M.S. in Information Systems
The M.S. in Information Systems at South University is a graduate program comprising ap...
Doctor of Pharmacy
Savannah, Georgia
INTAKE: June
Program Overview
South University, with multiple campus locations across the United States including Savannah, Georgia, and an online presence, offers a comprehensive Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program designed to prepare future pharmacists for collaborative, patient-centered care. The program emphasizes life-long learning, promoting excellence in teaching, scholarship, and service, and aims to equip graduates with the skills to address the evolving challenges of the modern healthcare field. Notably, South University's PharmD program is one of a few ACPE-accredited accelerated programs in the country, with some pathways allowing completion in as little as three years, providing an efficient route to professional practice.
ACPE Accredited: South University's Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program holds accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), the national agency for the accreditation of professional degree programs in pharmacy. This critical accreditation ensures that the program meets rigorous national standards for quality in pharmacy education, encompassing curriculum, faculty, facilities, and student outcomes. The ACPE's decision to extend accreditation, as recently reaffirmed, underscores the program's commitment to academic excellence and its preparation of students for success in the dynamic field of pharmacy. This accreditation is essential for graduates seeking licensure to practice as pharmacists in the United States.
Curriculum: The PharmD curriculum at South University is comprehensive, typically spanning a three-year accelerated format that integrates foundational scientific knowledge with extensive clinical practice. Core areas of study include pharmacology, biochemistry, medicinal chemistry, pathophysiology, pharmaceutics, and pharmacotherapeutics. Students gain essential skills in patient-centered care, public health and wellness promotion, critical thinking, problem-solving, decision-making, communication, and collaboration. A significant component of the curriculum involves Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences (APPEs), where students gain hands-on clinical rotations in various settings like hospital pharmacy, internal medicine, ambulatory care, and community practice, along with elective rotations in specialized areas. The curriculum also incorporates integrated pharmacy skills laboratories to provide practical experience in dispensing, compounding, and patient counseling.
Research Focus: While the PharmD is a professional practice degree, South University's program encourages scholarly activity and the application of evidence-based practice. The curriculum fosters critical thinking and information evaluation skills, which are fundamental to utilizing and contributing to pharmaceutical research. Students engage in doctorate-level projects and learn to retrieve and evaluate drug information, a process inherently tied to research methodologies. The program's mission to promote "excellence in teaching, scholarship and service" indicates an underlying commitment to research, and faculty members often engage in scholarly activities that inform their teaching and contribute to the advancement of pharmaceutical knowledge. Students are encouraged to develop skills that allow them to adapt to innovations in the field, including those driven by research and new drug discoveries.
Industry Engagement: South University's PharmD program demonstrates strong industry engagement through its focus on preparing "career-ready" pharmacists for various practice settings. The curriculum is designed with input from professional pharmacists and aligns with the evolving role of pharmacists in the modern healthcare field. A key aspect of industry engagement is the extensive experiential education component, including both Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experiences (IPPEs) and Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences (APPEs). These rotations take place in diverse clinical environments, such as hospitals, community pharmacies, and ambulatory care clinics, allowing students to gain practical experience under the direct supervision of professional pharmacists. This hands-on experience, coupled with the development of essential skills like patient communication and healthcare management, directly prepares graduates for successful entry into the pharmacy workforce.
Global Perspective: South University's Doctor of Pharmacy program implicitly incorporates a global perspective through its emphasis on patient-centered care for diverse populations and the understanding of a globalized healthcare landscape. While not explicitly featuring "global pharmacy" as a standalone course, the curriculum prepares pharmacists for collaborative care within varied healthcare systems. The program's broader mission to prepare pharmacists for a "changing practice" and "collaborative patient-centered care" inherently requires an understanding of diverse health needs and cultural competencies. Furthermore, South University actively recruits and supports international students, enriching the learning environment with diverse viewpoints and experiences. This exposure prepares graduates to address health disparities and provide culturally sensitive care, essential in an interconnected world where health challenges often transcend national borders.
