Meet Lipscomb University’s College of Pharmacy’s Admissions Team

Laura Ward, Director of Admissions & Student Affairs
laura.ward@lipscomb.edu

Ashley Tone, Assistant Director of Graduate Enrollment
ashley.tone@lipscomb.edu

Megan Morris, Admissions Coordinator
megan.morris@lipscomb.edu

Kathryne Channell, Student & Alumni Affairs Coordinator
kathryne.channell@lipscomb.edu

The pre-pharmacy education will require a minimum of 61 semester hours. Required pre-pharmacy courses should be completed before the term of desired enrollment.

Course Requirements:

• General Chemistry I and II with labs (8)
• Organic Chemistry I and II with labs (8)
• Microbiology with lab (4)
• Biology I and II with labs (8)
• College Algebra (3)
• Statistics (3)
• English Comp I and II (6)
• Speech/Communications (3)
• Electives - Humanities/Social Science (12)
• Additional Electives (6)

Achievement of a grade of "C" or higher for each required pre-pharmacy course is mandatory.

Substitutions may be offered for specific prerequisites outside of the math and science core curriculum to those having bachelor’s degrees through an appeal process.

You may submit an application while prerequisites are in progress and begin preparing for an on-site interview. 

Note: We no longer have a minimum GPA requirement. However, a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher is preferred.

Step One: Evaluate Yourself

Do you have all the courses?

• Compare with our pre-pharmacy prerequisite course listing
• The pre-pharmacy education will require a minimum of 61 semester hours. Required pre-pharmacy courses should be completed by the end of the spring semester prior to desired enrollment; however, coursework may be in progress or planned at the time of application without it negatively impacting the application. If an applicant has not completed all required pre-pharmacy coursework prior to submitting the application, a proposed plan for completion is required as part of the application process.
• CLEP/Advanced Placement Credit - Advanced Placement (AP) and CLEP credit (credit by examination) may be used to satisfy prerequisite coursework provided that the credit is accepted by the applicant's institution and is posted on the applicant's official academic transcript. Acceptance of credit is at the discretion of Lipscomb University College of Pharmacy based upon course equivalency standards.

Do your grades meet the requirement?

• Achievement of a grade of "C" or higher for each required pre-pharmacy course is mandatory.

What about the PCAT?

• The PCAT is NOT required for admission at Lipscomb. If you would like to include PCAT scores optionally, remember to include your CID Number on your PharmCAS Application so your scores may be matched to your application. After the test date you may request additional scores by visiting www.pcatweb.info.

Step Two: Submit Application Through PharmCAS

• Applications are available through PharmCAS. Applications must be completed and submitted electronically via their website. Please read the instructions very carefully to be sure the application is submitted properly. The application deadline for the Fall 2022 cohort is June 1, 2022. 
• Click here to review information on our PharmCAS school page

Step Three: Prepare For An Admissions Interview

• An on-site interview is required for admission to Lipscomb University College of Pharmacy. Interviews are conducted by invitation only. Each complete application will be evaluated for competitiveness.
• Review the Technical Standards necessary for the completion of our program. 

Interviews are conducted on an invitation only basis to students who have met all of Lipscomb University College of Pharmacy’s Admissions Criteria. 

Interviews are typically offered in-person on Lipscomb’s campus, but limited virtual interview dates are available each year. We highly encourage students to attend the in-person interviews if possible, we would love to get to know you in person and show you around campus!

Students will be interviewed by two members of Lipscomb University College of Pharmacy’s Admissions Committee, which is composed of faculty, current pharmacy students, alumni, and members of the local Nashville pharmacy industry. 

In addition to the interview, the day will be filled with opportunities for candidates to interact with faculty, staff, current pharmacy students, and each other. Lunch and an in-depth tour of the College of Pharmacy classroom facilities, our sterile compounding lab, the Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center and the Health Sciences Patient Simulation Center.

Pharmacy Early Assurance guarantees you a spot in the Lipscomb University College of Pharmacy Pharm.D. program based on your undergraduate application as long as you complete all your prerequisites and keep your grades up.

