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Administration

Michael D. Hogue, Acting Dean, Chair, Pharmacy Practice, Associate Professor
Michael G. Kendrach, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Professor
Renee DeHart, Associate Dean for Student Affairs, Professor
Bruce A. Waldrop, Chair, Pharmaceutical, Social and Administrative Sciences, Associate Professor

Faculty

Kimberley W. Benner, Professor
Marshall E. Cates, Professor
Robert P. Henderson, Professor
Roger D. Lander, Professor
Robert M. Riggs, Professor
Charles D. Sands, III, Professor
Pamela J. Sims, Professor
Mary A. Worthington, Professor
Jennifer W. Beall, Associate Professor
Amy E. Broeseker, Associate Professor
Gary W. Bumgarner, Associate Professor
Danielle L. Cruthirds, Associate Professor
B. DeeAnn Dugan, Associate Professor
Maisha Kelly Freeman, Associate Professor
Greg S. Gorman, Associate Professor
Jeffrey A. Kyle, Associate Professor
David R. Luthin, Associate Professor
Katrina Hunter Mintz, Associate Professor
Valerie T. Prince, Associate Professor
Angela D. Thomason, Associate Professor
Paula A. Thompson, Associate Professor
Robert Wang, Associate Professor
Terri M. Wensel, Associate Professor
John J. Arnold, Assistant Professor
Jongwha Chang, Assistant Professor
Erika M. Cretton-Scott, Assistant Professor
Bernadette D’Souza, Assistant Professor
Lindsay Elmore, Assistant Professor
Peter J. Hughes, Assistant Professor
Maryam Iranikhah, Assistant Professor
Andrew J. Lampkins, Assistant Professor
Anna E. Meador, Assistant Professor
Pilar Murphy, Assistant Professor
Patricia B. Naro, Assistant Professor
Ami M. Shell, Assistant Professor
Jessica Skelley, Assistant Professor
Rachel Morgan Slaton, Assistant Professor
Stephen R. Stricker, Assistant Professor
Rachel Hutchins Thomas, Assistant Professor
C. Whitney White, Assistant Professor
Allison Marshall Yates, Assistant Professor

History

The McWhorter School of Pharmacy of Samford University was established January 31, 1927, in Birmingham, Alabama as the Howard College Department of Pharmacy. The Department grew steadily and became the Division of Pharmacy in 1938. Designation as the Samford University School of Pharmacy occurred in 1965 when Howard College reorganized to become Samford University. In 1995, Samford University Trustees authorized naming the school the McWhorter School of Pharmacy in recognition of the generous support of alumnus R. Clayton McWhorter (‘55) and his family. In 2012, the School celebrated its 85th year of operation.

Vision and Mission

The vision of the pharmacy school is to prepare pharmacists who transform lives.

The pharmacy school supports the Joint Commission of Pharmacy Practitioners (JCPP) statement of a unified vision for the future of pharmacy practice that states that “Pharmacists will be the health care professionals responsible for providing patient care that ensures optimal medication therapy outcomes.”

The mission of the Samford University McWhorter School of Pharmacy is to nurture and prepare persons within a Christian environment to be exemplary pharmacists and to improve health worldwide through innovative pharmacy practice, scholarship, and service.

Curriculum Outcome

A doctor of pharmacy graduate from the McWhorter School of Pharmacy is one who is prepared to:

• Render exemplary pharmaceutical care
• Succeed in a postgraduate training or degree program
• Pursue life-long learning
• Advance the practice and profession of pharmacy

McWhorter School of Pharmacy Values

Christian Faith

We value Christian faith, which encompasses:

• Supporting the Christian mission of the university
• Encouraging the exploration of calling in one’s professional and personal life
• Creating an environment that fosters community and acceptance
• Providing opportunities for shaping one’s own spiritual formation

Discovery

We value discovery, which encompasses:

• Acquiring knowledge relating to pharmacy and medication therapy
• Applying knowledge to better patients’ health and lives
• Engaging in teaching and learning that challenges and enlightens
• Conducting research that contributes to the body of knowledge relating to pharmacy and medication therapy
• Fostering creativity and inquisitiveness

Patient Health

We value patient health, which encompasses:

• Caring for the individual patient as well as the population
• Cultivating patient-centered approach to healthcare
• Exhibiting compassionate care for the whole person
• Promoting patient wellness and preventative care
• Advancing pharmacists’ role in the healthcare team
• Advocating use of the most effective healing methods
• Promoting optimal medication use
• Improving care for the underserved

