Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) Program

Prepare for the cutting edge of pharmacy practice with a four-year Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Wilkes University’s Nesbitt School of Pharmacy. Be an innovator who creates the future of pharmacy practice.

Apply to the PharmD Program

Program Snapshot

Program Type Format Credit Hours
Graduate On Campus 139-143

Why Study Pharmacy at Wilkes?

In Wilkes University’s Nesbitt School of Pharmacy, you’ll join a close-knit “pharmily” of professionals passionate about improving patient care in a range of pharmacy settings. Our small class size ensures personalized attention with an emphasis on hands-on clinical training, new technologies, research and communication.

Real-world experiences begin as early as the first year, starting in community practice and followed by working with prescribers and clinical faculty in hospital pharmacy and telepharmacy. You may supplement your degree with a concentration, like Spanish or Public Health, or capitalize on the opportunity to hone business skills in a dual PharmD/MBA program.

Our graduates routinely exceed the national average pass rate on licensure exams. The Nesbitt School also matches student pharmacists seeking competitive post-graduate residency training at a higher rate than the national average.

Curriculum     Admission Requirements

What Will You Learn?

As a PharmD student, you will...
  • Gain a strong foundation in basic sciences, such as pharmaceutics, pharmacology, medicinal chemistry, anatomy and physiology.
  • Acquire clinical knowledge in therapeutics, pharmacokinetics, and pathophysiology.
  • Develop skills in physical assessment, patient counseling and clinical decision-making.
  • Understand how psychology, sociology, economics, health policy and management impact successful practice.
  • Cultivate interpersonal skills to communicate effectively and function in a team environment.
  • Learn how to provide high-quality health care and make meaningful contributions to the science and practice of pharmacy.

Program Highlights

Close-Knit Community

Join our “pharmily” of students passionate about providing patient care and involved in all aspects of campus life.

White Coat Ceremony

Receive your traditional white coat during this ceremonial program to mark your shift from preclinical to clinical study and practice.

Dual-Degree PharmD/MBA

The PharmD/MBA dual degree option gives you the expertise to work in a management-level position in a variety of health care settings.

Ponce

My favorite aspect of Wilkes University is the supportive faculty and family-like learning environment. I also felt as though I was supported with whatever I wanted to do in addition to being pushed to become the best that I can be.

Alex Ponce '19 - PharmD
Morcom

I feel more than prepared to work each day as a pharmacist and leader with the U.S. Air Force because of the values instilled within by the faculty and staff at Wilkes.

Cody Morcom '20 - PharmD

Wilkes provided me with so many opportunities to turn me into a well-rounded pharmacist and person. I was able to stay heavily involved in activities within and outside of pharmacy school. It is a very close-knit community, and my professors were always there when I needed help.

Lauren Hertzog '20 - PharmD
>90%

first-time NAPLEX (licensure) pass rate, consistently exceeding the national average

Up to 80

freshman accepted each year into the Pre-Pharmacy Guaranteed Seat Program

100%

MPJE pass rate for Wilkes PharmD grads taking the Pennsylvania exam

Nesbitt School of Pharmacy Pass Rates Exceed National Averages

Graduates from the Wilkes University Nesbitt School of Pharmacy achieved a pass rate that exceeds the national average on the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX) and the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination (MPJE).

Nesbitt

Careers & Outcomes

Pharmacists are trusted medication experts that work to better the health of their communities. PharmD graduates work in pharmacies, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, government agencies, research centers and outpatient care facilities. Below are examples of job titles, employers and post-graduate residency positions secured by recent graduates of our PharmD program.

Job Titles

  • Clinical Pharmacist
  • Ambulatory Care Pharmacist
  • Chemotherapy Pharmacist
  • Community Pharmacy Owner
  • Pediatric Pharmacist
  • Poison Control Expert
  • Industry Pharmacist

Employers

  • CVS
  • Geisinger Health System
  • Lehigh Valley Health Network
  • Sanofi
  • U.S. Air Force
  • Walgreens
  • Weis Markets

Post-Graduate Residencies

  • WellSpan
  • VA Medical Center
  • Geisinger Health System
  • VCU Health System
  • Temple University Health System
  • Yale New Haven Hospital
  • Highmark

Who Will Be Considered

Professional Applicants seek direct admission to the Doctor of Pharmacy Professional Program.

This includes applicants who:

  • Already have a bachelor’s degree from U.S. accredited institution.
  • Have completed, or have in progress, the required coursework at Wilkes or another university.
  • Are currently enrolled in Wilkes University's pre-pharmacy parallel track.
  • Are interested in applying as a transfer applicant to the Nesbitt School of Pharmacy.

A completed application is composed of all of the below:

  • A completed online application.
  • Submission of prerequisite course document.
  • General Education requirements document (if you have not previously earned a bachelor’s degree).
  • All official transcripts.
  • A Statement of Purpose.
  • Three (3) Recommendations.

High school students expected to graduate in the spring/summer, or high school graduates who have not enrolled in a two- or four-year college or university, may apply to the six-year Pre-Pharmacy Guaranteed Seat Program (PPGS).

Apply to the Guaranteed Seat Program

If you have any additional questions regarding the application process, please contact:

Angela Ciucci

Coordinator of Admissions & Student Affairs, Nesbitt School of Pharmacy
570-408-4298
angela.ciucci@wilkes.edu