Dean’s Office: Qatar Pavilion 218 - (504) 520-7500 - https://www.xula.edu/collegeofpharmacy
General Information
The College of Pharmacy prepares healthcare professionals to positively impact the health outcomes in the state of Louisiana and beyond. Our graduates are knowledgeable across their respective disciplines, prepared to provide healthcare to medically underserved communities, and committed to life-long learning to better assist in providing care to their patients. The College of Pharmacy houses two health profession programs. The Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) Program is a four year, 146 (147) credit hour program that provides a comprehensive entry-level professional education that consists of service learning, academic, and experiential coursework. The Master of Health Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MHS) program is a full-time, 95-credit hour master’s program that spans 28 months of combined academic and clinical coursework. The College of Pharmacy also houses the Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences program. This 30 semester hour program is designed for students with an interest in careers in drug discovery research, or for those interested in pursuing advanced training in pharmacy, graduate, or medical programs.
Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) Program
The Xavier University Pharm.D. Program holds a place of distinction among the nation’s colleges of pharmacy. From its origin, this program has been dedicated to bringing minorities into the learned and respected profession of pharmacy. For years, Xavier has been among the top four producers in the nation of African Americans with a Doctor of Pharmacy degree. Even with that commitment to minority education, the College welcomes and remains open to all races.
The mission of the Xavier University of Louisiana College of Pharmacy Pharm.D. Program is to prepare pharmacists to impact medically underserved communities, particularly African Americans, in an effort to eliminate health disparities through patient-centered care, community service, and scholarly work.
To achieve this mission, the curriculum provides:
- Instruction in the physical, chemical, biological and behavioral sciences, and management;
- A clinical component designed to develop graduates skilled in:
- Monitoring and evaluating drug therapy,
- Engaging in drug distribution activities,
- Providing drug information to other members of the health care team and to the public, and
- Effectively relating to and communicating with patients and other health care professionals;
- Motivation to increase competency after graduation through continuing education; and,
- An opportunity to engage in meaningful scientific research as a preparation for further study in pharmaceutical and clinical sciences.
Students benefit from expert guest lecturers and receive experiential training from preceptors in an array of community pharmacies, hospitals and other health care facilities in the greater New Orleans area, throughout the state and in select facilities across the country.
Admission to the Pharm.D. Program
Students seeking admission to the Pharm.D. Program must successfully complete the required prerequisite courses with a minimum grade of “C” prior to being admitted. Please refer to the COP website for detailed information on the required prerequisite courses for internal and external students. Students who are admitted to the COP must satisfy all conditions stipulated in the acceptance package and present documentation to the COP Office of Student Affairs prior to their first year enrollment.
The COP Pharm.D. Program utilizes a centralized application system called PharmCAS (www.pharmcas.org) for admission. PharmCAS allows an applicant to upload an application, grade information, references, statement of interest, and TOEFEL scores (where applicable). The applicant must also send official transcripts from all U.S. schools attended and foreign transcript evaluations directly to PharmCAS for verification. After a PharmCAS application is complete and verified, the COP will send applicants materials for admission consideration.
Selected applicants must complete a personal interview as part of the admissions process. Overall and math/science GPA will be considered for admission.
Applicants must adhere to the deadlines as specified on the COP webpage for the following:
PharmCAS documents:
- PharmCAS application (A PharmCAS fee of $175 is charged for processing);
- Official transcripts from each college or university attended; if an applicant has had previous college work outside the United States, the applicant must have his/her records evaluated by a U.S. foreign credential evaluation service;
- Response to admissions questions posted on PharmCAS; and
- Recommendation forms (3 required).
Supplemental information (requested of applicants who have completed the PharmCAS application) includes:
A. Certificate of Financial Support (non-citizens only); and
B. Naturalization papers (if applicable).
Currently, the program requires that all prerequisite math and science courses be completed within ten years of the application process. Math and science courses completed greater than ten years before the application will require a course appeal.
General ethics courses will not be considered in fulfillment of the health ethics requirement at Xavier University. Transfer credit for PHIL 2400 - Health Ethics must be a comparable course in bioethics, medical ethics or health ethics. Any health ethics course completed at an institution other than Xavier will be subject to review. Likewise, a basic statistics course will not be considered in fulfillment of the Biostatistics requirement (STAT 2015 Biostatistics ).
Any required prepharmacy course that cannot be substituted with courses from the student’s transcript must be completed prior to enrollment. Only grades of “C” or better in acceptable courses will transfer to Xavier University.
In general, the COP does not accept transfer students from other colleges or schools of pharmacy. Each request for transfer is evaluated on an individual basis. The COP does not accept transfer credits for incoming P1 students. Students entering the College of Pharmacy are not allowed to transfer credits upon entry. Once enrolled in the College, students may request to take courses at another institution as stated in the Transfer Credit policy found in the Academic & Ethical Policies Handbook.
High school students may be admitted to the COP as part of the Contingent Admit Program (CAP). The CAP is designed to admit high-performing high school seniors to the COP upon graduation from high school. To be considered for contingent admission, the student must achieve a minimum composite ACT score of 22 (or equivalent SAT score) and have a minimum cumulative high school GPA of 3.3 or above on a 4.0 scale in a college preparatory high school. Complete details may be found on the COP website at: https://www.xula.edu/collegeofpharmacy/contingent-admit-program.html.
Pharm.D. Program Academic Policies
The College of Pharmacy Pharm.D. Program academic policies are published in the Academic and Ethical Policies Handbook and updated annually. While a hard copy is provided to all first year students, an electronic version can also be found here: Academic & Ethical Policies Handbook .
Transfer Credit
The College of Pharmacy does not accept credits from incoming students for courses taken prior to beginning the program to fulfill pharmacy degree requirements. Current students must obtain permission from the University before taking courses at another institution. A maximum of 9 credits may be transferred to the College for credit toward the Doctor of Pharmacy degree. Please see the Academic & Ethical Policies Handbook for details.
Requirements for the Doctor of Pharmacy Degree
To be eligible for the degree of Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.), a student must have pursued college level work for a minimum of six years (four of these in the College of Pharmacy). Students must complete 145 (146) semester hours of work in the College of Pharmacy, have a 2.00 grade point average for all courses attempted in the four-year professional curriculum, and successfully pass a comprehensive exam.
Licensure
In addition to graduation from an accredited school of pharmacy, an applicant for examination and licensure in Louisiana must be a United States citizen or have permanent resident status and must have earned 1740 hours of practical experience under the instruction and supervision of a registered pharmacist. These 1740 hours are to be acquired according to the guidelines of the Louisiana State Board of Pharmacy. Graduates are eligible to pursue licensure in states of their choice provided they meet the relevant requirements of those states.
Master of Health Science in Physician Assistant (M.H.S.) Program
Program Office: College of Pharmacy Annex 424 - (504) 520-5119 - https://www.xula.edu/physician-assistant-program
Xavier University of Louisiana Physician Assistant Program represents excellence in teaching the art of medicine. Students are provided with an environment that fosters quality academic and clinical education. The interdisciplinary format of teaching facilitates students to excel in integrative patient care, education, and service to benefit our community. The program, working with Ochsner Health, provides students with access to state-of-the-art facilities and access to world class minds in medicine. The Xavier University PA Program is committed to helping students to become a dynamic group of well-rounded physician assistants who are ready to lead, serve, and heal.
In the spirit of academic excellence, the mission of the Xavier University Physician Assistant Program is to educate physician assistants to become ethical, competent, and compassionate physician assistants who are dedicated to providing superior quality healthcare that contributes to the promotion of a more just and humane society by improving the healthcare of the diverse communities we serve.
To achieve this mission, the program strives to:
- Recruit and select diverse and highly qualified applicants who can complete the rigorous Master of Health Sciences in Physician Assistant Studies.