Learn More

Student pharmacists requesting a transfer to Lipscomb University College of Pharmacy from another Doctor of Pharmacy program must follow College guidelines.

• Each case will be individually assessed on its merit, and potential transfer students are to be informed that it is likely that an additional semester or more is needed to fulfill all required coursework.
• Student pharmacists must have an official transcript of their work from each school they have attended mailed to the College of Pharmacy's Director of Admissions and Recruitment office.
• Transfer candidates will be evaluated for transfer eligibility based on previous academic performance, personal behavior, on-campus interview and, when applicable, recommendations from faculty from the previous college/school of pharmacy.
• A grade of "C" or better must have been earned for each course for transfer.
• At least 50% of the credit hours required for the Doctor of Pharmacy degree must be earned in coursework at Lipscomb University College of Pharmacy; therefore, only transfer candidates in the earliest semesters of their respective pharmacy programs are eligible for transfer.
• Credit must have been received from an Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) approved college of pharmacy before it will be awarded. Additionally, the prospective transfer student pharmacist must complete an onsite interview process arranged by the Director of Admissions and Recruitment.
• Transfer student pharmacists may also be asked to complete an assessment consistent with the level of coursework the student pharmacist should have completed prior to transfer. An assessment will be made on the score received to ascertain if the transfer should move forward and what academic level within the College.
• Additionally, all applicants to Lipscomb University College of Pharmacy must possess a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale on all previous college work. Grades from all undergraduate coursework attempted are included in the calculation of the overall undergraduate GPA, which is the primary GPA used in the admissions process. All previous academic work will be evaluated.

If you are interested in transferring and meet these criteria, request the application through the Student Affairs Office - pharmacy@lipscomb.edu.

An applicant who is not a United States citizen or permanent resident must follow the same admissions procedures as applicants who are U.S. citizens (see Admission Requirements) in addition to the following specific requirements. There will be no exceptions to this policy.

The following items are required prior to submitting an application.

1. Prospective applicants must have been enrolled at an accredited U.S. college or university for a minimum of two years prior to the planned enrollment date.
2. Prospective applicants must complete all designated pre-pharmacy prerequisite requirements. Prerequisite courses taken at an institution outside of the United States must be evaluated and approved prior to submitting an application. To have international courses evaluated, the prospective applicant must submit the following:
   • All academic records from colleges and universities located outside the United States.
     • Official transcript(s) must be in the original language and a translation in English.
     • A course-by-course report from the transcript evaluation service World Education Services (WES) must accompany the transcript. Contact information for WES can be found at the website www.wes.org. Evaluations from other services are not accepted. The outside assessments by WES are subject to review and approval by the Office of Student Affairs. This includes, but is not limited to, decisions regarding acceptable credit, prerequisite fulfillment, GPA calculations, degree equivalencies, minimum passing grade levels, etc. The college is not obligated to accept the conclusion of any outside evaluation service.
   • All academic records from U.S. colleges and universities
     • Official transcripts should be submitted directly to Lipscomb University College of Pharmacy.
3. English courses taken outside of the United States will not be accepted toward meeting the English requirements unless English is the official language of the university or college attended and all instruction (except for foreign language courses) is conducted in English.
4. International students are required to be proficient in written and oral English before submitting an application. Applicants whose native language is not English must present the results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), prior to applying for admission to the college. For more information, visit www.toefl.org. Minimum TOEFL scores are 213 for the computer exam and 550 for the paper exam. The equivalent TOEFL iBT score is 80. Lipscomb’s TOEFL code is 1161. In addition to an acceptable score on the TOEFL, other evidence of proficiency in English may include letters from employers or instructors, credit earned in English language courses and a personal interview.

After all of the required documents are received, the Office of Student Affairs will evaluate whether the coursework can be applied to the prerequisite requirements for admission. If all prerequisite requirements will be met by the spring semester prior to the anticipated enrollment and all other documentation has been submitted and approved, then a formal application may then be submitted to the College.

