Experiential Education FAQ

As of February 2012, the Board of Pharmacy no longer requires the extra 500 hours that students must accrue on their own. They will now be able to accrue between their combined IPPE and APPE hours the minimum 1,500 hours required to sit for the Massachusetts State Pharmacy Licensure Exam. 

Intern Hours Requirement

Preceptors serve as role models for professional and ethical behavior for learners and demonstrate the highest ideals of the profession.

The preceptor will be helping you apply classroom knowledge to real-life situations in patient care settings and facilitating the development of your critical thinking skills.

You will need to complete your HIPAA training and have your immunizations up to date. In addition, you will need to make sure that you have a portfolio containing the following: active state intern license; current immunizations; HIPAA training; bloodborne pathogen; first-aid training; and current CPR certification. Other certificates and/or clearances and/or tests may also be necessary. See the College of Pharmacy Student Handbook for more information.

All learners must work 8 hours per day, one day per week. Any excused or unexcused absences must be made up in order to meet curricular requirements. Students will plan to attend their rotations for the entire semester with the exception of any required on-campus activities.

Learners must obtain prior approval from their preceptor and the Office of Experiential Affairs for any absence. If prior approval is not obtained, the absence will be considered unexcused. The learner must make arrangements with the preceptor to make up the time missed.

Preceptors serve as role models for professional and ethical behavior for learners and demonstrate the highest ideals of the profession.

The preceptor will be helping you apply classroom knowledge to real life situations in patient care settings and facilitating the development of your critical thinking skills.

You will need to complete your HIPAA training and have your immunizations up to date. In addition, you will need to make sure that you have a portfolio containing the following: active state intern license; current immunizations; HIPAA training; bloodborne pathogen; first-aid training; and current CPR certification. Other certificates and/or clearances and/or tests may also be necessary. See the College of Pharmacy Student Handbook for more information.

All learners must work 8 hours per day, five days per week, for 6 weeks (or more). Minimum of 1440 hours during PY4. Students will plan to attend their rotations for the entire semester with the exception of any required on-campus activities.

Learners must obtain prior approval from their preceptor and the Office of Experiential Affairs for any absence. If prior approval is not obtained, the absence will be considered unexcused. The learner must make arrangements with the preceptor to make up the time missed.

1. The satisfaction of helping to educate future pharmacists
2. Well-prepared learners
3. Preceptor training resources

1. Complete the preceptor bio form application and submit it to the Office of Experiential Affairs
2. Be licensed for at least one year in good standing
3. Be actively employed in an institution or community setting

1. The IPPE rotations are scheduled in the fall and the spring semesters of the calendar year. The APPE rotations are conducted year-round.
2. You will be contacted by the Office of Experiential Affairs for availability prior to each rotation. Once you have communicated your availability, you will be scheduled through Rx Preceptor.
3. Learners are asked to contact their preceptors two weeks in advance of the rotation. Please communicate any details and requirements at this time.

Rx Preceptor is our web-based health care education management tool. All preceptors and learners will utilize Rx Preceptor to manage various rotation evaluations. Preceptors will be asked to submit mid-point and final evaluations for each rotation using the appropriate form on Rx Preceptor.