  • Compounding Pharmacist
  • Cosmeceuticals/Cosmetics Pharmacist
  • Critical Care Pharmacist
  • Director of Clinical Solutions
  • Emergency Care Pharmacist
  • Functional Medicine Pharmacist
  • General Practice Pharmacist
  • Geriatrics Pharmacist
  • Home Care Pharmacist
  • Home Health Equipment
  • Hormone Medicine Pharmacist
  • Hospital Pharmacist
  • Immunization Pharmacist
  • Infectious Disease Pharmacy / Antimicrobial Steward
  • Infectious Disease Testing Pharmacist Management Roles
  • Internal Medicine / General Medicine Pharmacist
  • Long-Term Care Operations Pharmacist
  • Managed Care Pharmacist
  • Mental Health and Addictions Pharmacist
  • Natural Supplements and Herbal Medicine Pharmacist
  • Nutraceutical Pharmacist
  • Oncology Pharmacist
  • Outpatient Pharmacist
  • Pain Management/Opioid Steward
  • Pediatric Pharmacist
  • Pharmacy Manager/Pharmacy Operations Manager
  • Regulatory Health Project Leader
  • Sexual Health Pharmacist
  • Surgical Care Pharmacist
  • Systemic Therapy Pharmacist
  • Travel Medicine Pharmacist
  • Veterinary Pharmacist
Pharmaceutical Industry Roles

Pharmacy careers in this category are great for those with medication expertise and a strong interest in business or research.

  • Biomedical Researcher
  • Clinical Research Associate
  • Digital Diagnostics Researcher
  • Digital Therapeutics Researcher
  • Drug Safety Associate
  • Forensic Scientist
  • Industrial Manufacturing
  • Marketing and Medical Strategy
  • Medical / Drug Information Associate
  • Medical Science Liaison
  • Medicinal Chemist
  • Pharmaceutical Modeler (Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics, Physiologically-Based Pharmacokinetics, and Quantitative System Pharmacology Modelling)
  • Pharmaceutical Sales Representative
  • Pharmaceutical Scientist
  • Pharmaceutical Study / Research Lead
  • Pharmacist Clinical Pathologist
  • Pharmacologist
  • Pharmacovigilance Specialist
  • Product Development
  • Quality Assurance
  • Quality Control Chemist
  • Regulatory Affairs Pharmacist
  • Regulatory Affairs Specialist
  • Research Scientist
  • Toxicology Pharmacist
Academic Pharmacy Roles

Pharmacy careers in academia are typically focused on the teaching and training of future pharmacists. These roles require both pharmacy knowledge and a passion for education.

  • Clinical Rotations Preceptor Education and Training Pharmacist
  • Lecturer/Professor
  • Licensing Exam Preceptor/Moderator
  • Pharmaceutics Professor
  • Pharmacodynamics Researcher/Professor
  • Pharmacokinetics Researcher/Professor
  • Pharmacology Researcher/Professor
  • Pharmacy Practice Researcher/Professor
  • Pharmacy Student Mentor/Preceptor
  • Research and Development Pharmacist
  • Residency/Fellowship Coordinator
  • Teacher Practitioner
  • Teaching Assistant/Lab Assistant
  • Teaching Fellow
  • Therapeutics Professor
Technology and Health Informatics Pharmacy Roles

Those with an interest in healthcare records, data or systems may be interested in pharmacy roles in the technology and health informatics category.

  • Automation Pharmacist
  • Clinical Applications Pharmacist
  • Clinical Data Analyst
  • Clinical Software Development Specialist
  • Clinical Software Integration Specialist
  • Clinical Solutions Pharmacist
  • Digital Health Specialist
  • Electronic Health Record Training Pharmacist
  • Health Informatics Specialist
  • Information Technology Pharmacist
  • Pharmacy Informatics Specialist
  • Social Media Engagement / Communication Specialist
  • Telehealth Service Provider
  • Virtual Clinical Pharmacist
Government and Regulatory Roles

Those in government and regulatory pharmacy roles may use their medication expertise to inform government regulations, develop policies and protocols, ensure patient safety, and more.

