Student Policies and Information

Equal Opportunity Policy and Policy Against Discrimination and Harassment

University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, disability, age, gender, gender expression/identity, sexual orientation, veteran status or other protected class in admission, financial aid, athletics, or any of its educational policies and programs. The full policy can be viewed here.

In addition, the University provides and promotes equal employment and equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, disability, age, gender, gender expression/identity, sexual orientation, veteran status or other protected class. Harassment, including sexual harassment, directed at an individual or group based on actual or perceived status is prohibited. Sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking (collectively referred to as “relationship violence”) involving alleged violations by employees that are not covered under Title IX is also prohibited under this policy. Individuals making good faith complaints and opposing discrimination and harassment or participating in internal or external proceedings are protected from retaliation.

Pursuant to University obligations under Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the University has designated an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), and Section 504 Coordinator to implement and coordinate this policy. If you have questions about the policy, if you believe that you are being discriminated against, harassed or retaliated against in violation of the this policy, or if you observe someone else being subjected to such conduct prohibited under this policy, you can report the conduct to the EEO and Section 504 Coordinator or government officials:

EEO and Section 504 Coordinator
Dan Bauer, PHR
Assistant Vice President, Human Resources (CHRO)
314.446.8308
South Residence Hall, Room 2140B
daniel.bauer@uhsp.edu

Deputy EEO and Section 504 Coordinator for Students
Rebecca Jones, Ph.D.
Assistant Vice President, Student Success and Wellness
314.446.8352
RAS, Room 410
OCR@ed.gov

U.S. Department of Education
Office for Civil Rights
Lyndon Baines Johnson Department of Education Bldg
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202-1100
Telephone: 800.421.3481
FAX: 202.453.6012
OCR@ed.gov

Students with disabilities seeking acamdeic accomodations should contact the Office of Campus Life:

Kimberly Hill
Assistant Director of Access Services
Recreation and Student Center, Student Success Center 448
314.446.8355
Kimberly.Hill@uhsp.edu

Policy Against Sexual Harassment in an Educational Program or Activity

Title IX of the Higher Education Act Amendments of 1972 (“Title IX”) prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in educational programs or activities and employment. Discrimination on the bases of sex includes sexual harassment. University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis (“UHSP” or “University”) is committed to preventing sexual harassment in its programs and activities and complying with the requirements for handling reports of sexual harassment under Title IX. The University takes the safety and well-being of its students, faculty and staff seriously and offers many forms of educational and support services to prevent and address sexual harassment in the event that sexual harassment does occur.

The policy defines sexual harassment including quid pro quo, hostile environment, sexual assault, dating and domestic violence and stalking and establishes policies and procedures for reporting incidents, obtaining help from confidential and nonconfidential resources, and filing formal complaints with the University or law enforcement authorities. It also discusses internal investigations, conduct hearings, appeals and sanctions.

The University conducts education and training programs for all students, faculty and staff to raise awareness and help prevent incidents of sexual harassment. Furthermore, the University has authority and jurisdiction to impose sanctions on a student found in violation of laws and policies, regardless of whether the violation occurred on campus, off campus or at a University-sponsored event.

The University has initiated a reporting procedure designed to encourage any covered person under this policy to report any instance of sexual harassment covered in this policy to University officials.

The University encourages parties who believe they have experienced sexual harassment to report to somebody about what happened - so they can get the support they need, and so the University can respond appropriately.

A Complainant does not have to decide whether or not to request criminal reporting or pursue a formal complaint and adjudication processes at the time they report an incident.

A report to University officials (responsible employees, public safety, and Title IX coordinator/deputy coordinators) provides the institution with actual notice of an incident and requires follow up with a Complainant to discuss supportive measures, resources, and rights under this policy.

As with many problems you may encounter, reporting incidents is the only mechanism by which sexual misconduct offenders can be officially sanctioned by the University. This also reduces the risk of repeat occurrences. All students can obtain information and report incidents on a confidential or nonconfidential basis by contacting a University administrator or the St. Louis City Police.

The policy is quite extensive. Please refer to the Student Code or contact the following University officials should you have any questions, concerns or a need to learn more about the policy.

Pursuant to University policy, and Title IX of the Higher Education Amendments of 1972, the University has designated a Title IX coordinator to implement and coordinate this policy. Additionally, the University has designated a deputy Title IX coordinator for students (“deputy coordinator for students”) who reports to and assists the Title IX coordinator to effectively administer this policy for students. If you have questions about the policy, if you believe that you are being sexually harassed or retaliated against in violation this policy, or if you observe someone else being subjected to such conduct, you can report the conduct to the Title IX coordinator. Complaints against students can also be reported to the deputy coordinator for students. The Title IX coordinator or the deputy coordinator for students will oversee the complaint process to enable the University to best assess, respond, and investigate complaints to eliminate events, prevent their recurrence, and address the effects on the Complainant and others. Additionally, the Title IX coordinator is responsible for coordination and oversight of the administration of this policy including processing and investigation of formal complaints, disciplinary proceedings and sanctions, reporting, education, and awareness of prohibited conduct and this policy, training of personnel, and conducting an annual review of the effectiveness of the University’s prohibited conduct programs.

Contact information for the Title IX coordinator and deputy coordinator for students is listed below:

Title IX Coordinator
Daniel Bauer, PHR
Assistant Vice President, Human Resources (CHRO)
314.446.8308
South Residence Hall, Room 2140B
daniel.bauer@uhsp.edu

Deputy Title IX Coordinator for Students
Rebecca Jones, Ph.D.
Assistant Vice President, Student Success and Wellness
314.446.8352
RAS, Room 410
rebecca.jones@uhsp.edu

Student Conduct

Students are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that will be a credit to the University and the professions of pharmacy and health care. Students are expected to observe the rules and regulations of the University as specified in the Student Code. Any student found responsible for conduct detrimental to the best interests of the University may receive sanctions up to and including expulsion from the University. Additional professionalism expectations for professional pharmacy students are included in the Experiential Education Guidelines.

Academic and Personal Support

Learning Engagement Center

The Learning Engagement Center (LEC) provide the student population with the tools and resources needed for academic success. The LEC empowers students to build connection and community while cultivating the academic skills, strategies, and behaviors of confident and independent learners.​ For additional information regarding the Learning Engagement Center, please contact Anna McCarty at anna.mccarty@uhsp.edu.

Academic and Career Advising

The academic and career advising staff play important roles individually to support student success, but they work together to help our students understand how their major and career options connect. 

Student Success Advisors 

These professional advisors are trained to care for the academic and personal needs of students during their first and sophomore years. The staff assist in the development of their course plan, but they also provide resources that will help students learn and grow while discovering who they are and what they want to become. For more information contact Nicole Bach at Nicole.bach@uhsp.edu or Eli Hohlt at eli.hohlt@uhsp.edu.

Undergraduate Faculty Advisors

Each student who reaches 60 credit hours is assigned a faculty advisor related to their major who will help guide them with academic and career planning. Students in the undergraduate program will be assigned to an advisor from the College of Arts and Sciences or College of Global Population Health, respectively. For more information contact Theresa Laurent at theresa.laurent@uhsp.edu.

Graduate Faculty Advisors

These faculty advisors, who are instructors within their academic departments, help guide students through academic, cocurriculum and career planning. Students in the professional program are assigned to an advisor from St. Louis College of Pharmacy, and graduate students are assigned to a graduate faculty affiliated with the College of Graduate Studies. For more information contact Tricia Berry at tricia.berry@uhsp.edu or Giovanni Pauletti at giovanni.pauletti@uhsp.edu.

Career Specialist

Our career staff provide all students and alumni with services that help them get to know themselves and their passions, explore careers, build their brand, and make connections with future employers. They do so through individual meetings and group programming.  For more information contact juliana.ferarra@uhsp.edu. 

Library

The two-story library is located on the west end of the Academic and Research Building. Within the library, students, faculty and staff will find books, journals and other media. Not only does the library offer many educational resources, including a 24-hour librarian chat service, but it also provides a comfortable environment where students can read and study, and it has ample study space that is accessible 24/7.

The online portion of the library gives students the opportunity to explore what the library has to offer, with access to databases, e-books, electronic journals and interlibrary loan requests. For more information, visit uhsp.edu/library.

