TraditionAchievementProfessionalismChristian FaithPatient healthDiscoveryRelationships

A pharmacy education opens doors. It’s the key to your professional career. The experience prepares you for new practice models, initiatives in health care, novel approaches in medicine, changing roles for pharmacists, patient-centered care, evolving legislation and payment structures, and an ever-growing arsenal of new pharmaceutical interventions.

Samford’s McWhorter School of Pharmacy prepares you for all this and more. Expect an excellent education in a classic campus setting. Prepare for a community of caring students and faculty, shaped by Christian values and dedicated to support of each other.

About McWhorter School of PharmacySamford University’s McWhorter School of Pharmacy is one of eight schools located on a 200-acre campus in Birmingham’s scenic Shades Valley. The campus incorporates traditional Georgian-Colonial architecture and large grass malls with well-lighted, tree-lined paths. Conveniently located on Sherman Circle at the campus entrance, the pharmacy school is housed in Ingalls and Russell Halls, providing 50,000 square feet of state-of-the-art teaching and laboratory facilities. Additionally, the pharmacy school houses the Global Drug Information Center and the Healthcare Ethics and Law Institute.

In 2002, McWhorter School of Pharmacy celebrated 75 years of preparing pharmacists through education, scholarship, example and service. The pharmacy school has always sought to exhibit the highest standards of quality teaching, scholarship and service to humanity. Since 1994, the Pharm.D. program has prepared pharmacists for the ever-changing pharmacy roles that are common in today’s health-care profession. Education is the school’s primary enterprise, and it continues to seek models and methods for delivering the very best learning opportunities to students. The professional curriculum is based on that belief, both in its structure and organization, and in its methods of facilitating student learning.

Educational PhilosophyMcWhorter School of Pharmacy seeks to prepare students to be fully qualified as entry-level pharmacists with the following skills:

Ӱ render exemplary pharmaceutical care Ӱ succeed in a postgraduate training or degree program Ӱ pursue lifelong learning Ӱ advance the practice and profession of pharmacy

The Joint Commission of Pharmacy Practitioners, representing 11 of pharmacy’s national organizations, released this vision of the future: “Pharmacists will be the health-care professionals responsible for providing patient care that ensures optimal medication therapy outcomes.” The four-year program at Samford is a structured curriculum of grounding science work coupled with studies of the application of therapy and completed through multiple hands-on, patient-care opportunities.

Tradition

“Dream big dreams.

Find a mentor.

Be prepared.

Think and act like an owner.

Give back to society.”ӰӰ R.ӰClaytonӰMcWhorterӰ

MayӰ10,Ӱ1996

Professionalism

Achievement

Professionalism

“The skills and knowledge gained during

my time at McWhorter School of Pharmacy

formed a solid foundation to build my

career within the pharmacy industry.”ӰӰ LarryӰFinnӰ’81

Ӱ Students hold offices in national organizations and are members of state and national boards.

Ӱ In 2009, the National American Pharmacist Licensure Examination pass rate for McWhorter School of Pharmacy was 100%.

Ӱ McWhorter School of Pharmacy’s student branch of the National Community Pharmacists Association earned second place in the business plan competition for 2008.

Ӱ The pharmacy school received the Crystal Apple Award from AACP for an innovative student practice experience.

Ӱ Numerous students participated in professional work with indigent populations in rural areas of the state, in international clinical projects for underserved patients and in service projects throughout the area.

Ӱ McWhorter School of Pharmacy is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education and offers a curriculum fully in line with accreditation standards.

Ӱ The school’s rate of student graduation has averaged 98% over the past several years.

Ӱ National American Pharmacist Licensure Examination pass rate for first attempts averaged 97.3% for the past several years, with a rate of 99.14% for 2008.

Ӱ In a survey at graduation, 100% of students replied that they had plans for employment after graduation. Approximately 30% of graduates stated that they would be working in hospitals or residencies. Approximately 13% indicated an alternate branch of pharmacy, such as long-term care, government or managed care. Approximately 7% of students indicated they would continue in graduate programs. The remaining students selected community pharmacy as a career choice.

Ӱ Employers comment frequently on the skills of McWhorter School of Pharmacy graduates in terms of overall knowledge, problem-solving ability and maturity as professionals.

McWhorter School of Pharmacy’s goal is to prepare students for the choices they might make upon graduation, and feedback indicates that the school continues to reach that goal.

Curriculum The goal of the curriculum at McWhorter School of Pharmacy is to prepare each student to follow the career and education path of choice.

