Pacific University Plans New Extended Doctor of Pharmacy Pathway for Working Professionals

The Pacific University School of Pharmacy plans to launch a five-year on-campus pathway to a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree — the first of its kind.

Designed to make a pharmacy career more accessible to busy learners, the program is slated to start in Fall 2023, pending accreditation approval. Applications are now open for Fall 2023.

Since 2006, the Pacific University School of Pharmacy has offered the only accelerated three-year PharmD program in the Pacific Northwest, allowing students to get a jump-start on their careers as pharmacists one year earlier than those in traditional programs.

The new extended five-year program is intended to offer a different pathway for students who need to balance school with work or family demands. The total cost is the same for both the three- and five-year PharmD pathways.

In the five-year pathway, learners will take classes on the Hillsboro Campus, with reduced course loads during the fall and spring semesters and free summers. The intent is that learners would be able to continue working at least part time, which may be especially helpful for pharmacy technicians or other working professionals looking to advance their careers or to offset the cost of their education.

Pacific’s PharmD curriculum focuses on patient care and clinical practice, though students also are able to take part in research rotations, a formal research track, or an additional Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Science.

Admission is now open to begin the three- or five-year program in Fall 2023. Learn more about earning a Doctor of Pharmacy from Pacific University at pacificu.edu/pharmacy.