Tradition

We value tradition, which encompasses:

• Providing rigorous academic inquiry in a Christian setting
• Promoting distinction in practice that spans generations of pharmacists since our founding in 1927
• Pursuing excellence in teaching and learning while engaging in quality scholarship and excellence in practice
• Producing accomplished student and alumni leaders in the pharmacy profession and in local communities
• Establishing collaboration with local, national, and international partners
• Recruiting and retaining highly credentialed and qualified faculty

Relationships

We value relationships, which encompass:

• Cultivating caring and respectful faculty-student interactions
• Maintaining involvement with alumni
• Encouraging student connectedness
• Providing a community environment for employees
• Appreciating and supporting external constituents

Achievement

We value achievement, which encompasses:

• Striving for excellence in teaching, learning, service, practice, and scholarship
• Cultivating an environment that encourages personal growth and development
• Maintaining continuous school accreditation through ACPE since our first site visit in 1940
• Graduating pharmacists who consistently exceed national averages on licensure exams
• Promoting life-long learning and an attitude of service to others and the profession

Professionalism

We value professionalism, which encompasses:

• Demonstrating personal integrity
• Accepting responsibility for the quality of individual practice
• Practicing with a commitment to service
• Serving the needs of both the patient and profession
• Exhibiting continuously the ethical, moral, and legal principles of our profession
• Participating in pharmacy organizations to advance the profession

Ability-Based Outcomes

• Communication: The student will demonstrate effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Professionalism: The student will demonstrate professional behavior in all school-related activities.
• Evidence-Based Practice: The student will demonstrate competency in using drug information skills to promote evidence-based practice.
• Practice Management: The student will be able to apply management principles to the practice of pharmacy.
• Critical Thinking: The student will effectively evaluate information and critically think through issues to provide appropriate solutions to drug-related problems.
• Pharmaceutical Care: The student will exercise appropriate clinical judgments to provide optimal pharmaceutical care to patients with common disease states.

Accreditation

The McWhorter School of Pharmacy is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education, 20 North Clark Street, Suite 2500, Chicago, IL, 60602, telephone (312) 664-3575. Web address: www.acpe-accredit.org.

Academic Program and Requirements

Degree

Professional Pharmacy Curriculum, Pharm.D. 

Admission Policies

For the most up-to-date information on admissions policies, please visit our Web site at http://pharmacy.samford.edu.

All communications regarding admission should be directed to the director of external relations and pharmacy admissions in the McWhorter School of Pharmacy (MSOP). Applications are considered on a competitive basis by the MSOP Admissions Committee. The committee meets regularly beginning in January and notifies applicants as decisions are made. No student can be considered for admission to the program until 20 semester credits of core math and science coursework and 45 credits of total coursework have been completed. Applicants must have completed the first course in organic chemistry to be considered. Applicants to the pharmacy school must have a 2.75 grade point average (GPA) overall at the time of application and complete all coursework in the pre-pharmacy curriculum with at least a 2.75 GPA both overall and in required math and science courses to meet admissions standards. A prior baccalaureate degree is preferred. Students with better admissions profiles are given admissions priority. Applicants who are international students, or American citizens who learned English as a second language, must demonstrate satisfactory written and verbal communication skills in English as a part of the admissions process.

For an applicant to be considered for admission, all admission materials must be submitted by February 1. This deadline may be extended if the entering class is not filled. To make application to the MSOP, the applicant must complete the national online application at www.PharmCAS.org. References are processed through PharmCAS. Official transcripts, essay, and PCAT scores are sent to PharmCAS and then forwarded to every pharmacy school the applicant designates. The link to the online supplemental application is located at our Web site: http://pharmacy.samford.edu. The PCAT and ACT or SAT scores are required. The ACT/SAT score should be sent directly to the MSOP and not PharmCAS. Waiver of the ACT/SAT is granted to the applicant who is over 30 years of age, or has English as the applicant’s second language and the applicant did not attend high school in the U.S. (See page four of the supplemental application for more information.) After an applicant is notified of acceptance, but before he or she enrolls in the pharmacy school, official transcripts must be sent directly to Samford University. Applicants are welcome to visit the school while their applications are under consideration. An interview on campus at the applicant’s expense is required for applicants invited for admission consideration.

Final decisions regarding admission are made by May 15. Students may be accepted from a rank-ordered alternate list approved for admission after this date if previously accepted students decline the opportunity to enter the program. Students who are notified of acceptance to the pharmacy school must return a deposit of $450 within a specified period of time to reserve a place in the class. The $450 deposit is not refundable but will apply toward tuition for the first semester in residence.