On paper, the curriculum appears to be a collection of courses spread over four years. (Specifics of the current curriculum are located in the back pocket of this book.) However, this curriculum is designed to be much more than a list of classes. It is the interchange of classroom didactics with the experiences of practice. Students begin experiences in pharmacies during their very first semester and continue throughout the four years of the program.

The curriculum provides the opportunity to work in labs and groups to learn hands-on skills, and to prepare for upcoming patient interactions and on-site experiences. It provides the chance to discuss and dissect the challenges of the profession.

Expect to spend time in a community pharmacy, a hospital pharmacy, an outpatient clinic or a drug information venue, and with a health team in a medical inpatient setting or a specialty setting. There are options to experience pharmacy in a broad range of settings; or perhaps you wish to concentrate on a preferred practice experience. The choice is yours.

The information growth in health care is astounding. There is no way to provide students with all the facts needed for the next 50 years of their careers. McWhorter School of Pharmacy prepares students with the competencies needed for today’s practice while also equipping graduates with self-learning skills for the future.

Samford is committed to creating independent, lifelong learners. Case-based learning is a strategy that encourages students to take responsibility for outcomes, and to develop competency in a number of skill sets, including communication, collaboration and problem solving.

Discovery

Patient care

“I am challenged to impact lives, improve health care

and influence communities both in the United States

and in poverty-stricken nations around the world.”ӰӰ EmilyӰM.ӰHawesӰ’10

RelationshipsEvery time we ask a graduating class what made McWhorter School of Pharmacy at Samford special, the answers are always the same:

Ӱ “I felt like I belonged.”

Ӱ “I knew people cared about me.”

Ӱ “Faculty had time for me and knew me personally.”

Ӱ “My class was so close; I’ve made friends for life.”

Part of the school’s reputation and one of its goals is to be a community focused on excellence and supportive of individual goals.

With the world, with your fellow students, with your professors, don’t be just a name in a grade book, another face in a crowd. Build relationships with your professors and with your friends and classmates who will support your goal of success.

“My most memorable experiences at McWhorter School

of Pharmacy can be attributed to my involvement

in professional pharmacy organizations. From

campus-wide events to national competitions and

conventions, my experiences have made my last four

years at Samford some of the best years yet! Being

involved gives you the opportunity to participate in

hands-on patient-care initiatives, to learn from some

of the best practitioners in our profession, and to

network with pharmacists and students across the

nation. Samford not only has given me an excellent

pharmacy education, but also a level of personal and

professional development that will benefit my career

for many years to come.” ӰӰ ChristyӰK.ӰGarmonӰ’09

Q How many students apply for admission each year?

A About 1,000–1,200 applications are received each year.

Q What is the admission deadline?

A February 1

Q When should I start the application process?

A Both the PharmCAS Application and the McWhorter School of

Pharmacy Supplemental Application open June 1.

Q How many students are accepted for each class?

A Approximately 125 students are admitted each year.

Q How many pharmacy students are admitted from other

undergraduate schools?

A Approximately 60% of students in an entering class completed

prerequisites at a school other than Samford University, and roughly 50% are from out of state.

Q I already have a B.A. or B.S. degree, or I will receive my degree

prior to entering pharmacy school.

A Applicants holding a B.A. or B.S. degree or who will be

receiving a B.A. or B.S. degree prior to starting pharmacy school, and who have completed all mathematics and science requirements shall only be required to satisfy the public speaking requirement. The general education/liberal arts requirements are waived for applicants holding a prior B.S./B.A. degree. The ACT/SAT requirement is also waived.

Q Is the PCAT required?

A Yes. There is no required minimum score. However, scores

above the 70th percentile rank are viewed favorably, and scores below the 40th percentile rank are viewed negatively. Scores should be sent directly to PharmCAS and not to the school.

Q How do you calculate the math and science GPA?

A The pharmacy school uses only math and science courses in the

prerequisite list.

Q Where are clinical sites available for pharmacy students to do

externship rotations?

A Externships are offered in a variety of hospitals in the

Birmingham, Ala., area, as well as sites in California, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Montana, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, Wyoming and Washington, D.C. International sites include China, Great Britain, Indonesia, Japan, Macau, Vietnam and South Korea.

Q What are the computer requirements?

A There are no requirements at this time; however, please

review the insert for updates. All McWhorter School of Pharmacy electronic resources are web-based, and can be accessed with a PC or Mac browser. Ingalls Hall is wireless, so it will help if your computer has wireless capabilities. Go to Samford’s technology services website for more information: www.samford.edu/ts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Application ProcessApplicants to McWhorter School of Pharmacy must complete the national online application at www.pharmcas.org. This online process allows applicants to apply to more than 80 pharmacy schools throughout the nation. Personal references are processed through PharmCAS. For applicants to be considered for admission, all admission credentials and materials must be submitted by February 1.

