Educational Assessment 2015-2016


Doctor of Pharmacy Program


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The Doctor of Pharmacy program has 15 Educational Outcomes that were mapped through the entire four-year required curriculum. These outcomes are assessed both directly via Outcome Tracker and indirectly via the AACP Graduating Student Survey.

  • Embedded assessment tool aligned with accreditation and school outcomes
    • ACPE requires the PharmD programs have a data-driven, comprehensive approach of demonstrating demonstrate students’ achievement of abilities in various domains of the didactic curriculum (e.g., medicinal chemistry, ethics) before beginning their fourth year Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences (APPE).

    • These ACPE didactic curriculum domains were mapped to the school’s Educational Outcomes. Faculty then assigned key course assessment activities (e.g., exams, projects, labs) to each of the Educational Outcomes, which appear in Outcome Tracker.

  • Demonstrates readiness for advanced pharmacy practice experiences (APPE)
    • Students’ completion of each activity is categorized as Satisfactory or Needs Improvement.
    • In correlation analyses of two different graduating PharmD classes, students with less assessment activities with Needs Improvement in their Pre-APPE coursework tended to have higher APPE grades.
    • The relationship between positive Outcome Tracker trends and APPE performance supports the validity of this direct assessment.

  • Promotes student reflection and continuous professional development
    • As part of their Professional Development and Engagement (PDE) activities, students review their individualized performance report of specific assessment activities.
    • Consistent with the Continuous Professional Development cycle, students reflect on this information and set goals on how to improve their academic performance.

      Outcome Tracker Stakeholder Flowchart

      Outcome Tracker Stakeholder Flow Chart
  • Recognized by peer pharmacy programs
    • Outcome Tracker was recognized with the 2015 Excellence in Assessment Award from the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP)

AACP&AFPC annual meeting header


AACP Graduating Student Survey


    • Annual indirect measure of the school’s Educational Outcomes
    • Survey questions align with national curriculum outcomes from accreditation
      • Selected survey questions are responded to on a four-point Likert scale (Strongly Agree (SA), Agree (A), Disagree (D), Strongly Disagree (SD) and Unable to Comment (UC).
    • Coordinating with AACP allows peer and national comparisons
      • 2016 peer institutions: University of Illinois at Chicago, The University of Iowa, University of Maryland, University of Michigan, University of Nebraska Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Purdue University, and Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey
 Class of201120122013201420152016
N637890758994
Response rate47.37%59.09%70.90%59.10%67.40%71.20%

PharmD Educational Outcomes


SKIP TO: 1-Information processing and provision,  2-Drug factors, 3-Patient factors, 4-Drug kinetics, 5-Product preparation, 6-Communication, 6a-Communicate with patients and/or caregivers, 6b-Communicate with health professionals, 6c-Document therapeutic assessments and clinical interventions, 7-Teamwork, 8-Behavioral principles, 9-Management principles, 10-Practice evaluation, 11-Professional standards, 12-Health disparities, 13-Public Health, 14-Professional awareness, 15-Lifelong learning


  1. Information Processing and Provision – Retrieve, analyze, and interpret the professional and lay literatures and provide drug and health information (such as evidence-based drug information) to healthcare professionals and the public.
    AACP Graduating Student Survey 2016 Q14. The PharmD curriculum prepared me to evaluate scientific literature.
    AACP Graduating Student Survey 2016 Q19. The PharmD curriculum prepared me to provide patient-centered care based on evidence-based best practices. Outcome Tracker Information Processing.  % Satisfactory scores in 2015: 91.53%; in 2016: 88.8%; in 2017: 95.05%.

     Outcome tracker201520162017
    % Satisfactory91.53%88.8%95.05%

    ^ Back to Educational Outcomes Menu

  2. Drug Factors – Apply knowledge of the physical, chemical, pharmacologic, and formulation properties of drugs and relate how these properties influence drug parameters (such as kinetics, pharmacodynamics, stability, dosage form design, and treatment-related outcomes). Differentiate among the major therapeutic drug classes based on mechanisms of action, clinical use and adverse effects, contraindications, drug interactions, dosage forms, and dosing regimens.
    AACP Graduating Student Survey 2016 Q15. The PharmD curriculum prepared me to provide medication expertise as part of patient-centered care. AACP Graduating Student Survey 2016 Q12. The PharmD curriculum prepared me to apply knowledge from the foundational pharmaceutical and biomedical sciences to the provision of patient care. Outcome Tracker Drug Factors.  % Satisfactory scores in 2014: 95%; in 2015: 89.46%; in 2016: 92.12%; in 2017: 89.77%.

