Doctor of Clinical Pharmacy
2008 | 2009 | 2010Division of Health Sciences | School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences
| Program Code: IPCM Program Level: Postgraduate SATAC code: 4CD001 Home Campus:
City East Program Length (in EFTSL):
3 |
Program director/s
- Mr Stefan Kowalski (IPCM)
This program is only available by external study. New international applicants should note that from 2010 the program will only be available for external study in their home country. Continuing international students are able to complete the program onshore in Australia.
HOW TO APPLY
DOMESTIC STUDENTS ONLY
Applications to this program are online via SATAC's Gradstart portal.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ONLY
Applications to this program are via UniSA's Apply Online portal.
Aim
The program aims to produce clinical pharmacists capable of providing specialist pharmaceutical services in all clinical environments, thereby enhancing the quality use of medicine. Graduates will be able to take a leading role in the decision making process of drug and drug product selection for individual patients, provide specialist drug information and education programs to patients and health care professionals, effectively monitor a patient's therapy and critically evaluate clinical research. Graduates will also undertake a structured research project to advance knowledge and/or the application of knowledge through the preparation of a substantial piece of work which represents a significant contribution to a particular field of study.
Entry requirements
Australian applicants are required to:
- be a Registered Pharmacist in a State or Territory of Australia
AND
hold a coursework Master in Clinical Pharmacy from the University of South Australia, or have completed the coursework components of the Master in Clinical Pharmacy at this University, with a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 5 (credit level) or greater;
OR
hold an award, or have completed the coursework equivalents, which in the opinion of the Program Director, is at least equivalent to a University of South Australia coursework Master in Clinical Pharmacy at an equivalent GPA of 5 or greater;
OR
hold such other qualifications and professional experience judged by the Program Director to provide a preparation for study equivalent to that provided above.
International applicants (see Note 1) are required to:
- be a currently Registered Pharmacist in their own country or country of residence and have had at least two years experience as a pharmacist in a direct patient care environment;
AND
demonstrate proficiency in spoken and written English language (see English Language Entry Requirements below);
AND
hold a coursework Master in Clinical Pharmacy from the University of South Australia, or have completed the coursework components of the Master of Clinical Pharmacy at this University, with a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 5 (credit level) or greater.
Note 1: International applicants who wish to study this program are advised that this program is only available externally/on-line in the student's home country. Applicants MUST contact the Program Director for information on the requirements of the program prior to submitting an application. International applicants wishing to study this program externally/on-line in their home country, must meet all entry requirements, including the English Language Requirements, and must provide proof of experience in a patient care environment.
In addition, international applicants who speak English as a foreign language must have obtained one of the following standards within the last two years prior to admission:
- English Language Test (see Note 2 below)
- IELTS (International English Language Testing System
- Reading and writing- 7.0
- Overall band score- 7.0
- TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) equivalent
- IELTS (International English Language Testing System
- Other qualifications
- Successful completion of a tertiary qualification at bachelor level or above completed in Australia within the last two years; or
- Successful completion of at least two years of tertiary study at bachelor level or above conducted and completed in English within the last five years in a country in which English is commonly used, as determined by the University (see Note 3 below). Where the study in English was more than five years ago, this requirement may be satisfied by subsequent and recent work experience of at least two years duration in a setting where English is the language of business subject to satisfactory evidence as determined by the University; or
- have taught in the English language for at least two years at an overseas academic institution prior to the date of application. Such applications must be supported by the proposed supervisor and Dean of Research (or equivalent); or
- have written in English and been published in scholarly books or internationally recognised journals - normally at least two articles in the last five years prior to the date of application. Such application must be accompanied by an authorship statement or evidence of the contribution of the applicant and supported by the proposed supervisor and Dean of Research (or equivalent).
Where previous study or professional experience was conducted in English, the applicant must provide certified documentation from the educational institution/employer certifying that the medium of instruction/employment was in English.
Note 2: Results from IELTS and TOEFL are valid for two years
Note 3: The University, through UniSA International, maintains a list of countries where English is commonly used and which would satisfy this criterion. This may include particular educational institutions within a given non-English speaking country where English is the language of instruction.
Content/structure
The program requires completion of 108 units of study comprising 36 units (core units) introducing students to the skills required for clinical pharmacy practice followed by intensive pharmacotherapeutics/medication management instruction. A further 18 units are chosen from elective courses providing practical application of the above skills in a practice environment, research skills, epidemiology and evidence based medicine, or negotiated study. This is followed by 54 units comprising the research thesis.
Fee information
Fees for Domestic students: Commonwealth SupportedFees for Commonwealth Supported Students are calculated at the course level. Click on individual courses in the schedule below to determine total program fees.
Program requirements
| Course name | Area + Cat. No. | Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|---|---|
| FIRST YEAR | |||
| First Half (Study Period 1, 2 or 3) | |||
| PHAR 5042 | 4.5 | 0.125 | |
| PHAR 5051 | 4.5 | 0.125 | |
| PHAR 5043 | 4.5 | 0.125 | |
| PHAR 5044 | 4.5 | 0.125 | |
| Second Half (Study Period 4, 5 or 6) | |||
| PHAR 5045 | 9 | 0.250 | |
| PHAR 5046 | 9 | 0.250 | |
| SECOND YEAR | |||
| First Half (Study Period 1, 2 or 3) | |||
| Students must select 18 units from the following: | |||
| MATH 5028 | 4.5 | 0.125 | |
| PHAR 5050 | 9 | 0.250 | |
| REHB 5102 | 9 | 0.250 | |
| HLTH 5141 | 4.5 | 0.125 | |
| HLTH 5131 | 4.5 | 0.125 | |
| HLTH 5145 | 4.5 | 0.125 | |
| HLTH 5146 | 4.5 | 0.125 | |
| HLTH 5147 | 4.5 | 0.125 | |
| Second Half (Study Period 4, 5 or 6) | |||
| PHAR 5047 | 18 | 0.500 | |
| THIRD YEAR | |||
| First Half (Study Period 1, 2 or 3) | |||
| PHAR 5048 | 18 | 0.500 | |
| Second Half (Study Period 4, 5 or 6) | |||
| PHAR 5049 | 18 | 0.500 |
Credit transfer
Credit for the Master of Clinical Pharmacy
Graduates of the University of South Australia's Master of Clinical Pharmacy wishing to upgrade to the Doctor of Clinical Pharmacy (108 units) will be granted full unit credit (54 units) for all courses from the Master of Clinical Pharmacy program.
Rules
- Credit for previous studies or exemption from work within courses may be granted in accordance with University policy. Maximum credit allowed is normally one third of the total units of the program.
In order to assess Recognition of Prior Learning each individual wishing to undertake the Doctor of Clinical Pharmacy will submit a detailed portfolio describing:
(a) All academic qualifications
(b) A description of employment history fully detailing all hospital (especially clinical) experience
(c) A description of all involvement in research activities
(d) A description of all published and/or presented papers. - Students are required to satisfy the standards of dress and behaviour prescribed by institutions in which any professional placements are undertaken. Failure to satisfy such requirements may prevent a student from completing the program.
Notes
- The program aims to produce clinical pharmacists capable of providing specialist pharmaceutical services in hospitals and other clinical environments, thereby enhancing the quality use of medicines. The program builds on skills of practice developed as an undergraduate student and is therefore not a pathway to registration as a pharmacist in Australia.