Counseling and Wellness Center

The Counseling and Wellness Center is located on the fourth floor of the Recreation and Student Center. Counseling services are available for any students currently enrolled at the University. Students often seek therapy for adjustment to college, depression, anxiety, relationship issues and life transitions. These services are confidential, free of charge and are completely separate from your academic record. For more information, visit uhsp.edu/counseling.

Information Technology

Our IT professionals can assist students with computer support and instructional media development. Contact the Technical Support Center at 314.367.8700 ext. 5555 for assistance. The center is open from 8:00 a.m. -4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday during the academic year. Virtual support is offered 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday by calling the Technical Support Center. Holiday hours are posted as needed.

All students are required to have a laptop prior to the start of classes. You can find recommended specifications below.  

Each student will:

• Sign and accept all policies and procedures as described in the Conditions of Ethical Use Policy.

• Use the computer ethically and legally to enhance their educational experience. Comply with all applicable copyright and licensing laws and regulations when gathering or

sharing information using their computer.

• Back up data regularly as outlined in the training materials and understand that the University is not responsible for any loss of data.

• Not attempt to hack or break into any University system, user account, or technology.

For additional information, please call the University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis help desk at 314.367.8700, ext. 5555.

Recommended Laptop Specs:

i7 or Apple Silicon M2 Processor

16GB Ram

256GB SSD

Built-in Webcam + Mic

Accidental Damage Protection Warranty/Apple Care

Chromebooks are not approved, and will encounter issues using software for classwork.

International Travel

Any student participating in international travel funded by University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis, awarded credit by the University, or otherwise sponsored or supported by the University, including but not limited to international trips in connection with a University-recognized and University-funded student organization, must receive authorization by following the University’s International Travel Policy. The University cautions students against unauthorized international experiences for safety, health and liability reasons (see Professional Liability Insurance  for more information). The complete International Travel Policy and detailed requirements are available at policies.uhsp.edu.

Commencement Ceremonies

University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis normally holds commencement exercises in May which include the awarding of undergraduate degrees (for Professional Year 1 students or senior students who have completed all degree requirements), M.S. degrees and the Doctor of Pharmacy (for Professional Year 4 students who have completed all degree requirements). Students anticipated to complete all required degree requirements by December 31 of the graduation year are eligible to participate in the May commencement exercises.

If fees or obligations to the University remain unpaid after the student has graduated or leaves the school, the University reserves the right to withhold applications for state board examinations, academic transcripts, and the student’s diploma.

Academic Records

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law designed to protect the privacy of students’ educational records.

Parents’ Rights

The rights of FERPA, originally given to parents of students in K-12, are transferred to their students once they begin college. According to FERPA guidelines, all rights of parents (including the right to examine education records and consent to the disclosure of personally identifiable material) transfer to the student either at age 18 or upon attendance at an institution of postsecondary education. Educational information will be released to a student’s parents only with the written consent of the student or if the student is claimed as a dependent on the parents’ federal income tax return.

The following process should be followed by parents seeking information contained in their student’s education records:

• The parent should make their request in writing, indicating the particular records requested and declaring specifically that the student is the requestor’s dependent.

University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis must ask for the federal income tax form filed by the parents for the most recent tax year. This means the requesting parent must provide a copy of the federal income tax form for the current year. It cannot be a tax form from several years ago. The University will then verify that the student is indeed listed as a dependent on the tax form of the requesting parent. Once verification is made, the form will be given back to the parent and a note will be made on the request form that the verification was made.

Because the FERPA rights belong to the eligible student, the University will notify the student that their parents have asked to review their records and on what date the review will take place. If the student responds that they do not want the records shared with the parents, the University will refer the parents back to the student. At this point, a written consent is required from the student.

A one-time authorization per instance to disclose educational records may be requested by the student in the Office of the Registrar.

Spouses’ Rights

FERPA recognizes a spouse as an unrelated third party and does not make any provision for a spouse to have access to a student’s educational records without the written consent of the student.

Students’ Rights

FERPA affords students certain rights with respect to their education records. They are:

The right to inspect and review their education records within 45 days of the day the University receives a request for access.

Students should submit to the Office of the Registrar, the appropriate Office of the Dean, the chair of the academic department, the director of community standards or another appropriate official written requests that identify the records they wish to inspect. The University official will make arrangements for access and notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected. If the records are not maintained by the University official to whom the request was submitted, that official shall advise the student of the correct official to whom the request should be addressed.

If the University decides not to amend the record as requested by the student, the University will notify the student of the decision and advise the student of their right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the student when notified of the right to a hearing.

The right to consent to disclosure of personally identifiable information contained in their education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent.

One exception that permits disclosure without consent is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill their academic or enrollment services responsibilities. A school official is a person employed by the University in an administrative, supervisory, academic, research or support staff position (including law enforcement unit personnel and health staff), a person or company with whom the University has contracted (such as an attorney, auditor or collection agent), a person serving on the board of trustees or a student serving on an official committee, such as disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another school official in performing their tasks.

Upon request, the University discloses education records without consent to officials of another school in which a student seeks or intends to enroll.

Disclosure without consent also may be made to:

1. Certain government officials in order to carry out lawful functions
2. Appropriate parties in connection with financial aid to a student
3. Organizations doing legitimate studies for the school accrediting agencies
4. Individuals who have obtained court orders or subpoenas
5. Persons who need to know in cases of health or safety emergencies
6. State and local authorities to which disclosure is required by state laws
7. Schools also may disclose, without consent, directory information unless notified in writing by the student to the Office of the Registrar. University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis has designated the following as directory information:
   1. Name
   2. Address
   3. Telephone number
   4. Date of birth
   5. Enrollment status
   6. Dates of attendance (including whether currently enrolled)
   7. Degree awarded
   8. Photograph
   9. Email address
   10. Honors and awards
   11. Participation in officially recognized activities and athletics
   12. Height and weight of athletes

An eligible student who does not wish for directory information to be released without consent must notify the Office of the Registrar within the first 10 days of the term. If this notification is not received prior to this deadline, it will be assumed that the directory information may be disclosed for the remainder of the current academic term. Notification for nondisclosure must be sent to the Office of the Registrar each academic term.

In some cases, the University will disclose students’ personally identifying information from students’ education records in order for an outside service provider to deliver certain services such as delivery of an online education course or collection of a delinquent student loan. FERPA permits the disclosure of personally identifying information from education records to contractors, consultants, volunteers, or other third parties provided that the outside party:

1. performs an institutional service or function for which the University would otherwise use employees;
2. meets the criteria set forth in the University’s annual notification of FERPA rights for being a school official with a legitimate educational interest in the education records;
3. is under the direct control of the University with respect to the use and maintenance of education records;
4. agrees to use the education records only for authorized purposes; and
5. agrees to refrain from redisclosure of personally identifying information from education records to other parties without the University’s authorization.

Students may request a copy of documents describing the University’s accreditation, federal eligibility certification and state eligibility certification by submitting a written request to the Office of the Registrar.

University Complaint Policy

Students may file a formal complaint against the University. Formal complaints will be tracked and responded to within four weeks of receiving the complaint by the appropriate dean, Vice-President, or the University’s attorney depending upon the nature of the complaint.

The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the office that administers FERPA is:

Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Ave., SW
Washington, DC 20202-5920
ed.gov/category/keyword/family-policy-compliance-office-fpco

Any student may file a complaint concerning an alleged violation of the Higher Learning Commission Accreditation Standards by submitting a written complaint to hlcommission.org/Student-Resources/ complaints.html.

Any student who wishes to file a formal complaint concerning an alleged violation of the ACPE Accreditation Standards 2016 can do so by submitting the complaint in writing to ACPE.

Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education
190 S. LaSalle Street, Suite 2850
Chicago, IL 60603-3499

Students may file a complaint online at acpe-accredit.org/complaints.

Any student may file a complaint concerning an alleged violation of the Missouri Department of Higher Education Institutional Eligibility Standards by submitting a written complaint to:

Missouri Department of Higher Education
205 Jefferson St.
P.O. Box 1469
Jefferson City, MO 65102-1469

Classification of Students

Each fall and spring semester lasts approximately 15 weeks. For undergraduate students, full-time status means 12 or more credit hours must be taken in a semester. Those students taking at least six, but less than 12, credit hours are classified as half-time. Any undergraduate taking less than six credit hours is classified as less than half-time. Enrollment in more than 18 credit hours in a semester is considered an overload and the student must pay additional tuition and have the Office of the Dean’s approval.

