The University of Washington (UW) School of Pharmacy, founded in 1894, ranks 51st among pharmacy schools in the US. The program’s primary mission is to prepare students for careers in pharmacy and related fields. The school’s mission statement also cites the role of pharmacists in disease prevention and health promotion that aims to improve and enhance the patient’s quality of life and well being. In addition, UW recognizes that research is an integral part of its educational purpose. To that end, the school gives broad support to students who wish to pursue research in either the graduate or professional program. Another component of the school’s mission recognizes the continuing education needs of practicing pharmacists who may wish to pursue advanced degrees.
The UW School of Pharmacy’s PharmD degree holds accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) and has a strong commitment to excellence. This is a 4-year program that leads to an entry-level pharmacy degree. In addition, the curriculum supports the needs of students who wish to take either the Multistate Pharmacy Jurispudence Examination (MPJE) or the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX) by providing the needed clinical skills and background.
With small class sizes that allow for individual attention, the courses in the program emphasize the clinical skills, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills that practicing pharmacists need to deliver effective drug therapy, aid in disease prevention, and manage patient care to obtain the best possible outcomes. To assure those outcomes, students learn to help patients adhere to their medication regimens while insuring that drug interactions do not occur. Students also learn to help patients proactively by promoting healthy lifestyles.
Students in the PharmD program participate in a wide variety of extracurricular activities related to their career paths, including health fairs, health screenings, patient counseling, tobacco cessation programs, and membership in professional pharmacy organizations. Students also engage in community outreach programs, independent research projects, collaborative research projects, and provision of healthcare services to underserved and rural populations.
http://depts.washington.edu/pha/students/asp.html
http://www.pharmcas.org/collegesschools/schoolwashingtonpage.htm