     Outcome tracker2014201520162017
    % Satisfactory95%89.46%92.12%89.77%

    ^ Back to Educational Outcomes Menu

  3. Patient Factors – Collect, integrate and apply knowledge of a patient’s biochemistry, anatomy, physiology, genomics, culture, socio-behavioral characteristics, and pathophysiologic states to develop an individualized patient care plan using drug factors that will improve therapeutic outcomes, minimize drug reactions, reduce adverse events, and increase adherence.
    AACP Graduating Student Survey 2016 Q13. The PharmD curriculum prepared me to apply knowledge from the clinical sciences to the provision of patient care. AACP Graduating Student Survey 2016 Q20. The PharmD curriculum prepared me to design, implement, and evaluate viable solutions to patient care problems Outcome Tracker Patient Factors.  % Satisfactory scores in 2014: 88.8%; in 2015: 94.94%; in 2016: 83.36%; in 2017: 93.46%.

     Outcome tracker2014201520162017
    % Satisfactory88.8%94.94%86.36%93.46%

    ^ Back to Educational Outcomes Menu

  4. Drug Kinetics – Design or modify dosage regimens using patient-specific or population pharmacokinetic data, plasma concentration-time profile of drugs, and factors that alter them.
    AACP Graduating Student Survey 2016 Q15. The PharmD curriculum prepared me to provide medication expertise as part of patient-centered care. Outcome Tracker Drug Kinetics.  % Satisfactory scores in 2014: 84.7%; in 2015: 82.16%; in 2016: 88.72%; in 2017: 86.78%.

    Outcome tracker2014201520162017
    % Satisfactory84.7%82.16%88.72%86.78%

    ^ Back to Educational Outcomes Menu

  5. Product Preparation – Compound parenteral and non-parenteral drug products using appropriate calculations, pharmaceutical components, and techniques. Demonstrate a commitment to patient safety by assuring total accuracy in calculation, preparation, labeling and dispensing of prescription and medication orders.
    AACP Graduating Student Survey 2016 Q15. The PharmD curriculum prepared me to provide medication expertise as part of patient-centered care. Outcome Tracker Drug Kinetics.  % Satisfactory scores in 2014: 85.7%; in 2015: 87.78%; in 2016: 94.36%; in 2017: 96.34%.

    Outcome tracker2014201520162017
    % Satisfactory85.7%87.78%94.36%96.34%

    ^ Back to Educational Outcomes Menu

  6. Communication – Communicate effectively in oral and written forms with patients, caregivers, healthcare professionals, and others. Demonstrate empathy, listening skills, and altruism in interactions. AACP Graduating Student Survey 2016 Q21. The PharmD curriculum prepared me to use effective strategies to educate patients, healthcare professionals, and caregivers to improve patient care. AACP Graduating Student Survey 2016 Q26. The Pharm.D. curriculum prepared me to effectively communicate (verbal, non-verbal, written) when interacting with individuals, groups, and organizations. Outcome Tracker Communication.  % Satisfactory scores in 2014: 99.7%; in 2015: 88.4%; in 2016: 96.27%; in 2017: 97.46%.

    Outcome tracker2014201520162017
    % Satisfactory99.7%88.4%96.27%97.46%

    ^ Back to Educational Outcomes Menu

    1. Communication with patients and/or caregivers – To obtain patient health-related information and Provide appropriate health and medication information and confirm understanding of the information provided.
      AACP Graduating Student Survey 2016 Q22. The PharmD curriculum prepared me to advocate for the patient's best interests.
    2. Communication with health professionals – To Obtain, provide and confirm accurate and concise patient and medication information.
      AACP Graduating Student Survey 2016 Q46. My pharmacy practice experiences allowed me to collaborate with other healthcare professionals.
    3. Communication for documentation – Document therapeutic assessments and clinical interventions regarding drug therapy.
      AACP Graduating Student Survey 2016 Q20. The PharmD curriculum prepared me to design, implement, and evaluate viable solutions to patient care problems.
  7. Teamwork – Collaborate effectively with pharmacy colleagues, other healthcare professionals and patients and/or their caregivers.
    AACP Graduating Student Survey 2016 Q23. The PharmD curriculum prepared me to engage as a member of an interprofessional healthcare team.
    AACP Graduating Student Survey 2016 Q28. The PharmD curriculum prepared me to accept responsibility for creating and achieving shared goals.
    AACP Graduating Student Survey 2016 Q46. My pharmacy practice experiences allowed me to collaborate with other healthcare professionals. Outcome Tracker Communication.  % Satisfactory scores in 2014: 99.5%; in 2015: 100%; in 2016: 98.1%; in 2017: 99.02%.

    Outcome tracker2014201520162017
    % Satisfactory99.5%100%98.1%99.02%

    ^ Back to Educational Outcomes Menu

  8. Behavioral Principles – Apply social and behavioral principles and theories in the design, delivery, and evaluation of pharmaceutical care.
    AACP Graduating Student Survey 2016 Q17. The PharmD curriculum prepared me to design strategies to manage chronic disease and improve health and wellness.
    Outcome Tracker Communication.  % Satisfactory scores in 2015: 91.2%; in 2016: 92.48%; in 2017: 99.25%.

