Doctor of Clinical Pharmacy, University of South Australia (UniSA). 2014 information for Australian students

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Australian students

Start Date
February
July

Campus
City East

Duration
3 year(s) full-time

Program Code
IPCM

Study as
Full-time or part-time

Fees
Commonwealth Supported

Entry requirements

applicants must:
- be a Registered Pharmacist with the Pharmacy Board of Australia; and
- have obtained a coursework Master degree in Clinical Pharmacy from the University of South Australia, or have completed the coursework components of the Master degree in Clinical Pharmacy at the University of South Australia, with a GPA of 5 or greater; or
- hold an award, or have completed the coursework equivalents, which in the opinion of the Program Director is at least equivalent to a University of South Australia coursework Master degree in Clinical Pharmacy at an equivalent GPA average of 5 or greater; or
- have such other qualifications and professional experience judged by the Program Director to provide a preparation for study equivalent to that provided above.
International applicants are required to:
- be a currently Registered Pharmacist in their own country of residence and have had at least two years experience as a pharmacist in a direct patient care environment; and
- demonstrate proficiency in spoken and written English language (see English Language Entry Requirements below); and
- hold a coursework Master in Clinical Pharmacy from the University of South Australia, or have completed the coursework components of the Master of Clinical Pharmacy at this University, with a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 5 (credit level) or greater.
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Continuing students only.

Aim

The program is designed to prepare clinical pharmacists capable of providing specialist pharmaceutical services in all clinical environments, thereby enhancing the quality use of medicine. Graduates will be able to take a leading role in the decision making process of drug and drug product selection for individual patients, provide specialist drug information and education programs to patients and health care professionals, effectively monitor a patient’s therapy and critically evaluate clinical research. Students will also undertake a structured research project to advance knowledge and/or the application of knowledge through the preparation of a substantial piece of work which represents a significant contribution to a particular field of study.

Content & Structure

The program requires completion of 108 units of study comprising 36 units core units introducing students to the skills required for clinical pharmacy practice, followed by intensive pharmacotherapeutics/medication management instruction. A further 18 units are chosen from elective courses providing practical application of the clinical pharmacy skills in a practice environment, research skills, epidemiology and evidence based medicine, or negotiated study. This is followed by 54 units comprising the research thesis.

From 4 August 2025, the University of South Australia will no longer be accepting applications for new students. Study at Adelaide University.

What courses you'll study

Course name	Area and cat no.	Units
FIRST YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Advanced Pharmacy Practice	PHAR 5042	4.5
Social and Ethical Issues in Health	PHAR 5051	4.5
Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics 1	PHAR 5043	4.5
Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics 2	PHAR 5044	4.5
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics 3	PHAR 5045	9
Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics 4	PHAR 5046	9
SECOND YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Students must select 18 units chosen from the following courses:
Research Methods and Biostatistics	MATH 5028	4.5
Medicine Management Clerkship	PHAR 5050	9
Allied Health Evidence Based Theory and Practice	REHB 5102	9
Critical Thinking and Reasoning in Health	HLTH 5141	4.5
Introductory Epidemiology	HLTH 5131	4.5
Negotiated Study 1H	HLTH 5145	4.5
Negotiated Study 2H	HLTH 5146	4.5
Negotiated Study 3H	HLTH 5147	4.5
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Clinical Pharmacy Thesis 1	PHAR 5047	18
THIRD YEAR
Clinical Pharmacy Thesis 2	PHAR 5048	18
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Clinical Pharmacy Thesis 3	PHAR 5049	18

Rules & notes

Rules

1. Credit for previous studies or exemption from work within courses may be granted in accordance with University policy. Maximum credit allowed is normally one third of the total units of the program.

2. In order to assess Recognition of Prior Learning each individual wishing to undertake the Doctor of Clinical Pharmacy will submit a detailed portfolio describing: all academic qualifications; a description of employment history fully detailing all hospital (especially clinical) experience; a description of all involvement in research activities; a description of all published and/or presented papers.

3. Graduates of the University of South Australia's Master of Clinical Pharmacy wishing to upgrade to the Doctor of Clinical Pharmacy (108 units) will be granted full credit (54 units) for all courses from the Master of Clinical Pharmacy program.

4. Students are required to satisfy the standards of dress and behaviour prescribed by institutions in which professional placements are undertaken. Failure to satisfy such requirements may prevent a student from completing the program.

Notes

1. The program aims to produce clinical pharmacists capable of providing specialist pharmaceutical services in hospitals and other clinical environments, thereby enhancing the quality use of medicine. The program builds on skills of practice developed as an undergraduate student and is therefore not a pathway to registration as a pharmacist in Australia.