Graduation Requirements
To qualify for graduation, a student must have satisfied the following requirements:
- Successfully completed a minimum semester credit hours of prerequisite courses, as stipulated, for full admission to the School;
- Successfully completed the program of professional and experiential coursework approved by the School of Pharmacy;
- Achieved a cumulative didactic grade point average of 2.00 or greater for all requisite professional coursework;
- Achieved a cumulative grade point average of 2.00 or greater for all advanced pharmacy practice experiences;
- Achieved a passing grade for all introductory pharmacy practice experiences;
- Repeated, upon approval, and earned a passing grade for any required professional courses for which a grade of F was issued;
- Successfully completed, at a minimum, the last 4 didactic semesters and all pharmacy practice experiences at the School of Pharmacy;
- Successfully completed a minimum of 6 credit hours over three elective courses. At least one of the courses must not be a research elective;
- Successfully completed all co-curricular, AdvoCaring, and e-portfolio requirements;
- Successfully completed all interprofessional education (IPE) experience requirements approved by the School of Pharmacy;
- Been recommended for the degree by a majority vote of the Student Promotion & Graduation Committee;
- Settled all financial accounts with the University; and
- Completed all graduation clearance requirements as instructed by the School and Office of the Registrar.
Graduation Honors
Graduation honors are awarded to candidates for the Doctor of Pharmacy degree who have distinguished themselves by virtue of high academic achievement while enrolled in the professional program of the School. Only grades for didactic courses taken at the School will be included for determining graduation honors. Degrees with distinction are awarded based on the level of academic achievement as follows:
| Didactic Course Grade Point Average | Graduation Honor |
|---|---|
| > 3.90 | Summa Cum Laude |
| 3.75 - 3.89 | Magna Cum Laude |
| 3.50 - 3.74 | Cum Laude |
Graduation Awards
Award availability is dependent on funding and may vary each year.
Clinical & Administrative Sciences Experiential Excellence Award
This award is presented to the student who demonstrates outstanding professionalism during the APPE year, as determined by their preceptors.
Dean’s Advisory Council Award
This award is presented to a student whose service to the School and community goes above and beyond what is required in the program. The student demonstrates a willingness to take initiative and a commitment to supporting the School beyond graduation. The student has enhanced student life in the SOP, and exhibits a high degree of integrity.
Excellence in Acute Care Practice Award
This award is presented to a student who demonstrates excellence in acute care practice.
Excellence in Community Practice Award
The Excellence in Community Pharmacy award is presented to a student who has demonstrated excellence in community pharmacy practice based on letters of Commendation, faculty input, and a student plan postgraduation to work in community pharmacy.
Excellence in Pharmaceutical Sciences Award
This award is presented to the student who achieves the highest GPA in all pharmaceutical sciences components of the curriculum.
Excellence in Clinical Communication Award
Sponsored by Facts & Comparisons & Lexicomp, leading brands of Wolters Kluwer Health. The recipient of this award must be in the top 25% of the graduating class and have demonstrated superior verbal and written communication skills.
Excellence in Ambulatory Care Award
Sponsored by Eli Lilly & company in recognition of demonstrated excellence in ambulatory care practice.
MPhA Outstanding Student Pharmacist Achievement Award
This award recognizes a student, a resident of Maryland, who is in good standing of MPhA and have served on an MPhA Committee, demonstrated academic achievement with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, demonstrated leadership in the community with the potential of having a career in community pharmacy practice.
MSHP Student Achievement Award
Scholarship criteria are determined by School of Pharmacy SSHP.
Pharmacist’s Pharmacist Award
This award is an optional class-sponsored award. Criteria may vary as it is determined by each sponsoring class.
Phi Lambda Sigma Delta-Beta Chapter Graduate Leadership Award
This award recognizes a graduating student member who has exemplified leadership qualities in support of the pharmacy profession throughout his/her time in the School of Pharmacy. The recipient must have a proven record of accomplishment of servant leadership in education, community service, professional practice and mentoring.
Phi Lambda Sigma Graduate Leadership Award
This award recognizes a member of the graduating class who has exemplified leadership qualities in support of the pharmacy profession throughout his/her time in the School of Pharmacy. The recipient must have a proven record of accomplishment of servant leadership in education, community service, professional practice, and mentoring.
Professionalism Award
This award is presented to the student who demonstrates professional behavior, a commitment to the profession of pharmacy through involvement in professional organizations, a high level of service to the profession and community, pride in the profession, understanding of the pharmacist-patient relationship, and the qualities of honesty, ethical behavior, and accountability. The student serves as a role model and has earned a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0.
Servant Leadership Award
The recipient of this award is presented to the student who led through service during the entire pharmacy program.
St. Catherine Medal – Kappa Gamma Pi
The recipient must represent the high ideals of Catholic education and have demonstrated excellence in leadership and service to the University, School, or community.
Viatris Excellence in Pharmacy Award
This award is given to the student who demonstrates high personal motivation and possesses a unique ability to communicate drug information. The student must be in the top 25% of the graduating class and intend to enter practice upon graduation.