Information Sessions and Events
Program Overview
The Entry-to-Practice Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program is a four-year professional program designed to prepare graduates for the current and future scope of pharmacy practice in healthcare settings such as community, primary care, ambulatory care, and hospital practice as well as for industry, government, and other specialized fields. The program embraces a patient-centered approach to healthcare delivery and trains future pharmacists who will ensure that drug therapy is safe and effective for patients to optimize their health outcomes.
Our competency-based curriculum integrates foundational pharmaceutical sciences with advanced pharmacotherapeutic problem-solving and hands-on learning through labs and tutorials, interprofessional education, community service learning courses, and practicums. During the program, students will be exposed to a variety of curriculum delivery methods including lectures, independent study, large and small group work, practice simulation, online learning, reflective practice, and experiential learning.
The program is designed for students to build upon their learning as they progress through the courses and modules. The majority of didactic learning takes place within the first three years of the program, with practicum rotations in the summer months and throughout the fourth and final year. Given the curriculum structure, the program is completed on a full-time basis and part-time studies cannot be accommodated. More information on program policies, academic regulations, and technical standards can be located here.
The program meets the academic qualifications for registration with the College of Pharmacists of BC and the standards set by the Canadian Council for Accreditation of Pharmacy Programs.
The Curriculum
Professional Year 1 (PY1)
PHRM_V 100: Foundations of Pharmacy
PHRM_V 111: Medication Management I
PHRM_V 131: Study Design and Interpretation I
PHRM_V 141: Seminar: Pharmacists in Practice I
PHRM_V 161: Technology in Healthcare
PHRM_V 171: Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience – Outpatient I (4 weeks)
Professional Year 2 (PY2)
PHRM_V 211: Medication Management II
PHRM_V 212: Medication Management III
PHRM_V 221: Nutrition for Pharmacists
PHRM_V 231: Study Design and Interpretation II
PHRM_V 241: Seminar: Pharmacists in Practice II
PHRM_V 251: Institutional Practice Skills
PHRM_V 252: Clinical Skills: Administration of Injections
PHRM_V 261: Indigenous Health and Cultural Safety
PHRM_V 270: Community Service Learning II
PHRM_V 271: Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience – Outpatient II
PHRM_V 272: Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience – Inpatient
Professional Year 3 (PY3)
PHRM_V 311: Medication Management IV
PHRM_V 312: Medication Management V
PHRM_V 341: Seminar: Pharmacists in Practice III
PHRM_V 351: Practice Management and Leadership
PHRM_V 371: Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience – Outpatient III
Pharmacy Approved Electives (9 credits)
Professional Year 4 (PY4)
PHRM_V 441: Seminar: Advanced Topics in Pharmacy Practice (online)
PHRM_V 471: Outpatient Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience
PHRM_V 472: Inpatient and Health-Authority Based Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience
PHRM_V 473: Selected Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience
PHRM_V 481: Healthcare Quality Improvement (online)
*Courses taken prior to entry to the program and repeat courses will not be credited toward elective requirements.
Practicum Courses
The program provides students with 42 weeks of experiential learning through practicum rotations. Practicums take place in a variety of experiential education sites including, but not limited to, inpatient and outpatient pharmacy practice settings, governmental agencies and institutions, manufacturers in the pharmaceutical industry, academic institutions, and selected pharmacy organizations. During practicums, students are able to apply their acquired knowledge and skills to real-world work environments.
Students should expect to be placed at practicum sites anywhere throughout British Columbia and to include the travel and accommodation costs for all practicum experiences in estimating their total program-related expenses.
Interprofessional Education
Throughout the program, students take part in a series of interprofessional learning activities to gain a deeper understanding of collaborative, team-based, and patient-centered approaches to healthcare delivery. Students must meet the interprofessional education requirements of the program, which include activities embedded in the program’s required courses and Program Enrichment Activity Days (PEADs).
Tuition Fees and Finances
Tuition Fees
For the most complete and up-to-date breakdown of tuition and practice fees, click here. The Entry-to-Practice PharmD tuition fee rate is listed in the sub-section: Tuition Fees > Undergraduate > Specialized Undergraduate.
Additional costs associated with the program may include but are not limited to, Student Health and Immunization Review Fee, living costs, practicum placement costs, possible travel to practicum placements, and course materials. We recommend speaking with an Enrolment Services Advisor to review questions related to student finances for this program. Please visit this link for more information and contact information for Enrolment Services.
Tuition fees are reviewed and approved by the Board of Governors annually and are subject to increase.
Student Finances
Visit the UBC Enrolment Services website for details on financial support.
You'll also find detailed information on our tuition costs, fees for books and supplies, and living costs here.