A student must maintain an annual grade point average of 2.00 in the professional program to be considered in good academic standing. Grades earned for courses taken at another institution while the student is enrolled in the School of Pharmacy is not included in the calculation of the annual GPA. A student will be placed on academic probation for any one of the following reasons:
- A student earns an annual grade point average below 2.00 at the end of any semester
- A student earns a grade of F in one or more courses within an academic year.
Academic probation represents notice that continued inadequate academic performance may result in dismissal from the School. At the completion of each academic semester, the student promotion committee will meet to review students’ academic progress and performance in relation to School academic policies. Students who are placed on academic probation may be placed on an academic improvement contract in which the student must repeat all courses in which a grade of F was earned (courses in which a student receives a grade of C or higher cannot be repeated). In addition, students may be required to take a course to improve their strategies for academic success, which must be approved by the Office of the Dean prior to registration. This will usually result in extension of the time needed to complete the program. Students are allowed to be placed on an academic improvement contract only once and/or repeat a course(s) only once. Placement of a student on an academic improvement contract does not modify or limit the Committee's action for dismissal. Thus, a student may be dismissed for academic reasons while on an academic improvement contract. To be returned to good academic standing, while on an academic improvement contract, the student must earn an annual grade point average of 2.00 or above and complete any additional requirements as stated in their letter of probation. A re-entering student (one who is no longer on probation) who earns a grade of F in any course or D in two or more courses in an academic year or an annual grade point average of less than 2.00 may be dismissed from the School.
To achieve the status of a second-year student (P2), students must have successfully completed all requisite first year courses and earned an annual didactic GPA of 2.00. To achieve the status of a third-year student (P3), students must have successfully completed all requisite second year courses and earned an annual didactic GPA of 2.00. To achieve the status of a fourth-year student (P4), students must have successfully completed all requisite third year courses and earned an annual didactic GPA of 2.00.
Academic Progression and Standards for Pharmacy Practice Experiences
To proceed to Pharmacy Practice Experiences, a student must have earned a passing grade in all didactic courses with an annual didactic grade point average of > 2.00 and have P2, P3 or P4 standing. Eligibility for Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experiences I and II (P2 year) is determined by the P1 annual didactic grade point average. Eligibility for Longitudinal Care (P3) is determined by the P2 annual didactic grade point average and successful completion of Introductory Practice Experiences I and II. Eligibility for Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences (P4) is determined by the P3 annual didactic grade point average and successful completion of Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experiences I and II, and Longitudinal Care.
Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experiences (IPPE) I & II and Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences are graded on a P/F scale. Students must earn a grade of P on advanced pharmacy practice experiences (APPE). If a student fails to earn a grade of P, the student promotion committee will require the student to re-take a rotation with additional requirements which may include, but not limited to any one or combination of, completing additional coursework to correct knowledge deficiencies, undergo a period of directed independent study to correct knowledge deficiencies or wait a defined period before repeating a rotation. The time of the re-take will be as early as possible once the student satisfies the Committee's requirements and is subject to availability of sites as determined by the office of experiential education. The retake, if granted, must be repeated within 12 calendar months of the receipt of the Committee's decision by the student. Students are only allowed one retake of Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience and one retake of Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience. Failure to earn a grade of P or better on a repeat rotation will result in a recommendation for dismissal. Students must achieve a grade of P in all advanced pharmacy practice experiences.