The following items are required at the time of the application submission:

1. Applicants must provide copies of current status with the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) at the time of application., i.e. VISA, I-94 and I-20 documents.
2. Applicants must provide financial statements requested from their U.S. banking institution that shows adequate funds needed for all expenses for at least one year related to enrollment in the Lipscomb University College of Pharmacy.

An applicant who is not a United States citizen or permanent resident must follow the same admissions procedures as applicants who are U.S. citizens in addition to other specific requirements. Click the button below to visit our Graduate Admissions site for more information.

International Student Admissions Information

Do you accept online courses?

• Yes, we accept coursework from any accredited institution.

When do my courses need to be completed? 

• All prerequisite courses must be completed prior to the first day of classes at Lipscomb University College of Pharmacy. Summer courses are acceptable, but be mindful of the course end date and the start date of our semester.

Do I need to have all the prerequisites completed before submitting my application?

• No! If you are only lacking a few more prerequisites, submit your application. This will be more beneficial for you as an applicant so you may gain a seat in the cohort before it fills up. If our admissions committee invites you for an interview and offers you a letter of acceptance into the program, that acceptance will be conditional pending the final grades of your remaining prerequisites. You will just need to designate any incomplete courses as “Planned” or “In Progress” so our admissions team can see that you have intentions of completing all necessary courses.

Who can my letters of recommendation come from?

• One letter of recommendation is required from your pre-health committee. If your school does not have a committee, two academic letters from course instructors (ideally those who teach math or science) will be accepted as a substitution. All applicants will also need to submit one letter from a supervisor in a work or volunteer setting and one letter that serves as a character reference. So, who can you ask to write a letter of recommendation?
  • Clergy? Yes
  • Coworker? Yes
  • Employer? Yes
  • Faculty Advisor? Yes
  • Family Member? No
  • Friend? Conditionally Accepted
  • Health Care Professional? Yes
  • Pharmacist? Yes
  • Politician: Conditionally Accepted
  • Pre-Health Advisor? Yes
  • Professor? Yes
  • Supervisor? Yes
  • Teaching Assistant? Yes

What is a Personal Statement?

• Your personal statement should reflect who you are and why you are striving to become a pharmacist. Some applicants may choose to share a personal story describing an event that changed their perspective on health care, or their plans to help people once they earn their PharmD. 

I’ve been out of school for a while, will that impact the strength of my application?

• Please note that our admissions requirements state that all math & sciences prerequisite courses must be completed within 10 years of submitting an application.At Lipscomb, we have a wide age range of students in our program. Some are in their early 20s and just completed the 64 prerequisite hours to gain acceptance. Others have been in a different career for several years and discovered their aspirations to become a pharmacist later on in life. Each type of student is equally valued in our program, as they all have different life experiences that they can share with their peers to help everyone become better health care providers.

What is the GPA requirement? 

• We no longer have a minimum GPA requirement, but a 2.5 or higher overall GPA is preferred. Highly competitive applicants typically have a 3.3 GPA or higher, and will be eligible for more scholarships and earlier admission.

How do I confirm that I plan to attend Lipscomb University College of Pharmacy?

• After the successful completion of an interview and you have been notified of your acceptance, you will receive instructions on how to reserve your seat in the cohort. This will include a “Confirmation of Attendance” form and steps to pay your $200 deposit to reserve your seat. You will be given several weeks to inform us of your decision. 

The primary mission of the Lipscomb University College of Pharmacy is to provide an educational environment characterized by academic excellence and Christian faith, where student pharmacists are prepared to optimize patient medication outcomes in an ethical and compassionate practice.

The professional program leading to the Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree and eligibility for licensure requires a certain level of cognitive, behavioral and technical skill and ability inherent in a professional education. These principles and standards hold for admission, progression and completion of the program.

The primary role of the pharmacist is to provide safe and effective health care to the patients served. Patient safety must be considered in the selection and education of student pharmacists. As well, the College of Pharmacy has a responsibility to maintain as safe an environment as possible for its student pharmacists and the practice settings in which they receive education. Student pharmacists must reasonably contribute to a safe environment through their personal, physical and mental health or social behavior.

