PharmD Online: A Remote Pharmacy Education on the Rise

Published on: Nov 6, 2022
By: Jim Herbst, PharmD, BCPPS

An Introduction to the Online PharmD

The Online PharmD or Distance Learning Pathway is a relatively new concept in pharmacy school education. Less than 5% of programs currently offer a distance learning pathway. Traditionally, pharmacy school education has taken place in the classroom, laboratory, or pharmacy practice experiences (pharmacy rotations). Over the last ten years, technology has allowed lectures to be recorded, watched, or listened to after the scheduled lecture. This quickly transitioned to live-streaming of lecturers so that students could watch and interact in real-time.

This advancement allowed for the engagement of a live in-person lecture to be preserved in an online at-home setting. In-lecture quizzes and knowledge checks could be completed in person within a lecture hall and at home through the university’s online learning platform. Eventually, some pharmacy schools adopted a fully immersive distance learning pathway to supplement the traditional learning pathway.

In the distance learning pathway, the pharmacy laboratory component and the intermediate (IPPE) and advanced pharmacy practice experiences (APPE) are still completed in person, similar to traditional pharmacy school programs. However, in the new concept of the “distance learning” pathway, only the didactic portion of the curriculum is completed online.

PharmD Online: An Alternative Path

The online alternative to campus-based learning allows the pharmacy student to pursue a PharmD degree while leveraging the latest distance education technology. All the distance learning programs cover the required material recommended by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education. The advantage for learners is that these programs are flexible enough to accommodate the unique life demands of the distance learning student.

The distance learning programs remove the barrier of relocation, which is often an insurmountable obstacle for those with a lower socioeconomic status, those with families, or those with spouses whose job relocation is either not possible or not feasible. The distance learning or online PharmD program is an excellent opportunity to expand pharmacy education opportunities to new communities and audiences.

Currently, seven programs offer either an online PharmD degree or a distance learning pathway in conjunction with a more traditional PharmD pathway. These programs may provide unique benefits to self-motivated learners or to students who are not located within proximity to a pharmacy program.

Online PharmD and Distance Learning Program Comparison

School	Associated with Academic Medical Center	Baccalaureate Degree Requirement	Minimum Overall GPA	PCAT Requirement
Butler University	No	Required	3.0	Not Required or considered
Creighton University	Yes	Not Required	N/A	Optional
Duquesne University	No	Not Required	2.5	Optional
LECOM	Yes	Not Required	N/A	Optional
Manchester University	No	Not Required	2.5	Optional
St. John Fisher University	No	Not Required	2.75	Optional
Western New England University	No	Not Required	N/A	Optional

The Online PharmD Programs

Butler University Doctor of Pharmacy Online Pathway

Program Location: Indianapolis, Indiana

Program Website: https://online.butler.edu/doctor-of-pharmacy-pharmd

How to Get In?

Bachelor’s Degree is REQUIRED
Application Method: PharmCAS
GPA Needed: ~3.0
Prerequisite GPA Needed: ~2.8

Prerequisite Coursework Needed:

General Chemistry (with lab): 2 semesters
Organic Chemistry (with lab): 2 semesters
Anatomy and Physiology (with or without lab): 2 semesters
Biological Science/Cell Biology (with or without lab): 1 semester
Microbiology (with lab): 1 semester
Math (Calculus and Analytical Geometry): 1 semester

PCAT: Not required or considered

Letters of Reference: Not required

Interview: Required (online available)

How much will this degree cost?

>$40,000 per year
>$160,000 over 4 years

Important Deadlines:

Priority Deadline: ~ November
Early Deadline: ~ January
Final Deadline: ~April
First Day of Classes: Late August

After Graduation:

First-Time Naplex Passing Rate: 93-97% (2019-2021)

Fall

Clinical Biochemistry
Pathophysiology
Immunology
Approval to Administration

Spring

Genetics, Genomics, and Biotechnology
Pharmacist Assessment and Immunization
Basic Pharmaceutics*
Professional Development
Self Care & Health Promotion

Summer

Introduction to Principles of Drug Action
Introduction to Healthcare Analytics
Social Justice & Diversity
Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience (160 Community Hours)

*5-day immersive on-campus experience required

Fall

Pharmacy Applications of Biostatistics and Research Design
Self Care & Health Promotion
IPE and Professional Development
Principles of Drug Action
Therapeutics

Spring

Professional Development
Principles of Drug Action
Therapeutics
Introduction to Dosage Forms*

Summer

Entrepreneurship, Leadership, and Management
Advanced Dosage Forms*
Professional Electives
Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience (160 Institutional Hours) | [160 hrs] (Experiential) (1 credit hour tied to IPE RX501 course)

*5-day immersive on-campus experience required

Fall

Professional Development
Therapeutics
Principles of Drug Action
Evidence Based Medicine
Pharmacy, Policy, and the Law

Spring

Introduction to Rotations
Therapeutics & Case Studies
Clinical Pharmacokinetic
Health Outcomes and Pharmacoeconomics

Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (10 rotations, ~160 hours each)

Duquesne University Online PharmD

Program Location: Pittsburgh, PA

Program Website: https://www.duq.edu/academics/schools/pharmacy/online-pharmd

How to Get In?

