Frequently Asked Questions

The Hybrid Online PharmD Pathway provides students with flexibility. Most of the coursework is completed online, from home, while students remain connected to faculty and classmates.

The program is built on a proven curriculum. You’ll learn from the same faculty and complete the same coursework as our trusted and longstanding in-person PharmD—Accelerated program.

It also provides hands-on training during the in-person immersions. Participate in clinical skills sessions and real-world pharmacy practice experiences while you’re on campus.

Students in the Hybrid Online PharmD Pathway are fully integrated into the MCPHS Community and have access to a variety of resources, including advising, academic support, tutoring, career services, and student organizations.

The curriculum is identical to our in-person PharmD—Accelerated program, but the delivery of content will be different. Most of the course content will be delivered in an asynchronous (on your own schedule) format. There will also be a limited number of sessions delivered in a synchronous (live, in real-time) format. The schedules for these sessions will be available before the start of each semester. Some courses have an on-campus component, which take place during an academic immersion.

Examples of content delivery methods include:

• Online, asynchronous learning via recorded lectures, interactive modules, assignments, and virtual discussions.
• Live, virtual sessions that include case discussions, interactive activities, and group work.
• On-campus immersion experiences, which allow students to demonstrate hands-on laboratory and clinical skills through simulations, role play, and assessments.

Students in the Hybrid Online PharmD Pathway will come to the Manchester, NH campus for an orientation program before classes start in the fall of the first year. There are two academic immersions. The first occurs at the end of the first professional (P1) year, and the second occurs during the summer semester of the second professional (P2) year. These sessions are scheduled in advance to support students' travel planning. Students are encouraged to join us for commencement activities at the end of the program.

Students may decide they are able to work part-time, particularly during portions of the didactic curriculum. However, the curriculum is rigorous and time-intensive, so careful planning is important. During experiential rotations in the final year of the program, students are expected to be at practice sites for 40 hours per week.

While most course activities are asynchronous, others require attending live, synchronous sessions. Faculty will provide clear scheduling expectations in each course syllabus. Students can expect to attend 4 hours of synchronous activities each week during the P1 year, 5 hours of synchronous activities each week during the P2 year, and 3 hours each week during the P3 year. In addition to these synchronous activities, students will take assessments during scheduled exam blocks throughout the the P1 and P2 years. During Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experiences (IPPEs) and Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences (APPEs), students will complete 40 in-person hours per week, on average.

Yes. All students will complete required Introductory and Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences (IPPEs and APPEs). These rotations occur in healthcare settings such as:

• community pharmacies
• hospitals and health systems
• ambulatory care clinics

Students are expected to complete all experiences within the United States (with the exception of one elective APPE). Students enrolled in the Hybrid Online PharmD Pathway may select from existing affiliated clinical sites or identify preferred geographic regions for placement within all U.S. states and territories.

Yes. Students will regularly interact through live class sessions, group projects, discussion activities, and on-campus experiences. In addition, students can join student organizations and committees within the School of Pharmacy. Building relationships with online and on-campus classmates as well as faculty is an important part of the program.

Students enrolled in the Hybrid Online PharmD Pathway have access to the same support services as students on campus, including:

• Faculty advising
• Academic support
• Tutoring
• Career services
• Library resources
• Well-being resources
• Technical support

Students who tend to succeed in hybrid programs are typically:

• self-motivated
• organized
• comfortable using technology
• proactive about asking questions
• able to manage their time effectively

If you enjoy flexibility but still want structured interaction with faculty and classmates, the Hybrid Online PharmD Pathway may be a good fit.

Applicants apply through the standard PharmD admissions process. During the application process, you will have the opportunity to indicate interest in the Hybrid Online PharmD Pathway. Admission staff are happy to answer questions and help you determine which pathway best fits your goals.