Classes will be delivered both asynchronously and synchronously. For asynchronous classes, students do not need to be online attending class at the same time as the on-campus students. The exception to this will be for final exam week in which distance students will be taking exams during weekdays at the same time as campus students. Each week there will be three consistent and scheduled days of asynchronous classes and two days of synchronous activities. Asynchronous days will include class material that can be completed online at any time. Synchronous days will consist of scheduled discussions, faculty office hours, group work, student organization meetings, laboratories, and assessments. Scheduled class and meeting sessions will begin no earlier than 10:00 a.m. ET. WNE believes in the value of face-to-face interactions with students and faculty, connecting with each other to facilitate engagement and inclusion. There will be five 1-2 week-long immersive sessions over the course of the 4-year program in which students will be on-campus.
On-campus housing will be available during immersive sessions at a daily rate. Additional information on costs can be found here. Should on-campus housing be limited due to campus population needs, a list of economical hotels will be provided.
Distance pathway students will be expected on campus at the following times:
On-campus housing will be available during immersive sessions at a daily rate. Should on-campus housing be limited due to campus population needs, a list of economical hotels will be provided.
The curriculum of the distance pathway to the PharmD closely mirrors the campus-based pathway, with the exception of the Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experiences (IPPE) which will take place over the summers between professional years 1 and 2 (PY1-PY2) and professional year 2 and 3 (PY2-PY3). Both pathways include 146 credits over four years consisting of didactic, laboratory, and experiential coursework. Courses will be offered in 15-week fall and spring semesters. Some of the semester coursework will be completed during the immersive campus-based sessions (1-2 weeks long) scheduled in May and January.
We currently have affiliated practice sites for experiential education available in many locations throughout the United States and have the ability to add new affiliations. Students will identify potential sites for clinical experiences by submitting a request for the program to add a clinical site at least six months in advance of rotations. Students in the distance learning pathway will complete 2-4 credits of IPPE (112-224 hours) in a community or health system pharmacy during the summer between PY1 and PY2. During the summer between PY2 and PY3, students will complete 2-4 more credits of IPPE (depending on how many credits are completed during the first summer), which equals 336 total hours (6 credits) for IPPE experiences, with a minimum of 112 hours (2 credits) in a health system pharmacy. Every effort will be made to secure in your area, however if one is not able to be identified you may be required to come to campus.
APPE clinical rotations in the distance pathway will follow the same schedule and requirements as the on-campus pathway (eight 6-week rotations). Students may be required to complete one 6-week experience with WNE faculty.
Housing will be made available for students completing APPEs in the Springfield area. Additional costs will apply.