  • Clinical Inspection Pharmacist
  • Consumer Safety Officer
  • Correctional Facility Pharmacist
  • Drug Advertising Reviewer
  • Drug Pricing Reviewer
  • Drug Reimbursement Expert
  • Drug Safety Data Reviewer
  • Medicines Advisor
  • Military Pharmacist
  • Nuclear Pharmacist
  • Patient Advocacy Board Member
  • Pharmaceutical Services Commissioner / Negotiator orDrug Reimbursement Reviewer
  • Pharmacoeconomics Specialist
  • Pharmacy Advocacy Member
  • Pharmacy Education Accreditation Reviewer
  • Poison Control Pharmacist
  • Public Health Service Pharmacist
  • Regulatory Board Member
  • Specialist Pharmaceutical Advisor to Local, Regional, orNational Government
Non-Traditional Pharmacy Career Roles

Pharmacists play an active role in a number of industries.

  • Academic Detailer
  • Aerospace/Space Health Pharmacist
  • Business Adviser/Investor
  • Career Development Coach
  • Central Fill Pharmacist
  • Continuing Education Provider
  • Digital Therapeutics Specialist
  • Drug Information Pharmacist
  • Estate and Tax Planning Consultant
  • Geospatial Pharmacist
  • Health/Life Coach
  • Medical Writer/Editor (In Medical Communications Agencies)
  • Medication Safety Management Specialist
  • Pharmacogenomics Specialist
  • Pharmacy Financial Consultant
  • Pharmacy Programs Coordinator
  • Pharmacy Research Coordinator
  • Pharmacy Strategy Consultant
  • Start-Up Developer/Innovator
  • Supply Chain Pharmacist/Warehouse Manager/DistributionManager/Wholesaling Manager

Kayla, Specialty Pharmacy

U N E Pharmacy student Kayla

"I support and educate fertility treatment patients from around the U.S. When I see a patient empowered in understanding her medications, I feel truly rewarded."

Dylan, Veterinary Pharmacy

U N E Pharmacy student Dylan

“I often compound prescriptions for veterinarians. It feels great to branch out and use my knowledge to help pets as well as people.”

Rachel, Direct Clinical Care

U N E Pharm.D. student Rachel

“I have face-to-face time with my patients at Intermed, consulting them on their medications and providing direct care.”

School of Pharmacy Facilities

The School of Pharmacy building on UNE's Portland Campus is the first and only facility in Maine devoted to study and research in the field of pharmacy. It provides students and faculty with 48,000 square feet on four floors. The building houses three innovative teaching laboratories, a full complement of lecture halls, and classrooms equipped with the latest technologies.

Tour our Pharmacy Facilities

Hands-on Learning in the Doctor of Pharmacy Program

Research

School of Pharmacy faculty participate in varied research and scholarship efforts, including laboratory-based studies, clinical research, and the scholarship of teaching. Students are afforded numerous opportunities to engage in this work, often with the opportunity to attain academic credit. Faculty and students in the School of Pharmacy have worked together to produce cutting-edge research in a variety of disciplines, and these efforts have led to numerous presentations and publications. Plus, through our active professional student organizations, you can engage in community service and broaden your network.

See faculty research interests and student research opportunities in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Administration and Pharmacy Practice.

Cross Cultural Health Immersion

As a student in UNE’s Doctor of Pharmacy program, you have the opportunity to participate in the cross cultural health immersion program to Ghana, Africa. Students from all health professions programs are invited to participate, and will, in conjunction with participating faculty, develop, implement, and evaluate health education curricula relevant to the population need.

Doctor of Pharmacy Studies: Team-Based Learning

When students from different health professions disciplines learn with, from, and about each other to better understand different professional roles and expertise, great things can happen. In UNE’s Pharm.D. program, you will be studying alongside students from other programs, including the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine and Doctor of Dental Medicine program, gaining the skills to collaborate and lead in today’s team-based care. UNE is proud to be the only institution in New England that is part of the National Center for Interprofessional Education and Practice’s prestigious Innovation Network.

