NONTRADITIONAL PHARMD PROGRAM AT THE UNIVERSITY-OF-ARKANSAS FOR MEDICAL-SCIENCES

The nontraditional Pharm.D. program at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences is described. The nontraditional program, started in 1990, includes 21 credit hours of didactic work and 12 of clerkships. In the self-paced didactic courses, videotapes, manuals, and texts are used, along with faculty consultation in person or by telephone. Cler kships can be traditional or nontraditional. Nontraditional clerkships can be completed by self-study in the student's community after an or ientation period at the preceptor's site. More than 400 pharmacists ha ve enrolled in the program and more than 80 have entered nontraditiona l clerkships. Thirty-nine pharmacists have received the Pharm.D. degre e. The program offers an accessible alternative for pharmacists who wa nt to earn the Pharm.D. degree while maintaining full-time employment.