Students who have been accepted by the MSOP may be denied admission just prior to or at the time of enrollment for: (1) failure to submit final transcripts of all college work completed at another institution, (2) a significant drop in grade point average, (3) failure to meet any academic stipulations set forth in the letter of acceptance, and/or (4) proven behavior that is not well-suited for the responsibilities and privileges embodied in the practice of pharmacy.

After notification of admission to the pharmacy school, students are expected to learn medical terminology on a self-study basis and be prepared for a proficiency examination during the introductory week at the start of the fall semester.

Pre-Pharmacy Curriculum

The doctor of pharmacy degree at Samford University requires a minimum of six years of college work consistent with the standards set by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE). Candidates have the option of enrolling in Samford University for the entire program or completing the pre-pharmacy studies elsewhere and then completing the professional curriculum at Samford. Pre-pharmacy courses equivalent to those listed in the program table may be completed at any accredited junior college, community college, college, or university. Students entering Samford University as freshmen and enrolling in the pre-pharmacy program must follow the Samford pre-pharmacy curriculum, which includes the core curriculum courses unique to Samford University. Students enrolling at other institutions and expecting to transfer to the MSOP should complete the prepharmacy curriculum for transfer students. Pre-pharmacy students at other institutions are encouraged to work closely with the pre-pharmacy or health sciences advisor to assure the courses they take are consistent with the pre-pharmacy curriculum. Students are encouraged to contact the director of external relations and pharmacy admissions at the MSOP for answers to specific questions at (205) 726-2982 or (205) 726-4242. It is the student’s responsibility to satisfy all prerequisite coursework requirements.

The pre-pharmacy curriculum includes courses in the arts, humanities, and sciences in order to provide students with a well-rounded liberal arts education. All pre-pharmacy courses must be completed prior to entry into the MSOP. Applicants holding a B.S. or B.A. degree and who have completed all mathematics and science requirements in the pre-pharmacy curriculum shall only be required to satisfy the speech and statistics requirement.

Veterans, students over 30 years of age, and students with physical disabilities may petition for special consideration concerning physical education requirements. You may also refer to the Transfer Guide from our Web site at http://pharmacy.samford.edu.

A student from an ACPE-accredited college/school of pharmacy may request a transfer into the MSOP. Because of the highly integrated nature of the MSOP curriculum, it may not be possible to grant credit for prior coursework. Please contact the associate dean for academic affairs (205-726-2526) for further information.

Technical Standards for Admission to MSOP

In order to comply and proceed with the mission of MSOP, noted earlier in this section, technical standards for admission are a necessity, which ensures the education of pharmacists who facilitate competent patient care and professional services in all facets of healthcare. Students admitted to MSOP must possess the intellectual, emotional, and physical abilities, with reasonable accommodations as needed for those with disabilities, to acquire the knowledge, behaviors, and skills needed to complete the curriculum. These standards are essential to ensure the competencies of graduates of MSOP. Each applicant to MSOP will be assessed in the academic and technical standards set forth by the admissions committee, notwithstanding reasonable accommodations, prior to matriculation.

The doctor of pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree identifies persons who have completed the curriculum necessary to perform the functions of a pharmacist; thus, graduates must convey and demonstrate abilities to preserve the safety and protection of public interests. Moreover, applicants for the Pharm.D. degree must be able, with or without reasonable accommodations, to perform specific essential functions that the faculty deem requisite for the practice of pharmacy. These functions fall into several categories including: communication, physical abilities, conceptual, interpretative, quantitative, behavioral, and social skills. Applicants must also have the physical and emotional stamina to perform in a competent manner in practice settings that involve heavy workloads and/or stressful stimuli. Furthermore, MSOP has determined that those individuals currently impaired by alcohol or substance abuse cannot meet the technical standards.

1. Communication: Candidates must be able to speak, hear, and observe patients in a practice setting. They must be able to record information accurately and clearly, speak fluent English, and communicate effectively and sensitively with patients. Candidates must also be able to communicate effectively-and accurately-with other members of the healthcare team in oral and written form, and in patient care settings in which decisions based upon those communications must be made rapidly. Students must also be able to both receive and deliver all necessary communication in an accurate, timely, and easily understood manner.
2. Physical Abilities: Candidates must possess sufficient visual, auditory, tactile and motor abilities to allow them to gather data from written reference material, from oral presentations, by observing demonstrations and experiments, by studying various types of medical illustrations, by observing a patient and his/her environment, by observing clinical procedures performed by others, by reading digital or analog representations of physiologic phenomena, and by performing basic physical examination techniques on a patient. Candidates must have sufficient physical function to elicit information from patients by palpation, auscultation, percussion and other diagnostic maneuvers necessary to assess a patient. Candidates must have the physical ability and manual dexterity to compound sterile and non-sterile products in an environment and manner compliant with existing regulations.
3. Interpretative, Conceptual, and Quantitative: Candidates must have effective and efficient learning techniques and habits that allow mastery of the complex curriculum. They must be able to learn through a variety of modalities including, but not limited to, classroom instruction, small group activities, individual study, preparation and presentation of reports, and use of computer technology. They must be able to memorize, measure, calculate, reason, analyze, synthesize, transcribe verbal messages accurately, and interpret written prescriptions accurately. Candidates must possess physical, emotional, and interpretative skills to complete examination and assessment requirements of the program in compliance with the curricular schedule. Candidates must possess like skills to be able to fully assess a patient with regard to physical status, patient communication, and behavior plus patient outward presentation which might be indicative of the patient’s status. Candidates must be able to read, comprehend and respond to serial information related to a medical situation or patient.
4. Behavioral, Social and Emotional Attributes: Candidates must understand the legal and ethical aspects of the practice of pharmacy and function within the guidelines established by the law and by the ethical standards of the pharmacy profession. They must be able to relate to patients and their families, colleagues, and other members of the healthcare team with courtesy, maturity, and respect for the dignity of individuals. This requires that they place the welfare of their patients foremost, and demonstrate honesty, integrity, dedication, compassion and nondiscrimination in the care of their patients. Candidates must, at all times, demonstrate the emotional stability to be able to exercise good judgment, and carry out prompt completion of all responsibilities attendant to the care of their patients in a sensitive and effective manner. This sensitivity includes self-examination of personal attitudes, perceptions, and stereotypes in order to avoid potential negative impact on relationships and patient care. Applicants must be of sufficient emotional health to adapt to changing environments, display flexibility and professional responsibility to their patients, and learn to function in an environment of uncertainty, in which changes may occur rapidly and without warning. Candidates must have sufficient emotional health to perform to standard in all experiential settings and in all acceptable teaching practices. An individual with a diagnosed disability may function as a pharmacy student as long as the above technical standards are fulfilled.
5. Stamina: The study and ongoing practice of pharmacy may involve taxing workloads and stressful situations. A pharmacy student must have the physical and emotional stamina to maintain a high level of function in the face of such working conditions. In the event of a deteriorating behavioral, social or emotional function, it is essential that a pharmacy student be willing to engage in dialogue with MSOP officials as soon as there is evidence that the student is not meeting the technical standards.
   
   A pharmacy student whose actions or decisions pose a danger to self, patients and/or colleagues will not be allowed to continue in the program unless the student agrees to accept professional help under conditions acceptable to MSOP.
   
   Applicants are advised to contact the board of pharmacy of the states in which they intend to practice to be aware of any technical standards of those states which might restrict options to practice pharmacy.

Required Health Data

All MSOP students are required to have health insurance and must register their health insurance via www.studentinsurance.com within two weeks of the first day of class. Students must also be able to provide proof of insurance on demand during any experiential course if requested by the experiential education site. Health insurance data must be kept updated on the student insurance website to avoid disruption of experiential coursework and/or a values violation. Registration of health insurance is required every semester. Changes in coverage during the semester must be entered in the system on a timely basis to insure coverage is accurate and verifiable.

All pharmacy students accepted into the program will receive a McWhorter School of Pharmacy Health Form and Immunization Record. Both forms must be completed and the originals returned to University Health Services before August 1. A duplicate copy of both forms must be provided to the Experiential Program Office of the Department of Pharmacy Practice by July 1. Physical exams for newly admitted students must be conducted within one year of the first day of classes in the P1 year, must be performed by a physician or mid-level provider (nurse practitioner or physician’s assistant), and can only be submitted on the form provided. Immunization history should be comprehensive. Failure to submit both documents to University Health Services within two weeks of the first day of class will result in a $150 fine and a registration hold on the student’s record. Students who fail to submit both forms to the experiential program office of the department of pharmacy practice by the deadline but no later than the first day of class will be unable to begin required experiential coursework and will jeopardize their enrollment in the MSOP.