You also have the opportunity to apply this collaborative participation toward your Interprofessional Honors Distinction.

The thought of being a pharmacist can be intimidating, but everyone here works together — it’s not every man or woman for themselves, it’s we’re in this together.” — Alexis Radziewicz 26

A Health Care Education Campus in Portland, Maine

UNE Pharm.D. students study on the Portland Campus for the Health Sciences, a quintessential New England quad that has been welcoming students for more than a century. Lined with lush trees and brick buildings, the campus sits in a quiet neighborhood just a short drive from the downtown waterfront. Portland, named “America’s Most Livable City” by Forbes and “Foodiest Small Town in America” by Bon Appetit, is about 100 miles from downtown Boston.

Take a Virtual Tour of our Portland Campus

Who can apply to the Doctor of Pharmacy degree program?

To apply to our Doctor of Pharmacy degree program, you must have completed a minimum of two years of pre-professional coursework from a U.S. regionally accredited institution or international equivalent. You must also hold a 2.75 cumulative GPA and a 2.75 prerequisite GPA. 

View full admissions requirements

Financial Aid at UNE

Finance your education through loans, grants, and scholarships. We are committed to making our pharmacy degree program as affordable as possible.

Pharm.D. tuition and financial aid

Accreditation

ACPE Accredited

The University of New England School of Pharmacy’s Doctor of Pharmacy program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education.

Apply Today

Ready to begin your future in UNE’s accredited Doctor of Pharmacy program?

A pharmacy student preps a vaccine in a syringe

Frequently Asked Questions: Doctor of Pharmacy Degree

How do you become a pharmacist?

If you are interested in healthcare, science, and medication, you might be suited to a career as a pharmacist. Your journey to becoming a pharmacist starts by enrolling in an undergraduate bachelor’s or pre-pharmacy program. At UNE, many of our Pharm.D. students complete the two-year pre-pharmacy program on our Biddeford, Maine campus. UNE’s Pre-Professional Pharmacy program is designed for students planning to apply to our doctor of pharmacy program in Portland, Maine. Most doctor of pharmacy programs, including the Pharm.D. program at UNE, will also accept applicants who have completed the required prerequisite coursework through other institutions.

Once accepted into a pharmacy doctoral program, it will generally take four years for students to complete the required coursework and clinical practice experiences. During pharmacy school, students at UNE will complete Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experiences (IPPEs) and Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences (APPEs). The IPPEs and APPEs are experiential education opportunities for pharmacy students to learn through experience in real-world settings, putting to use the skills learned in didactic coursework.

After graduating with your Pharm.D., you will need to take the North American Pharmacist Licensure Exam (NAPLEX) and the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Exam (MPJE). UNE's 2022 Pharm.D. graduates have achieved an 83% first-time pass rate on the NAPLEX licensure exam which was above the national average.

How long does it take to become a pharmacist?

On average, it will take six to eight years of schooling to earn a Pharm.D. degree and become a licensed pharmacist. Before entering pharmacy school, the first step is to complete the required prerequisite coursework as an undergraduate student. Although prerequisite coursework may vary between doctor of pharmacy programs, you can expect a number of biology, chemistry, and intro pharmacy courses to be included.

Through UNE’s Pre-Pharmacy program, students have the opportunity to gain the expertise and knowledge needed to succeed in the Doctor of Pharmacy program. This two-year program is designed for students planning to apply to UNE’s Pharm.D. program and covers all prerequisite courses. If you complete your pre-pharmacy work at UNE you are also eligible to receive a Bachelor's degree in Pharmacy Science after completing two years of pharmacy school.

After graduating with your doctor of pharmacy degree from an accredited program, the final step to become a pharmacist is to take the NAPLEX exam (North American Pharmacists Licensure Examination).

What do pharmacists do?

Pharmacists are Doctors of Pharmacy — respected members of an integrated health care team. At the core, pharmacists are healthcare professionals who are specifically trained to consult with doctors and patients to make recommendations on the most appropriate medication for a patient.