For all professional students, except students in the last year of the professional program (P4 year), full-time status means 12 or more credit hours must be taken in a semester. Those students taking at least six, but less than 12, credit hours are classified as half-time. Any professional student taking less than six credit hours is classified as less than half-time. Enrollment in more than 18 credit hours in a semester is considered an overload and the student must pay additional tuition and have the Office of the Dean’s approval. In the last year of the professional program (P4 year), students must take 10 or more credit hours to be considered full-time. A student taking five to nine credit hours is classified as half-time. P4 students taking less than five credit hours are classified as less than half-time.

Graduate students must enroll in a minimum of 6 credit hours per semester to be classified as full time. Those students taking at least three credit hours are classified as half time. Any graduate student taking less than three credit hours is classified as less than half time. They must take a minimum of one graduate credit that contributes to degree requirements (as determined by the graduate program) per academic year (fall, spring, and summer semesters) to maintain active status in the graduate program. Enrollment in more than 18 credit hours in a semester is considered an overload and the student must have the graduate program’s approval.

For enrollment reporting, the Office of the Registrar will use the last date of final exams as the final date of a semester. The last date of required attendance or academic activity in the last year of the professional program will be used for the exit date of students graduating from the professional program.

Undergraduate students are classified according to the number of earned credit hours, including transferred credit. The required number of hours for each classification is:

Students are classified after course registration and prior to the start of each fall semester based on official academic records on file with the Office of the Registrar at that time. Students may be reclassified before the start of each fall semester, but no classification changes will be made after the tenth day of the fall semester. Reclassification may occur in the spring semester when a student exits one college at UHSP and enters another. All undergraduate students are assigned an anticipated graduation date based on the expected date of bachelor’s degree conferral for their respective classification. Upon entry into the professional program, students are assigned a (professional) division with an expected date of Doctor of Pharmacy conferral. Professional program students are classified (P1, P2, P3 or P4) based on this expected date of completion. Upon entry into the graduate program, students are assigned a graduate division with an expected date of graduate degree conferral. Graduate students are classified (G1 or G2). The required number of hours for each classification is:

Registration

(Excluding concentrated experiential courses - See Professional Policies and Information)

Registration is an official part of the academic year. By registering, the student subscribes to the terms and conditions, financial and otherwise, which have been set forth by the University. Under no circumstances is a student allowed to attend a class without officially registering for the course online or in the Office of the Registrar. Academic credit is not to be awarded if the student is not registered. A correct registration is the responsibility of the individual student.

Each fall and spring semester the University schedules 3-5 weeks of preregistration to allow for academic advising. All students must meet with an advisor, submit all required advising documents and have no account hold to be eligible to register. Lecture-based class sessions are typically 50 minutes per credit hour. Laboratory periods and discussion and recitation periods are typically two or three hours per credit hour. For every hour of didactic instruction, students can expect to spend a minimum of two hours of work related to course preparation, which may include reading, researching, writing, viewing online lectures and studying for quizzes and exams.

Students in the professional pharmacy program are automatically registered for concentrated introductory pharmacy practice experiences (summer P2 and P3) and advanced pharmacy practice experiences (P4) based on individual placements. During these courses, students spend 40 hours per week in assigned, University-approved pharmacy practice sites. Students can expect additional work related to course preparation outside of the on-site hours.

Students may add a didactic course to their schedule within the first 10 days of the semester (or first two days of a summer session under normal circumstances) with permission of the instructor.

Students in the professional program and the graduate program cannot drop or withdraw from required courses that are prerequisites for courses taught in the subsequent semester, regardless of their academic performance in such courses, unless extenuating circumstances exist and the appropriate Office of the Dean has approved.

Students may drop other didactic courses within the first 10 days of the semester (or first two days of a summer session). A student may withdraw from other courses with a grade of W with permission from the instructor, the academic advisor and the Office of the Registrar, through the 11th week of the semester (or the first week of a summer session), The specific date for withdrawing from courses will be announced at the beginning of each semester.

Occasionally, a person not registered with the University or a student enrolled at the University may audit (AU) a course. Academic credit cannot be granted for an audited course. Individuals are permitted to audit a course only when classroom space is available. The course instructor or the appropriate Office of the Dean may refuse any request to audit a course. Permission to audit a course entitles the person to attend class, but not to take exams or complete graded assignments. To have documentation that an individual audited the course or to have the audit appear on a transcript, arrangements must be made with the instructor at the beginning of the course so that attendance throughout the semester can be verified. Students taking at least 12 credit hours of regular courses may audit a course at no additional cost. Students taking less than 12 credit hours are charged $100 per course audited.

A permanent record of student progress is maintained by the Office of the Registrar. Students can examine their personal records at any time during the school year.

Students are responsible for following academic procedures and meeting degree requirements in order to graduate.

Leave of Absence

University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis recognizes that there are situations when a student may require a leave of absence. If such a situation arises, a student-initiated, written request must be submitted to the appropriate Office of the Dean. This letter must include the reason for the requested leave and the expected time period.
The student normally receives a letter from the appropriate Office of the Dean within five business days stating approval or disapproval of the leave, and any considerations for requirements to return, including an expected date of return. If the student does not return by the expected date of return and is not granted an extension by the appropriate Office of the Dean, the student will be considered unofficially withdrawn from the University. Leaves normally are permitted for a maximum of one year and are issued for medical or personal reasons. Students returning from a leave return to a curriculum in the academic catalog of the academic year of return or academic year determined by the appropriate Office of the Dean. Classes taken outside the University during the period of the leave are not accepted as transfer credits. Exceptions to this policy will be determined by the appropriate Office of the Dean.

A leave requested after the official withdrawal date in a semester will be granted only if there are serious extenuating circumstances.

Withdrawing from the University

All students seeking to withdraw from the University are strongly encouraged to initiate the official withdrawal process by contacting the Office of the Registrar (second floor of the Academic and Research Building). The date when the student initiates the withdrawal process will be recorded as the last date of attendance, unless a more accurate date is agreed upon by the student and the student’s course faculty. The Office of the Registrar will notify all appropriate departments of the student’s exit from the University. The last date of final exams for the most recently completed period of enrollment will be recorded as the final date of attendance for the student officially withdrawing at the end of, or between, periods of enrollment.

Students who do not notify the Office of the Registrar of their intent to withdraw will be considered unofficially withdrawn from the University. More specifically, students are considered unofficially withdrawn if:

• They do not register for an immediately subsequent semester without notifying the Office of the Registrar of their intent to leave the University.
• Students earn failing final grades (F) in all courses they were registered in for the semester due to a lack of academic activity.
• Students begin a period of enrollment but are noted as absent throughout the period.

The Office of the Registrar attempts to discover a consensus last date of attendance for unofficially withdrawn students by contacting the students’ course faculty. The Office of the Registrar will use the students’ last date of final exams for the semester in question when consensus for the last date of attendance is unobtainable from faculty. Students continually noted as absent (normally reported by faculty) throughout the semester receive a final date of attendance that is the midpoint date for the semester (50%).

Students who officially or unofficially withdraw from the University may apply for readmission by submitting a new application to the Office of Admissions.

Students who are dismissed from the University for any reason may apply for readmission by submitting a new application to the Office of Admissions for entry no sooner than two full academic terms (fall and spring) after the date of the dismissal. The application is reviewed by the appropriate Admissions and Progressions Committee or Graduate Council. Please refer to the Office of Admissions for application deadlines.

Grades

Final course grades are available to students via Campus Web immediately following the end of each semester and are not available verbally to students through the Office of the Registrar. Students questioning their grades should discuss the matter with the instructor as soon as possible after grades are issued. Students requesting a didactic grade change must do so according to the Grade Dispute Policy described in the Student Code. Professional pharmacy students refer to the Experiential Education Guidelines for experiential grade change requests.

Computation of Scholastic Standing

University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis uses the 4.0 grading system to determine grade point average (GPA). GPA is calculated by multiplying the number of credit hours for a given course by the number of grade points for the letter grade received, totaling the grade points earned, and dividing that total by the number of credit hours attempted.

