Victoria S. knew she wanted to help others for a living. At first, she thought her path would be similar to those of her family members: nursing school followed by a career caring for patients at the bedside. Then she completed an internship at a Long Beach hospital that changed her mind.
“I am going into pharmacy. I’m going to become a pharmacist,” Victoria told WCU. “I enjoy the clinical side of drugs, and I want to be able to help my patients . . . manage their medications.”
Today, Victoria is an alumna of West Coast University’s Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program. She works for a major retail pharmacy chain. In this article, we share how Victoria’s purpose and persistence as a working student—and the support of the WCU community—helped put her PharmD within reach.
- Program Name: Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD)
- Campus: WCU Center for Graduate Studies, Los Angeles
- Time to Complete: 33 months
- Format: Accelerated hybrid (online + hands-on labs and clinicals)
- Admission Requirements: Prerequisite courses in science, math, and English composition/communication
- Features: 10-day NAPLEX master class review course
Finding Purpose Behind the Pharmacy Counter
Pharmacists are often one of the most accessible members of a patient’s care team. The support pharmacists offer goes beyond dispensing prescriptions or working through insurance issues. Pharmacists also administer vaccines, counsel patients on medications, and offer lifestyle advice about managing chronic conditions.
While Victoria found the clinical side of pharmacy appealing, what really drew her to the field was the opportunity to make a personal impact. “I enjoy the interacting, getting to know [my patients],” she said. “Every time they come inside the pharmacy, I can see how their health is improving, and that just actually warms my heart.”
Why Community Makes the Difference for Pharmacy Students
Victoria could have pursued her degree anywhere. She chose West Coast University for a reason many WCU students echo: the tight-knit community.
“I really enjoyed West Coast just because it was a smaller cohort,” she said. “I felt more of a connection [with my instructors], and I felt like they were more willing to understand me as a student and willing to work with my schedule if ever I needed any help.”
Victoria’s schedule was demanding: she was balancing her PharmD program with a pharmacy technician job. While the hybrid format of WCU’s PharmD made being a working student more attainable—and Victoria valued the opportunity to apply concepts from class in the real world—there were times when she found the going tough.
Plugging Into the Broader Pharmacy Community
Victoria emphasized that building community wasn’t limited to WCU’s classrooms. She recommended that current and prospective students get involved with national professional organizations and pharmacy affinity groups early. These groups can include:
- ACCP (American College of Clinical Pharmacy)
- APhA (American Pharmacists Association)
- ASHP (American Society of Health-System Pharmacists)
- PDC (Phi Delta Chi, a professional pharmacy fraternity)
Professional communities connect students with their cohort, with peers a year or two ahead, and with alumni working across the country. Those relationships can open doors to mentorship, professional development, and career opportunities long after graduation day.
How Does WCU’s PharmD Program Work?
The PharmD degree program at WCU is a hybrid-format program that is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE). Students take coursework online, then complete both sterile and non-sterile compounding labs, patient counseling assessments, community outreach, and co-curricular activities on-campus at WCU’s Center for Graduate Studies in Los Angeles.
Closer to home, students gain hands-on clinical experience supervised by licensed pharmacy preceptors. These experiences, known as Introductory and Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences (IPPEs and APPEs), offer real pharmacy practice hours alongside classroom learning. They take place in community pharmacies, hospitals, acute care facilities, and other settings. The goal is to help you understand all the ways you can serve as a pharmacist—and help you build your confidence as you prepare to practice.
During the final year of their curriculum, students are enrolled in a North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination® (NAPLEX®) preparatory course that culminates with a 10-day master class at the end of the year. This ensures WCU students are set-up to successfully pass NAPLEX upon graduation and qualify for their pharmacist license.
Unlike traditional PharmD programs, which last four years, the WCU PharmD is designed to be completed in as few as 33 months. Plus, students don’t need to have completed a bachelor’s degree to apply—anyone who has taken the right prerequisite coursework and met grade requirements may be eligible for the program.
Advice for Future PharmD Students
Pharmacy school is demanding, and Victoria doesn’t pretend otherwise. But her message to students just starting out is grounded in her own experience of sticking with it.
“It might seem rough in the beginning, but definitely just persevere,” she said in an interview on her graduation day. She also pointed out that her part-time work as a pharmacy technician had led to her post-graduation job offer with a major retail chain. “I’m just waiting to take my boards,” she said in 2025, “and then I’m going to be a licensed pharmacist.”
For students who are willing to work hard and lean on the WCU community, the rigor of the PharmD program can become manageable. “You got this,” Victoria said. “You’re going to make it. You’re going to be here in three years.”
Learn More About the Doctor of Pharmacy Program at WCU
Interested in pursuing skills to care for patients as a pharmacist? Whether you’re drawn to community pharmacy, clinical care, or another corner of the field, WCU is dedicated to helping you build the skills and confidence you’ll rely on as you prepare for the next chapter of your pharmacy career.
Learn more about the Doctor of Pharmacy program at westcoastuniversity.edu/programs/pharmd.
Frequently Asked Questions About the WCU PharmD Program
How long does it take to earn a Doctor of Pharmacy degree at West Coast University?
WCU’s hybrid Doctor of Pharmacy program can be completed in as few as 33 months—shorter than the traditional four-year pharmacy timeline. Program lengths vary by schedule and session.
Is WCU’s PharmD program accredited?
Yes. The Doctor of Pharmacy degree at West Coast University is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), the national agency that accredits professional pharmacy degree programs.
Where is the WCU School of Pharmacy located?
The School of Pharmacy is based at WCU’s Center for Graduate Studies in Los Angeles, California. Students complete digital coursework delivered online, and attend scheduled in-person lab sessions and in-person experiences at the campus.
What kind of hands-on experience does the PharmD program include?
The curriculum blends lectures and team-based learning coursework, along with laboratory sessions, and experiential learning. Students complete both Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experiences (IPPEs) and Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences (APPEs) under licensed preceptors, giving them real-world pharmacy practice hours throughout the degree.
Who is the PharmD program a good fit for?
The program is designed for aspiring pharmacists who want a hybrid, accelerated path into the profession—including career-changers, pharmacy technicians looking to move into a pharmacist role, and students who value a smaller-cohort learning environment with experienced faculty.
Do I need a bachelor’s or master’s degree to apply?
No. The PharmD program accepts students who have completed the following prerequisite courses with a minimum grade of C/2.0 on a 4.0 scale:
| # of Courses | Subject | Semester Credits |
| 2 | General Chemistry with Lab | 8 |
| 2 | Organic Chemistry with Lab | 8 |
| 2 | General Biology (including cell biology content) with Lab | 8 |
| 1 | Human/Mammalian Physiology with Lab | 3 |
| 1 | Human Anatomy with Lab | 3 |
| 1 | Calculus (including analytical geometry content) | 3 |
| 1 | Statistics | 3 |
| 1 | Speech/ Public Speaking/ Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
| 1 | English Composition | 6 |
| 1 | Biochemistry | 3 |
| 1 | Microbiology with Lab | 3 |
WCU provides career guidance and assistance but cannot guarantee employment. The views and opinions expressed are those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the beliefs or position of the school or of any instructor or student.
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