Prepare for the cutting edge of pharmacy practice with a four-year Doctor of Pharmacy
(PharmD) degree from Wilkes University’s Nesbitt School of Pharmacy. Be an innovator
who creates the future of pharmacy practice.
If you are applying as a graduate student directly to the Professional Pharmacy program,
please apply via the PharmCAS application:
Note: This application is not for high school students interested in applying to Wilkes University's Nesbitt School of Pharmacy. If you
are a high school student, please see the Pre-Pharmacy Guaranteed Seat Program and apply via the undergraduate application.
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.
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.
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
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
92%
of Wilkes graduates in the Class of 2023 had employment or residency secured at the
time of graduation
up to 80
First year undergraduate students accepted each year into the Pre-Pharmacy Guaranteed
Seat Program
96%
match rate for the Class of 2024 exceeding the national match rate
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).
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 may 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).
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).
The Nesbitt School of Pharmacy designed the Doctor of Pharmacy curriculum to educate
students on a holistic, individualized and equitable approach to healthcare provision,
blending evidence-based and patient-centered considerations for medication therapy
management.
We recognize interprofessional collaboration as an integral part of upholding high
standards of patient care. Meaningful connections between faculty, students and staff
in the School of Pharmacy facilitate personal and professional growth and development
to create positive change in the community and profession of pharmacy.
As faculty, students and staff we value:
Teamwork
The School of Pharmacy develops teamwork skills through intentional integration of
team activities in pharmacy care labs and other foundational courses throughout their
didactic education. Students also work with students from other health professions
outside the School of Pharmacy to develop interprofessional skills. Faculty embrace
teamwork and collegial relationships with one another in an effort to integrate the
disciplines of the foundational sciences, social and behavioral sciences, and practice.
Leadership
Leadership is an important professional skill. Students are trained in conflict resolution,
building effective teams and managing team dynamics. The School of Pharmacy encourages
membership in professional organizations. Faculty lead by example, serving in leadership
roles in diverse state and national professional pharmacy organizations.
Professionalism
Members of the School of Pharmacy hold ourselves and others to high professional standards.
We model and instill these attitudes and behaviors throughout our students’ pharmacy
education in and out of the classroom.
Community Service and Engagement
The strength of our community is directly linked to the strength of our school and
profession. Likewise, our service to the community directly impacts its citizens.
We respect and promote this mutually beneficial relationship through the involvement
of faculty, students and staff in community service.
Meaningful Relationships Between Students and Faculty
Students work directly with faculty as colleagues on experiential rotations. We intentionally
design co-curricular activities to fortify skills students learn in the classroom.
In the didactic setting, students and faculty form close professional bonds facilitated
by small class size. In the research setting, faculty mentor students directly in
the discovery of knowledge. We maintain a student-centered culture, with mentorship
and accessibility of faculty as high priorities.
Meaningful Relationships Between the School and the Workforce
Students work directly with faculty as colleagues on experiential rotations. We intentionally
design co-curricular activities to fortify skills students learn in the classroom.
In the didactic setting, students and faculty form close professional bonds facilitated
by small class size. In the research setting, faculty mentor students directly in
the discovery of knowledge. We maintain a student-centered culture, with mentorship
and accessibility of faculty as high priorities.
The Scientific Foundation of Medications
Individualized therapeutic recommendations require application of knowledge in the
foundational sciences. In recognition of this, we emphasize pharmacodynamics, physiology
and pathophysiology as components to rational decision-making, particularly when clinical
guidelines are not applicable to a specific patient scenario. Moreover, pharmacists
serve as the most accessible healthcare providers and have a duty to educate the public
on the scientific basis of vaccines and medications.
Evidence-Based Therapeutic Interventions
Information mastery is threaded throughout our curriculum. Our faculty promote critical
evaluation of clinical trial methodology and statistical rigor and an objective approach
to choosing therapy. We equip our students to interpret clinical guidelines in a race-conscious
manner.
Critical Thinking
Optimal therapeutic recommendations require integration of several factors, including
foundational sciences, clinical sciences and social and behavioral aspects. We educate
students to formulate therapeutic decisions, employing critical thinking using these
factors.
Technology
Technology for teaching and learning is continuously evolving. The School of Pharmacy
fully embraces tools for optimizing content delivery and assessment and strategically
integrates these tools into the curriculum. Likewise, through the required curriculum,
we intentionally introduce students to rapidly evolving technology in healthcare.
Patient Individuality and Autonomy
Recognizing that patients bear cultural, religious and socioeconomic differences,
we train students to respect and integrate patient-centered factors into their therapeutic
recommendations.
Wellness
Mental and physical well-being are not merely direct determinants of our capacity
to teach and learn, but are fundamental goals in and of themselves. We value the wellness
of each student, staff and faculty member of the School of Pharmacy.