Passing grades in advanced pharmacy practice experiences and introductory pharmacy practice experiences are indicated by the letter grades A through C. Any grade below C is indicated by the letter grade F and the rotation must be repeated. (Note: A letter grade of C- is considered to be less than C)

Passing grades in graduate division courses are indicated by the letter grades A through C-. Any grade below C- is indicated by the letter grade F.

A grade of incomplete (I) can be given by a faculty member if the student is unable - due to extenuating circumstances such as illness or injury - to complete all of the required coursework during the semester. Ordinarily, an I is not to be given to allow a student to redo coursework previously completed in an effort to improve the student’s grade in the course. Incomplete grades normally must be made up no later than 10 school days following the beginning of the next semester. Extensions may be granted by the appropriate Office of the Dean. Otherwise, the I is converted to an F.

For some courses in the professional program, students who do not meet course competency standards as defined in the course’s syllabus, may qualify for remediation and reevaluation of the course instead of needing a full repeat or retake of the course the next time the course is normally offered. Students who qualify for remediation and reevaluation in a course will be issued a Remediation Pending (RP) until the remediation and reevaluation process is completed.

If the remediation and reevaluation is successfully completed, the RP will be replaced with the appropriate course grade. If remediation and reevaluation is not successfully completed, the RP will be replaced with the appropriate grade and the student will be required to repeat or retake the course in its entirety the next time it is normally offered. Please refer to course syllabi for the remediation and reevaluation policy and process used in the course.

Grade Point Average (GPA)

Three separate division GPAs may be reported on the student’s transcript: Semester GPA and cumulative GPA in the undergraduate division, semester GPA and cumulative GPA in the professional division and semester GPA and cumulative GPA in the graduate division. No course will be calculated in more than one cumulative division GPA. All coursework taken at the University is included in the all-divisions career GPA.

Calculating Grade Point Average (GPA)

GPA = (credit hours) x (grade points)
            (credit hours attempted)

TG Transfer Grade 2.00

Scholastic Honors

Graduating students are eligible for several awards. These awardees are determined by the faculty based on the specific criteria established for individual awards.

Dean’s List

Undergraduate and professional students who maintain a semester average of 3.5 or better in a regular program of 12 or more credit hours for any semester are given Dean’s list standing during the following semester.

Coursework Taken Outside the University

Students interested in completing coursework outside the University must submit a course transfer approval request to the Office of the Registrar. An external course syllabus is provided to the appropriate department chair or program director that at minimum contains the following information: course level, content, rigor, outcomes and textbook considerations. Upon approval by the department chair or program director and faculty expert, the Office of the Registrar completes the Course Transfer Approval and notifies the student. A record of all approved transfer credit will be maintained by the Office of the Registrar. The courses are reviewed for transfer eligibility every five years by a qualified faculty member. Courses taken outside of the United States must also be evaluated for U.S. institution equivalence by an organization approved by the Office of the Registrar. UHSP does not grant course credit for outside work experience (paid or unpaid).

A maximum of six hours of professional electives may be transferred in for credit. Credit will not be awarded for courses completed more than seven years prior. Up to 20% of the total hours required for a master’s degree program may be transferred in for credit.

Approval will not be given to take coursework outside the University if the student’s schedule can be reasonably modified to accommodate enrollment in the course during the same fall, spring or summer semester, or if such work will result in less than full-time study at the University during the semester in which the course normally would have been taken. Exceptions require approval from the appropriate Office of the Dean.

Upon receipt of an official transcript, admissible coursework completed outside the University will be transcribed as credit (CR) and will not affect the student’s University grade point average. No credit for undergraduate and professional courses will be transferred for grades less than C-. No credit for graduate courses will be transferred for grades less than B. Courses which award grades of pass/credit may be deemed acceptable with appropriate documentation.

Summer Sessions

Summer didactic sessions are typically five weeks long and students meet for the same number of hours as in a semester. For example, a 3-credit hour course meets three hours per week in a semester (45 hours) and in a 5-week summer session, a 3-credit hour course meets nine hours per week. Students may not take more than one course per 5-week summer session unless they receive permission from the dean of the respective college offering the course. For progression purposes, summer sessions are not considered to be regular academic semesters, which means summer does not count as a probation semester.

Changes in Degree Requirements

The University reserves the right to make additions or changes, as necessary, to the undergraduate, graduate or professional curriculum to better meet accreditation guidelines or reflect continuous quality improvement.

Students who remain in good academic standing will graduate under the curriculum in place at the time of their entry into the professional curriculum, with the exception that course topics, sequences or credit hours may be modified. However, the total credit hour requirement needed for graduation will not change and no retroactive requirements for courses completed will be made. Students who do not remain in good academic standing, and who repeat courses or curricular segments, may be behind a year or more, and if so, will be considered as part of that subsequent entering class. As such, they will be required to complete the curriculum in effect for that class.

UHSP does not grant course credit for outside work experience except for work done as part of an experiential course or internship with an institution affliated with UHSP.  In those cases, students cannot receive any payment for their work including wages, grants, or stipends.

Transcripts

Official and unofficial transcripts must be requested in writing and must bear the signature of the requesting student or may be requested online through the National Student Clearinghouse transcript services. Transcripts are issued only to students who are in good financial standing with the University and are processed within three business days, five business days during grading and registration periods.

Undergraduate Policies and Information

Undergraduate Program Student Knowledge Domains and General Education Requirements (College of Arts and Sciences)

Undergraduate Program Student Knowledge Domains and General Education Requirements.

A primary purpose of the College of Arts and Sciences is to prepare students to lead useful and satisfying lives, to contribute and lead in their communities and to advance their chosen professions. To these ends, the University strives to provide its students a strong content foundation through a broad base of courses covering the following knowledge domains:

• Humanities and Fine Arts (9 Cr. from at least two disciplines): Students explore how historical and cultural contexts shape how individual and societal worldviews are informed.
• Mathematical Sciences (3 Cr.): Students solve mathematical problems from a variety of authentic contexts, use quantitative evidence to make appropriate conclusions, and communicate conclusions using a variety of quantitative formats.
• Natural Sciences (6 Cr.): Students investigate the natural sciences through coursework that exemplifies why scientific inquiry enhances our understanding of the natural world.
• Oral Communication (3 Cr.): Students examine how oral arguments can convey one’s position while respecting the rights and needs of those whom with they are communicating.
• Social and Behavioral Sciences (6 Cr.): Students study the ways human behavior and social interactions influence individuals, groups and society.
• Written Communication (6 Cr.): Students explore how written arguments can clearly define and support one’s positions on an issue.

Undergraduate General Education Program Student Learning Outcomes

What is the goal of General Education?

• To help students have a well-rounded education.
• To ensure that all graduates possess a common set of college-level skills and abilities.

Upon successful completion of General Education coursework, students will be able to:

Oral Communication:

1. Adhere to appropriate (discipline-specific) ethical standards in research and oral presentation of materials.
2. Speak clearly and effectively for a variety of audiences and purposes.

Written Communication:

3. Communicate effectively in writing, using conventions appropriate to various contexts and diverse audiences.

Critical Thinking:

4. Select, evaluate, and use information to investigate a point of view and support a position.

Quantitative Literacy:

5. Interpret graphical representations of data.
6. Convert data into various graphical representations.
7. Solve problems using quantitative skills.
8. Make justifiable inferences, predictions, and conclusions based on quantitative data.

Scientific Literacy:

9. Apply the scientific method or scientific principles to describe, analyze, or explain natural phenomena or other real-world situations.
10. Evaluate the credibility of sources of scientific information.
11. Evaluate the use or misuse of scientific information.
12. Make justifiable inferences, predictions, and conclusions based on scientific data.

Undergraduate Program Student Learning Outcomes

While the general education courses establish a foundation for knowledge acquisition, the Undergraduate Program’s outcomes expand beyond content and focus on skills that are scaffolded throughout the undergraduate curriculum. Students are expected to develop and demonstrate the following skills in accordance with the Undergraduate Program’s outcomes.

Undergraduate Attendance Policy

Students who are, or will be, absent from classes for any reason are required to notify their Dean’s Office, using the link on the Student Forms tab in CampusWeb.  Additionally, they are required to notify their instructors directly by email of their absence. Students are responsible for making arrangements with their instructors to complete any missed work in compliance with absence policies stated in course syllabi. Students in undergraduate degree programs that are integrated with the College of Graduate Studies or the St. Louis College of Pharmacy must abide by their respective attendance policies.

