2016 Fact Book

64 College of Pharmacy Nova Southeastern University College of Pharmacy, an internationally known leader in pharmacy education and research, with ground-breaking initiatives and visionary curricula, educates future pharmacists and researchers to help people live healthier, better lives. The professional responsibilities of pharmacists are expanding rapidly to meet the demands of a dynamic health care system. Prospective drug use review and the offering of consultation services are now mandatory in all states. Through the provision of pharmaceutical care, an increasing number of pharmacists are involved with comprehensive medication management. As pharmacists move more directly into patient care, the technical functions of prescription dispensing are being carried out by technicians and automated technology, but the ultimate responsibility for what takes place at the drug-patient interface remains with the pharmacist. The College of Pharmacy, accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education, admitted its first class in 1987, becoming the first college of pharmacy in South Florida, and has since graduated more than 4,500 pharmacists. The entry-level Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) is awarded after successful completion of four years of professional study in the college and can be completed at the Fort Lauderdale/Davie Campus, the Palm Beach Campus, or at the Puerto Rico Regional Campus. The curriculum stresses innovative delivery and assessment methods and is designed so that courses integrate information and build on one another to provide students with skills and the knowledge to be successful in the profession. The first two years build a foundation in the medical and pharmaceutical sciences. Third- year courses focus on application of material learned, the use of drugs in the disease process, and developing skills essential to monitoring drug therapy. The final year of the Pharm.D. curriculum is composed of full- time pharmacy practice experiences where students gain additional experience in the diverse areas of pharmacy practice, including patient care management, clinical pharmacy, medication therapy management, and pharmacy administration. In an effort to meet the growing demands of the pharmacy profession, the college developed a program of study leading to the Pharm.D. degree for international pharmacy graduates. This program is designed exclusively for graduates of pharmacy degree programs outside of the United States jurisdiction, allowing them to build upon their pharmacy education and prepare them for clinical pharmacy practice. The advanced standing program integrates students into the entry-level Pharm.D. curriculum, with all students achieving the same learning outcomes. Courses integrate information and build on one another to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to be successful in the profession. All lectures, handouts, reading materials, and exams are in English and prepare students for the North American Pharmacist Licensing Examination (NAPLEX) and the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination (MPJE). Effective in fall 2016, the college will offer a two-year Master of Science (M.S.) in Pharmaceutical Affairs at the Miami Campus. The degree will prepare students for positions in academia, contract research organizations, managed care organizations, health care systems, and governmental and nongovernmental agencies, as well as managerial or sales positions in the pharmaceutical industry. Graduates will be able to critically analyze issues related to the production and use of pharmaceuticals and act as leaders in the field. The M.S. in Pharmaceutical Affairs will also act as a bridge for students interested in additional preparation prior to pursuing a Pharm.D. or Ph.D. degree. The College of Pharmacy offers a unique program of graduate study and research leading to the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Pharmaceutical Sciences. Students are able to choose from one of three sequences: (1) Social and Administrative Pharmacy, (2) Molecular Medicine and Pharmacogenomics, or (3) Drug Development (Pharmaceutics). The social and administrative pharmacy sequence focuses on coursework and research skills that address the dynamic and complex nature of the use and distribution of pharmaceutical products and the provision of pharmacy services. Students who select this sequence are expected to choose one of two tracks: