FlexPharmD FAQs

Q1. Do I get to choose which courses are online or which days I’m on campus?

A1. The online courses and on-campus engagement will be the same for each cohort, each semester. However, students will have flexibility in managing the number of days they are required to be on campus.

Q2. Is the online portion available on demand?

A2. Yes, the online courses will be available to engage on your own schedule.

Q3. Is the curriculum changing?

A3. No, our innovative and robust curriculum will not change, only the way it is delivered. We are committed to providing the same level of academic rigor and clinical practice readiness as we have for over a decade with a continued focus on student success.

Q4: What is the purpose of the FlexPharmD program?

A4: The aim of this program is to enhance accessibility, affordability, and flexibility for students joining the pharmacy college in Fall 2024. The goal is to address concerns about high costs associated with transportation, lodging, and boarding to empower students with a more affordable and flexible learning experience.

Q5: How will FlexPharmD impact students’ attendance on campus?

A5: The FlexPharmD program involves integrating online learning opportunities in the existing didactic curriculum. This will allow students to participate in selected courses remotely, reducing the need to be physically present on campus full time.

Q6. Will the quality of education be affected by this change?

A6: No, the quality of education and the rigor of the curriculum will remain unchanged. The pharmacy college is committed to maintaining excellence in pharmaceutical education. The FlexPharmD program will adhere to high academic standards and use Quality Matters as guidelines for online courses.

Q7: How will students receive technical support for online learning?

A7: The college’s Student Engagement and Academic Services (SEAS) team will provide comprehensive technical support and resources to ensure a smooth transition to the online learning format. Faculty members will deliver engaging remote lectures and facilitate online activities.

Q8: How will the proposed change benefit students’ study schedules?

A8: By implementing online modules, students will have greater flexibility in managing their study schedules. This approach will accommodate personal commitments, preferred learning times, and other responsibilities that may have previously hindered their ability to attend classes regularly. For others, it may open opportunities for more co-curricular activities and expanded credentials for non-traditional career paths.

Q9: What is the expected proportion of the curriculum that will be taught via online learning?

A9. The proportion of the didactic PharmD curriculum taught via online learning will equate to approximately 2 courses per semester.

Q10: How will this affect introductory and advanced pharmacy practice experiences (IPPEs and APPEs) in the curriculum?

A10: Students will continue to complete in-person, three-week introductory direct patient care rotations as early as the summer between the first and second year, and then again between the second and third year. Additionally, the fourth and final year of the PharmD program will not change. Pharmacy students will continue to complete seven, six-week clinical rotations, providing immersive patient care experiences under a pharmacist’s supervision.