Repeating or Retaking Courses

When an undergraduate course is repeated or retaken at the University, the grade earned will replace the initial grade, even if that grade is lower than the initial grade.

Undergraduate Program Warning, Probation, & Dismissal Policy

In accordance with Title IV regulations, a student attending University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis is required to remain in good academic standing and maintain satisfactory academic progress.

The following academic probation and dismissal policies apply to all students who entered the undergraduate program during fall 2023 and thereafter.

Undergraduate Program Academic Warning Policy for students who entered the undergraduate program during fall 2023 and thereafter:

A student will be placed on academic warning, but is still considered in good academic standing, if they earn a semester GPA less than 2.00 (as long as their undergraduate cumulative GPA is greater than 2.00). In order to be removed from academic warning, the student’s semester undergraduate GPA at the end of the following semester (fall or spring) must be 2.00 or greater.

Undergraduate Academic Probation Policy for students who entered the undergraduate program during fall 2023 and thereafter:

A student will be placed on academic probation, and is considered not in good academic standing under the following circumstances:

• Student earns an undergraduate cumulative GPA less than 2.00

In order to be removed from academic probation, the student’s undergraduate cumulative GPA at the end of the following semester (fall, spring, or summer) must be 2.00 or greater.

Undergraduate Program Dismissal Policy for students who entered the undergraduate program during fall 2023 and thereafter:

A student will be subject to academic dismissal from the University for any one of the following reasons:

• Student is placed on academic probation in two consecutive semesters.
• Student is placed on academic probation for a third time (nonconsecutive).
• Student fails to meet probation requirements (if on probation from the previous semester).

The procedures for appealing an academic dismissal are outlined in the Student Code.

The following academic probation and dismissal policies apply to all students who entered the undergraduate program prior to fall 2023.

Undergraduate Program Probation Policy for students who entered the undergraduate program prior to fall 2023:

A student will be placed on academic probation, and is considered not in good academic standing, if they earn a semester GPA less than 2.00 (even if the cumulative undergraduate program GPA is greater than 2.00). In order to be removed from academic probation, the student’s semester and cumulative undergraduate program GPA at the end of the probation period (one semester) must be 2.0 or greater.

Undergraduate Program Dismissal Policy for students who entered the undergraduate program prior to fall 2023:

A student will be subject to academic dismissal from the University for any one of the following reasons:

• Student is placed on academic probation in two consecutive semesters.
• Student is placed on academic probation for a third time (nonconsecutive).
• Student fails to meet probation requirements (if on probation from the previous semester).

The procedures for appealing an academic dismissal are outlined in the Student Code.

Requirements for Graduation

Requirements include:

• Completion of all general education requirements including coursework in the following knowledge domains:
  • Written communication (6 Cr.)
  • Oral communication (3 Cr.)-Mathematical Sciences (3 Cr.)
  • Natural Sciences (6 Cr.)
  • Humanities and Fine Arts (9 Cr., from at least two different disciplines, with a limit of 3 Cr. of performance courses)
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences (6 Cr.)
• A minimum of 36 credit hours of 300- or 400-level courses (transfer hour equivalency will be determined on an individual basis)
• Completion of two writing intensive courses
• A minimum of 48 credit hours that contribute to an undergraduate degree completed at the college
• Completion of ≥ 120 credit hours
• A career GPA ≥ 2.0

Candidates for bachelor’s degrees must complete the appropriate curriculum and required activities listed in this catalog, as well as be recommended for graduation by the faculty in the appropriate College.

Professional Policies and Information

Admission into the Professional Program

Holistic Application Review

St. Louis College of Pharmacy uses a holistic application review for all applicants to the Doctor of Pharmacy program.

All applicants, including current undergraduate students enrolled at the University and external applicants, seeking entry into the Doctor of Pharmacy program in the fall 2023 semester and thereafter must submit their application through PharmCAS, the central pharmacy application system. Refer to the PharmCAS website (pharmcas.org) or the University website (uhsp.edu/admissions) for specific application and admission requirements. Applications sent directly to the University will be returned to the applicant for submission through PharmCAS.

Holistic admission into the professional program (P1 year) is based on the following, but not limited to, academic and nonacademic requirements.

Academic Requirements

Before entry into the professional program (P1 year), students are recommended to have:

• an undergraduate cumulative GPA of 2.7 or higher
• a core math and science GPA of 2.7 or higher
• no grades below a C- in prerequisite courses

*See Professional (P1) Admission for a full list of prerequisite courses  

Nonacademic Requirements

In addition to successful completion of prerequisite courses and meeting the academic requirements, students must successfully complete an interview, essays and a writing proficiency assessment.

Interview

Students currently enrolled in undergraduate coursework at the University are able to sign up for an interview in September. Interviews are conducted during the fall semester and should conclude prior to final exams. Students who are unable to complete their interview during the fall semester, may have to complete the interview during the winter break. Student applicants from external institutions may also be interviewed at this time, as well as later throughout the semester as applications are processed. All travel related expenses are the responsibility of the applicant.

Students who are unable to attend their scheduled interview must contact the Office of the Dean of Pharmacy at least two weeks before the interview date. Absence due to illness or other emergencies requires immediate notification. Students who are late or absent without notifying the Office of the Dean of Pharmacy may be disqualified from consideration for admission into the professional program.

Writing Assessment

Students are required to demonstrate minimum acceptable writing proficiency through a writing assessment administered by the University. The Pharmacy College Admissions Test (PCAT) writing section results may be used in place of the University’s writing assessment.

Essay Questions

All students seeking admission into the professional program complete four essay questions. These are completed in conjunction with the scheduled interview.

Decision Appeals

Students who are denied entry into the professional program due to academic or nonacademic performance may submit a written response to the St. Louis College of Pharmacy Admissions and Progressions Committee presenting additional information to the committee for reconsideration. The decision of the St. Louis College of Pharmacy Admissions and Progressions Committee is final.

Professional Program Educational Outcomes (St. Louis College of Pharmacy)

The following general outcomes and professional roles pertain to the professional program (i.e., Professional Years 1-4) implemented in fall 2024:

• Scientific Thinking (Learner): Seek, analyze, integrate, and apply foundational knowledge of medications and pharmacy practice (biomedical; pharmaceutical; social, behavioral, administrative; clinical sciences; drug classes; and digital health).
• Problem-Solving (Problem-Solver): Use problem solving and critical thinking skills, along with an innovative mindset, to address challenges and to promote positive change.
• Communication (Communicator): Actively engage, listen, and communicate verbally, nonverbally, and in writing when interacting with or educating an individual, group, or organization.
• Cultural and Structural Humility (Ally): Mitigate health disparities by considering, recognizing, and navigating cultural and structural factors (e.g., social determinants of health, diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility) to improve access and health outcomes.
• Person-Centered Care (Provider): Provide whole person care to individuals as the medication specialist using the Pharmacists’ Patient Care Process.
• Advocacy (Advocate): Promote the best interests of patients and/or the pharmacy profession within healthcare settings and at the community, state, or national level.
• Medication-use Process Stewardship (Steward): Optimize patient healthcare outcomes using human, financial, technological, and physical resources to improve the safety, efficacy, and environmental impact of medication use systems.
• Interprofessional Collaboration (Collaborator): Actively engage and contribute as a healthcare team member by demonstrating core interprofessional competencies.
• Population Health and Wellness (Promoter): Assess factors that influence the health and wellness of a population and develop strategies to address those factors.
• Leadership (Leader): Demonstrate the ability to influence and support the achievement of shared goals on a team, regardless of one’s role.
• Self-Awareness (Self-Aware): Examine, reflect on, and address personal and professional attributes (e.g., knowledge, metacognition, skills, abilities, beliefs, biases, motivation, help-seeking strategies, and emotional intelligence that could enhance or limit growth, development, & professional identity formation.
• Professionalism (Professional): Exhibit attitudes and behaviors that embody a commitment to building and maintaining trust with patients, colleagues, other health care professionals, and society.

Technical Standards

Listed below are recommendations and information regarding the characteristics and abilities which University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis believes are important for student pharmacists to possess in order to be successful in the pharmacy curriculum and in subsequent practice as a pharmacist.