On an annual basis, documentation of a current physical exam and seasonal flu vaccination must be provided throughout enrollment in pharmacy school. Documentation of the physical exam must be submitted on an Annual Update Form available through the home page of E-Value or from the experiential office. Deadlines for submission of documentation of a seasonal flu vaccination will be set each year by the experiential office via an e-mail based upon CDC guidelines and local availability of vaccine.

The MSOP has the following additional specific requirements related to immunizations and health screenings:

• Tetanus Diphtheria Pertussis (Tdap) - All students are required to be immunized with adult Tdap vaccine due to the risk of transmitting pertussis. Only one dose of Tdap is required as an adult to provide protection from pertussis. Based upon guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for receipt of adult Tdap vaccine, even if you have received a tetanus antigen-containing vaccine (e.g. Td) within the past 10 years, you are required to receive the Tdap vaccine at this time. However, if it has been greater than 10 years since you received the Tdap vaccine you are required to provide documentation that you have received a tetanus booster (Td). Students who provide medical documentation from a physician of current uncontrolled seizure disorders are exempt from this requirement.
• Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) - All students born on or after January 1, 1957 must provide documentation of either a) written documentation of two (2) live measles-antigen containing vaccines given no less than one month apart, and on or after the first birthday, or b) written documentation of immunity by blood test (titer) demonstrating protective antibody levels to measles, mumps, and rubella.
• Tuberculosis (TB) Screening - All P1 students must provide written evidence of two-step TB skin test within the past twelve (12) months of their first day of class (after the initial TB skin test another TB skin test will be performed within two [2] to three [3] weeks). If the second TB skin test is positive, an Interferon Gamma Release Assay (IGRA) test must be conducted and the test results provided as documentation or a letter from a physician stating that a baseline chest X-ray has been conducted and addresses the health status of the student must be submitted. For those students with a previously negative two-step TB skin test, a one-step TB skin test is required annually throughout the Pharm.D. program. International students with documentation of receipt of tuberculosis vaccine (Bacillus Calmette-Guérin, or BCG Vaccine) must provide a letter from a physician documenting that a chest x-ray and appropriate follow-up has been completed.
• Hepatitis B - All students must provide written documentation of having completed the series of three (3) injections or must provide documentation of immunity by blood test (titer). A titer is acceptable in lieu of vaccine administration dates. For those students who must begin the series, the first dose must be administered prior to the first week of class attendance. Completion of the full series is required by April 1 of the spring semester of the first year (P1).
• Varicella (Chickenpox) - All students must provide documentation of two doses of vaccine at least 4 weeks (28 days) apart. The first dose must be administered prior to the second week of class attendance. Documentation of immunity by blood test (titer) or documentation of disease (month/year) by physician is acceptable in lieu of vaccine administration dates.
• Random Urine Drug Screening - All students enrolled in the MSOP will be subject to random drug urine screening until graduation from the program. The current policies and procedures for random urine drug screening are available in the Pharmacy Student Handbook. All fees associated with random urine drug screening are the sole responsibility of the student.
• Criminal Background Checks - All students are required to complete a criminal background check as part of the admissions process. Any violations will be reported to the Alabama State Board of Pharmacy and may prevent enrollment in or result in suspension from the MSOP. All fees associated with criminal background checks are the sole responsibility of the student.
• Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act (HIPAA) Training - All students enrolled in the MSOP will be required to complete an online training program for protection of patient-sensitive health information as required by HIPAA. Students will be notified on the first day of class of the details for completion of this training, and will be given two weeks from the first day of class to complete this training. Failure to do so will result in being unable to complete required experiential courses and will jeopardize enrollment in the MSOP.
• OSHA Training - All students enrolled in the MSOP will be required to complete an online training program for prevention of exposure to blood-borne pathogens as required by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). This training must be renewed annually throughout the time enrolled in the MSOP.
• CPR Training - CPR training must be kept current the entire time while enrolled in pharmacy school beginning in the P2 year. CPR training is received at the MSOP during the spring of the P1 and P3 years and is valid for two (2) years. At the end of this time the student is responsible for recertification. Each student is responsible for providing the active certification to the experiential program office prior to the P4 year.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Students may apply for federal and private financial aid through the University’s financial aid office. The MSOP has additional but limited funds available for loans and scholarships. Two small loan programs are available: a short-term emergency loan administered by the school; and a no-interest, revolving-loan fund (The Bernice Cohron Pharmacy Student Loan Fund). A number of pharmacy scholarships are available and awarded on the basis of both merit and need. Applications for all MSOP scholarships are available in the spring.

