Pharm.D. Experiential Education

Experiential education is a major component of the Pharm.D. degree, comprising over 30% of the total curriculum, and is best defined as practical or real-life experience in a variety of pharmacy settings.

Experiential education, often referred to as "rotations," gives you the opportunity to apply knowledge gained in the classroom to a clinical setting. During these experiences you work with practicing pharmacists or faculty members who are commonly referred to as "preceptors."

IPPE and APPE Rotations

There are two levels of experiential education incorporated into the program: Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experiences (IPPE) and Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences (APPE).

The IPPE program, which is comprised of four rotations or blocks, is designed for you to develop fundamental practice skills in your second and third years.

The APPE program, comprised of four core required rotations (community, hospital, internal medicine, and ambulatory care) and three elective rotations, occurring in the fourth year, requires you to apply the concepts you have learned and to demonstrate the skills needed to become a practicing pharmacist.

Schedule of Experiential Rotations

IPPE-I

  • Rotation Type: Outpatient (Community)
  • Time Frame: P2 fall semester
  • Description: 8 hrs/wk x 15 wks (120 hrs total) + 1 hr class/wk
  • Preceptors: Adjunct faculty

IPPE-II

  • Rotation Type: Institutional (Hospital, VA, etc.)
  • Time Frame: Summer between P2 and P3 years
  • Description: 8 hrs/day x 5 days/wk (M-F) x 4 wks (160 hrs)
  • Preceptors: Adjunct faculty

IPPE-III

  • Rotation Type: Long-term Care
  • Time Frame: P3 fall semester
  • Description: 2 hrs/wk x 5 wks (10 hrs total) + 1 hr class/wk
  • Preceptors: Adjunct faculty

IPPE-IV

  • Rotation Type: Introduction to APPE
  • Time Frame: P3 fall semester
  • Description: 2 hrs/wk x 15 wks (30 hrs total) + 1 hr class/wk
  • Preceptors: Full-time faculty

APPE

  • Rotation Type: 4 Core Advanced Rotations + 3 Elective Advanced Rotations (7 total)
  • Time Frame: P4 year
  • Description: 7 six wk rotations, 40 hrs/wk x 6 wks x 7 rotations (1680 hrs total)
  • Preceptors: Full-time and adjunct faculty