Pharmacy

Thursday, August 27 and Friday, August 28 2026

The School of Pharmacy-Worcester/Manchester (SOP-W/M) will facilitate an orientation program titled “Integration and Transition” for the Class of 2029. The program will be offered over two days and is designed to foster a sense of belonging while providing students with the support they need to succeed academically and professionally. It will include a White Coat Ceremony.

The goals of the Integration and Transition program are to:

• Build a sense of community: students will build connections with their peers and faculty, which can foster a sense of belonging and support and facilitate social and professional integration.
• Improve student success and retention: students will engage in discussions about evidence-based learning strategies to promote self-awareness and adjust to the curricular demands of pharmacy education.
• Promote team building: students will participate in an activity designed to promote team building while testing ideas and collaborating to improve the process.

More information will be available in Summer 2026.

White coats and name tags will be ordered for each student by the department. White coat sizes should be based on blazers or jackets that you wear over other clothing.

The White Coat Ceremony will be a closed event, and guests will not be permitted to attend. This ceremony is intended as a special opportunity for you to bond with your new classmates as you begin your journey together.

MCPHS has established technology guidelines for all new students.

• The accelerated Doctor of Pharmacy Program utilizes ExamSoft/Examplify (electronic testing software) for assessments in all didactic courses. Students are required to use a laptop that meets the minimum specifications to successfully complete assessments. At this time, Examplify can only be used on iOS or Windows. Chromebook, Android, and Linux operating systems do not support Examplify. Please review additional Examplify technology specifications for both Mac and PC.
• In addition to Examplify-related technology specifications, students are required to use a laptop to ensure consistency, reliability, and security during assessments. Although Examplify may operate on certain tablets and iPads, the use of tablets, iPads, or Chromebooks is not allowed to complete assessments.
• Students are required to purchase a privacy screen specifically designed as a privacy filter, providing full-screen coverage for the device they will use to complete on-campus assessments. The screen must be removable.
• Students in both the campus-based and hybrid online pathways must also have access to a second device equipped with a camera, speaker, microphone, and compatible with Zoom. This secondary device may be a cell phone, iPad, or tablet.

The Office of Experiential Education will play an important role during your time here as we guide you through the rotation process during your P2 and P3 years. We’ve put together a brief presentation to introduce you to our office and to give you an overview of what to expect in your experiential rotations. In order to access the presentation, you will need to self-enroll in the Wor/Man Introduction to Experiential Education course on Blackboard. Download instructions on how to self enroll.*

*New students will receive Blackboard login credentials in June each year. You will be able to complete the experiential education course after you’ve received login information.

During the fall semester, all incoming pharmacy students will be enrolled in Service and Care in the Community, a course based on an educational method in which the participants connect knowledge and theory to practice by combining service with reflection in a structured learning environment, through service work and active learning. This course is based on the conviction that providing service and care is critically important for anyone aspiring to become a member of a healthcare profession.

Students will engage in weekly class discussions, perform service work in the community, collaborate on group research projects, and host class-led discussions.

Please revisit this site on July 15, 2026, to view the list of available Service-Learning sites and access the online selection form. Be sure to complete the form as early as possible—while we will make every effort to match you with one of your top choices, placement is not guaranteed.

Priority will be given based on the order in which preferences are submitted.

View the Fall 2025 schedule [PDF].

The MCPHS Bookstore has transitioned to an online platform for all textbook orders. Students can now purchase or rent their course materials through the MCPHS online bookstore website. Free shipping is available for all course material orders.

Please note: Online ordering will open in early August.