Students who wish to take non-PHRX courses (undergraduate or graduate) during the academic year will be required to pay the undergraduate or graduate rate upon enrollment. This fee will be in addition to the normal pharmacy tuition. Students will not be allowed to take courses that interfere with pharmacy coursework.

Student Athletes and ROTC Candidates

The MSOP will cooperate with student athletes and ROTC candidates to accommodate class scheduling to the fullest extent possible. The MSOP cannot, however, alter its program schedule for these students and the pharmacy school schedule takes precedence with any scheduling conflicts. 

Professional Pharmacy Curriculum

Our curriculum is designed to provide practical and innovative educational experiences for our students. The name of our curriculum describes this endeavor: “Coordinated Topics with Integrated Applications: A Patient-Centered Approach Focusing on Drug-Related Problems and Pharmacy Applications.” One of our goals is to coordinate and integrate material for students to apply their knowledge.

As an overview, there are 141 total credit hours in this professional program. The first three years combine classroom instruction with direct patient interaction. The Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experiences occurring almost every semester during these years are planned to augment learning that takes place through coursework as well as offer opportunities for students to put their knowledge to practical use to help patients. The fourth year includes Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences in addition to a culminating project to provide students with a variety of environments in which to synthesize and apply their educational preparation.

As a means to coordinate and integrate content, the Integrated Pharmacy Applications course each semester will link information both across courses in a given semester as well as between years in the curriculum. Students enrolled in the same courses will have opportunities to see how content from these various classes can benefit patients. Additionally, students in all four years will meet together periodically to discuss aspects of patient care that reflect their particular knowledge levels. This horizontally and vertically integrated approach is intended to make learning interesting and relevant for our students.

Another method of integrating course content is the compilation of the student portfolio. All students are required to complete their own portfolio according to the instructions and information provided to them by the school of pharmacy. Also, each student will have a mentor who will read the portfolio and provide feedback and advice.

Delivery of Curriculum

The Department of Pharmacy Practice is composed of 28 faculty and seven staff personnel. The mission of the department is to educate, develop, and mentor students and pharmacists so that they are prepared to: 1) provide patient-centered and population-based care that optimizes medication therapy, 2) manage health care system resources to improve therapeutic outcomes, and 3) promote health improvement, wellness, disease prevention, and medication safety. The department collaborates with many health care facilities and community pharmacies to provide the delivery of experiential pharmacy education. In addition, the department is responsible for delivering didactic education related to the clinical use of medications in patients. The focus of all this learning is the provision of optimal patient care based upon sound therapeutic principles and evidence-based data. Furthermore, the department also carries out a rigorous program of clinical and educational research designed to improve medication use and enhance student learning.

The Department of Pharmaceutical, Social and Administrative Sciences (PSAS) is comprised of 15 full-time faculty, three adjunct or part-time faculty, one laboratory manager, and two administrative staff personnel. The PSAS faculty are pleased to provide the foundational components of our students’ education in the professional curriculum such as physiology and pathophysiology, cellular and molecular biochemistry, drug delivery systems, pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, medicinal chemistry, patient care systems, sterile compounding, financial and human resource management, pharmacy law, and ethics. Research interests in the PSAS department are varied and involve areas such as the study of apoptosis, mitochondrial injury, pharmacogenomics, drug metabolism and drug-drug interactions, structure-activity relationships and determinations, pharmacokinetic studies, ophthalmologic considerations in drug delivery, educational research, home health care, end-of-life care, and moral development. In addition, several PSAS faculty provide research and experiential education for our students. Department faculty are also involved in service to the profession through international, national, regional, and local opportunities.

In addition to teaching, the MSOP faculty serves the School and University as advisors to professional, social, and honorary organizations encouraging student involvement in those organizations and developing professionalism and leadership among the students. The faculty exemplify leadership and professionalism through service in leadership roles in professional and scientific organizations. Furthermore, the faculty are engaged in a number of scholarly activities including research, writing, presentation, and publication.

The professional pharmacy curriculum is designed to impart in students the knowledge, skills, and attitudes essential for the practice of pharmacy today, as well as in the future. The doctor of pharmacy degree is a professional degree that requires basic educational preparation essential to provide pharmaceutical care and perform managerial functions.

The MSOP uses active learning (AL) concepts in its courses, with the percentage of time devoted to AL dependent upon the adaptability of the course material to these learning methods. Students in each professional year are divided into groups of four to nine students, and group work is periodically assigned. The percentage of the final grade for the course from group work is clearly stated in the syllabus for each course.

