About the School of Pharmacy

The University of Washington School of Pharmacy is proud of its strong commitment to excellence and the recognition given to its faculty, students and graduates for their outstanding educational, research and service activities. The School’s Doctor of Pharmacy Program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE).

The UW School of Pharmacy, established in 1894 as the 51st school of pharmacy in the United States, has the primary mission to prepare graduates for entry into a life-long career in the profession of pharmacy as providers of pharmaceutical care, defined as healthcare services and health promotion and disease prevention activities to insure that medications are used safely, effectively and in a cost-efficient manner to improve a patient’s well being and quality of life. Because the provision of pharmaceutical care requires knowledge generated from basic and applied research, research is inseparable from the educational mission.

The second mission of the School is to support research and graduate education and to foster the interest of students who seek to engage in research in both its professional and graduate programs.

A third mission is to promote lifelong learning of pharmacists by facilitating opportunities for postgraduate and continuing education.

For a copy of the School of Pharmacy's learning goals, please click here. You will need adobe acrobat reader to view.

National Ranking & Accreditation

The University of Washington School of Pharmacy Doctor of Pharmacy Program is an outstanding program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE). The American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) does not rank the institutions that provide pharmacy education in the US, nor endorse any publication that ranks pharmacy degree programs. AACP further states that the
subjective factors that should go into any ranking system are not adequately addressed by any of the known publications that currently rank schools. Applicants should carefully choose a pharmacy degree program based upon factors that reflect their learning needs, including program content, geographic location, faculty, facilities, experiential training opportunities, class size, student demographics, extra-curricular opportunities and cost. Potential applicants can utilize the “Search and Compare US Pharmacy Degree Programs” tool on the AACP website.

University of Washington’s Doctor of Pharmacy program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education, 311 West Superior Street, Suite 512, Chicago, IL 60610, 312–664– 3575, 1–800–533–3606; FAX 312–664–4652. ACPE standards may be viewed at: www.acpe-accredit.org. Questions regarding these standards may be directed to the Office of Academic and Student Programs at the University of Washington School of Pharmacy or the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education.

Licensing Examinations

Individuals who wish to practice pharmacy in the United States must earn a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree from an accredited college or school of pharmacy, complete state-specific required internship hours, meet other licensing requirements and pass licensing examinations. Washington State uses the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX) to test knowledge, skills and judgment as an entry-level pharmacist and the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination (MPJE) to test knowledge and judgment on both federal and state laws and rules.

Information about the NAPLEX and MPJE can be found on the website of the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) at or by contacting NABP at custserv@nabp.net or via 1-847-391-4406.

The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy notified the School that in 2007, University of Washington School of Pharmacy Doctor of Pharmacy graduates achieved a pass rate of 93.8% on the NAPLEX and 93.8% on the MPJE as first-time candidates.

Entry-Level PharmD Program

The Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree is the only professional degree in pharmacy accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), the national pharmacy accrediting agency.

The University of Washington School of Pharmacy offers a four-year program leading to the entry-level Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree. The curriculum of the PharmD Program is designed to provide students with the scientific background and clinical skills necessary to take the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX) and the Multistate Pharmacy Jurispudence Examination (MPJE) to enter professional practice.

The limited class enrollment allows for individualized attention from instructors while still enjoying the benefits of attending a large university. Instructional methods emphasize the critical thinking, problem-solving and clinical skills necessary to: provide rational drug therapy, reduce medication-related problems, promote healthy lifestyles and disease prevention, optimize health outcomes, enhance patient adherence and render care in a changing health care system . The School aspires to foster a commitment to life-long learning and provide an environment where students develop the knowledge, attitudes and skills consistent with the profession’s high standards.

Concurrent Degree Opportunities

The goal of the accelerated concurrent degree program is to attract outstanding students who are committed to earning the PharmD degree and a PhD degree in either Pharmaceutics or Medicinal Chemistry or a PharmD degree and a MS degree in Pharmaceutical Outcomes, Research and Policy. These students are equipped to enter academic careers that require competence in both teaching and research. Graduates of a concurrent degree program will possess the breadth and depth of knowledge necessary to work with colleagues across multiple disciplines essential to performing integrated and translational medical and pharmaceutical research.

