INTRODUCTION TO INTERNATIONAL POST-BACCALAUREATE PHARMD PROGRAM (IPBP) Daniel C. Robinson, PharmD, FASHP Dean, College of Pharmacy
Western University of Health Sciences Graduate Health Sciences University Pomona, California (east of Los Angeles) 24 miles & 30 minutes from Disneyland 2,600 Students in 9 programs
Western University Programs Medicine (DO) Physical Therapy (DPT) Physician Assistant (MSPAS) Pharmacy (PharmD) Graduate Nursing (MSN, DNP) Veterinary Medicine (DVM) Dentistry (DMD)* Optometry (OD)* Podiatry (DPM)* *Fall 2009
WesternU College of Pharmacy: IPBP International Post-Baccalaureate PharmD (IPBP) (3 year duration) IPBP History Formerly known as Mid-Career PharmD (MCPP) Program. Program start: August 2003 Goal To offer pharmacy education leading to PharmD degree to foreign as well as American trained pharmacists (RPh). Time frame 2.5 year previously Curriculum Delivery Block format Team based
WesternU College of Pharmacy: IPBP IPBP Today O 3 year program 20 students enrolled every year ~200 applications received in 2009 Countries represented so far: India, Korea, China, Ireland, Japan, Philippines, Vietnam, South Africa, Nigeria, Canada, Taiwan, Cuba, Jamaica, Israel, Ghana, New Zealand, Bangladesh and USA
IPBP Curriculum at a Glance IPBP students start in 2 nd year of regular PharmD program Block system of education 14 to 18 days in length/block Only one subject taught/block! Periodic review blocks Rely didactic and team-based learning 10 blocks in 2 nd year, 6 blocks in 3 rd year 1.5 years of clinical experiential training starts midway through the 3 rd year APPE, Advanced Elective IPPE in 2 nd year
WesternU College of Pharmacy IPBP Program: Admissions Criteria Visit website for details http://www.westernu.edu/pharmacy/ipbp_about.xm l Bachelor of science (or equivalent) in pharmacy Minimum GPA required (2.5/4) GPA evaluated by any of the services listed on website TOEFL requirements (550, 213 or 79 ibt) Foreign equivalency (FPGEE) exam is NOT a requirement Entrance exam is required (April) Internal Assessment (IA) exam 60% passing required (200 questions total) Also serves as review for the 1 st year curriculum Oral interview (April) Written essay Interview done locally in Pomona, foreign sites dependent on applicant pool
WesternU College of Pharmacy IPBP admissions information All applications are reviewed by college faculty. Selection of applicants based on score received. Selected applicants invited to purchase IA study guides and scheduled for the IA exam and interview. Four aspects important for admissions: Internal Assessment exam (25%) Personal Interview (40%) Written Essay (30%) GPA (5%)
The Internal Assessment (IA) Exam (25% of final grade) Serves as an entrance exam Conducted same day as the interview The higher your score in the IA exam, the better your chances of admission! Study material developed by Pharm. Sci. faculty teaching 1 st year courses Pharmaceutics/Pharmacokinetics/Pharmacogenomics Immunology Pharmacology Acid Base chemistry Supported by web-based learning materials Made available to selected applicants by November each year IA substitutes in lieu of FPGEE (foreign equivalency exam) Passing score is 120/200
Oral Interview (40% of final grade) Goal Assess oral communication skills Format Conducted by 2 member teams (faculty and student) 20-25 min. individual interview Informal in nature Q&A based format Critical thinking component Some of the Evaluation Tools Fluency in the English language Listening and comprehending skills Overall confidence Motivation General knowledge Attitudes
Written Essay (30% of final grade) Goals To assess written English communication skills Format Write on a topic of general interest Evaluation Spelling, grammar, sentence structure, examples used Writing effectiveness: followed directions, clarity, organization, legibility, readability, staying on topic.
On the Day of the Interview IA exam starts at 8:15 am 4 hour exam with breaks Read instructions on exam carefully Do not leave the room without informing your proctor 12:15 12:55 pm Lunch (hosted by the COP) 1:00 3:00 Interviews and Essay 3:00 pm Campus Tour
After the Interview Day Events Scores from interview, essay, IA exam will be tabulated along with GPA. IA exam results announced separately. Within 2-3 weeks of interviews, decisions will be announced (approx. time frame mid-may). Top 20 students invited based on high overall scores. Remaining students placed on wait list and invited as seats become available! $500 seat deposit fee will be applicable which will be applied towards tuition.
As an Admitted Student 3-week introductory course starting mid-july ( Overview of Pharmacy Practice ) July 12 30, 2010 Laptop requirements Medical terminology More details later
Some Important Issues F-1 Student Visa University admissions office will assist with I 20 forms etc Finances Financial aid available only for permanent residents and US citizens Private loans may be available through independent agencies Social Security Numbers www.ssa.gov Necessary for obtaining intern license from the CA Board of Pharmacy On campus jobs may be available allowing student to obtain SSNs Intern Jobs 1500 hours of internship required for board exams (600 provided by College, 900 by student) College will assist with on-campus recruitment events, job fairs Responsibility however lies with the student to secure intern positions independently Housing New campus housing now open More information available at www.helixpomona.com Other housing available in surrounding areas
What Happens After Successful Completion of the Program? PharmD degree awarded (same as the traditional program)! Eligible to sit for the NAPLEX and CA Board exams provided intern hour requirements are met (~1500 hours required) Residency training programs available on a competitive basis Job opportunities in the SoCal and other areas (COP organizes job fairs etc) Higher starting salaries, $118K in 2008 Faculty positions in pharmacy schools Some may return to native country to practice!
IPBP Student Profiles Stephanie Duggan Country: Jamaica PharmD Int'l, Class of 2010 Why WesternU: I honestly recommend attending WesternU because I have grown by being here and I feel more rounded. I was good at prioritizing before, but even more so now.
IPBP Student Profiles Jae W.Yang, PharmD, PhD Country: Republic of Korea PharmD Int l, Class of 2007 Current position: Assistant Professor, School of Pharmacy, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS. Why WesternU: I chose Western University because it is more opened minded and understanding toward international students. Also, WesternU is known to continuously invest in recruiting excellent faculty members and in high quality educational facility.
Program Comparisons Didactic Performance Class of 2007 Class of 2008 Total Class Average 89.24 (100% NAPLEX) 87.34 (100% NAPLEX) Pathway (IPBP) 88.50 (100% NAPLEX) 88.10 (100% NAPLEX) 79 program graduates as of May 2010
Acknowledgement Sunil Prabhu, Ph.D. Assistant Dean for Enrollment Management 309, East Second Street Pomona, CA 91766 Ph: 909-469-5550 Email: sprabhu@westernu.edu web: www.westernu.edu
Thank You Any Questions? www.westernu.edu