Bachelor’s Degree is NOT required

Application Method: Not a PharmCAS participating institution-apply directly to the program itself

GPA Needed: 2.5

Prerequisite GPA Needed: 3.0

Prerequisite Coursework needed:

Biology/ Biological Science (with lab): 2 semesters
Chemistry (with lab): 2 semesters
Organic Chemistry (with lab): 2 semesters
Physics: 1 semester
Calculus: 1 semester
Statistics: 1 semester
English Composition/Writing: 1 semester
Theology: 1 semester
Philosophy: 1 semester
Ethics: 1 semester
Economics: 1 semester
Global Diversity: 1 semester
Creative Arts: 1 semester
Computer Science: 1 semester
Psychology: 1 semester
Faith and Reason: 1 semester

PCAT: NOT required

Letters of Reference: NOT required

Interview: Required (online available)

How much will this degree cost?

>$1700/credit hour

Important Deadlines

Priority Deadline: ~July
Final Deadline: ~July
First Day of Classes: ~August/September

After Graduation

First-Time Naplex Passing Rate: 89-98% (2019-2021)

Fall

Pharmaceutical Calculations
Peptides and Carbohydrate Metabolism
Human Physiology and Pathology
Pharmaceutical Principles and Drug Delivery Systems
Pharmaceutical Law and Ethics
Patient Care Skills
The American Health Care System
Ability-Based Laboratory Experience (ABLE)
Continuous Professional Development (CPD)
Doctor of Pharmacy Orientation Program

Spring

Sterile/Non-Sterile Compounding
Metabolism, Protein Synthesis and Nucleic Acids
Human Physiology and Pathology
Pharmaceutical Principles and Drug Delivery Systems
Foundations in Pharmacology and Medicinal Chemistry
Patient Care Skills
Public Health and Epidemiology
ABLE
CPD

Summer

Intro Experiential Education

*Students are required to be on campus for at various times throughout the program for immersive laboratory experiences

Fall

Biomedical Sciences and Therapeutics: Cardiology
Biomedical Sciences and Therapeutics: Infectious Disease
Biomedical Sciences and Therapeutics: Respiratory Disorders
Therapeutic Case Studies
Biopharmaceutics
Drug Literature Evaluations
Self-Care in Pharmacy Practice
ABLE
CPD

Spring

Biomedical Sciences and Therapeutics: Psychiatry and Neurology
Biomedical Sciences and Therapeutics: Infectious Disease
Biomedical Sciences and Therapeutics: Pain, Musculoskeletal and Connective Tissue Disorders
Biomedical Sciences and Therapeutics: Endocrine Disorders
Therapeutic Case Studies
Pharmacokinetics
Pharmaceutical Science and Practice of Immunization
Tobacco Treatment Specialist Training and Certificate Program
ABLE
CPD

Summer

Intro Experiential Education

*Students are required to be on campus for at various times throughout the program for immersive laboratory experiences

Fall

Physical and Clinical Assessment
The Development, Implementation, Management and Evaluation of Pharmacy Services in Current and Future Pharmacy Model
Pharmacy Management Concepts
Biomedical Sciences and Therapeutics: Principles of Hematology, Oncology and Transplantation
Biomedical Sciences & Therapeutics: Gastroenterology
Therapeutic Case Studies
Health Promotion/Disease Prevention & Management
ABLE
CPD

Spring

Management Theory and Application
Advanced Law and Ethics Applications
Biomedical Sciences & Therapeutics: Therapeutics in Special Populations
Biomedical Sciences & Therapeutics: Therapeutics in the Critically Ill
Personalized Therapeutics: Clinical Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacogenomics, Pharmaceutics
Therapeutic Case Studies
Health Promotion/Disease Prevention & Management
ABLE
CPD

*Students are required to be on campus for at various times throughout the program for immersive laboratory experiences

Pharmacist-Patient Care Network Certificate
Required Certificate Training Elective
Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (7 rotations, ~230 hours each)

*Students are required to be on campus for at various times throughout the program for immersive laboratory experiences

Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine Distance Education Pathway

Program Location: Erie, PA and Bradenton, FL

Program Website: https://lecom.edu/pharmacy/sop-pathways/distance-education-pathway/

How to Get In?