Applications are considered on a competitive basis by the McWhorter School of Pharmacy Admission Committee. The committee meets regularly beginning in January and notifies applicants as decisions are made. Applicants cannot be considered for admission until 20 semester credits of core math and science course work and 45 credits of total course work have been completed. Applicants also must have completed the first course in organic chemistry to be considered. Applicants must have a minimum 2.75 grade point average [GPA] overall, as well as a minimum 2.75 GPA for any completed math/science prerequisites at the time of application.

The PCAT and ACT or SAT scores are required. Waiver of the ACT/SAT is granted to applicants who have earned a prior B.S. or B.A. degree, are over 30 years of age, or have English as their second language and did not attend high school in the United States.

Admission policies

Prepharmacy CurriculumThe doctor of pharmacy degree at Samford’s McWhorter School of Pharmacy requires a minimum of six years of college work consistent with the standards set by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education [ACPE]. Candidates have the option of enrolling in Samford for the entire program, or completing two years of prepharmacy studies elsewhere and then completing the professional curriculum at Samford’s McWhorter School of Pharmacy. Prepharmacy courses may be completed at any accredited community college, college or university.

The prepharmacy curriculum includes courses in the arts, humanities, speech, statistics and sciences to provide students with a well-rounded liberal arts education. All prepharmacy courses must be completed prior to entry into McWhorter School of Pharmacy. Applicants holding a B.S. or B.A. degree, and who have completed all mathematics and science requirements in the prepharmacy curriculum, are required to satisfy the speech requirement. See the insert in the back pocket of this book for a detailed description of the prepharmacy curriculum.

Technical Standards for Admission Technical standards for admission ensure the education of pharmacists who facilitate competent patient care and professional services in all facets of health care. Students admitted to McWhorter School of Pharmacy must possess the intellectual, emotional and physical abilities, with reasonable accommodations as needed for those with disabilities, to acquire the knowledge, behaviors and skills needed to complete the curriculum. These standards are essential to ensure the competencies of graduates of the pharmacy school. Each applicant is assessed in the academic and technical standards set forth by the admission committee, notwithstanding reasonable accommodations, prior to matriculation. The technical standards set forth by the admission committee relate to the following: a) communication; b) physical abilities; c) interpretative, conceptual and quantitative skills; d) behavioral, social and emotional attributes; and e) stamina. See the Samford University catalog (pharmacy section) for a detailed description.

Nonacademic Entry RequirementsHealth Data: All McWhorter School of Pharmacy students are required to have health insurance and must provide proof of insurance at the time of enrollment. Each pharmacy student also must submit the completed Samford University Physical Examination Form and Immunization Record prior to the first day of school.

Extern License: Every pharmacy student is required to complete a criminal background check before the first day of class, and will be subject to random urine drug screening during the student’s tenure at the school. These requirements relate to the pharmacy student’s ability to attain/maintain an extern license from the Alabama State Board of Pharmacy and/or participate in experiential coursework at pharmacies, hospitals and other sites. See the Samford University catalog (pharmacy section) for a detailed description.

Samford University complies with applicable laws prohibiting discrimination, including applicable provisions of and amendments to Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, Executive Order 11246, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability or veteran status in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its programs or services. Inquiries and concerns regarding this policy may be directed to the vice president for business and financial affairs, or general counsel, Office of Business and Financial Affairs, 200 Samford Hall, Birmingham, AL 35229, 205-726-2811. This notice is available in alternative formats upon request.

Samford University AT A GLANCE

Christian faith

Samford University AT A GLANCE

Founded in 1841 as Howard College, Samford is the largest independently supported university in the state of Alabama. More than 4,500 students from 44 states and 32 nations study in Samford’s eight schools—School of the Arts, Howard College of Arts and Sciences, Brock School of Business, Beeson School of Divinity, Orlean Bullard Beeson School of Education and Professional Studies, Cumberland School of Law, Ida V. Moffett School of Nursing and McWhorter School of Pharmacy.

One of the oldest universities in continuous existence, Samford enjoys national recognition in U.S. News & World Report rankings of best colleges and in Princeton Review’s America’s Best

Colleges. Samford consistently attracts top-ranked students from

high schools across the United States, and Samford graduates achieve high success in graduate and professional school acceptance rates. The geographic, socioeconomic and cultural diversity of the student body provides an outstanding atmosphere for living and learning.

