Master's of Science in Clinical Pharmacy

• Identify and collect information from health records that will influence optimal pharmacotherapy
• Obtain a history from patient or caretaker (e.g. chief complaint, medical medication management, financial, social, cultural, review of systems)
• Conduct appropriate physical assessment relevant to pharmacy practice

• Recognize common symptoms/complaints
• Identify drug-related problems
• Determine disease severity, chronic disease control and therapeutic goals
• Prioritize identified problems in collaboration with the patient and other health care providers

• Critically evaluate treatment options using sound scientific principles (including basic and clinical sciences) and evidence
• Consider patient specific characteristics including health literacy, cultural diversity, and behavioral psychosocial issues
• Select appropriate drug therapy (e.g. drug, dose, route, frequency)
• Select appropriate non-drug therapy
• Develop a monitoring plan
• Conduct patient education including verification of patient understanding of treatment plan
• Implement interventions to improve adherence
• Refer to other providers as appropriate

• Analyze epidemiologic, pharmacoeconomic, and pharmacogenomic data, medication use review, and risk management strategies
• Develop and implement population-specific, evidence-based disease management programs and protocols

• Comply with laws and regulations
• Apply ethical and professional principles
• Assess and improve medication distribution and control systems
• Employ effective personnel management principles
• Use sound principles of fiscal resource management

• Perform calculations required to compound, dispense and administer medications
• Dispense medications in a manner that promotes safe, accurate and effective use
• Prepare and compound extemporaneous preparations
• Carry out duties in accordance with legal, ethical, social, economic and professional guidelines

• Develop a plan for the establishment, marketing and compensation for medication therapy management and patient care services
• Use sound principles that support efficient and cost-effective utilization of resources (e.g. human, physical, medical, informational and technological)

• Identify and select appropriate drug information resources
• Demonstrate expertise in informatics by acquiring, storing, analyzing, using, and disseminating medication-related data and knowledge in a manner that optimizes patient care and health outcomes
• Evaluate the safety, efficacy, and pharmacoeconomic implications of medications, medical devices and patient care services

• Predict, identify, evaluate and report adverse drug reactions and medication errors and recommend actions to minimize drug misadventure
• Participate in the process of conducting medication use evaluations
• Describe, evaluate and navigate a health system’s formulary process
• Compile and evaluate literature necessary to review a class of medications and make formulary recommendations that influence pharmacy benefits
• Participate in the development of policies related to medication use and health systems

• Participate in immunization provision programs
• Engage in public education programs (e.g. health fairs, screenings, brown bags, disease prevention)
• Collaborate with other organizations (e.g. governmental organizations, health organizations, business groups) to develop and promote public health policy

• Develop and maintain professional relationships with patients
• Develop and maintain professional relationships with other health care providers
• Make and defend rational, ethical decisions within the content of professional and personal values
• Respect and protect patient privacy

• Identify and analyze emerging issues (including basic and clinical scientific advances), products, and services to improve pharmacy practice and public health
• Self-assess learning needs and design, implement and evaluate strategies to promote intellectual growth and continued professional competence
• Advance oneself and the profession through leadership, service activities and participation in professional organizations

• Formulate a relevant and significant question or hypothesis
• Develop a strategy or method to answer the question or hypothesis
• Analyze available information to answer the question or reformulate hypothesis
• Provide evidence based solutions that most effectively answers the question or hypothesis

• Communicate and collaborate with patients, caregivers and health care professionals to engender an intraprofessional and interprofessional approach to patient-centered and population-centered care
• Provide accurate and succinct verbal or written information that is appropriate for the target audience (e.g. patient, caregiver or other health care professional)
• Identify factors (e.g. low health literacy, cultural) that influence effective communication and modify communication strategies to optimize health care interactions
• Display verbal and non-verbal mannerisms that promote empathetic, respectful and compassionate communication
• Appropriately document patient-specific information in health records
• Explain health-system related issues (e.g. pharmacy benefits, formularies) to relevant stakeholders (e.g. patients, caregivers, and health care providers)

On average, most students complete the program in two and-a-half to three years. Every individual’s situation is unique. Depending on the student’s professional and personal life circumstances, the Distance Degrees and Programs office does its best to accommodate and offer flexibility for all our students.

Tuition and fees change every year with new tuition and fees going into effect in the fall semester. To see the current tuition and fees pricing check review the information above.

Applicants are encouraged to visit the CU Anschutz Financial Aid website to learn about applying for financial aid and campus scholarships.

The M.S. in Clinical Pharmacy degree is not a pathway to gain licensure in the Unites States.

Absolutely! In fact, 99% of our students are employed. We do encourage you to speak with your employer before starting the program.

No clinical rotations are required. The M.S. degree provides experience in other ways, such as through portfolio-based assessment of practical experience and a thesis-based project. Students utilize past and present professional experiences in their own workplace setting.

A PharmD is not a requirement however, applicants must have one of the following degrees to apply: A bachelor degree (or equivalent, including MPharm.) in pharmacy from any Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) or Canadian Council for Accreditation of Pharmacy Programs (CCAPP) -accredited program, or other locally-approved / accredited college or university program outside of the United States.

There are no minimum or maximum numbers of courses you must enroll in. You can tailor each semester’s enrollment to accommodate other professional or personal commitments. If you want to complete the program around the average completion time of 2 ½ years, you should plan to enroll in 6-9 credits per semester. To meet full-time requirements for financial aid, you will need 5 credits or more each semester.

Most definitely! Remember our program is flexible and caters to working professionals. You are welcome to take a semester off. Keep in mind three or more consecutive semesters off will result in deactivating your student record and you will need to resubmit required documentation in order to reenroll in the program. In addition, all students are required to complete the program within six years. Any time taken off is time included in the required timeframe. It is important to speak with your advisor before taking a break from the program.

Absolutely! In order to apply International applicants must have an equivalent U.S. bachelor of science in pharmacy or an MPharm.

The program is comprised of 33 credit hours online coursework. The program is geared toward working pharmacists (in the US and abroad) with an interest and/or needs-based education that enhances their professional knowledge and skills such that they may effectively provide patient-centered pharmacy care, i.e. “clinical pharmacy.” The curriculum is composed through applied sciences (e.g., Pharmacotherapy), pharmacy practice (e.g., Interprofessional leadership and development) and healthcare systems-based (e.g., Healthcare informatics) courses. It is designed for pharmacists who are bachelor or master degree-prepared, or are current PharmD-prepared pharmacists who are seeking to update their professional knowledge and skills.

pharmacy practice experience to solidify the student’s skills in providing patient-centered care. The M.S. degree does not include rotations but requires students to draw upon current professional experiences by submitting portfolio-based assessments and the completion of a thesis.

The goal of the M.S. in Clinical Pharmacy program is to provide its graduates with the knowledge and skills that enable them to more effectively perform patient-centered pharmacy care. Students will meet fourteen Ability-Based Outcomes (ABOs) before graduating. These broad-based outcomes address the foundational science, patient care, and personal and professional skills needed to conduct patient-centered pharmacy care.