Today’s pharmacist goes beyond the counter, providing an array and depth of services that might surprise you. They are public health advocates, working to provide immunizations and screenings to the public. They work with patients to improve health through lifestyle counseling and improve patient outcomes by optimizing medications. You will find pharmacists in hospitals, doctors offices, community pharmacies, pharmaceutical companies, and more.

Within the role that is more familiar to the public — the community pharmacist — doctors of pharmacy are providing valuable direct care, from vaccinations to health screenings, to in-depth consultations and community clinics.

Additionally, pharmacists are experts in medication who bring the greatest depth of knowledge on drug-based care to an interprofessional healthcare team. Pharm.D.s play leading roles in managing optimal medication plans for patients. This includes watching for negative drug interactions, recommending alternative options for physicians, tracking opiate prescriptions to identify over-prescribing practices, and more.

Pharmacists also provide holistic patient care, advising patients on the use of vitamins and nutraceuticals and their effects and interactions with other drugs. As a student in UNE’s Doctor of Pharmacy Program, you will be trained in holistic approaches to wellness such as nutrition, exercise, and stress reduction and routinely work with patients to make better choices for their health and wellbeing.

As a student pharmacist at the University of New England’s Doctor of Pharmacy program, you will utilize our state-of-the-art facilities to learn the practical skills needed to be a medication expert, wellness consultant, primary caregiver, and more.

What are the requirements for pharmacy school?

Every Doctor of Pharmacy program has slightly different requirements. It’s a good idea to review the Pharmacy program admissions requirements of the specific Pharm.D. programs that interest you. Generally, there is a list of prerequisite classes that you need to take before entering pharmacy school.

At UNE, all doctor of pharmacy applicants must complete a minimum of two years of pre-professional pharmacy coursework from a U.S. regionally accredited institution or international equivalent. UNE’s Pharm.D. program in Maine is a four year graduate-level program open to applicants with a minimum of 63 credits of undergraduate coursework taken at UNE. Pharmacy school admissions at UNE is open to other applicants with a minimum of 58 credits of specific undergraduate required coursework. Also, UNE’s pharmacy school will accept applicants that have already completed a bachelor’s degree, in any major, and successful completion of specific required math and science coursework.

Additionally, most pharmacy schools will require experience hours and letters of recommendation. Healthcare-related experience is recommended, but not required.

What is the best pharmacy school for me?

When selecting a pharmacy degree program, you should look for one that provides quality academics within modern facilities and a supportive environment. Visit various colleges to explore their pharmacy programs and get a feel for their culture and curriculum. Generally, the best pharmacy schools help you advance the practice of pharmacy through hands-on learning in patient care, service, interprofessional collaboration, and research.

As a student in the University of New England’s Doctor of Pharmacy program, you’ll receive an education focused on your success through those outcomes.

As an innovator in education for the health professions, UNE’s Pharm.D. program will empower you to be a medication expert, wellness consultant, primary caregiver, and more — ready to lead in the new world of pharmacy that goes beyond the counter.

Located in Portland, Maine — the UNE pharmacy program empowers you with the support of our expert faculty and experiential learning within a close-knit community. UNE’s School of Pharmacy is housed in a state-of-the-art, 48,000-square-foot facility on a campus devoted to a comprehensive health education mission that includes medicine, nursing, physician assistant, dental medicine, and array of other allied health professions.

Of course, you should attend a program that fits your financial capabilities. UNE offers Merit Scholarships to incoming students who have demonstrated strong academic achievement.

How much do pharmacists generally make?

Although it is ever changing, the median annual pharmacist salary was $129,410 in May 2022 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Salaries will depend on where you work and the type of industry that you are employed in.

Because the University of New England is Maine’s leading health professions university, students of the UNE Doctor of Pharmacy program are well prepared for a successful, dynamic career as a pharmacist. Graduates of UNE’s Pharm.D. program have gone on to successful careers in leading institutions across the country and around the world. UNE pharmacy students learn side-by-side with students from other health professions, so you’ll be prepared to collaborate in today’s team-based health care.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics