Doctor of Pharmacy Degree Program

In UNE’s Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree program, you’ll gain the knowledge, experiences, and confidence to begin your professional life — ready to lead in more than 100 pharmacy careers. Our faculty and staff help guide you to advance the practice of pharmacy through hands-on learning in patient care, service, interprofessional collaboration, and research — and along with alumni and classmates — provide a wide network of friends and colleagues to help throughout your career.

Earn Your Pharm.D. at Maine’s Leading Health University

As a student in UNE’s Doctor of Pharmacy program, you’ll receive an education that empowers you to succeed and lead in the evolving pharmacy landscape. Today’s pharmacists go beyond the counter to provide an array of services and expertise. UNE’s innovative curriculum and experiential learning focus will prepare you with specialized and general skills that stand out.

The Pharm.D. program is housed on the UNE Portland Campus for the Health Sciences, in a modern facility with state-of-the-art gear. Join our close-knit community, along with students from across the health disciplines, all of whom share your passion for helping others. 

As a way to help bring a UNE education within reach for future pharmacy leaders, we also offer three levels of merit scholarships to incoming students.

A pharmacy student in a white coat and smiling at the camera stands behind a counter in a pharmacy
Title
Best Pharmacy Schools
Source
U.S. News & World Report
Year
2024

Why UNE for Your Pharm.D.

  • UNE stands out for providing a high-quality education — we’re recognized in The Princeton Review’s Best Colleges guide and elsewhere. This echoes student success: UNE has a NAPLEX licensure exam first-time pass rate that is in the top tier for New England.
  • Career support is built into UNE's pharmacy degree, starting with academic support, and extending through career mentorship. In our close community, faculty pay attention to the success of each student.
  • You'll have the opportunity to pursue specialized instruction in such topics as Pharmaceutical Sciences; Wellness and Integrative Medicine; Veterinary Pharmacy, and Interprofessional Healthcare in Rural America at no extra cost.
  • You'll receive interdisciplinary training alongside future physicians, dentists, and other health professionals, so you’ll be able to lead in today’s collaborative health care.
  • You’ll have access to diverse learning experiences for career flexibility, from global travel courses to rotations in fascinating workplaces.
  • You'll learn in state-of-the-art facilities. The Pharmacy building, built in 2012, contains learning labs, classrooms, study spaces, and biomedical research labs. Nearby, UNE’s Sim Lab is an authentic hospital environment with robotic patient simulators, where students gain real-life clinical experience.
  • You'll be in Portland, Maine — an ideal place to study and live — learning on our historical brick campus, and enjoying the cultural and foodie scenes downtown as well as the natural beauty of the area.

Request Info about the UNE Doctor of Pharmacy Degree

Headshot of U N E student Delia Mack

Delia Mack ’26

Pharmacy (Pharm.D.), Pre-Pharmacy

Meet Delia Mack: finding her niche in the pharmacy field

The story of how I got to where I am today is unique. While I currently reside in Scarborough, Maine, I am originally from Los Angeles, California. During my time in LA, I considered going into law, participated in a few nursing classes, tried Le Cordon Bleu culinary school, and ultimately found my true passion in pharmacy.

My nontraditional journey began as a pharmacy technician, where I worked my way up to manage and co-own a retail pharmacy. Through my passion for learning and helping others, this role solidified my goal to become a pharmacist who can positively impact the lives of others through advocacy for their rights and access to affordable and effective healthcare.

This past year, I completed the pre-pharmacy program at UNE as the president of my class. Now studying at the graduate level, I’m excited to be alongside my Nor’easter peers at an institution that values nontraditional paths like mine. I’m especially eager to join the 4.5% of Hispanic pharmacists across the country with the hopes that as time passes, that percentage grows.

Even if it takes time, I believe if you’ve found a niche that makes your gratitude grow daily, you should put all your efforts into making that passion a reality. I urge you to follow your heart, never let go of that spark, and not only do what will enrich your life but for others as well.

I completed the pre-pharmacy program at UNE as the president of my class. Now studying at the graduate level, I’m excited to be alongside my Nor’easter peers at an institution that values nontraditional paths like mine.

Pharmacy (Pharm.D.), Pre-Pharmacy

What Will You study? Doctor of Pharmacy Curriculum Overview

At the School of Pharmacy you’ll gain comprehensive knowledge of patient-focused and team-based care, vital skills for today’s health care providers. Our robust curriculum combines experiential learning with an emphasis on both the pharmaceutical and clinical sciences, preparing you for careers spanning the discipline.

To learn more view the Academic Catalog.

Specialized Studies in the Pharmacy Degree Program

Wellness and Integrative Medicine 

The Wellness and Integrative Medicine focus gives pharmacy graduates advanced training and knowledge in evidence-based treatments that incorporate the whole patient’s well being into the plan of treatment. This focus provides pharmacy graduates with skills and knowledge in an emerging field of pharmacy within community and ambulatory care practice sites.

Graduates will be uniquely prepared to coach patients on lifestyle modifications and proper utilization of nutraceutical products available within the community pharmacy setting. They will also learn how to establish strong patient relationships that will promote pharmacy services within the community and beyond.