Any student pharmacist who has concerns that a disability may impact their ability to complete the program should contact the director of academic support who facilitates Access Services services. Student pharmacists who lack certain characteristics and abilities which are related to a documented disability, may request University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis to provide reasonable accommodations. Reasonable accommodations are defined as services provided to individuals with disabilities, medical conditions or temporary injury or condition that removes or lessens the effect of disability-related barriers. Examples include: providing sign language interpreters, furnishing written materials in large print, and making a facility or event physically accessible. Some individuals with disabilities may need reasonable accommodations to meet the Technical Standards, while others may not. The absence of some skills may lengthen the time to completion of the Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) program and limit the variety of settings in which a student pharmacist or pharmacist can work. For more information on the University’s compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), please refer to the Student Handbook or the Access Services information on the University website.

The standards detailed below are derived from a variety of sources specific to pharmacy education and the practice of pharmacy. These sources include:

• Code of Ethics for Pharmacists
• Oath of a Pharmacist
• Pledge of Professionalism
• Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) Accreditation Standards 2016
• Student Code

University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis has a responsibility to the public to assure that its graduates become fully competent pharmacists. It is imperative that persons admitted possess each of the five key categories (psychomotor abilities, communication, cognitive abilities, behavioral and social attributes, and ethical values) necessary to practice pharmacy. Each key category is defined, and specific examples related to the pharmacy curriculum and the practice of pharmacy are noted. In the event of deteriorating physical, behavioral, social or emotional abilities, student pharmacists may require counsel with school and University officials if there is evidence that they are not meeting the technical standards. Student pharmacists whose actions or decisions pose a danger to themselves, patients and colleagues may not continue in the program unless they agree to accept professional help under conditions acceptable to St. Louis College of Pharmacy. Revealed deficiencies of a current student pharmacists’ ability to perform the Technical Standards may create barriers that could prevent the student pharmacist from continuing in the professional program at University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis.

Psychomotor Abilities

Use of the body associated with mental activity. During the curriculum, student pharmacists will be asked to:

• Observe lectures, demonstrations and experiments
• Use a computer for course-based activities
• Visually evaluate microscopic slides, pharmaceutical preparations and instrumentation data
• Observe a patient accurately at a distance and close at hand in settings such as an ambulatory care exam room, hospital room, operating room, etc. where blood and other bodily fluids may be present
• Perform basic life support (BLS)
• Demonstrate safe, sterile technique
• Prepare drug products (compound drug products, prepare IVs, and make capsules)
• Perceive the signs of disease or adverse drug effects through visual observation
• Perform physical exams using touch (e.g. use a stethoscope, take a pulse, perform a foot exam, etc.)
• Perform and demonstrate point-of-care testing (e.g. fingerstick of yourself and others)
•  Administer immunizations

Communication

Imparting or interchange of thoughts, opinions, or information by speech, writing or signs. During the course of the curriculum, student pharmacists will be asked to:

• Communicate effectively in the English language (verbal and written)
• Document activities
• Speak, listen and read in order to elicit information (patient history, medication use, etc.)
• Effectively communicate with instructors, peers and patients
• Communicate with other health care providers
• Teach patients how to use health care related devices (inhalers, glucometers, etc.)
• Provide patients with clear, concise, accurate and audience-appropriate information
• Organize ideas and develop thoughts into coherent, appropriately written and referenced essays and research papers
• Interpret non-verbal communication (body language) from peers, patients, instructors and members of a health care team
• Utilize appropriate resources for communication with non-English speakers

Cognitive Abilities

Mental processes of perception, memory, judgment and reasoning. During the course of the curriculum, student pharmacists will be asked to:

• Accurately fill prescriptions
• Solve problems involving measurement, calculations, reasoning, analysis, synthesis and evaluation
• Gather and evaluate information from multiple sources to develop patient treatment and monitoring plans in a timely manner
• Demonstrate evidence-based decision-making
• Synthesize knowledge and integrate relevant information

Behavioral and Social Attributes

Characteristics of experience, behavior and interaction with people. During the course of the curriculum, student pharmacists will be asked to:

• Possess virtues such as honesty, integrity, altruism and dedication
• Place the welfare of their patients before all else
• Display attitudes such as empathy, care, compassion and social responsibility regardless of the age, race, creed, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, disabled veteran or Vietnam era veteran status
• Promote confidence in their profession by exemplifying professional demeanor, respect and dignity in all interactions
• Demonstrate and achieve the values and goals of the three pillars of professionalism within the Student Code: Competence, Connection and Character
• Identify personal reactions and responses, recognize multiple points of view and integrate these appropriately into clinical decision-making
• Exhibit emotional stability and sufficient physical health to be able to perform in physically, intellectually and emotionally challenging workloads
• Function effectively under stress and adapt to an environment which may change rapidly without warning and in unpredictable ways

Ethical Values

Act in a manner that is right or moral. During the course of the curriculum, student pharmacists will be asked to:

• Demonstrate a professional demeanor, conduct and behavior that are appropriate to their standing in the professional program
• Meet the ethical standards set forth in the Code of Ethics for Pharmacists
• Obtain and maintain a valid Pharmacist Intern license in the State of Missouri and pass a criminal background check, drug screens, immunizations, health screenings, and trainings required by the Missouri Board of Pharmacy rules, Missouri law and University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis affiliated experiential sites and their accrediting and regulatory agencies

Attendance Policy for School of Pharmacy

St. Louis College of Pharmacy expects student pharmacists to be present for activities noted as required according to the course schedule or syllabus. Student pharmacists are also expected to be present for all course-related assessments (e.g., exams, quizzes, case presentations, practicums, etc.). This is necessary to allow for efficient and effective teaching of the course material and for active learning during class sessions, as well as to show respect for instructors and to ensure the security of examinations, quizzes and other types of student assessments. However, St. Louis College of Pharmacy also recognizes that there are occasions when a student pharmacist’s attendance at these activities is not possible or prudent.

The St. Louis College of Pharmacy Excused Absence Policy, found in the Student Code, informs P1-P3 student pharmacists on what an excusable absence is and how excused absence requests and approvals are processed. All P1, P2 and P3 student pharmacists who are requesting an excused absence from a professional program course should submit their request via the electronic absence request portal in Campus Web for approval by the Office of the Dean of Pharmacy.

Introductory pharmacy practice experiences (IPPE) courses taken during the fall and spring semesters follow the Excused Absence Policy. However, professional Year 4 (P4) student pharmacists on advanced pharmacy practice experiences (APPE) and P2 and P3 student pharmacists completing IPPEs for community and health system follow the excused absence policy Experiential Education Guidelines. 

The University requires all faculty, staff and students be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 or have an approved religious or medical exemption. UHSP also recommends boosters doses per CDC guidelines for COVID-19. Students who fail to comply with applicable COVID-19 vaccine and/or testing procedures will not be permitted to participate in campus activities or classes and may ultimately be disenrolled. Additional immunization requirements for professional pharmacy students are described in the Experiential Education Guidelines.

Concentrated Experiential Course Withdrawal Policy

Concentrated experiential courses include the introductory pharmacy practice experiences (IPPE) that occur over the summer or winter break and the advanced pharmacy practice experiences (APPE) in the last professional year. Only in cases of significant extenuating circumstances, students may withdraw from a concentrated experiential course prior to 20% of the total rotation time elapsing, with approval from the course coordinator and the director of the Office of Experiential Education. This is day five for an APPE and day three for a concentrated IPPE. After 20% of the rotation has been completed, withdrawals may only be permitted for significant extenuating circumstances with approval from the Office of the Dean of Pharmacy. After this time, there is no tuition refund for the course.

Students cannot drop APPE or IPPE rotations. Students must complete the Experiential Course Withdrawal Form and obtain the signatures of the director of the Office of Experiential Education and the Dean of Pharmacy if applicable. If approved, the Office of Experiential Education determines rescheduling possibilities. Withdrawal from experiential courses may delay graduation.

Repeating or Retaking Courses

When a professional course is repeated or retaken at the University, the grade earned will replace the initial grade, even if that grade is lower than the initial grade. If a student repeats a required professional course in years P1 through P3, the grade received in that course must be a letter grade of C- or better or the student is subject to academic dismissal.

