International-Trained PharmD Program

Complete the online application or contact the DDP Office to obtain a PDF copy of the application form.

A personal statement describing the applicant’s reasons for seeking a PharmD degree and applying to the ITPD Program, specifically describing their goals and plans for expanding the practice of patient-centered pharmacy care outside the United States upon completion of the program. Details regarding specific questions to address and formatting instructions can be found in the professional goals section of the application and on the admissions website.

• A current, updated resume or curriculum vitae (CV) describing the applicant's professional pharmacy experience and accomplishments.  
• ITPD applicants must possess a minimum of one year of pharmacy practice experience as a licensed pharmacist outside of the United States. Pharmacy practice experience must be clearly outlined on the CV/resume.

Submit directly from the applicant’s school to the DDP office official transcripts from ALL colleges and/or universities the applicant attended, including the institution from the locally-approved or accredited school of pharmacy the applicant graduated.

• Must have a course-by-course, detailed evaluation provided
• Applicants will have ALL their transcripts evaluated by an official credential evaluation transcript review service. A full list of credential evaluation services can be found on the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) website https://www.naces.org/ . A common service is World Evaluation Service (WES).
• Applicants must have their transcripts evaluated by course (ie, detailed evaluation) and have an official copy of the completed transcript evaluation sent directly to the DDP office from the evaluation organization.

A notarized or barrister-certified copy of the applicant's current pharmacy license or certification. If the applicant's local area does not require a pharmacy license or certification to practice as a pharmacist, written verification of qualifications to practice as a pharmacist must be provided.

As noted in the Active Pharmacist License policy, the DDP Office requires a license or official documentation of the ability to practice pharmacy in the student's respective country for ITPD students as an admissions requirement for all applicants and for current students to remain enrolled. All applicants and current students are required to inform the DDP Office of any changes in their license status, such as expiration, suspensions, restrictions, and/or the receipt of any letters of admonition. All students should provide proof of updated licensure upon licensure renewal. Failure to successfully maintain your license or notify the DDP Office of any changes to your license will lead to disciplinary sanctions up to and including to dismissal from the program.​​​​

A copy of the applicant's current, valid passport with photo. ​

Letters of Recommendation:

Three recommendations are to be submitted through the online application. Recommendation forms will be sent electronically to recommenders listed in the online application. Contact the DDP Office with questions about this process.

Recommendations will be completed by people who know the applicant's professional, academic, and/or personal achievements or qualities well. As such, references must be from professional contacts, such as employers, supervisors, former faculty, preceptors or professional colleagues. References from clergy, family members, friends or politicians will not be accepted.

Professional Sponsorship:

Applicants will need to submit a completed professional sponsor form. The professional sponsor (typically an employer), will need to attest to their support of the candidate’s pursuit of the degree program, and the applicant’s plans for expanding the practice of patient-centered pharmacy care outside the United States. The professional sponsor completing the form should be located in the applicant’s home country or the country in which they intend to practice pharmacy (outside of the U.S.). This sponsorship does not require financial sponsorship. If the professional sponsorship is also serving as a reference they must submit a letter of recommendation and a professional sponsor form.

NOTE: The Professional Sponsor will complete the ITPD Professional Sponsor Form (PDF). Completed Professional Sponsorship Forms must be emailed to the DDP Offices or mailed to the below:

Skaggs School of Pharmacy
DDP Office 
12850 E. Montview Blvd
Aurora, CO 80045

A nonrefundable application fee of $200.00 (US dollars). Application fees are paid through the online application platform via credit or debit card. 

As a requirement prior to admission, applicants are required to pass four pharmacy foundations competency exams comprised of multiple topics, likely provided in the applicant’s BS in pharmacy coursework.  The exams will assure advanced standing in 4 courses included in the first year of the traditional delivery entry-level Doctor of Pharmacy program.  These exams will be provided as four separate exams. Individual exam topics include:  

• Applied Biological Chemistry 
• Pharmacology/toxicology 
• Pharmaceutics 
• Medicinal Chemistry 

Details are as follows:

• Applicants must earn at least 70% on each exam;  
• Results of the competency exams will be valid for 2 years (or two admission cycles).
• The exams will be proctored using an online proctoring service, including use of a web-based camera. 
• Applicants will be limited to sitting for the proctored exams twice per admission cycle.
• Applicants may sit for the exam a total of four times 
  

The study guide is designed to promote successful passing of the exams. Information will be available on the ITPD admissions website. When ready, applicants will contact the DDP office to sign up for the competency exams.

• Learning objectives for each exam
• Recommended textbooks
• Other resources

FPGEE Exam - Applicants who have successfully passed the Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Equivalent Exam (FPGEE) within five years of the year and term they are applying to the ITPD program, may not need to take the competency exam. Instead, applicants will submit proof of a passing FPGEE score their application.

 

The ITPD Program requires all applicants to be proficient in the English language, as detailed in the program’s technical standards. As such, all applicants will demonstrate English language proficiency by meeting minimum scores on one of the following tests: (1) TOEFL iBT, (2) TOEFL Essentials, or (3) IELTS, AND a passing score on the ACTFL OPIc (Oral Proficiency Interview-computer). 

Score Minimums:

• TOEFL iBT Score – Applicants must achieve the following minimum scores in EACH section:
  • Speaking: 22 
  • Writing: 21
• OR TOEFL Essentials Score – Applicants must achieve a minimum overall band score of 9. The required minimum scores on EACH of the individual components of the test are:
  • Listening: 9
  • Speaking: 9
  • Writing: 9
• OR IELTS Score – Applicants must achieve a minimum composite score of 6.5 and the following minimum scores in EACH section:  
  • Listening: 6.5
  • Speaking: 7.0
  • Writing: 6.0
    
• AND ACTFL OPIc – Applicants must achieve a level of Advanced-Low or higher.
  

Exam Score Date – Exam scores must be no older than two years from the program application deadline date. If the applicant took the exam more than two years ago, then the applicant will need to retake the exam to complete the admissions process. Case-by-case exceptions will be considered.

 

After the application deadline date, the Admissions Committee will review each applicant’s admissions packet. Those applicants who will move forward in the admissions process will be contacted to complete an interview. 

The interview process is designed to assess the applicant's knowledge of the profession, assessment of prior professional pharmacy experience, communication and ability to perform in a positive, professional manner when working with others. To be considered for admission, applicants must participate in a video teleconferenced admissions interview, which will consist of a verbal evaluation. The interview will occur after a review of the applicant's materials as completed and listed in the English Proficiency Testing sections. The DDP Office will contact the applicant to schedule the interview. 

The US government requires all international applicants to provide proof of ability to pay tuition and living expenses before a formal letter of admission, or the form for obtaining a visa, will be issued. If selected for admission, students will need to submit the Request for Student I-20 for Foreign Applications form. This form is typically available for download from July to December of each year. The DDP Office or the Office of the International Student and Scholar Services will contact and assist students accepted into the ITPD Program in obtaining a student visa.