Midwestern University College of Pharmacy-Glendale

Glendale, Arizona

Founded: 1998

Class Size: Approximately 150 students

Students of the Midwestern University College of Pharmacy—Glendale learn year-round to earn their PharmD degrees in just 3 years.

“The College of Pharmacy-Glendale offers a challenging and rewarding program that will prepare graduates to meet the needs of the pharmacy profession now and into the future,” said Dean Mitchell Emerson, PhD, in an interview with Pharmacy Times. “We are a teaching-centered, emerging research institution that offers students hands-on experiences in our laboratories, at our clinics, and in the community.”

The school’s curriculum focuses on building a foundation in science while teaching the professional skills required for a successful career in pharmacy. The program also focuses on clinical experience.

“We have a robust experiential curriculum that is supported didactically through service-learning and clinical simulation activities,” Dr. Emerson said. “In addition, we have exciting co-curricular and extracurricular programs to enrich the overall learning experience.”

^{Students of the Midwestern University College of Pharmacy—Glendale participate in community and professional service outreach activities including health fairs, poison prevention events, and other events.}

Q: What is the teaching style or philosophy?A: Our faculty are very student-centered and are highly motivated in working with students to enhance learning, recognizing that individuals learn in many different ways. Our faculty and administration maintain an “open door” policy and seek to build a supportive relationship with our students as they navigate the curriculum. Courses utilize many different environments and technologies to foster student learning and professional growth. We also emphasize an interdisciplinary, team-based approach to learning that we have found students respond very well to.

Q: What are some community outreach activities or programs the school participates in? What volunteer opportunities are available to students?A: Midwestern University has been recognized nationally for our community service activities. Specifically, pharmacy students are very active in Health Outreach through Medicine and Education. This is a program where once a week, interprofessional groups of students, along with faculty mentors, provide basic health care at a clinic for the homeless population.

We also emphasize advocacy and leadership development for the profession of pharmacy through Pharmacy Day at the Capitol. This event allows pharmacy students and pharmacists to show state legislators the valuable services pharmacists provide and promote pharmacy-related issues and resolutions important to the year’s legislative session.

We have 12 different student organizations and all of them participate in community and professional service outreach activities including health fairs, poison prevention events, and other charitable opportunities.

Q: What advice do you have for students who will graduate this year?A: Take a moment to be proud of your accomplishments, but then reset and dedicate yourself to what you have started. Remember that you are always in a learning mode. Don’t be afraid to diversify your skill set and develop innovative pharmacy services. Advocate for your profession; recent momentum in pharmacy practice will only be maintained if our graduates stay involved. Most importantly, pharmacy is a service profession. Remember that it is a privilege to assist others in managing their health.