Established in 1894, the University of Washington 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 is a member of the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy, and its programs are accredited by the American Council on Pharmaceutical Education.
The School of Pharmacy is part of the Magnuson Health Sciences Center, which includes the Schools of Medicine, Dentistry, Social Work, Nursing, and Public Health and Community Medicine, as well as the University of Washington Medical Center, Harborview Medical Center, five interdisciplinary research centers and the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. The School also contributes to interdisciplinary training programs in the Pharmacological Sciences, Biomolecular Structure and Design, Public Health Genetics, the Health Sciences Interdisciplinary Partnerships in Clinical Education, the Center for Nanotechnology and the Graduate Program in Biomedical and Health Informatics. The School’s location in the Seattle metropolitan area offers students a wide variety of choices for clinical rotations. Students also appreciate the diverse academic, cultural and recreational opportunities associated with the University of Washington, Seattle, and the Pacific Northwest region.
CURRICULUM
The School of Pharmacy offers a four-year program leading to the Doctor of Pharmacy degree. The curriculum is designed to provide students with the scientific background and clinical skills necessary to ensure the safe and effective use of medications in a variety of settings. Instructional emphasis is directed toward enhancing the critical thinking and problem-solving skills necessary to provide rational drug therapy, promote healthy lifestyles and disease prevention, enhance patient compliance, reduce medication-related problems and improve health outcomes. The limited class enrollment allows for individualized attention from instructors while still enjoying the benefits of attending a large university. 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.
Strong alliances with other Health Sciences Schools at the University of Washington provide exciting opportunities for collaborative partnerships. Innovative student projects have arisen from a shared commitment to improve access to health care, reduce disparities and optimize health outcomes in the community.
As a continuing education center for pharmacists, the School operates, among other programs, a Geriatric Pharmacy Practice Certificate Program that provides advanced instruction in the care and management of medication for older adults.
To foster the interest of students who seek to engage in creative discovery and research, the School also offers PhD graduate programs in Pharmaceutics, a MS and PhD Program in Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy (PORPP) through the CHOICE (Comparative Health Outcomes, Policy and Economics) institute, a PharmD/Physician’s Assistant Degree (PharmD/PA), PharmD/MBA and a Master of Science in Biomedical Regulatory Affairs (BRAMS).
Minimum GPA and PCAT standards for interview consideration are established each year. In addition to academic preparedness, a number of other factors are considered to determine an applicant’s aptitude for the program. Applicants are evaluated on specific domains: curiosity; resiliency, flexibility and adaptability; problem solving and decision-making skills, resourcefulness; collaborative/advocacy/leadership potential and communication skills. These factors may also include motivation, a social awareness and knowledge of the pharmacy profession, effective oral and written communication skills, critical-thinking ability, maturity, integrity, leadership, and compassion for others.