Bachelor’s Degree is NOT required
Application Method: PharmCAS
GPA Needed: No minimum although 2.7 or greater preferred
Prerequisite GPA Needed: N/A

Prerequisite Coursework Needed:

Chemistry (with lab): 2 semesters
Organic Chemistry (with lab): 2 semesters
Physics: 1 semester
Math (Calculus or Analytic Geometry with Calculus): 1 semester
Statistics: 1 semester
Economics: 1 semester
Psychology (or sociology or anthropology): 1 semester
English Composition/Writing: 2 semesters
General Electives: 3 semesters

PCAT: Optional

Letters of Reference: Required (2)

Interview: Required (online available)

How much will this degree cost?

>$28000 per year
>$110000 over 4 years

Important Deadlines

Priority Deadline: ~June
Final Deadline: ~June
First Day of Classes: ~Early August

After Graduation

First-Time Naplex Passing Rate: 75-83% (2019-2021)

Fall

Pharmacy Drugs and Healthcare
Biochemistry
Pharmaceutics w/lab*
Physiology and Anatomy
Pharmaceutical Calculations

Spring

*Students are required to be on campus for 1-3 weeks each summer to the Bradenton, FL campus for immersive laboratory experiences

Fall

Intermediate Pharmacy Practice Experience
Basic Pharmacokinetics
Research Methods and Pharmacoepidemiology
Pharmacist Provided Care
Professional Elective

Spring

Fall

Spring

Pharmacy Practice Essentials
Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (6 rotations, 6 weeks each)

Manchester University Distance Pathway

Program Location: Fort Wayne, Indiana

Program Website: https://www.manchester.edu/pharmacy/admissions/distance-pathway

How to Get In?

Bachelor’s Degree is NOT required
Application Method: PharmCAS
GPA Needed: 2.5
Prerequisite GPA Needed: 2.5

Prerequisite Coursework needed:

Chemistry (with lab): 2 semesters
Organic Chemistry (with lab): 2 semesters
Biology/Biological Sciences (with lab): 1 semester
Anatomy and Physiology: 1 semester
Microbiology (with lab): 1 semester
Math (Calculus): 1 semester
Statistics: 1 semester
Economics: 1 semester
Communication: 1 semester
English Composition/Writing: 1 semester
Additional Electives and Coursework: 7 semesters

PCAT: Optional

Letters of Reference: Required (2)

Interview: Required (online available)

How much will this degree cost?

>$40000 per year
>$160000 over 4 years

Important Deadlines

Priority Deadline: ~November
Final Deadline: ~June
First Day of Classes: ~August/September

After Graduation

First-Time Naplex Passing Rate: 78-87% (2019-2021)

Fall

Spring

*Students are required to be on campus for 2 weeks each summer for immersive laboratory experiences

Fall

Integrated Pharmacotherapy (IPT)
Case Conference
Pharmacy Practice Lab*
Healthcare Systems and Patient Safety
Elective**

Spring

*Students are required to be on campus for 2 weeks each summer for immersive laboratory experiences

**5 total credit hours of elective coursework is required

Fall

IPT
Case Conference
Pharmacy Practice Lab*
Practice and Personnel Management
Elective**

Spring

IPT
Case Conference
Capstone & Lab*
Pharmacy Law
Elective**

*Students are required to be on campus for 2 weeks each summer for immersive laboratory experiences

**5 total credit hours of elective coursework is required

Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (10 rotations, 4 weeks each)

St. John Fisher University Online Pathway

Program Location: Rochester, NY

Program Website: https://onlinepharmd.sjfc.edu/

How to Get In?

Bachelor’s Degree is NOT required
Application Method: PharmCAS
GPA Needed: 2.75
Prerequisite GPA Needed: 2.75

Prerequisite Coursework needed:

Chemistry (with lab): 2 semesters
Organic Chemistry (with lab): 2 semesters
Biology/Biological Sciences (with lab): 3 semesters
Math (Calculus): 1 semester
Statistics: 1 semester
Economics: 1 semester
Communication: 1 semester
Physics: 1 semester
English Composition/Writing: 2 semesters
General Electives: 4 semesters

PCAT: Optional

Letters of Reference: Required (2)

Interview: Required (online available)

How much will this degree cost?

