Program of Study - Cooperative Pharmacy Program
Introduction
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, in cooperation with The University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy, offers a minimum six-year curriculum leading to the Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree.
The Pharm.D. degree is the sole entry-level degree offered in the United States for those interested in becoming a licensed pharmacist. The Pharm.D. is a professional doctorate designed to prepare pharmacist practitioners to provide patient-oriented care in contemporary settings including, but not limited to, community practice, hospital environments and long-term care facilities.
The Cooperative Pharmacy Program (CPP) was developed to encourage students to consider pharmacy as a career. The CPP offers students the opportunity to complete pre-pharmacy and pharmacy curriculum at UTRGV and in the surrounding Rio Grande Valley. The CPP offers two pathways, an early admissions pathway intended for graduating high school students, and a transitional pathway for students enrolled as pre-pharmacy majors at UTRGV. Students admitted into the CPP, who successfully complete the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), will be guaranteed an interview for the UT Austin PharmD program in Austin, Texas. Final admission approval is afforded by UT Austin College of Pharmacy upon successful completion of pharmacy prerequisites and other CPP requirements.
UTRGV students who are not admitted into the CPP, yet are interested in pursuing pharmacy as a career, may apply directly to UT Austin College of Pharmacy upon completion of the required pharmacy prerequisites. Please visit the CPP web site for additional information about the profession of pharmacy and links to the other Texas pharmacy programs.
Mission Statement
The mission of the CPP is to enhance the knowledge, health and well-being of the people we serve in concert with the mission, vision and values of both cooperating campuses of The University of Texas System through the recruitment, training and retention of proficient Doctor of Pharmacy trained pharmacists. The program will strive to encourage the provision of pharmaceutical care by cultivation of our graduates’ critical thinking skills and an appreciation for the need for life-long learning. The program will foster the development of clinical and transitional research and clinical pharmacy services with other health care providers in the region, state and nation.
Accreditation
The Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools accredits both The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and The University of Texas at Austin. In addition, The University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education, 20 North Clark Street, Suite 2500, Chicago, IL 60602-5109, 312/664-3575, 800/533-3606; fax 312/664-4652; Web site: www.acpe-accredit.org. Only graduates of accredited programs are eligible to sit for the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination™ (NAPLEX®) and Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination® (MPJE®), both of which are required for licensure in the state of Texas.
Admission to the Cooperative Pharmacy Program
Please refer to the CPP Web site for admissions requirements and application materials. The CPP Web site is easily accessible through the College of Health Professions Web site at http://www.utrgv.edu/pharmacy/cpp/apply/index.htm.
The CPP Web site also contains faculty and staff contact information along with other resources.
Pharmacy Curriculum
The CPP is structured so that the students admitted into the program complete their pre-pharmacy requirements at UTPA, and then matriculate to UT Austin to complete their first two years of the pharmacy curriculum. Students then return to UTPA and the Rio Grande Valley to complete their third and fourth years of the pharmacy curriculum.
Pre-Pharmacy Years at UTRGV (see next section for details)
Coursework in English, Mathematics and the Natural Sciences.
Pharmacy Curriculum Years 1 and 2 at UT Austin
Year 1: A broad foundation in physiology, pathology, pharmaceutical sciences and pharmacy administration
Year 2: An interdisciplinary approach to disease management and patient care through case-based learning
Pharmacy Curriculum Years 3 and 4 at UTRGV and in the Rio Grande Valley
Year 3: Advanced coursework in disease management and patient care.
Year 4: Calendar year consisting of seven six-week experiential rotations at pharmacy practice sites around the Rio Grande Valley.
Pre-Pharmacy Course Requirements
The following is an overview of the pre-pharmacy curricular requirements for the CPP and UT Austin College of Pharmacy. Individual degree plans will be developed for students admitted into the CPP.
Natural Sciences (36 hours)
Mathematics (7 hours)
English (9 hours)
| ENG 1301 | | |
| | Or | |
| ENG 1387 | | |
| | And | |
| ENG 1302 | | |
| | Or | |
| ENG 1388 | | |
And One of the Following
| ENG 2341 | | |
| ENG 2326 | | |
| ENG 2321 | | |
| ENG 2331 | | |
| ENG 2387 | | |
| ENG 2388 | | |
ENG 2326 and ENG 2321: Recommended in order to petition for “Global Cultures” UT Austin requirement.
Political Sciences (6 hours)
| POLS 2301 | U.S. & Texas Government & Politics I | 3 |
| | Or | |
| POLS 2387 | U.S. and Texas Government I (Honors Plan) | 3 |
| | And | |
| POLS 2302 | U.S. & Texas Government & Politics II | 3 |
| | Or | |
| POLS 2388 | U.S. and Texas Government II (Honors Plan) | 3 |
| | And | |
| HIST 1302 | U.S. History II | 3 |
| | Or | |
| HIST 1388 | U.S. History II (Honors) | 3 |
Electives (11 hours)
| | Social and Behavioral Sciences | 3 |
| | Arts and Humanities | 3 |
| | Philosophy | 3 |
| | Computer Information Systems | 2 |
Note: *Courses with a "Global Cultures" perspective from the above disciplines are highly encouraged
Total Credit Hours: 70
Requirement
The following electives are recommended to improve candidacy and success in the first year of pharmacy school:
Note: All CPP students will be required to take the Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT) prior to matriculating to UT Austin College of Pharmacy. PCAT score expectations and other additional CPP requirements will be discussed with the students upon admission.