All student pharmacists are expected to successfully fulfill the same core educational requirements. Reasonable education-related accommodations will be provided, where possible and within Lipscomb University guidelines. Student pharmacists need to possess the skills and abilities with or without accommodations that will allow successful fulfillment of the requirements necessary to complete the program. Student pharmacists who graduate from the program are eligible to become pharmacists without restriction on their practice; therefore, the curriculum requires student pharmacists to successfully complete all core components of the program and does not allow student pharmacists to take part in a limited set of required activities.

Lipscomb University College of Pharmacy will consider for admission any candidate who demonstrates the ability to perform or learn to perform the skills listed in this document. Candidates are not required to disclose the nature of their disabilities, if any, to the Admissions Committee. Any candidate who has questions about the ability to satisfy these technical standards is strongly encouraged to discuss the issue with the College of Pharmacy's Director of Admissions and Student Affairs prior to the application or interview process in order to determine whether or not reasonable accommodations can be made.

Certain chronic or recurrent illnesses and problems that interfere with patient care, safety or required class attendance may be incompatible with pharmacy training or practice. Other conditions that may lead to a high likelihood of student illness should be carefully considered. Candidates must, at all times, demonstrate the emotional stability to be able to exercise sound judgment and carry out prompt completion of all of the responsibilities attendant to the care of their patients in a sensitive and effective manner. Deficiencies in knowledge base, judgment, integrity, character or professional attitude or demeanor, which may jeopardize patient care, may be grounds for course/rotation failure and possible dismissal. Therefore, reassessment of individual's ability to meet the technical standards will be an ongoing process through the duration of the program.

Lipscomb University College of Pharmacy adheres to technical standards by which it assesses all students, with or without accommodation. A candidate must meet all criteria noted regarding the five following areas: 1) observation; 2) sensory and motor coordination; 3) communication; 4) cognitive ability and 5) behavioral and social attributes. Failure to meet all components in each of the five areas may result in a student's dismissal. Each case will be reviewed on an individual basis by the appropriate College personnel.

The following technical standards describe the essential functions students must possess and demonstrate in order to fulfill the requirements of a general pharmacy education, and thus, are prerequisites for entrance, continuation and graduation.

Observation: The ability to critically observe demonstrations, experiments and patients using visual, auditory and somatic senses

• Observe lectures, demonstrations, experiments and practice-based activities
• Observe physiologic and pharmacological demonstrations, evaluations of microbiological cultures, and microscopic studies of organisms and tissues and in normal pathological states
• Observe a patient accurately at a distance and close at hand
• Independently read information on a computer screen at an appropriate rate to complete duties and assignments as required
• Remain fully alert and attentive at all times in clinical settings
• Visually evaluate patient signs and symptoms for the purposes of monitoring drug therapy

Sensory and Motor Coordination: Use of the body associated with mental activity

• Visually evaluate microscopic slides, pharmaceutical preparations and instrumentation data
• Prepare and administer patient immunizations
• Perform CPR, use a stethoscope and take a pulse
• Demonstrate safe and aseptic handling of sterile preparations
• Prepare drug products (compound drug products, prepare IVs, and make capsules)
• Safely and effectively operate equipment (e.g., microscopes, computer keyboard, glucose monitors, peak flow meters)

Communication: Imparting or interchange of thoughts, opinions or information by speech, writing or signs

• Communicate effectively and proficiently in the English language
• Document activities as required by the rotation site or College of Pharmacy
• Speak, listen and read in order to elicit information
• Effectively communicate with instructors, peers and patients
• Communicate professionally with other health care providers and patients
• Teach patients how to use health care related devices (inhalers, glucometers, etc.)
• Provide patients with clear, concise, accurate and audience-appropriate information
• Organize ideas and develop thoughts into coherent, appropriately written, and referenced essays and research papers
• Interpret non-verbal communication (body language) from peers, patients, instructors and members of a health care team
• Utilize appropriate resources for communication with non-English speakers

