The Doctor of Pharmacy program is designed to provide students with the requisite skills and competencies to enable them to provide effective pharmaceutical care. Graduates of this program will be able to practice in a variety of settings, including: Community Pharmacy, Hospital/Institutional Pharmacy, Internal Medicine, Ambulatory Care, Pharmaceutical Sales and Marketing, Industrial Pharmacy, Academia, Compounding Pharmacy, Regulatory Affairs, and a myriad of other health care-related settings. The curriculum is designed to be completed in five years on a full-time basis. The pre-clinical (mainly didactic) component can be completed in three years and the fourth and fifth years (clinical component) are devoted mostly to clinical (experiential) education, in the form of advanced pharmacy practice experiences (APPEs). After successfully completing three (3) years, students desiring not to proceed to the clinical component will be awarded a Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences, which will not make them eligible to practice as a pharmacist.

Entry Requirements

Applicants must normally have attained a minimum age of 18 years at the commencement of the academic year of entry to the Doctor of Pharmacy programme.

Applicants must submit their applications to the Senior Assistant Registrar, Student Affairs, The University of the West Indies, Mona, Kingston 7, Jamaica, by the end of the second week of January each year. For procedures concerning applications and for further information candidates should write to the Senior Assistant Registrar, Student Affairs.

Applicants required to withdraw from the Faculty for failing to complete the Doctor of Pharmacy Degree Programme within the stipulated time or because of poor performance may be considered for readmission to the Doctor of Pharmacy Programme after at least one year has elapsed since their withdrawal.

Qualifications for Admission

Applicants who wish to begin the degree programme must fulfil the general University regulations concerning matriculation and, in addition, the specific requirements of the Faculty and the Pharmacy Section set out below.

The academic admission to the Doctor of Pharmacy Degree Programme is based on the applicant’s proficiency and attainment in any of the following, hereinafter referred to as "approved examinations":

• Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE) (1 & 2)/General Certificate of Education Advanced (“A”) Level Examinations or their equivalent.

The applicant must have obtained three (3) passes in the approved examinations Biology/Zoology, Chemistry and Physics with a pass in Mathematics at the CSEC(CXC) or GCE O Level. CAPE 1 & 2/GCE Advanced Level Mathematics will be accepted instead of Physics provided that a pass has also been obtained in Physics at the CSEC(CXC) or GCE O Level. The minimum academic standard for entry is an average of four 3s and two 2s in the required subjects at Units 1 & 2 CAPE or one B and two Cs at GCE Advanced Level.

• UWI Preliminary or Introductory Level Courses in the appropriate subjects (minimum two courses in each required subject) in the Faculty of Science & Technology or the Faculty of Medical Sciences (Mona, Cave Hill or St. Augustine) with a GPA of 3.3 or higher.

Students currently studying at UWI in the above mentioned Faculties seeking to be transferred to the Doctor of Pharmacy Degree Programme shall only be considered from the Preliminary and/or Introductory level courses. All such students must complete and submit a Transfer Form by the end of the second week of January in the calendar year of proposed entry.

• Programme/Courses which are considered equivalent at institutions recognized by the University of the West Indies with a GPA of 3.3 or higher.

 Applicants holding UWI first degrees in the natural sciences with a minimum of lower second class honours may be considered for entry.

Applicants holding professional degrees in Allied Health disciplines may also be considered for entry provided that they have attained a minimum average grade of B+ or grade point of 3.3 in the appropriate science subjects during their degree programme or Grade 3 passes in Biology/Zoology, Chemistry and Physics/Mathematics at Unit 2 CAPE /A Level or equivalent.

Applicants holding degrees other than degrees in the natural sciences may also be considered provided that they have attained a minimum average grade of B+ or grade point of 3.3 in the appropriate science subjects during their university programme or Grade 3 passes in Biology/Zoology, Chemistry and Physics/Mathematics at Unit 2 CAPE/A Level or equivalent.

Applicants with first degrees from institutions other than the UWI shall also be eligible provided that:

• The programme of study has been accredited by a relevant body or agency and is considered acceptable by the UWI.
• Credits have been obtained in Biology/Zoology, Chemistry and Physics/Mathematics.
• A minimum grade point average of 3.3 or its equivalent has been obtained.

Applicants who have earned a BSc. in Pharmacy degree from the University of Technology (UTECH) in Jamaica or the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, will be considered for admission at the fourth year level of the proposed Pharm.D. Programme. Therefore, pharmacy graduates of UTECH and UWI, St. Augustine will be eligible for advanced standing in the Pharm.D. Programme.

Non-Academic Considerations

All applicants are required to submit a short 250 - 300 word autobiographical summary outlining the reasons for their career choice.

An applicant’s chances of entry will be enhanced by documented and certified involvement in extracurricular activities in the years prior to his/her application.

• Each activity should be listed on the application form and must be accompanied by original letters of certification from principals, supervisors or employers for each activity. Both the duration of involvement and the level of responsibility of the applicant in each activity shall be taken into consideration and certifying documents must state these clearly.
• In considering these activities, the University places emphasis on applicant’s voluntary participation in community/social projects although consideration shall also be given to other extracurricular activities, experiences and abilities (such as music, sports, drama, and debating or proficiency in a foreign language).
• Applicants will be required to attend an interview.
• Documentary evidence of capability to satisfactorily cover program fees for the duration of the program.