International-Trained PharmD Online Program Overview
Expand your pharmacy opportunities with a career-boosting PharmD degree. The Skaggs School of Pharmacy at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus has designed a flexible online Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program for pharmacists seeking advanced clinical pharmacy education who already hold a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy (or equivalent level) from an approved program outside the U.S.
The PharmD program for international-trained students can be completed in as little as three (3) years for full-time students and six (6) years for part-time students. ITPD students complete most of their coursework online but are required to attend live in-person sessions in Colorado at the beginning and end of the didactic portion of the curriculum.
With online and in-person learning experiences, flexible course load options, and supportive faculty, earning your Doctor of Pharmacy from CU Anschutz can help you secure lasting professional success in whatever professional pharmacy setting you choose. To learn more about the ITPD program, fill out the form on this page.
Program at a Glance
Degree Program:
International-Trained PharmD (ITPD)
Offered By:
Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
Tuition:
Cost Per Credit:
$979
Cost Per Credit:
$979
Application Deadline:
Credit Hours:
90
Curriculum Overview
The Doctor of Pharmacy for internationally trained students is a 90-credit-hour program that can be taken on a full-time or part-time basis. Students must take 54 credit hours of didactic coursework and 36 credit hours of experiential learning, specifically in advanced pharmacy practice experiences (APPEs). You may achieve advanced standing through 1) coursework earned in your baccalaureate degree, 2) by demonstrating competency in biomedical and pharmaceutical sciences on two pre-admission exams, and 3) through prior professional experience.
The core of the didactic curriculum focuses on professional skills courses and pharmacotherapy courses. The didactic courses are offered through live and online formats. The experiential portion of the program requires 300 contact hours of introductory and advanced introductory pharmacy practice experiences (IPPEs/aIPPEs). The experiential curriculum also involves preparatory live sessions, which are on-campus learning experiences.
- First Live Session | Includes four (4) weeks of on-campus training.
- Second Live Session | Students have the option of coming to the U.S. for multiple short periods of time when they will prepare for APPE rotations completed in the U.S. over 30-36 weeks. Students may also complete two (2) elective APPE rotations at an international rotation site with approval.
The APPEs focus on community pharmacy, health-system pharmacy, and ambulatory care, with two electives in subspecialities such as neurology, oncology, nutrition, infectious diseases, critical care, psychiatry, pediatrics, education, administration, clinical research and more.
Learn more about the PharmD program’s curriculum, timeline, and U.S.-based APPE rotation requirements for international-trained students.
PLEASE NOTE: Successful completion of the ITPD program’s pathway to the PharmD degree does not ensure eligibility for licensure in the U.S., as each state sets its own requirements for licensure.
Admissions Information
PharmD applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in pharmacy from any locally-approved or accredited college or university program outside the U.S. Applicants must also be licensed pharmacists and in good standing with their licensing agency. The program begins once per year in the summer semester; however, applications are accepted at any time with a January 15 priority deadline.
Applicants must submit the following in order to be considered:
- Application form
- Personal statement
- Resume/CV
- Transcripts
- Pharmacy License or Certificate
- Photo Identification
- Letters of Recommendation/Professional Sponsorship
- Competency Exam or FPGEE
- English Language Proficiency
- Interview
- Visa
All applicants will need to demonstrate proficiency in the English language and submit documents or exam scores to fulfill this requirement. Learn more about the language requirements.
Please Note: The ACPE-accredited North American-Trained PharmD (ITPD) program is also available through CU Anschutz for applicants who already have a license in the US (location of degree doesn’t matter) or a license in Canada (and a degree from an ACPE or CCAPP accredited school in Canada or the U.S.).
Financial Aid
New tuition rates are established each spring for the following fall semester. Some scholarships may be available for ITPD students. You may be notified of scholarship opportunities through your student email account or find them on the news section of the School of Pharmacy website. Contact the CU Anschutz Financial Aid & Scholarships Office for more information.
The program allows me to study and at the same time keep my work. This degree is accredited and will give me the chance to advance my career to a higher level. It will open the doors in front of me . . . to being a clinical pharmacist, seek a residency or specialize in one area.
— Abdullah Jibreel | PharmD, Jordan
Frequently Asked Questions
Completing most of the program online will offer you the flexibility to earn your degree without leaving your current context until live sessions are required. You can also choose a pace (full-time or part-time) that is sustainable for your lifestyle, which can help you take into account your current career, family, and other commitments. Additionally, at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, the online PharmD program is taught by the same faculty who teach on campus, which means you’re earning the same high quality degree as traditional students, and your diploma will not mention that your degree was earned online.
Yes, the curriculum begins with a live session and you can return home after the first live session is complete. The second live session also requires you return to Colorado to assure readiness for the experiential curriculum where you will complete APPE rotations.
Yes, all ITPD program applicants are required to submit a language test with their application for admission. It is vital all students in the ITPD program effectively communicate with faculty, staff, patients, and preceptors while on rotations. As a result, this admission requirement is non-negotiable.
Yes, most of our students are employed; however, we encourage you to speak with your employer before starting the program. In some cases, you may be able to complete your rotations at your workplace, provided the employer can offer an experience that aligns with the educational needs of the program and there are no conflicts of interest. Students may not be paid for any rotation hours.
Students must perform 36 weeks or 1440 hours of advanced pharmacy practice experience (APPE) rotations. In other words, students complete six rotations each six weeks in length, 240 hours per rotation. All rotations are typically full-time eight-hour days. Students should speak to their employer well in advance to ensure full support is provided.
The estimated tuition total for the ITPD program is $75,910. To learn more about tuition and fees, please explore the ITPD Tuition and Fees document.
Didn't find your question on this list? More FAQs are available in the link, or fill out the form on this page to contact us.
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What career advances do you see in your future? Take your next steps at CU Anschutz, where we’re taking world-changing strides as a top pharmacy school in the United States.