- Graduate Students who demonstrate preparedness for the Physician Assistant National Certification Examination (PANCE), with a first time pass rate at or above the national average.
- Educate physician assistants that practice patient-centered health care in rural and underserved communities.
- Deliver an educational experience that prepares graduates to collaborate on inter-professional teams.
- Provide ongoing support to faculty and staff for the maintenance of licensure and certification as well as professional development related to PA education.
Admission to the Physician Assistant Program
Students seeking admission to the Physician Admission Program must successfully complete the required prerequisite courses with a minimum grade of “C” prior to being admitted. Please refer to the PA website, https://www.xula.edu/physician-assistant-program/physician-assistant-program-how-to-apply.html, for detailed information on the required prerequisite courses for students. Official GRE scores are required of all applicants, regardless of previous education, degrees, or credentials. Students who are admitted to the program must satisfy all conditions stipulated in the acceptance.
The program utilizes a centralized application system called CASPA (https://caspa.liaisoncas.com/applicant-ux/#/login) for admission. CASPA allows an applicant to upload an application, grade information, references, personal statement, GRE and TOEFL scores (where applicable). The applicant must also send official transcripts from all U.S. schools attended, foreign transcript evaluations, and GRE scores directly to CASPA for verification.
Selected applicants must appear on campus for a personal interview as part of the admissions process.
Applicants must adhere to the deadlines as specified on the PA Program webpage. Failure to meet the “complete” status requirements by the deadline will result in an incomplete application. Submissions must include:
- A completed baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution (U.S. Department of Education recognized Institutional Accreditor), or an equivalent institution as determined by Xavier University of Louisiana, is required prior to matriculation into the program;
- CASPA application, which includes application fee;
- Official academic transcripts;
- Official GRE or MCAT scores;
- Personal Statement;
- Three letters of reference (at least one letter of reference must be from a practicing PA or Physician who can discuss the applicant’s abilities with patients, preferably someone who has supervised the applicant in a clinical setting); personal references from friends or family members are not accepted;
- A candidate’s overall grade point average (GPA), undergraduate science GPA, and prerequisite GPA, as calculated by CASPA, must be a 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale; applicants with a GPA below 3.0 are not considered further for admission;
- Healthcare Experience - Minimum of 80 hours of healthcare experience (200+ hours preferred);
- Completion of all science prerequisites; and
- Students must meet and maintain all technical standards in order to be enrolled in, and progress through, the Physician Assistant program.
Applications will not be considered if all prerequisites have not been completed by the application deadline. There is no expiration period for prerequisites. Enrollment in the PA program is only available on a full-time basis.
PA Program Academic Policies
The PA Program academic policies are published in the Program Handbook and updated annually. While a hard copy is provided, a general overview of the academic policies can also be found on the university website at: https://www.xula.edu/physician-assistant-program/policies.html.
Requirements for the Master of Health Science in Physician Assistant Studies
To be eligible for the degree of Master of Health Science in Physician Assistant Studies (M.H.S.), a student must have completed the program course of study within four years of the date of matriculation, completed the required curriculum of the PA Program with a minimum grade of “C” in all courses, attained a cumulative grade point average of 3.00 or higher, and passed the written comprehensive exam at the end of the didactic phase and the summative evaluation at the end of the clinical phase.
Licensure
Physician Assistants perform medical services under physician supervision in 50 states, the Territory of Guam and the District of Columbia. The registration or licensure requirements for physician assistants vary from state to state, but generally include certain minimum qualifications, such as graduation from an approved physician assistant program and national certification. The regulatory authority for physician assistants in most states is the board of medical examiners, which handles the registration or licensing of physician assistants, issues regulations governing both physician and physician assistant practice, and enforces provisions of the medical practice and physician assistant practice laws.
A copy of the rules governing physician assistant practice in the state of Louisiana is available online at www.aapa.org. Specific information is also available through the Louisiana Board of Medical Examiners. www.lsbme.org.
Accreditation
The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA) has granted Accreditation-Continued status to the Xavier University of Louisiana Physician Assistant Program sponsored by Xavier University of Louisiana. Accreditation-Continued is an accreditation status granted when a currently accredited program is in compliance with the ARC-PA Standards. Accreditation remains in effect until the program closes or withdraws from the accreditation process or until accreditation is withdrawn for failure to comply with the Standards. The approximate date for the next validation review of the program by the ARC-PA will be June 2034. The review date is contingent upon continued compliance with the Accreditation Standards and ARC-PA policy. The program’s accreditation history can be viewed on the ARC-PA website at: http://www.arc-pa.org/accreditation-history-xavier-university-of-louisiana/.
Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Science
Program Office: College of Pharmacy Annex 425 - (504) 520-7435
The M.S. in Pharmaceutical Sciences program is designed to incorporate key biochemical and pharmacological principles with laboratory experiences that include skills needed in modern drug discovery and laboratory science. Importantly, the students will be expected to develop competency in the interpretation of experimental results from scientific literature as well as from primary data. The graduate should have an advanced level of comfort in the laboratory setting and should be competitive for jobs in the industrial and academic environments. We expect that this will translate into a significant competitive advantage for our graduates entering pharmacy, medical, dental, and Ph.D. programs. Additionally, the program will emphasize critical thinking for laboratory and clinical applications, beyond that which is typically available during bachelor levels training.
The M.S. in Pharmaceutical Sciences is a 30 credit hour, two-year program that consists of 12 hours of core courses, 6 hours of thesis research, and 12 hours of pharmaceutical science elective courses. The goals of the program are to:
- Equip students with a fundamental understanding of the pharmacological and physiochemical properties of drug preparations and host factors, and the subsequent impact on pharmacodynamic, pharmacokinetic, and toxicologic of drug actions in humans; and
- Develop students’ critical reasoning skills as it applies to experimental, scientific, ethical, or regulatory concerns in the context of drug discovery research.
In addition to the above, the following learning outcomes have been identified that indicate that upon completion of the program, students will be able to:
- Apply the fundamental mechanisms by which drugs and xenobiotics affect physiological systems to drug research;
- Delineate physiochemical principles governing pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties of drugs;
- Recognize the impact of individual host factors (pharmacogenomics, disease state, drug interactions, etc.) on the efficacy and safety of drugs;
- Assess the contributions of pharmaceutical drug preparations to the effectiveness and safety of drug therapy;
- Critically evaluate theoretical and methodological aspects of scientific literature, with a focus on drug discovery studies; and
- Critically evaluate and apply the ethical considerations in science for both clinical and basic research studies.
Admission to the M.S. in Pharmaceutical Science Program
The admissions requirements consist of official transcripts that indicate the completion of an undergraduate degree in pharmacy, chemistry, biology, or a related discipline, a preferred cumulative GPA of 3.0, official GRE scores, a personal statement, and three (3) letters of recommendation. Applicants must have demonstrated proficiency in verbal and written English and in fundamental scientific areas such as organic and physical chemistry, biochemistry, biology, mathematics, statistics and computer science.
International applicants will be required to submit information consistent with those items listed in the University Catalog; this includes official TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) scores.
Transfer Credit
For the MS of Pharmaceutical Sciences, a maximum of 9 graduate credit hours will be accepted for graduate transfer credit from incoming and continuing students, pending course review by COP faculty members with related expertise. Any graduate courses taken at other institutions while in the MS program are subject to prior approval by the division chair or dean of the college of pharmacy. Transfer credit cannot be used to replace any requirements directly related to thesis research.
Requirements for the Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Science
To graduate, students must complete 30 credit hours of coursework that includes 12 credit hours of core courses, 6 hours of thesis research, and 12 credit hours of pharmaceutical sciences electives. Students must maintain a minimum 3.0 average and remain in good academic standing with the program.
Master of Health Science
Master of Science
Doctor of Pharmacy