Cognitive Ability: Mental processes of perception, memory, judgment and reasoning

• Accurately fill prescriptions
• Solve problems involving measurement, calculations, reasoning, analysis, synthesis and evaluation
• Perform rapid algebraic calculations for a variety of patient care situations
• Gather and evaluate information from multiple sources to develop patient treatment and monitoring plans in a timely manner
• Demonstrate evidence-based decision-making
• Synthesize knowledge and integrate relevant information

Behavioral and Social Attributes -- Characteristics of experience, behavior and interaction with people in didactic and experienced settings

• Demonstrate maturity, emotional stability and capability to adapt to changing environments
• Demonstrate persistence and flexibility in all situations
• Engage in help-seeking behavior when appropriate
• Utilize constructive coping strategies to manage stress
• Seek personal, professional or academic support to address personal limitations
• Display positive self-esteem and confidence when working with others (e.g. patients and other clinicians)
• Perform competently under physical, mental and emotional stress
• Accept appropriate suggestions and criticism and respond, if necessary
• Exhibit a respect for diversity and justice
• Act in a manner that respects all individuals
• Individualize care with considerations for cultural norms for the patient
• Provide care without judgment
• Seek justice in the distribution of health care resources
• Demonstrate ethical behaviors as described in the Code of Ethics for Pharmacists, Oath of a Pharmacist, and Pledge of Professionalism
• Maintain professional competence through lifelong learning
• Act with honesty and integrity in professional relationships
• Respect the dignity, confidentiality and autonomy of each patient
• Serve individual, community and societal needs

The College of Pharmacy is committed to student diversity and individual rights, with a strong commitment to full compliance with state and federal laws and regulations including Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Candidates with disabilities are reviewed individually, with complete and careful consideration of all the skills, attitudes and attributes to determine whether there are any reasonable accommodations or available options that would permit the candidate to satisfy the standards. An accommodation is not reasonable if it poses a direct threat to the health or safety of self and/or others, if making it requires a fundamental altercation to the nature of the program, if it lowers academic standards, or poses an undue administrative or financial burden. Except in rare circumstance, the use by the candidate of a third party (e.g., an intermediary) to perform any of the functions described in the Technical Standards set forth above would constitute an unacceptable substantial modification.

Student pharmacists who desire disability services or accommodations should make their request known through the College of Pharmacy's Office of Student Affairs. An appointment will be scheduled to discuss the needed services. The student pharmacist will be required to present appropriate documentation for the disability and information regarding any past accommodations provided that have been successful. Questions regarding the technical standards, the process for requesting accommodations or eligibility requirements may be directed to the College of Pharmacy's Director of Admissions and Student Affairs at any point prior to admission, during the admission process or after enrollment in the program. The appropriate college administrators will evaluate each request to determine eligibility for services.

Professional Year 1
Fall - Semester 1 (20 hours)

PHAD 1000 - Dean's Hour
PHAD 1111 - Applied Christian Values I
PHIE 1511 - Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experiences I
PHPR 1002 - Foundations in Pharmacy Practice
PHPR 1622 - Pharmacy Calculations
PHSC 1113 - Physiological Basis of Therapeutics I
PHSC 1213 - Biomolecular Chemistry
PHSC 1413 - Microbiology & Immunology
PHSC 1512 - Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry
PHSC 1512 - Integrated Biomedical Sciences Lab I

Spring - Semester 2 (20 hours)

PHAD 1202 - Biomedical Literature Analysis and Drug Information
PHAD 1303 - Pharmacy Leadership and Management
PHIE 1521 - Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experiences II
PHPR 1613 - Pharmacy Compounding & Dispensing
PHSC 1123 - Physiological Basis of Therapeutics II
PHSC 1423 - Biopharmaceutics
PHSC 1522 - Integrated Biomedical Sciences Lab II
PHSC 1613 - Pharmacologic Basis of Therapeutics I

Professional Year 2

Fall - Semester 3 (20 hours)