TeachingSamford offers small classes taught by talented and dedicated faculty members (264 full-time) who hold degrees from more than 160 colleges and universities in the United States and abroad; almost 80 percent of them have earned the highest degrees in their fields of study.

AthleticsSamford competes in 17 NCAA Division I sports, including baseball, basketball, cross-country, football, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, track (including indoor track) and volleyball. Completed in 2007, Pete Hanna Center is a 132,000-square-foot multipurpose facility that features a 5,000-seat area that is home to basketball games, volleyball matches, lectures, concerts, graduation and other events. The $32 million facility also features a 12,000-square-foot fitness and wellness center for all Samford students that houses the latest in weight equipment, treadmills and elliptical machines.

TechnologySamford’s campus is wireless, and every residence hall room has Internet and phone connections for each resident. Students also have access to laptop computers, Internet connections and printers in library study areas and through hundreds of PCs in 22 labs across campus.

ArtsSamford’s Leslie S. Wright Fine Arts Center features a 2,700-seat concert hall that is the home venue for the nationally recognized Alabama Ballet. The 32,000-square-foot Jane Hollock Brock Hall includes a 300-seat recital hall. The 400-seat Ben F. Harrison Theatre and the 100-seat Bolding Studio in Bonnie Bolding Swearingen Hall are home to the regionally acclaimed Samford Theatre. The Samford Art Gallery in Swearingen Hall hosts a variety of exhibits annually.

ScienceSamford’s William Self Propst Hall is one of the finest academic science facilities in the region. The state-of-the-art complex features a 100-seat planetarium, a 2,000-square-foot botanical conservatory for medicinal plants and numerous laboratories for hands-on scientific experience.

FaithSamford was founded by Alabama Baptists and remains a Christ-centered learning community affiliated with the Alabama Baptist Convention. While Samford cherishes its Baptist heritage, the university welcomes students of all denominations and faith traditions. A sense of Christian community permeates campus life and provides numerous opportunities for students to explore their faith—everything from lectures to worship services, Bible study groups to mission opportunities.

RankingsSamford is recognized by The Princeton Review’s 100 “Best Value Colleges” for 2010.

“I love being in

a school where

God is central

and prayer is

an everyday

occurrence.”ӰӰ AmandaӰPerroneӰ’09

Birmingham AT A GLANCE

Birmingham AT A GLANCE

With nationally acclaimed restaurants, beautiful outdoor attractions and plenty of first-class shopping, Birmingham is a major modern city. Founded in 1871 after the Civil War, Birmingham earned its nickname—the Magic City—from its magical early growth in the iron and steel industry. Straddling the line between gentle Southern sleepiness and bustling modern metropolis, the greater Birmingham area is home to approximately one million people. Between concerts and museums, symphonies and art festivals, Birmingham offers everything a student could want in a city.

Civil Rights Institute Birmingham played a central role during the struggle for equal rights. The Civil Rights Institute, which is located next to Sixteenth Street Baptist Church, is an ongoing commemoration of that struggle, and an educational opportunity for visitors and locals alike.

Sloss FurnaceSloss Furnace is the only remaining coke-fired furnace in the city. With its looming smoke stacks and rust-orange silos, the museum park is home to ongoing exhibits about the Birmingham steel industry. It also is the venue for a variety of concerts throughout the year.

Sidewalk Film FestivalIn September, Birmingham hosts the Sidewalk Film Festival, attracting filmmakers across the world to screen their work at the historic Alabama Theatre and other venues.

Oak MountainAlabama’s largest state park offers a variety of opportunities for those who love the outdoors. From 9,940 acres of pine-studded ridges and lakes to golf courses, vacation cottages, camping, picnicking, swimming, horseback riding and bike trails, Oak Mountain is the perfect getaway.

WorkplayWorkplay combines the most progressive technologies for both “work” and “play” to be the premiere entertainment venue in the Southeast. With 5,250 square feet of usable space, Workplay’s soundstage can be utilized for feature film, commercial spots—or even a television series.

VulcanVulcan is the largest metal statue ever cast in the United States. Nestled in the heart of Red Mountain, the colossal statue is one of the many things that set Birmingham and its civic history apart from the rest of the state and country.

“I love the fact that I can live in

a city that has a small-town

feel and at the same time be

just 10 minutes away from a

large metropolis. Everyone I

know who was not originally

from Birmingham has fallen in

love with the city and doesn’t

want to leave.”ӰӰ DeliaӰM.ӰCharestӰ’10

pha rmacy. samfo rd . edu