What is Experiential Education?
- Structured learning under the supervision of preceptors (pharmacists and other licensed professionals) in a real pharmacy setting outside of the classroom
- Augments classroom education by providing experiences in many contemporary aspects of pharmacy practice
- Practice sites include:
- community pharmacies
- hospitals
- ambulatory care clinics
- research laboratories
- managed care facilities
- academia
- government agencies
- Goals: to provide students the opportunity to apply their knowledge and develop the skills required of a practicing pharmacist.
Why is Experiential Education Important?
It provides the opportunity to:
- apply what you have learned in the classroom and in the laboratory to real-world settings
- problem solve, develop skills, and provide patient care services
- make decisions based on professional knowledge and judgment
- interact with diverse patient populations
- network and collaborate with established clinical practitioners
Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience (IPPE)
First-Year Students:
- Student and Older Adult Relationship (SOAR) Program
- Spend time with older adults, practicing interviewing and counseling skills, administering assessments, and reviewing medication, health, and vaccine histories.
- Follow a 4th year student on rotations
Second-and Third-Year Students:
- Community and Institutional (Hospital) Rotations
- 120 hours each
- 3-week summer or winter blocks OR longitudinal semester blocks (Fridays)
Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE)
- Seven rotations (6 weeks long) for fourth-year students (232 hours minimum)
- Four required rotations
- Three elective rotations
Unique Experiential Education Opportunities
- Arizona-wide and out-of-state APPE rotations (and IPPE rotations on a limited basis)
- International APPE rotations
- Rural Health Professions Program
Where and How does Experiential Education fit into Pharmacy School?