Students within this focus will take three elective courses within this topic and complete an Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience in their fourth year that concentrates on Wellness and Integrative Medicine.

Students in the Wellness and Integrative Medicine focus will learn:

  • Emotional and cognitive influences on health such as stress, resilience, and positive thinking
  • Physical influences on emotional and cognitive health such as sleep, physical activity, and nutrition
  • Behavioral lifestyle modifications that may be used as part of prevention and treatment of disease, and an appreciation of how these modifications contribute to overall health 
  • Complementary and alternative therapies, including dietary supplements and nutraceuticals for treatment of diseases
  • Evaluation of available medical literature for clinical decision making in the utilization of complementary and alternative therapies with close attention to risk vs benefit
  • Fundamentals of nutrition, including macro and micro nutrient needs, as well as dietary management of common diseases
  • How to educate patients on incorporating these concepts into their own self-care for a sustainable model of health and wellness

Interprofessional Healthcare in Rural America

Interprofessional Healthcare in Rural America provides students will:

  • Understand the barriers to accessing healthcare in a rural setting
  • Engage with a rural community to understand healthcare needs and develop collaborations with other health care professionals to meet their needs
  • Recognize health disparities and identify methods of systems-based improvements to increase access to care.
  • Recognize the cultural impact on access to care and identify methods of holistic therapy that are respectful of patients’ cultural identities.

Pharmaceutical Sciences 

The Pharmaceutical Sciences focus enables UNE Doctor of Pharmacy students to explore the broad field of pharmaceutical sciences beyond the required curriculum. The focus is offered by the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Administration to enrolled students at no additional cost.

As a student, you’ll pursue topics such as biochemistry, biopharmaceutics, computational chemistry, immunology, pharmacogenomics, pharmacokinetics, pathophysiology, and pharmacology through research or teaching experiences under faculty guidance. You have access to the modern tools and resources within the UNE School of Pharmacy which include analytical, genomic, proteomic, and simulation technologies and platforms.

Pharm.D. students are eligible to earn a certificate that designates their completion of the Pharmaceutical Sciences Specialty focus at the beginning of their P4 year provided they meet the following requirements:

  1. Successful completion of two elective courses offered by the department, and
  2. A letter of support from a department faculty member that is reviewed and approved by the department chair.

Examples of letters of support that would be deemed approvable include, but are not limited to:

  • A detailed description of a research project outside the scope of the two elective courses and under the guidance of department faculty;
  • A detailed description of substantial contributions to provide supplemental instruction teaching for a core course taught by department faculty.

Examples of letters of support that would *not* be deemed approvable include descriptions of:

  • A research project done within the scope of the two electives (including independent study);
  • Teaching contributions in the role of a peer tutor.

For additional information email Faculty Coordinator Dr. Srinidi Mohan at smohan@swissabc.net.

Veterinary Pharmacy

The Veterinary Pharmacy specialty focus area is designed to provide you with advanced training and knowledge in veterinary pharmacy, including pathophysiology; pharmacology; pharmacotherapeutics; legal/regulatory aspects; sterile and non-sterile compounding; and medication distribution systems.

Students enrolled in the Veterinary Pharmacy Specialty Focus Area will learn about:

  • The anatomic and physiologic features of non-human patients that impact medication therapy (and differences between non-human and human patients)
  • The basic pharmacology of medications for dogs, cats, horses, rodents, and exotic animals
  • Common veterinary disease states and relevant pharmacologic treatment strategies, including veterinary and human approved products and appropriate options for compounded medications
  • Basic and clinical aspects of the most common medication toxicities that affect animals
  • Safety aspects of handling veterinary medications
  • Common drug information resources utilized by veterinary pharmacists
  • Veterinary medical terminology and abbreviations
  • Regulatory and ethical issues impacting the practice of veterinary pharmacy
  • Interpretation of veterinary prescriptions
  • How to provide medication counseling (regarding appropriate medication administration and potential adverse events) in support of non-human patients
  • Sterile and non-sterile compounding (procedures, regulations, etc.)
  • Medication distribution systems (technologies, etc.)

Residency Teaching Certification Program

In a partnership with several Northern New England institutions, the UNE School of Pharmacy offers a teaching certificate program designed to immerse pharmacy residents in academic pharmacy. The post-graduate residents in the program are graduates of colleges of pharmacy from around the nation.

The program exposes residents to didactic teaching experiences, experiential teaching, and self-paced online learning. Residents are required to teach topics in courses within the UNE School of Pharmacy as part of their work. Upon completion, these residents receive dual recognition from the UNE School of Pharmacy and their primary institution.

Students and faculty conduct research in a Pharmacy lab
a pharmacy student wearing scrubs and safety goggles works in the lab
A pharmacy student examines beakers while making hand sanitizer
two students in lab coast and gloves work in a pharmacy lab

Potential Career Paths for Pharmacy Grads

A Doctor of Pharmacy degree from UNE prepares you for more than 100 pharmacy occupations, as well as career growth. UNE graduates are employed at community pharmacies, health care systems, long-term care facilities, and within the pharmaceutical industry. Many of our students have gone on to complete post-graduate residency and fellowship programs. The School of Pharmacy works with you to ensure career success in areas that fit your goals.

Justin Richards and Veterinary Pharmacy

Richard Agbortoko's Patient-Centered Focus

Michelle O'Meara for a Healthier Planet

Diverse Pharmacy Careers

A recent publication by the International Pharmaceutical Federation shows there are more than 100 career pathways that pharmacists can pursue.

Kayla, Specialty Pharmacy

U N E Pharmacy student Kayla

"I support and educate fertility treatment patients from around the U.S. When I see a patient empowered in understanding her medications, I feel truly rewarded."

Dylan, Veterinary Pharmacy

U N E Pharmacy student Dylan

“I often compound prescriptions for veterinarians. It feels great to branch out and use my knowledge to help pets as well as people.”

Rachel, Direct Clinical Care

U N E Pharm.D. student Rachel

“I have face-to-face time with my patients at Intermed, consulting them on their medications and providing direct care.”

School of Pharmacy Facilities

School of Pharmacy Building

The School of Pharmacy building on UNE's Portland Campus is the first and only facility in Maine devoted to study and research in the field of pharmacy. It provides students and faculty with 48,000 square feet on four floors. The building houses three innovative teaching laboratories, a full complement of lecture halls, and classrooms equipped with the latest technologies.

The space on the third floor and basement levels of the Pharmacy Building make up the Portland Laboratory for Biotechnology and Health Sciences.

Portland Laboratory for Biotechnology and Health Sciences

The Portland Laboratory for Biotechnology and Health Sciences encompasses a 5,000-square-foot research space on the third floor and basement level of the UNE Pharmacy building on the Portland campus. The laboratory is equipped with instrumentation to support and enable research conducted by UNE faculty and students from across the University as well as external partner institutions.

This modern research space provides infrastructure for ongoing research in therapeutic discovery, biosensor development for biomanufacturing, translational pharmacology, biomarker development and drug metabolism/pharmacokinetic research. In addition to providing infrastructure for state-of-the-art research, a major focus of this laboratory is to provide workforce development opportunities for students with interest in careers in biotechnology and health sciences.

Tour Our Pharmacy Facilities

Hands-on Learning in the Doctor of Pharmacy Program

Research

School of Pharmacy faculty participate in varied research and scholarship efforts, including laboratory-based studies, clinical research, and the scholarship of teaching. Students are afforded numerous opportunities to engage in this work, often with the opportunity to attain academic credit. Faculty and students in the School of Pharmacy have worked together to produce cutting-edge research in a variety of disciplines, and these efforts have led to numerous presentations and publications. Plus, through our active professional student organizations, you can engage in community service and broaden your network.

See faculty research interests and student research opportunities in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Administration and Pharmacy Practice.

Cross Cultural Health Immersion

As a student in UNE’s Doctor of Pharmacy program, you have the opportunity to participate in the cross cultural health immersion program to Ghana, Africa. Students from all health professions programs are invited to participate, and will, in conjunction with participating faculty, develop, implement, and evaluate health education curricula relevant to the population need.

Doctor of Pharmacy Studies: Team-Based Learning

When students from different health professions disciplines learn with, from, and about each other to better understand different professional roles and expertise, great things can happen. In UNE’s Pharm.D. program, you will be studying alongside students from other programs, including the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine and Doctor of Dental Medicine program, gaining the skills to collaborate and lead in today’s team-based care. UNE is proud to be the only institution in New England that is part of the National Center for Interprofessional Education and Practice’s prestigious Innovation Network.

You also have the opportunity to apply this collaborative participation toward your Interprofessional Honors Distinction.

The thought of being a pharmacist can be intimidating, but everyone here works together — it’s not every man or woman for themselves, it’s we’re in this together.”

Alexis Radziewicz 26

A Health Care Education Campus in Portland, Maine

UNE Pharm.D. students study on the Portland Campus for the Health Sciences, a quintessential New England quad that has been welcoming students for more than a century. Lined with lush trees and brick buildings, the campus sits in a quiet neighborhood just a short drive from the downtown waterfront. Portland, named “America’s Most Livable City” by Forbes and “Foodiest Small Town in America” by Bon Appetit, is about 100 miles from downtown Boston.

Who can apply to the Doctor of Pharmacy degree program?

To apply to our Doctor of Pharmacy degree program, you must have completed a minimum of two years of pre-professional coursework from a U.S. regionally accredited institution or international equivalent.

All applicants must apply through the Pharmacy College Application Service (PharmCAS).

Current Application Deadline

  • For Program Starting: Fall 2025
  • Application Deadline: June 2, 2025

Financial Aid at UNE

Finance your education through loans, grants, and scholarships. We are committed to making our pharmacy degree program as affordable as possible.

Pharm.D. tuition and financial aid

Accreditation

ACPE Accredited

The University of New England School of Pharmacy’s Doctor of Pharmacy program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education.

Apply Today

Ready to begin your future in UNE’s accredited Doctor of Pharmacy program?

A pharmacy student preps a vaccine in a syringe

Frequently Asked Questions: Doctor of Pharmacy Degree