The professional curriculum includes 98 semester credits of didactic and laboratory instruction and approximately 43 semester credits (1740 contact hours) of experiential training in various practice settings. All courses in the professional curriculum, including required experiential courses, are to be completed at Samford University. Students may not receive an exemption waiver for a MSOP course based upon coursework completed at a non ACPE-accredited program.

The professional curriculum requires 36 credits of Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences (APPE), beginning in June or immediately following the successful completion of all required coursework prior to the fourth professional year in the pharmacy curriculum. Starting in June 2014, six (6) APPEs must be completed by all students, including PHRX 601 - Ambulatory Care I , PHRX 620 - General Medicine I , PHRX 650 - Community Pharmacy I , PHRX 660 - Institutional Pharmacy I , and two additional PHRX 600-level APPE courses. Students will be allowed to provide input into their preferences for non-specified PHRX 600-level APPE courses; however, the director of experiential programs will have the final say in which specific courses the student will be registered based upon site availability and academic needs.

The maximum load for a pharmacy student is 21 semester hours. Full-time status is granted for students taking 12 semester hours. If, for compelling reasons, a student is enrolled in less than 12 semester hours, the university will classify the student as part-time. A student taking less than 12 hours will pay tuition at the hourly rate specified in the Financial Information  section of this catalog.

The professional pharmacy curriculum of the MSOP follows the pharmacy calendar listed in this section of the catalog. The School incorporates January in its spring semester. Therefore, students enrolled in the professional pharmacy curriculum cannot take courses offered in the University’s Jan Term. Furthermore, the fall semester of the fourth professional year begins the first working day in June. Consequently, students enrolled in the last year of the professional curriculum cannot take courses offered during the summer terms at Samford or another university.

Academic Policies

The following policies for students are also published in the McWhorter School of Pharmacy (MSOP) Student Handbook. Additional academic policies addressing Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience (IPPE) and Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE) courses are published in the master syllabus and program requirements for Introductory and Advanced Practice Experiential Courses.

1. In order to receive a degree, candidates must satisfy all requirements of the MSOP and other applicable requirements of Samford University. A student must successfully complete the entire prescribed curriculum within six academic years from the original date of matriculation, and have a final GPA of at least 2.00 in order to be eligible for the degree. A student’s academic standing is monitored by the associate dean of academic affairs and the Academic Standards Committee. The associate dean advises any student who experiences academic difficulty. However, it is the responsibility of the individual student to ensure that all requirements have been met.
2. Satisfactory academic progress is required of all students to remain in the pharmacy school. Academic standing is determined by the GPA and/or the number of failed courses. MSOP students must pass all prerequisite and corequisite courses to proceed in the curriculum. The prerequisite of all courses in the upcoming term is the successful completion of all required courses in the current term. Therefore, if a student fails a required course, the student will not take any required MSOP courses until the failed MSOP course is offered again. Students must complete all courses in the PHRX 300-500 level and achieve at least a 2.00 GPA in the professional curriculum before entering the APPE courses in the fourth professional year. If the student does not achieve the minimum GPA, the student will be withdrawn from the program and is not eligible for re-admission.
3. Unless otherwise stated in the course syllabus, grades are assigned by instructors in the school according to the following scale:

Only grades earned in PHRX courses are used to calculate the professional GPA. The MSOP does not “round” the GPA. Other letter grades that may be assigned and the quality point system utilized by the University are described in the current University Catalog.

