The purpose of the technical standards is to provide applicants and student pharmacists with a clear understanding of the knowledge, skills, abilities, and behaviors that are required with or without accommodations to successfully complete the Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) program. Each student pharmacist must be able to demonstrate proficiency in these skills with or without reasonable accommodation. This document outlines technical standards that a student pharmacist must possess at the time of admission and throughout the program.
Student pharmacists may utilize reasonable accommodations to assist in meeting technical standards. Student pharmacists are encouraged to strongly consider and self-assess whether it may be necessary to request accommodations to meet the standards. Inquiries into accommodations can be made with the Office of Education and Disability Services at the time of admission and throughout the program. If an applicant or student pharmacist believes that they may be unable to meet the Technical Standards of the program, they should contact the Office of Student Services of the College of Pharmacy to discuss their concern. If a disability, condition or situation requiring accommodation is not disclosed in a timely manner relevant to their qualifications for admission under the Technical Standards, and the applicant (or admitted student) is unable to fulfill these Technical Standards, which represent the essential functions and qualifications of a student pharmacist, an applicant may be denied admission, or a student pharmacist may be dismissed from the program or have a resultant delay in graduation.
The application documents and interview may not adequately evaluate an applicant’s abilities on these Technical Standards. Additionally, a student pharmacist’s situation may change as they progress through the curriculum. As a result, the applicant and student pharmacist should continuously self-evaluate on each of the Technical Standards.
Technical Standards
With or without accommodations the applicant must meet required aptitude, abilities and skills in the areas identified below:
Observations
An applicant or student pharmacist must be able to combine the functional use of visual, auditory and somatic senses to observe and demonstrate professional knowledge and skills presented in the classroom, laboratories and practice settings.
Communication
An applicant or student pharmacist must be able to communicate and perceive in verbal, nonverbal and written ways.
Sensory and Motor Coordination and Function
An applicant or student pharmacist must possess sufficient motor function and skill to perform the essential functions in the practice of pharmacy.
Intellectual, Conceptual, Integrative and Quantitative Abilities
An applicant or student pharmacist must possess sufficient intellectual, conceptual, integrative and quantitative abilities to complete a rigorous didactic and experiential curriculum which includes measurement, reasoning, analysis, judgment, synthesis and numerical recognition and computation.
Behavioral and Social Attributes
An applicant or student pharmacist must possess the emotional and mental health required for full utilization of their abilities, exercise good judgment and promptly complete responsibilities. Empathy, integrity, honesty, concern for others, patience, good interpersonal skills, strong work ethic and motivation are required. Student pharmacists must be able to maintain a level of behavior, demeanor and communication that is expected in a professional health care environment.