PHAD 2111 - Applied Christian Values II
PHAD 2423 - Concepts in Pharmacy Practice Administration
PHAD 2432 - Communication Skills
PHIE 2511 - Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experiences III
PHPR 2422 - Introduction to Health Informatics
PHPR 2312 - Natural Medicine
PHSC 2433 - Advanced Biopharmaceutics & Pharmacokinetics
PHSC 2623 - Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics II

Spring - Semester 4 (18 hours)

PHAD 2222 - Principles of Health Care Delivery
PHIE 2521 - Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experiences IV
PHPR 2703 - Non-prescription Medications & Devices
PHPR 2813 - Pharmacotherapy I
PHPR 2823 - Pharmacotherapy II
PHSC 2633 - Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics III

Professional Year 3

Fall - Semester 5 (19 hours)

PHAD 3111 - Applied Christian Values III
PHAD 3232 - Pharmacoeconomics & Health Outcomes
PHIE 3511 - Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience IV
PHPR 3121 - Practice Seminar I
PHPR 3502 - Medication Therapy Management
PHPR 3512 - Applied Pharmacotherapy I
PHPR 3813 - Pharmacotherapy III
PHPR 3823 - Pharmacotherapy IV
PHPR 3NNV - Elective I OR
PHSC 3NNV - Elective I OR
PHAD 3NNV - Elective I

Spring - Semester 6 (18 hours)

PHAD 3522 - Pharmacy Law & Ethics
PHIE 3522 - Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience V
PHPR 3131 - Practice Seminar II
PHPR 3522 - Applied Pharmacotherapy II
PHPR 3833 - Pharmacotherapy V
PHPR 3843 - Pharmacotherapy VI
PHPR 3NNV - Elective I OR
PHAD 3NNV - Elective I OR
PHSC 3NNV - Elective I

Professional Year 4

Summer / Fall - Semester 7 (24 hours)

PHAE 4nn4 - Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences I
PHAE 4nn4 - Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences II
PHAE 4nn4 - Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences III
PHAE 4nn4 - Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences IV
PHAE 4nn4 - Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences V
PHAE 4nn4 - Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences VI

Spring - Semester 8 (16 hours)

PHAE 4nn4 - Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences VII
PHAE 4nn4 - Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences VIII
PHAE 4nn4 - Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences IX
PHAE 4nn4 - Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences X
PHPR 4900 - Pharmacy Practice Review

Being in the Health Care Capital of America works to our students’ advantage when it comes to rotations. Lipscomb University College of Pharmacy students will have the opportunity to complete their introductory and advanced pharmacy practice experiences at the following locations:

Coming Soon!

Coming Soon!

During the 3rd year of pharmacy school, students have the opportunity to choose elective courses to fill their class schedule. Lipscomb University College of Pharmacy offers a generalist PharmD degree with content delivered from highly trained faculty members who represent a very broad range of specialties. This allows our graduates to explore a broad range of career opportunities with focused training in emerging pharmacy practice areas as well as research in practice and lab settings. Electives, along with Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences, allow students to tailor their education to enhance their skills and differentiate themselves in areas that they are interested in exploring in more depth. Elective courses include the following:

• PHAD 3302: Project Management
• PHAD 3542: Change Management
• PHPR 3702: Clinical Problems in Endocrinology
• PHPR 3712: Drug-Induced Disease
• PHPR 3722: Advanced Perspectives in Psychiatry
• PHPR 3742: Pharmacy Management of Vulnerable and Underserved Populations
• PHPR 3782: Drugs of Abuse and Addiction
• PHPR 3792: Toxicology
• PHPR 2812: Molecule to Market
• PHPR 3822: Formulary Decision Making and Assessment
• PHPR 3832: Ambulatory Care
• PHPR 3842: Consumer Health Informatics
• PHPR 3852: Critical Care
• PHPR 3922: Research in Pharmacy Practice 
• PHSC 3922: Introduction to Pharmaceutical Sciences Research

What is VPIL?