4. A student may not repeat a pharmacy course unless there is a failure in the course. The minimum passing grade of “C” is required in IPPE and APPE courses, and the minimum passing grade in all other pharmacy coursework is a “D”. All required coursework must be completed at the MSOP. Availability of courses is limited to that published in the University Catalog and offered during the specified semesters.
5. A student who fails a single course or whose cumulative professional GPA is below 2.0 in any academic term will be placed on academic probation. If academic probation is the result of failed coursework, then the student is cautioned that additional failed coursework can result in dismissal from the pharmacy school, either by academic suspension or expulsion, as delineated below. If academic probation is the result of the GPA being less than 2.00, then the student is cautioned that failure to achieve and maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.00 at the end of the remaining academic terms will result in academic suspension.
6. A student who fails two courses or whose cumulative GPA is below 2.0 for any two academic terms will be suspended, which results in dismissal from the pharmacy school. A student on academic suspension must apply in writing to the Admissions Committee for readmission. The letter should explain the reasons for his/her academic difficulty and what measures have been taken to ensure his/her ability to succeed academically. Should readmission not be granted, the student is withdrawn from the program and is not eligible for re-admission. Should readmission be granted, the student is cautioned against further academic difficulties. A criminal background check may also be performed at the student’s expense. If academic suspension is the result of failed coursework, then the student is cautioned that additional failed coursework will result in dismissal from the pharmacy school via academic expulsion. If academic suspension is the result of the GPA being less than 2.00, then the student is cautioned that failure to achieve and maintain a cumulative GPA of a least 2.00 at the end of all remaining academic terms will result in dismissal from the pharmacy school via academic expulsion.
7. A student who fails three or more courses or who fails the same course twice or whose cumulative GPA falls below 2.0 for any three full-time academic terms, either sequential or non-sequential, will be expelled, which results in permanent dismissal from the pharmacy school. Expulsion from the pharmacy school is without recourse. Expelled pharmacy students desiring to remain at Samford University will become subject to University policies on academic progression and retention.
8. Since the level of a student’s academic difficulty, i.e., academic probation, suspension, and expulsion may be determined by the quantity of failed coursework, multiple failed courses in a given academic term may preclude the need for academic probation or suspension. In any regard, Samford University rules on continued enrollment at the University prevail.
9. The school has the right to implement assessments that evaluate student learning and curricular effectiveness. This may be in the form of formative and/or summative evaluations. Students may be required to complete an end-of-semester or end-of-academic year assessment that gauges student knowledge and/or skills. Successful completion of this assessment may be required to proceed into the next academic year.
10. Students are held accountable to the Academic Eligibility for Participation in Activities Policy. Refer to the MSOP Student Handbook for the details of this policy.
11. Students must adhere to the Code of Ethical/Professional Conduct, as well as plagiarism and copyright laws, as outlined in the MSOP Student Handbook and the University Catalog. Failure to do so can result in consequences that range from a verbal reprimand to expulsion from the academic program and university. This decision is made by the pharmacy school’s Student Affairs Committee and/or the University Values Council.
12. Students enrolled at Samford University or other accredited institutions can not audit courses in the pharmacy curriculum.

Resources

World Wide Web - Students are invited to visit the McWhorter School of Pharmacy Web site (http://pharmacy.samford.edu.) for additional information regarding faculty, admissions, curriculum and other useful student information. Students may also visit the Samford University main Web site (www.samford.edu) for additional university information such as campus life, admissions, financial aid, and many other useful topics.

Drug Information Center - The Drug Information Center serves as a resource center, a drug advisory source for practitioners, and an information retrieval center for students, faculty, and practitioners. In addition to a variety of journals, books, and other printed materials, major pharmaceutical and medical databases and many electronic reference materials are available. The University’s Davis Library also provides online reference services.

Student Computer Facilities - The MSOP is equipped with computers that contain various drug information databases for course work and research. Wireless computer access is available in the MSOP and across the University. The University also has several computer labs on campus.

Calendar for Academic Year 2013-2014 for the McWhorter School of Pharmacy

Legend:

APPE = Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences
MSOP = McWhorter School of Pharmacy
P1 = 1st-year Pharmacy student
P2 = 2nd-year Pharmacy student
P3 = 3rd-year Pharmacy student
P4 = 4th-year Pharmacy student 

Notes:

Payment schedule dates for all terms are subject to change.

For an updated calendar, check the following site: http://www.samford.edu/studentrecords/academic-calendars.aspx

Inclement weather or other events beyond the control of the University that might cause risk or danger to students, faculty, and staff may occasionally result in changes to normal University operations, including cancellation of classes or events; the calendar schedule may be adjusted.

* Double rooms assigned for single occupancy are 200% of the rate for double-occupancy rooms.
** Only if using Daniel House for living accommodations.
NOTE 1: Click here  for a list of General Fees that apply to ALL students (Vehicle Registration/Decal, ID Replacement, etc.).
NOTE 2: Fees are subject to change without notice. See the Bursar’s Office Web site for the latest tuition and fee info: http://www.samford.edu/bursar/

NOTE ON PAYMENT/REINSTATEMENT: Charges incurred after the e-bill has been generated for the semester/term are due on or before the payment due date. Charges incurred during the drop/add period are due when incurred. Late fee of 5% (capped at $100) will be applied to the past due balance if payment not received in the Bursar’s Office by the due date. To avoid registration cancellation and reinstatement fee, students should pay all tuition and fees by the payment due date. See Billing and Refund Schedules  for dates for e-bill, payment due, refund availability, late fee assessment, and registration cancellation.  

Departments and Program Offerings