Preprofessional curriculum in preparation for doctor of pharmacy educational programs

Abstract

The preprofessional pharmacy curriculum provides the foundation for the professional curriculum. Basic requirements are noted in the ACPE Standards and Guidelines, but there is considerable variation in the preprofessional curriculum requirements for entry into doctor of pharmacy programs in the United States. Changes in higher education, pharmacy practice, and health care continue to drive the need to evaluate the preprofessional curriculum. The objectives of this white paper were to create model preprofessional curricula that would enable students to be successful during and after entry into the professional curriculum. Using an evidence-based approach where possible, a number of factors were found to be associated with academic success during a pharmacy program and on licensing examinations. These data and other information were used to create 2 preprofessional curricular models that include the development of general and discipline-specific abilities. Challenges remain in accurately evaluating the abilities and attributes of applicants and the impact of those abilities and attributes on their success as a student and a practitioner. Colleges and schools of pharmacy should consider adopting a more consistent preprofessional curriculum on a national level. This preprofessional curriculum should be multi-dimensional, based on needs for future practice, and revised over time.

Keywords: admissions; preprofessional curriculum; prerequisites.