Wilkes University's two-year, Pre-Pharmacy course sequence is designed to prepare students for the challenges of the School of Pharmacy's four-year Professional Pharmacy curriculum. The main focus of Pharm. D. education is on the development of patient care skills. This means that, in addition to imparting a thorough knowledge of medications, the program must devote substantially more time to teaching applied therapeutics, patient communications, and physical assessment. Wilkes' graduates are expected to help prevent medication problems when possible and when medication-related health problems do occur, to identify them and find appropriate solutions.
The Pharm. D. requires four years of professional study following completion of all pre-pharmacy course requirements. The first year is devoted to classroom and laboratory work. Each subsequent year introduces more direct patient care and practical learning opportunities. The capstone fourth year is devoted exclusively to clinical education.