Students in the professional program may not have any grades lower than C- in required courses (Professional Years 1-3). For students to enroll in a course, a grade of C- or greater must be earned in all prerequisite courses. Grades less than C- earned in required courses that are not prerequisites for a subsequent course must be remediated or repeated at the earliest opportunity.

For students in the last year of the professional program, the following policy will apply for all grades below C:

• If a student fails one rotation, they are placed on an academic leave of absence and are required to successfully complete a remediation plan before being allowed to continue on rotations. A return date is scheduled prior to beginning remediation but may be adjusted in accordance with the student’s improvement plan progress.
• Remediation consists of an individualized improvement plan. Plans are developed by the Office of Experiential Education in collaboration with the Office of the Dean of Pharmacy as needed. Plans are determined based on areas that need significant development to provide the student additional support (academic or personal) to ensure their success on subsequent rotations. Students are required to demonstrate successful completion of the required components of the plan in order to return to rotations. Successful remediation varies in length based on the student’s needed development and ability to demonstrate sufficient readiness to resume.
• Remediation could include, but is not limited to, auditing all or part of a course, independent study, skills-based competencies, top-drugs/ NAPLEX review, assignment practice, counseling, life organization skills, etc. The Assistant Dean for Student Academic Affairs determines that the student satisfactorily completed the terms of remediation. Successful remediation does not change the failed rotation grade and is required to be eligible to repeat the failed rotation. A student that has failed one rotation must repeat the same rotation type with a new site and preceptor.
• If a student fails a second rotation (of the same or different type), they are eligible for dismissal. Once a student is eligible for dismissal, the student is placed on an academic leave of absence. The leave of absence status continues until the student begins their next rotation (in case of successful appeals) or the dismissal is processed.
• Failure of any rotation generally results in scheduling changes and delayed graduation.

Remediating Courses

Some courses in the professional program provide an opportunity for remediation. In these courses, students who do not meet course competency standards as defined in the course syllabus may qualify for remediation of the course instead of needing a full repeat or retake of the course the next time the course is normally offered. Students who qualify for remediation in a course will be issued a remediation pending (RP) until the remediation process is completed.

If the remediation is successfully completed, the RP will be replaced with the appropriate course grade. If remediation is not successfully completed, the RP will be replaced with the appropriate grade and the student will be required to repeat or retake the course in its entirety the next time it is normally offered, or the student may be subject to academic probation or dismissal if the resultant course grade contributes to any of the possible reasons for academic probation or dismissal as outlined in the Professional Program Probation and Professional Program Dismissal Policies below. As variation may exist between courses, please refer to course syllabi for the remediation and reevaluation policy and process used in the course.

Progression within the Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) Program

Students entering the pharmacy program must complete all prerequisites for admission to the professional program. Once admitted, to progress through the professional program:

• All students must demonstrate competency on high yield medications (i.e., “top drugs”) knowledge. To ensure student competency, top drugs proficiency exams will be administered at the end of each year (spring P1 through spring P3). Proficiency exam dates (including remedial exam dates) are scheduled at the beginning of the spring semester. Students must take the proficiency exam (and remedial exams, if needed) on the day it is scheduled. If a student does not demonstrate proficiency on the exam, they are responsible for self-learning the exam material and then retaking the exam on the next scheduled date. Students are not allowed to progress to IPPE or APPE courses in the next professional year until proficiency is achieved. After three unsuccessful attempts, students are required to meet with the Office of the Dean of Pharmacy before retaking the test.
• All students must pass a pharmacy calculations proficiency assessment in their last didactic semester prior to advanced pharmacy practice experiences (APPE). Failure to meet the proficiency standard requires remediation and delay the start of APPE courses.
• Co-curriculum requirements must be completed each year.
• Students in Professional Years 1-3 may not have any grades lower than C- in required courses. Students are required to remediate or repeat a required course to progress.
• A cumulative professional program GPA ≥ 2.0 is required before entering APPE courses.
• Students in Professional Year 4 may not have any grades lower than C in APPE courses to progress to the next course.
• All students in the Doctor of Pharmacy program must maintain a current Missouri pharmacy intern license throughout the program. In addition, any experiential education courses completed outside of Missouri require appropriate pharmacy licensure based on requirements outlined by those states and countries.

Students must meet the requirements as outlined in the Experiential Education Guidelines for immunizations, screenings, background checks, trainings, and certifications. For students in the Doctor of Pharmacy program, the University coordinates domestic and international professional liability insurance coverage for students in their P1-P4 years. All students are required to adhere to the requirements outlined for both domestic and international professional liability insurance coverage. See Professional Liability Insurance  to review more detailed information.

Co-curriculum Requirements

Students in the professional program are required to participate in co-curriculum activities to help foster their professional development. Students are required to show competency by graduation in the co-curriculum outcomes. Practice opportunities for these outcomes are provided through required and elective activities. 

Required yearly activities include, but are not limited to, Professional Orientation, American Pharmacists Association Immunization certificate training and basic life support training. Students in the second professional year of the program are required to participate in an annual Advocacy Day activity such as attendance at either Missouri or Illinois Legislative Day.

Student progress related to these outcomes is supported and monitored through the faculty advising program and the Assistant Dean for Student Academic Affairs. In addition to the co-curriculum requirements, professionalism concepts are emphasized in various courses. St. Louis College of Pharmacy aims to help students develop as professionals and value the professional habits expected of a pharmacist. Professionalism consists of an individual’s competencies, virtues, attitudes and behaviors appropriate to a profession. A profession is distinguished from other work by the nature of the relationships between professionals and the people for whom they care and serve.

Pharmacists have covenantal relationships with their patients. That is, they are obligated to put the best interests of their patients ahead of their own. Pharmacists must be trustworthy. To earn the trust of the patients, pharmacists must operate upon values such as responsibility, a dedication to service, commitment to excellence and collaboration. They must be competent in the knowledge and skills that are required for their profession and must be dedicated to maintain that competency throughout their careers.

Pharmacists must possess virtues such as honesty, integrity and altruism and must display attitudes such as empathy, care, compassion and social responsibility. Finally, pharmacists should promote confidence in their profession by exemplifying professional demeanor in all interactions.

Also, students will be able to develop professionally via extracurricular activities and will receive guidance from their professional program advisor in all of these curricular, cocurricular and extracurricular experiences. All students in the professional program will be held accountable for, and graded on, professionalism in every course in the experiential curriculum. Unprofessional incidents on or off campus will not be tolerated and will be subject to review according to the Professional Misconduct process described in the Student Code.

Academic Probation and Dismissal

In accordance with Title IV regulations, a student attending University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis is required to remain in good academic standing and maintain satisfactory academic progress. Students are urged to read the following information carefully to be sure they know which policies pertain to them.

Professional Program Probation Policy for students who entered the professional program prior to fall 2022:

A P1-P3 student who is not in good academic standing will be placed on academic probation for the following reasons:

• Student earns a semester professional program GPA less than 2.00.

Academic probation requires that a student’s semester professional program GPA at the end of the probation period (one semester) is equal to or greater than 2.00.

Professional Program Dismissal Policy for students who entered the professional program prior to fall 2022:

A student is subject to academic dismissal from the University for the following reasons:

• Student fails to meet probation requirements (if on probation from the previous semester).
• Student earns a grade less than C- when repeating a required course.
• Student fails to receive a passing grade in at least 12 credit hours per semester (fall and spring) except under extenuating circumstances.
• Student is placed on academic probation for a second time in years P1-P3.
• Student fails a second APPE rotation (of the same or different type).

The Student Code outlines procedures that students who are eligible for dismissal can follow to request to continue in the academic program.

Professional Program Probation Policy for students who entered the professional program during fall 2022:

A P1-P3 student who is not in good academic standing will be placed on academic probation for the following reasons:

• Student earns a semester professional program GPA less than 2.00.
• Student earns a grade less than C- in one or more required course(s) in a semester.

Academic probation requires that a student’s semester professional program GPA at the end of the probation period (one semester) is equal to or greater than 2.00.

Professional Program Dismissal Policy for students who entered the professional program during fall 2022:

A student will be subject to academic dismissal from the University for the following reasons:

• Student fails to meet probation requirements (if on probation from the previous semester).
• Student is placed on academic probation for a second time in years P1-P3.
• Student fails a second APPE rotation (of the same or different type).

The Student Code outlines procedures that students who are eligible for dismissal can follow to request to continue in the academic program.

