Programmes

The Doctor of Pharmacy Programme is designed to equip Pharmacy students with more knowledge, skills and practical experience that will help them fit easily into the job situations either in healthcare providing facilities, academia/research, industry or other work environments, well prepared to respond effectively to the changing roles of the pharmacists as a regulator, researcher and industrialist. 
The curricular for the School of Pharmacy’s PharmD Programme is unique in several ways.  These include its grounding in science (knowledge of theory and principles), laboratory-based practicals to support the theory; exposure to essential courses in humanities to understand the bahaviour of people; and applications of ICT. A very important and unique feature is the heavy emphasis (2 years) of experiential learning organized at clinical, industrial/research, regulatory and community sites. 

Programmes Title

PROGRAMME DESCRIPTION

The Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) Top-up programme at the University of Ghana offers practising pharmacists holding a Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm) degree the opportunity to advance their qualifications through a structured two-year programme leading to the award of a Doctor of Pharmacy degree.  The programme enables practising B.Pharm graduates to enhance their knowledge and skills to better fit into the changing phase of pharmacy practice.
Programme Objectives
The programme aims to advance pharmacists’ expertise through updated knowledge, targeted specialisation, and practical training in key areas of pharmacy practice.
The objectives of the PharmD Top-Up programme are:
i.    To expand the knowledge of candidates in areas relevant to current trends in pharmacy
ii.    To specialise in the areas of need in pharmacy practice in Ghana, such as clinical, industrial and regulatory aspects of pharmacy practice.
iii.    To have in-depth hands-on training in the areas of specialisation under the guidance of experienced preceptors. 
Admission Requirements
To be eligible for admission into the PharmD Top-up programme, applicants must hold a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree or an equivalent pharmacy qualification from a recognised institution. In addition, they must have at least three years of professional experience as practising pharmacists and be duly registered with the Pharmacy Council of Ghana.
Duration of Programme
The PharmD Top-up programme is a 2-year Pharmacy programme that leads to the award of a Doctor of Pharmacy Degree.
Programme Structure
The PharmD Top-up programme is structured to provide a comprehensive one year of theoretical coursework and a second year dedicated to Advanced Professional Practice Experience. This structure ensures that our pharmacy graduates gain the key competencies and are well-prepared for professional practice.
 

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PROGRAMME DESCRIPTION

Programme Description
The Doctor of Pharmacy Programme is designed to equip Pharmacy students with more knowledge, skills and practical experience that will help them fit easily into the job situations either in healthcare providing facilities, academia/research, industry or other work environments, well prepared to respond effectively to the changing roles of the pharmacists as a regulator, researcher and industrialist. 
The curricular for the School of Pharmacy’s PharmD Programme is unique in several ways.  These include its grounding in science (knowledge of theory and principles), laboratory-based practicals to support the theory; exposure to essential courses in humanities to understand the bahaviour of people; and applications of ICT. A very important and unique feature is the heavy emphasis (2 years) of experiential learning organized at clinical, industrial/research, regulatory and community sites. 
2.    Programme Objectives
a)    To train world class pharmacy students who would have the capabilities to meet national pharmaceutical challenges and patient care needs.
b)    To prepare pharmacy students for the increasingly complex patient centred issues relating to all aspects of rational drug-related treatments
c)    To train pharmacy students to become pharmacists that have requisite knowledge, technical and scientific skills to be able to participate in the development of therapeutic substances of plant, animal and mineral origin.
d)    To inculcate in pharmacy students the spirit of professionalism that will form the basis for integrated and multidisciplinary approach to patient care in their practice of pharmacy; and
e)    To provide opportunity for intense experiential learning for students to fit   seamlessly in jobs upon graduation.
f)    To ensure that upon graduation, our trained pharmacists will appreciate and demonstrate the importance and significance of research in advancing pharmaceutical care and developing sustainable life-long learning habits.
3.    Admission Requirements
Further to the General Regulations regarding admission into the University of Ghana, admission to the School of Pharmacy for the Doctor of Pharmacy Programme shall follow an entrance examination and/or an interview of eligible candidates with the following backgrounds:
a.    WASSCE: Must have credit passes (at least Grade C6) in three core subjects, namely, English, Mathematics and Integrated Science, and in three Elective subjects, namely Biology, Chemistry and either Physics or Mathematics. Additionally, candidates shall be required to pass core Social Studies.
b.    SSSCE: Must have credit passes (at least Grade D) in three core subjects, namely, English, Mathematics and Integrated Science, and in three Elective subjects namely Biology, Chemistry and either Physics or Mathematics. Additionally, candidates shall be required to pass core Social Studies.
c.    GCE (Cambridge) – ‘A’ Levels: Three (3) ‘A’ Level subjects comprising Chemistry, Biology and either Physics or Mathematics. In addition, they must have at least five (5) passes, including English and Mathematics at the Cambridge ‘O’ Level.
d.    Any other external qualifications which have equivalencies to the Senior Secondary School Certificate of Education (SSSCE) and the GCE (Cambridge) – ‘A’ Levels including:    
INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE (IB): Applicants must have at least Grade 5 in Chemistry, and either Biology or Physics at the Higher Level. In addition, applicants must have at least grade 4 in English Language/Literature (SL) and Mathematics SL and at least grade C for the third science at the IGCSE or equivalent.
4.    Duration of Programme
The PharmD Programme is a six-year pharmacy programme leading to the award of Doctor of Pharmacy degree at the University of Ghana. 
5.    Programme Structure
The PharmD programme is structured to provide a comprehensive education in pharmaceutical sciences and pharmacy practice. It begins with two years of pre-professional study and four years of professional studies, which include three years of theoretical coursework, Introductory Professional Practice Experience and a final year dedicated to Advanced Professional Practice Experience. This structure ensures that our pharmacy graduates gain the key competencies and are well-prepared for professional practice.
 

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