Fisher Pharm.D. Online Frequently Asked Questions

You should enter the program with a strong foundation in mathematics and the sciences. Pharmacy is an applied discipline; our Pharm.D. graduates are able to apply scientific knowledge to solve pharmacy-related patient care issues.

We require applicants to complete prerequisite courses in order to enroll in the program. Lab-based science requirements must be completed within the past five years. Your admissions counselor can help you find local options, should you need to retake science coursework. View a full list of our prerequisite course requirements.

Our online pathway brings the same rigorous, clinically-focused Pharm.D. curriculum that we teach on campus to students across the country. In order to succeed in the program and effectively prepare for your career as a patient-first pharmacist, you will need to dedicate considerable time to the program.

Students complete two didactic summer terms that require 30–35 hours of work per week, and additional time will be needed in the first and second summers to complete the first two IPPE rotations. IPPE I rotation consists of 120 hours, 40 hours/week for three weeks. IPPE II rotation requires 160 hours, 40 hours/week for four weeks.

All students can expect to dedicate 40–60 hours each week to the program during non-clinical rotation periods. This includes at least three hours per credit per week completing coursework, studying, and attending live sessions, and an additional six hours per week for exams and professional time blocks.

During APPE rotations, students can expect to dedicate 40–63 hours each week to their rotation. All rotations will require 40 hours of weekly, in-person work during traditional business hours; some evenings and weekends may be required. Any additional time commitments will depend on the type of rotation and your preceptor.

Yes. Fisher Pharm.D. Online uses a flipped-classroom model. Concepts typically learned via lecture in a campus program are delivered online through the asynchronous content. You have the flexibility of being able to work through the content when it is most convenient for you, but each week’s asynchronous content must be completed prior to the live session. The live session will complement, reinforce, and solidify the concepts learned asynchronously. Exams will cover concepts from both the asynchronous content and the live sessions, so it is imperative that you engage fully in both.

Yes. You will be required to attend six immersion experiences at our Rochester, New York, campus. Immersions are an opportunity to meet your fellow students and faculty, participate in hands-on learning that will enhance the work you do online, and engage in pharmacy-related community service activities in the greater Rochester area.

Your time commitment varies by term, which will likely require you to change your schedule or reduce your hours in order to focus on coursework. Your APPE rotations during the last year of the program will be a full-time commitment, and it would be extremely challenging to work outside of those rotations.

If you do need to work, we recommend that you find a job that allows you to keep a flexible schedule. Many students choose to begin working as a pharmacy tech or intern to reinforce classroom learning and increase their competitiveness when searching for pharmacist positions after graduation. Some states, including New York, require students to complete their P1 year before applying for an internship license. However, many states will allow you to work as a pharmacy tech prior to receiving an internship license. You should check with your state Board of Pharmacy for more information.

The online Doctor of Pharmacy pathway at St. John Fisher University is designed to meet the eligibility requirements for graduates to sit for the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX), the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Exam (MPJE), and the Part III: Written and Practical (Compounding) Exam in the state of New York. Other states may have additional requirements. We recommend that you research the licensing requirements specific to your state if you are seeking licensure outside of New York state.

In addition to entering the profession as a pharmacist, graduates of the Wegmans School of Pharmacy have the opportunity to compete for postgraduate pharmacy residency programs.