PharmD and PhD in Pharmaceutics (extended program)
This program provides graduate training in pharmaceutics concurrent with clinical training in the PharmD Program. Graduates of this dual degree program are qualified to conduct research in drug formulation, delivery and disposition, drug interactions and related areas within the pharmaceutical industry or in academic research. Drug interactions and Pharmacogenetics are a focus of the Department of Pharmaceutics.

PharmD and PhD in Medicinal Chemistry (extended program)
This program provides graduate training in medicinal chemistry concurrent with clinical training in the PharmD Program. Graduates of this dual degree program are qualified to conduct research within the pharmaceutical industry or in academic science. Research includes a broad spectrum of activities including studies pursuant to investigations of the interactions of both drugs and toxic substances with biological systems, and the relationship of chemical structure and dynamics to biological effect and function. Drug metabolism is a focus of the Department of Medicinal Chemistry.

PharmD and MS in Pharmaceutical Outcomes, Research and Policy (extended program)
This program provides graduate training in pharmaceutical outcomes research and policy concurrent with clinical training in the PharmD Program. Graduates of this dual degree program provide pharmacoepidemiologic, pharmacoeconomic and policy information, through research and scholarship, to government, the pharmaceutical and medical device industry, and managed care organizations.

Certificate Opportunities Available to PharmD Students

Students may take selected courses as electives or complete the entire program series to earn a certificate concurrently with their PharmD degree. During their tenure in the PharmD Program, students will be provided with information about these certificate opportunities.

Biomedical and Regulatory Affairs
(Sponsored by the School of Pharmacy and the School of Law)
This program is designed for individuals seeking an introductory or expanded understanding of regulatory affairs for the drug and medical device industry, and for others seeking training positions in the field. Program participants gain a comprehensive overview of the know-ledge and skills necessary to be an effective regulatory affairs and compliance specialist. Such specialists oversee the design, development, testing and production of drugs, biotechnology-derived therapeutics, or medical devices.

Student Involvement: A Positive Impact on the Community

UW PharmD students are involved in a wide variety of projects beyond the world of academics. Students are encouraged to participate in extracurricular activities that prepare them to tackle critical challenges in healthcare. The list below is a small sample of student projects and involvement.

• Health fairs and screenings
• Patient Counseling and Clinical Skills Compeition
• Community Immunization Programs
• Tobacco cessation education
• Attendance and participation at national pharmacy meetings
• Leadership at the local, regional and national levels of pharmacy organizations
• Interprofessional alliances and collaborative projects with other Health Sciences students
• Independent research projects with faculty
• Community outreach
• Travel to foreign countries and exposure to underserved and rural health care
• Fundraisers for student travel and other events
• Participation in UW intramural athletics
• Involvement in graduate and professional student organizations
• Social events for students, staff and faculty

Participation in School of Pharmacy Committees and PharmD Student Organizations

Students are invited to serve on a number of School of Pharmacy Committees including:

• Academic and Professional Standards
• Curriculum Committee
• Curriculum Review and Planning Committee
• Advisory Committee on Professionalism
• Student Council
• Pharmacy Alumni Association Board
• PharmD Program Assessment Committee

Unified Professional Pharmacy Organizations of Washington (UPPOW)
UPPOW includes membership to the Washington State Pharmacy Association, the American Pharmacists Association, the American Society of Health System Pharmacists, and the National Community Pharmacists Association. Students have the opportunity to explore career options, participate in community outreach and legislative activities, attend continuing education seminars, craft initiatives with students from other schools of pharmacy and meet pharmacy leaders from around the country.

Kappa Psi
Kappa Psi is the third largest pharmacy organization in America. The Beta Omicron Chapter at the UW School of Pharmacy offers its members many opportunities to participate in professional and community service activities.

Rho Chi Society
The Rho Chi Society, encourages and recognizes excellence in intellectual achievement and fosters fellowship among its members. Further, the Society encourages high standards of conduct and character, and advocates critical inquiry in all aspects of pharmacy.

Phi Lambda Sigma
Phi Lambda Sigma promotes the development of service and leadership qualities in the advancement of pharmacy.

Lambda Kappa Sigma
LKS is an international professional pharmacy fraternity that promotes the cultural, social, intellectual and professional development among its members. Emphasis is placed on women’s health issues.

Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP)
The mission of the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy is to empower its members to serve society by using sound medication management principles and strategies to achieve positive patient outcomes.

American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP)
The American Society of Consultant Pharmacists is the international professional association that provides leadership, education, advocacy and resources to advance the practice of consultant and senior care pharmacy.