VPIL puts a twist on the normal clinical experience by bringing together students from five different disciplines to form interprofessional teams. Each team consists of a future doctor, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, and counselor or social worker.

Over the course of this two-year elective, the team spends one afternoon each week in the clinic together seeing patients, creating personalized care plans, and working under the direction of a mentoring medical professional called a “preceptor.”

VPIL students don’t just learn from their professors and preceptors, they learn from each other. Each member of the team brings unique insight and experience to the whole group. How would a nurse practitioner or pharmacist approach this situation? What details is a doctor paying attention to here? What unique insight might a counselor or social worker offer about this patient?

Why VPIL?

• You’ll gain experience interacting with patients face-to-face
• You’ll learn advanced teamwork and communication skills as you collaborate with other medical professionals
• You’ll get hands-on experience in your field, starting from your first year of pharmacy school.

How do I become a part of VPIL?

• All pharmacy students are encouraged to consider VPIL
• To apply, contact Allison Provine, PharmD, BCPS at aprovine@lipscomb.edu

How will my schedule look different from that of my classmates?

• Your VPIL hours will partially fulfill your IPPE credit
• You will complete an additional twenty hours of work per semester, compared to the rest of your cohort

Who else is involved in VPIL?

• Lipscomb University College of Pharmacy is the exclusive pharmacy partner for VPIL
• Counseling students from Vanderbilt University
• Medical students from Vanderbilt University and Meharry Medical College
• Nursing students from Vanderbilt University
• Social Work students from The University of Tennessee

Courses from the College of Pharmacy Curriculum (155 hours):

Seven hours of the Doctor of Pharmacy curriculum are required courses, which apply toward the dual degree. Since these are required courses, the costs are covered by the College of Pharmacy tuition.

These required courses are:

• PHPR 2422    Health Informatics
• PHPR 3nnV    Consumer Health Informatics
• HCI 5033    Project Management (PHPR 3nnV )

Courses from the Master of Science in Health Care Informatics (27 hours)

Select nine courses from the list below (must include HCI 5903 Capstone Project):

HCI 5003 - Decision Support Systems (3)
HCI 5013 - Information Systems Management (3)
HCI 5123 - Ethical and Legal Issues in Health Care Informatics (3)
HCI 5133 - Health Care IT Vendor Management (3)
HCI 5203 - Leadership and Organizational Behavior (3)
HCI 5213 - Operations in Health Care Organizations (3)
HCI 5253 - Contemporary Issues in Health Care (3)
HCI 5903 - Capstone Project (3)
ISEC 5113 - Introduction to Information Security (3)
MITM 5023 - Data and Knowledge Management (3)
MITM 5213 - Predictive Analytics and Data Mining (3)

Note:
MITM 5213  has prerequisites, which include a course in Statistics and also MITM 5023 - Data and Knowledge Management (3).

Courses from the College of Pharmacy curriculum (155 hours)
See courses listed under the Doctor of Pharmacy curriculum.

Courses from Health Care Informatics curriculum (12 hours)
Select four courses from the list below:  

HCI 5003 - Decision Support Systems (3)
HCI 5013 - Information Systems Management (3)
HCI 5123 - Ethical and Legal Issues in Health Care Informatics (3)
HCI 5133 - Health Care IT Vendor Management (3)
HCI 5203 - Leadership and Organizational Behavior (3)
HCI 5213 - Operations in Health Care Organizations (3)
HCI 5253 - Contemporary Issues in Health Care (3)
ISEC 5113 - Introduction to Information Security (3)
MITM 5023 - Data and Knowledge Management (3)
MITM 5213 - Predictive Analytics and Data Mining (3)

Courses from the College of Pharmacy Curriculum (155 hours):

Newly accepted student pharmacists are considered for scholarships on the basis of the holistic PharmCAS application review and are awarded on a competitive basis. Students who meet and/or exceed the preferences of the admissions criteria will be considered for scholarship awards first. No additional application is required.

Scholarships for returning students in the P2, P3 and P4 years are awarded through a separate application provided during the spring semester each year and made through a committee review process. Students desiring scholarship consideration are encouraged to apply early in the application cycle.

