Nontraditional Doctor of Pharmacy Degree Program Curriculum

The recommended course work totals 50 credits; 20 credits for didactic courses and 30 credits for clinical clerkships. Waivers for up to nine didactic credits and 20 clerkship clerkship credits may be made made based on student's professional practice portfolio or testing out of didactic courses.

A student may request a waiver of up to 10 didactic credits. Such waivers will be granted upon successful completion of a comprehensive examination.

Clinical experiences (clerkships) may be taken full-time or part-time at a minimum of 10 hours per week. Clerkships may be completed at the student's practice site if adequate access to patients is available. All students entering the program after July 1, 2007 are required to successfully complete clerkships in community practice, hospital practice, ambulatory care, acute care/general medicine and two elective clerkships. Credit may be awarded for work experience in these areas.

You should complete a Request for Approval of Clerkship Plan for each rotation you arrange and submit it to us at least eight weeks before you begin your clerkship so that the appropriate review and approval may be obtained. Submit the completed form to:

Jeffrey C. Delafuente, M.S., FCCP, FASCP
Virginia Commonwealth University
School of Pharmacy
Office of Admissions and Student Services
P.O. Box 980581
410 N. 12th Street
Richmond, VA 23298-0581

A student may request a waiver of up to 20 clerkship credits by presenting a portfolio of professional practice experiences. The Portfolio Review Committee will examine the portfolio and determine if any waiver of clerkship credit will be granted. Additional information on this process my be found under the drop-down menu Portfolio.