Professional Program Probation Policy for students who entered the professional program during fall 2023 and thereafter:

A P1-P3 student who is not in good academic standing will be placed on academic probation for the following reasons:

• Student earns a cumulative professional program GPA less than 2.00.
• Student earns a grade less than C- in one or more required course(s) in a semester.

Professional Program Dismissal Policy for students who entered the professional program during fall 2023 and thereafter:

A student will be subject to academic dismissal from the University for the following reasons:

• Student fails to meet probation requirements (if on probation from the previous semester).
• Student is placed on academic probation for a second time in years P1-P3.
• Student fails a second APPE rotation (of the same or different type).

The Student Code outlines procedures that students who are eligible for dismissal can follow to request to continue in the academic program.

Professional Program Probation Policy for students who entered the professional program during fall 2023 and thereafter:

A P1-P3 student who is not in good academic standing will be placed on academic probation for the following reasons:

• Student earns a cumulative professional program GPA less than 2.00.
• Student earns a grade less than C- in one or more required course(s) in a semester.

Professional Program Dismissal Policy for students who entered the professional program during fall 2023 and thereafter:

A student will be subject to academic dismissal from the University for the following reasons:

• Student fails to meet probation requirements (if on probation from the previous semester).
• Student is placed on academic probation for a second time in years P1-P3.
• Student fails a second APPE rotation (of the same or different type).

The Student Code outlines procedures that students who are eligible for dismissal can follow to request to continue in the academic program.

Completion of the Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.)

The Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) is earned upon satisfactory completion of all Pharm.D. requirements. The professional program is four academic years. Requirements include:

• Satisfactory completion of all required coursework in Professional Year 1 through Professional Year 4 (130 semester hours)
• A minimum of nine semester hours of didactic electives (one of which must be a professional writing emphasis elective) and three semester hours of a capstone selective (12 semester hours)
• Successful completion of all co-curriculum requirements
• A cumulative professional program GPA ≥ 2.0 GPA
• A grade of C- or better in all required Professional Year 1 through Professional Year 3 coursework (professional electives will not meet the degree requirement with a grade lower than C-)
• A grade of C or better in each advanced pharmacy practice experience in Professional Year 4

Finally, candidates for the Doctor of Pharmacy must be recommended for graduation by the faculty from St. Louis College of Pharmacy, must be present at commencement exercises and must have paid all fees and obligations to the University.

Requirements for State Licensure

To practice pharmacy, one must become licensed as a pharmacist in the state in which they wish to practice. To become licensed as a pharmacist, candidates must meet the eligibility requirements for licensure and successfully pass the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX) and Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination (MPJE).

St. Louis College of Pharmacy prepares a student for pharmacist licensure in Missouri and meets the relevant educational requirements for the state of Missouri.

While our curriculum meets the eligibility requirements for many states (e.g., graduation from an accredited college of pharmacy, and completion of >1600 experiential hours), these requirements are not uniform from state to state. Therefore, students should obtain information regarding state licensure, examination, educational and practical experience requirements from the board of pharmacy for the state in which they plan to be licensed. The University has not made a determination that the pharmacy program meets any other state’s educational requirements for licensure. It is important for you to know the specific requirements of the state in which you intend to apply for licensure.

In the United States, a pharmacist must pass two standardized examinations to be licensed in a particular jurisdiction or state. The North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX) evaluates general practice knowledge. The Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination (MPJE) assesses the federal and state laws that affect pharmacy in that specific jurisdiction/state. The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) develops the competency statements for these exams. Generally, pharmacists must pass the NAPLEX once, but the MPJE for each jurisdiction they practice in. Both NAPLEX and MPJE are standardized, computer-based exams administered at specific testing centers across the country. For specific information , students should contact the board of pharmacy in the state in which they plan to be licensed and consult the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) website.

Graduate Policies and Information

Attendance Policy for the Graduate Program

Students are expected to attend classes regularly and complete all of their work, including assessments, tests, written work, and other class activities. No right or privilege exists that permits a student to be absent from any class meetings, except for these University-approved absences including but not limited to:

• Disability
• Religious observance, as required by law
• Significant health condition and/or personal/family emergency

Course coordinators may work with students to meet attendance needs that do not fall within University approved absences and determine their own approach to missed classes and make-up assessments and assignments.
The University’s policy regarding University-approved absences as well as the course-level policies are communicated to students via the course syllabus on the first day of class.

Students are encouraged to communicate with their course coordinators early about potential absences and are reminded that they are bound by the Honor Code when making a request for a University approved absence.

The University requires all faculty, staff and students be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 or have an approved religious or medical exemption. UHSP also recommends boosters doses per CDC guidelines for COVID-19. For the 22-23 school year, the University may consider surveillance COVID-19 testing among individuals who are not vaccinated or segments of the campus population students if it is needed to help ensure the safety and well-being of our campus community. Students who fail to comply with applicable COVID-19 vaccine and/or testing procedures will not be permitted to participate in campus activities or classes and may ultimately be disenrolled.

Repeating or Retaking Courses

If a graduate student retakes a course, both grades will be included in the student’s cumulative GPAs. There are no grade replacements for graduate students.

Academic Probation and Dismissal

In accordance with Title IV regulations, a student attending University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis is required to remain in good academic standing and maintain satisfactory academic progress. Students are urged to read the following information carefully to be sure they know which policies pertain to them.

Graduate Program Warning Policy

A student earning a semester graduate GPA of less than 3.0 but maintaining a cumulative graduate GPA of 3.0 or better will receive a letter of warning. Similarly, students receiving an “I” or “UP” grade will receive a letter of warning that clearly states expectations and timeline to arrive at satisfactory performance.

Graduate Program Probation Policy

A student who is not in good academic standing will be placed on academic probation for the following reasons:

• Student fails to comply with the expectations in their warning letter
• Student earns a cumulative graduate program GPA less than 3.00

Academic probation requires that a student’s semester and cumulative graduate GPAs at the end of the probation period (one semester) is equal to or greater than 3.00.

Graduate Program Dismissal Policy

A student will be subject to academic dismissal from the University for the following reasons:

• Student fails to meet probation requirements (if on probation from the previous semester).
• Student earns a failing grade (F) in a graduate course.
• Student fails to receive a grade of B- or higher in at least 6 credit hours during the graduate program.

The procedures for appealing an academic dismissal are outlined in the Student Code.

Requirements for Graduation

Although qualification for the master’s degree is not based exclusively upon the completion of a definite number of hours of course work, the satisfactorily completed graduate work must consist of the equivalent of a minimum of one academic year of full-time graduate study consisting of at least 30 graduate semester credit hours, including any thesis or research project.

Students must: (1) complete academic requirements and (2) complete the official Application to Graduate by the deadline for the semester in which they expect to graduate. The finalization and submission of a student’s Application to Graduate will activate the process by which the student will be certified for graduation, and the following requirements must be met. The student should confer with their program director one to two weeks after the application period has ended to assure that any problems related to these requirements are resolved in a timely manner and avoid delay of graduation until a subsequent semester. Specifically, the student’s records will be reviewed to verify satisfaction of the following requirements:

• finalization and submission of their Graduation Application by the deadline
• instructor’s submission of passing grades for their final semester credits
• removal of all I grades from their transcript
• removal of all UP/SP grades from unapproved courses and/or the final semester in the approved courses were taken
• assignment of letter grades rather than UP/SP grades for courses in the final semester of the student’s program
• confirmation of satisfactory repetition or waiver of required courses in which an F was originally received;
• confirmation that the student was registered for at least one credit in their graduate program in each academic year, including the year of expected graduation unless a leave of absence was approved
• confirmation that the student completed degree requirements within the prescribed time-to-degree
• satisfactory completion of at least 30 graduate credits completed to the satisfaction of the student’s program
• a cumulative graduate GPA 3.0

Posthumous Degree Policy

In the tragic event that a student perishes while enrolled at the University and was unable to complete all degree requirements at the time of their death, the student’s degree may be awarded posthumously. Posthumous degrees are awarded at the discretion of the Dean of the college the student was enrolled if the following criteria are met:

1. The student was enrolled at the University preceding their death.

2. The student was in good disciplinary standing with the University.

Posthumous degrees are awarded to the student’s immediate family at a time and place agreed upon by the family and the Dean.