Pharmacy Practice Experience

Pharmacy Practice Experience (PPE) is an integral component of the PharmD curriculum. Students gain practical experiences in pharmacy and related settings and participate in patient care activities under the guidance of an experienced preceptor. Students are expected to apply what they learn in the classroom to real-life patients and real-world situations.

The final year of the program is comprised of four Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE) courses completed over 30 weeks. These experiences expose students to a variety of inpatient and outpatient clinical settings, including hospital, community, long-term care, and ambulatory clinics. 

Year Fall Winter Spring/Summer
1st  
  • Community Shadowing
  • Service learning
2nd
  • Developing Communication Skills (e.g., hospital, community, ambulatory)
 
  • Community Pharmacy (PPE I) 6 weeks
3rd    
  • Hospital dispensary (PPE II) 2 weeks
  • Direct patient care (PPE III) 4 weeks (e.g., hospital, community, ambulatory)
4th  
  • Hospital (PPE IV) 2 weeks - hospital clinical experience 
 

  


 

 

5th
  • APPE: Acute Care Hospital 8 weeks
  • APPE: Community Pharmacy 8 weeks
  • APPE: Direct Patient Care 8 weeks
  • APPE: Elective (direct patient care or non-direct patient care) 6 weeks

 

For further information:

Wanda Spurrell
Structured Practice Experience Program Coordinator
School of Pharmacy
Phone: (709) 864-7900
Fax: (709) 864-6941