    Outcome tracker201520162017
    % Satisfactory91.2%92.48%99.25%

    ^ Back to Educational Outcomes Menu

  9. Management Principles – Use management principles to analyze and evaluate pharmacy operations and personnel, including optimizing physical and technological resources, to assure safe, efficient and effective management of medication distribution, control, and use systems.
    AACP Graduating Student Survey 2016 Q16. The PharmD curriculum prepared me to optimize the safety and efficacy of medication use systems (e.g., dispensing, administration, effects monitoring) to manage patient healthcare needs.

    Outcome tracker2017
    % Satisfactory85.48%

    ^ Back to Educational Outcomes Menu

  10. Practice Evaluation – Apply patient- and population-specific data, quality assurance strategies, and evaluation to develop and implement practice-based drug use strategies and public health policies to assure that medication use systems minimize drug misadventuring, optimize patient outcomes, and address public health problems.
    AACP Graduating Student Survey 2016 Q19. The PharmD curriculum prepared me to provide patient-centered care based on evidence-based best practices.
    Outcome Tracker Communication.  % Satisfactory scores in 2015: 91.2%; in 2016: 92.48%; in 2017: 99.25%.

    Outcome tracker2014201520162017
    % Satisfactory98.5%100%100%95.38%

    ^ Back to Educational Outcomes Menu

  11. Professional Standards – Apply relevant legal, ethical, social, historical, economical, and professional principles to perform all professional activities.
    AACP Graduating Student Survey 2016 Q30. The PharmD curriculum prepared me to act in a manner consistent with the trust given to pharmacists by patients, other healthcare professionals, and society.
    AACP Graduating Student Survey 2016 Q28. The PharmD curriculum prepared me to accept responsibility for creating and achieving shared goals.
    Outcome Tracker Communication.  % Satisfactory scores in 2014: 99.8%; in 2015: 96.87%; in 2016: 97.18%; in 2017: 99.31%.

    Outcome tracker2014201520162017
    % Satisfactory99.8%96.87%97.18%99.31%

    ^ Back to Educational Outcomes Menu

  12. Health Disparities – Identify causes of health disparities and incorporate principles of cultural awareness, sensitivity, and competence into plans to address these issues in practice.
    AACP Graduating Student Survey 2016 Q12. The PharmD curriculum prepared me to apply knowledge from the foundational pharmaceutical and biomedical sciences to teh provision of patient care.
    AACP Graduating Student Survey 2016 Q25. The PharmD curriculum prepared me to recognize and address the cultural disparities in access to and delivery of healthcare.
    Outcome Tracker Communication.  % Satisfactory scores in 2014: 100%; in 2015: 99.26%; in 2016: 98.54%; in 2017: 100%.

    Outcome tracker2014201520162017
    % Satisfactory100%99.26%98.54%100%

    ^ Back to Educational Outcomes Menu

  13. Public Health – Identify and address public health problems and promote health and wellness. Design individual and population-specific, evidence-based disease prevention and disease management programs (such as medication therapy management) and protocols based upon analysis of epidemiologic and pharmacoeconomic data, medication use criteria, medication use review, and risk reduction strategies.
    AACP Graduating Student Survey 2016 Q18. The PharmD curriculum prepared me to assess the health needs of a given patient population.
    AACP Graduating Student Survey 2016 Q17. The PharmD curriculum prepared me to design strategies to manage chronic disease and improve health and wellness.
    Outcome Tracker Communication.  % Satisfactory scores in 2014: 100%; in 2015: 99.07%; in 2016: 95.55%; in 2017: 91.53%.

    Outcome tracker2014201520162017
    % Satisfactory100%99.07%95.55%91.53%

    ^ Back to Educational Outcomes Menu

  14. Professional Awareness – Identify emerging health-related issues, products, and services and analyze their potential implications for: disease prevention and/or treatment services; management of human, physical, medical, information, and technological resources involved in providing patient care; and patient-specific and population-based therapeutic outcomes.
    AACP Graduating Student Survey 2016 Q29. The PharmD curriculum prepared me to develop new ideas and approaches to practice.
    Outcome Tracker Communication.  % Satisfactory scores in 2014: 100%; in 2015: 98.29%; in 2016: 98.32%; in 2017: 98.46%.

    Outcome tracker2014201520162017
    % Satisfactory100%98.29%98.32%98.46%

    ^ Back to Educational Outcomes Menu

  15. Lifelong Learning. Create and enhance a personal plan for continuing professional development to promote lifelong learning and ensure maintenance of professional competence.
    AACP Graduating Student Survey 2016 Q27. The PharmD curriculum prepared me to examine and reflect on how my behavior and choices affect my personal and professional growth.
    AACP Graduating Student Survey 2016 Q31. I developed the skills needed to prepare me for continuous professional development and self-directed lifelong learning.
    Outcome Tracker Communication.  % Satisfactory scores in 2014: 99.7%; in 2015: 97.71%; in 2016: 99.14%; in 2017: 99.39%.

    Outcome tracker2014201520162017
    % Satisfactory99.7%97.71%99.14%99.39%

    ^ Back to Educational Outcomes Menu