>$1100 per credit hour (151 credits needed)
>$160000 over 4 years

Important Deadlines

Priority Deadline: ~February
Final Deadline: ~June
First Day of Classes: ~September

After Graduation

First-Time Naplex Passing Rate: 87-97% (2019-2021)

Fall

Pharmacy Calculations
Pharmaceutics
Systems Pharmacology
Biosystems

Spring

Pharmaceutics
Biosystems
Systems Pharmacology
Introduction to Pharmacy Profession
Introduction to Diversity

Summer

Compounding of Liquid & Solid Preparations*
Federal Pharmacy Law
Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience
Elective
Elective

Fall

Systems Pharmacology
Applied Pathophysiology and Therapeutics
Concepts in Pharmacy Practice
Critical Evaluation of Medical Literature
Population Based Health Care
Introductory Pharmacy Practice

Spring

Concepts in Pharmacy Practice
Applied Pathophysiology and Therapeutics
Critical Evaluation of Medical Literature
Ethics in Primary Practice
Managing Practice and Personnel
Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience

*Students are required to be on campus for several weeks at a time throughout the program for immersive laboratory experiences

Summer

Compounding of Liquid & Solid Preparations*
Federal Pharmacy Law
Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience
Elective
Elective

Fall

Systems Pharmacology
Applied Pathophysiology and Therapeutics
Concepts in Pharmacy Practice
Critical Evaluation of Medical Literature
Population Based Health Care
Introductory Pharmacy Practice

Spring

Concepts in Pharmacy Practice
Applied Pathophysiology and Therapeutics
Critical Evaluation of Medical Literature
Ethics in Primary Practice
Managing Practice and Personnel
Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience

*Students are required to be on campus for several weeks at a time throughout the program for immersive laboratory experiences

Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (7 rotations, 6 weeks each)

Western New England University Distance Program

Program Location: Springfield, MA

Program Website: https://www1.wne.edu/pharmacy-and-health-sciences/academics/pharmd/distance-pathway.cfm

How to Get In?

Bachelor’s Degree is NOT required
Application Method: PharmCAS
GPA Needed: N/A
Prerequisite GPA Needed: 2.7

Prerequisite Coursework needed:

Chemistry (with lab): 2 semesters
Organic Chemistry (with lab): 2 semesters
Biology/Biological Sciences (with lab): 2 semesters
Anatomy and Physiology (with lab): 2 semesters
Microbiology: 1 semester
Math (Calculus): 1 semester
Statistics: 1 semester
English Composition/Writing: 2 semesters
Social/Behavioral Science: 1 semester

PCAT: Optional

Letters of Reference: Required (2)

Interview: Required (online available)

How much will this degree cost?

>$40000 per year
>$160000 over 4 years

Important Deadlines

Priority Deadline: ~October
Final Deadline: ~June
First Day of Classes: ~August/September

After Graduation

First-Time Naplex Passing Rate: 86-92% (2019-2021)

Fall

Intro to Pharmacy and Health Professions
Drug Information and Informatics
Immunology
Biochemistry
Pharmaceutics
Pharmaceutics Lab*
Pharmacy Ethics
Health Care Policy & Delivery
Pharmaceutical Calculations
Professional Development

Spring

Health Care Communications
Pathophysiology
Basic Principles of Genetics and Genomics
Pharmaceutics
Pharmaceutics Lab*
Pharmacy Outcomes
Self Care Therapeutics
Intro to Pharmacy and Health Professions
IPPE Community or Health System
Professional Development

*Students are required to be on campus for 5 one-week session throughout the program for immersive laboratory experiences

Fall

Spring

Renal
Respiratory
Cardiovascular System
Applied Pharmacy Care
Practice Management
Sterile Products Lab*
Literature Evaluation/ Evidence Based Practice
Elective
Professional Development

*Students are required to be on campus for 5 one-week session throughout the program for immersive laboratory experiences

Fall

Spring

Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (6 rotations, 6 weeks each)

Jim Herbst, PharmD, BCPPS

Jim Herbst, PharmD, BCPPS is an advanced patient care pharmacist at a nationally ranked pediatric acute care teaching hospital. Dr Herbst received his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the Ohio State University in 2012. He started his clinical career as an inpatient patient care pharmacist covering the neurology and complex care services, before transitioning to a pediatric neurology ambulatory care clinic in 2019.

Dr Herbst's areas of interest in pediatric neurology include treatment-resistant pediatric epilepsy, infantile spasms, the ketogenic diet, and neuroimmunology. He has published numerous articles in peer-reviewed pharmacy and neurology journals, including Neurology, Epilepsia, and the Journal of the American Pharmacists Association. Dr Herbst is board certified as a pediatric pharmacy specialist.

Opinions and information published by the author here on PharmDDegree.com are of my own and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of my employer.

Education: Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD), The Ohio State University
Knowledge: Advanced Patient Care Pharmacy, Neurology, Epilepsia