• Dean's Scholarship Award: For applicants applying by February 1. Amounts vary from $500-$5,000 based on the holistic application review and interview.
• Trustee Pharmacy Scholar: For applicants having at least a 3.75 GPA and an exceptional portfolio and exemplary interview.
• Provost Pharmacy Scholar: For applicants applying on or before September 1 with a 3.0 GPA and exemplary interview.
• Presidential Pharmacy Scholar: For Lipscomb undergraduate Trustee, Presidential or Provost scholars pursuing 3+1 degree in Biology, Chemistry or Health Sciences who have participated in the Pre-Pharmacy Society and have a 3.5 GPA and an exemplary interview.
• Pharmacy Tech to Pharm.D. Scholar: For pharmacy technicians with 5+ years full-time work experience, recent prerequisite completion and an exemplary interview.
• Research Scholar: For applicants with published research in a relevant scientific field who intend to pursue research while in pharmacy school.
• Degreed Student Scholar: For applicants earning a bachelor's degree with at least a 3.5 GPA and an exemplary interview.
• Community College Scholar: For applicants progressing directly into the Pharm.D. program from a community college earning an AA or AS degree.
• TN Pharmacy Access Scholar: For TN applicants who received the Hope Aspire award as an undergraduate student.

State Funds: Tennessee Educational Lottery Scholarship (HOPE)

• Either $3,500 or $4,000 per year (can be up to $5,500)

• Available to Tennessee residents only

• GPA requirements: 3.0 after 72, 96 and 120 hours

• HOPE recipients must maintain continuous enrollment

• Eligible to receive for five years from the original date of receiving the award as a freshman, so if you were awarded the HOPE as an undergraduate, you may no longer be eligible. 

Federal Stafford Loan

• Maximum of $33,000 in Unsubsidized Stafford Loans per academic year as a Pharm.D. student

• Having a Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loan means that interest accrues while you are in school

• 6.08% interest rate

• Payments begin six months after graduation or leaving school

• Eligibility is determined by FAFSA

• 1.062% origination fee at time of disbursement

Grad Plus Loan

• 7.08% interest rate

• 4.248% fee at time of disbursement

• Can be deferred while in school

• FAFSA is required

• Non-need based loan, based on credit. Can use a co-signer.

• Must use all of Stafford before Grad Plus is applied to account

For financial aid purposes, you are considered a professional student once you are accepted into the College of Pharmacy. This means that you will file as an independent student on your FAFSA, even if you are claimed as a dependent on your parent’s income taxes. You will not use any of your parents’ information when you file your FAFSA.

Complete the FAFSA. We recommend that the FAFSA be filed electronically by April 1. Be sure to have your tax information from the most recent tax year and your driver’s license. If you do not have your tax return completed by then, go ahead and file the FAFSA. You can always amend your FAFSA once your return is complete.

If you have filed a FAFSA before, you will need your FSA ID. If you have not filed a FAFSA before, request an FSA ID.

Please be sure to answer the following questions on the FAFSA as shown.

How to answer FAFSA Question 28: When you begin the school year, what will be your grade level?

• 1st year graduate/professional (for P1)
• Continuing graduate/professional or beyond (for P2, P3 & P4)

How to answer FAFSA question 29: When you begin the school year, what degree or certificate will you be working on?

• Graduate/ professional

How to answer FAFSA question 48: At the beginning of the school year, will you be working on a master’s or doctorate program? Yes

Lipscomb University College of Pharmacy is proud to announce that effective January 1, 2021 we are a participant in the Yellow Ribbon Program. If you have questions regarding your eligibility for Yellow Ribbon or want to learn more about services offered to our military & veteran students, contact the Veterans Services Office.

R. Samuel Lynn, Director of Veterans Services
sam.lynn@lipscomb.edu 

Jimmie L. Handley, Veterans Programs Coordinator
jimmie.handley@lipscomb.edu 

Billie Scroggins, Veterans Certifying Official
billie.scroggins@lipscomb.edu