Location
Savannah, Georgia
Score
IELTS 7
Tuition Fee
USD 53420
Postgraduate Entry Requirements
Academic Qualifications: Applicants for postgraduate programs typically require a minimum academic achievement of 70% or above in their bachelor's degree.
English Language Proficiency:
- IELTS: Overall band score of 6.5 or 7.0 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component.
- TOEFL: Overall score of 80 or higher.
- PTE: Overall score of 53 or higher.
- DET (Duolingo English Test): Minimum score of 105.
South University offers a variety of scholarship opportunities specifically designed to support international students in their pursuit of higher education in the United States. These scholarships aim to ease the financial burden and reward academic excellence, leadership, and community service.
Merit-Based Scholarships: International students at South University may be eligible for merit scholarships based on their academic achievements, leadership qualities, and extracurricular involvement. These scholarships recognize students who demonstrate strong potential for success and contribute positively to the university community.
Program-Specific Scholarships: Certain colleges within South University, such as the College of Health Professions or the College of Business, offer specialized scholarships for students enrolled in their programs. These awards support students pursuing degrees in fields like Nursing, Pharmacy, Business Administration, and Criminal Justice.
Need-Based Financial Aid: While most need-based aid programs are geared toward U.S. citizens and permanent residents, South University offers some limited financial assistance options for international students who demonstrate financial need. Students are encouraged to contact the financial aid office for personalized guidance.
External Scholarships and Funding: International students are also encouraged to explore scholarships from external organizations, governments, and foundations. South University’s international student services office provides resources and advice on finding and applying for these external scholarships.
Graduates of South University's Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program are highly qualified for diverse and impactful careers across the healthcare spectrum. The program's ACPE accreditation ensures a rigorous education meeting national standards, while its accelerated format and emphasis on patient-centered care prepare individuals for immediate entry into professional practice. Pharmacists play a critical role in medication management, patient counseling, and interdisciplinary healthcare teams.
Community Pharmacist: The most common role, involving dispensing medications, providing patient counseling on prescription and over-the-counter drugs, offering immunizations, and conducting health screenings in retail settings like chain pharmacies or independent drugstores.
Hospital Pharmacist: Works within hospital systems, collaborating with healthcare teams to optimize medication therapy for inpatients, preparing specialized intravenous solutions, managing drug inventories, and ensuring medication safety and proper dosing.
Clinical Pharmacist: Often working directly with physicians and patients in clinics, emergency departments, or specialized hospital units, clinical pharmacists provide direct patient care by making medication recommendations, performing medication therapy management, and monitoring patient outcomes.
Ambulatory Care Pharmacist: Specializes in outpatient settings, managing chronic diseases for patients, providing medication counseling, and working as part of a healthcare team to ensure continuity of care post-discharge or in long-term health management.
Managed Care Pharmacist: Works for health insurance companies or pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), focusing on developing prescription drug formularies, conducting drug utilization reviews, and implementing cost-effective medication strategies for large patient populations.
Pharmaceutical Industry Pharmacist: Utilizes their drug expertise in various roles within pharmaceutical companies, including research and development, clinical trials, regulatory affairs (ensuring compliance), medical affairs, drug safety, or sales and marketing.
Nuclear Pharmacist: Specializes in preparing and dispensing radioactive pharmaceuticals (radiopharmaceuticals) used in diagnostic imaging and therapeutic procedures, typically working in hospitals or specialized nuclear pharmacies.
Consultant Pharmacist: Provides expert advice on medication management, regulatory compliance, and pharmacy operations to various clients, including long-term care facilities, hospitals, and healthcare organizations, often focusing on medication regimen review for complex patient populations.
Academia/Pharmacy Educator: Pursues roles in colleges and universities, teaching pharmacy students, conducting research, mentoring future pharmacists, and contributing to the advancement of pharmacy education and practice.
Government Pharmacist: Works for federal agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), or within public health departments, focusing on drug regulation, public health initiatives, or direct patient care for specific populations.
