New Distance Education Pathway for Aspiring Pharmacists

Working adults and caregivers of loved ones will have a new option for pursuing a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree with the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy (DKICP). The DKICP has obtained approvals to launch an extended, online PharmD track with immersion experiences for laboratory experiences and experiential learning. The new track, which is referred to as PharmD-XO, is in addition to the traditional 4-year, full-time PharmD program that is offered in Hilo.

Both PharmD tracks have the same admissions criteria, curricular didactic and experiential courses, and graduation requirements. The PharmD-XO is unique because it is offered over 5.5 years to help learners balance their personal and professional responsibilities that may preclude full-time studies in Hilo and ease the transition to professional studies. The first 4.5 years of the PharmD-XO consists of online foundational coursework, with a requirement to be on campus in Hilo once a year for 2-4 weeks to acquire essential clinical skills in the laboratory and practice settings. The final year of the PharmD-XO is identical to the traditional PharmD track and requires learners to engage in full-time Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences (APPE) in preparation for their licensure board exam, employment and/or postgraduate residency training in various pharmacy settings.

The DKICP PharmD-XO offers several appealing features compared to other online PharmD programs. It is one of the very few PharmD programs that is offered as an extended track; with working adults, those with caregiving responsibilities and families in mind, this means that students take only 2-3 courses during a given time period. It is also the only PharmD program with an online component that guarantees all clinical rotations can be completed in Hawaiʻi; as such for those who hope to be employed in Hawaiʻi, this feature offers unparalleled networking opportunities with potential future employers. The University also has housing available within walking distance of the DKICP, providing a convenient option when students are required to be on campus for the hands-on portions of the curriculum.

“We are very excited about offering this new, attractive pathway for prospective learners and look forward to serving and supporting them toward their pharmacy journey at the DKICP. In addition to attracting potential national and/or international applicants, this is a much needed resource for our island state, which will allow aspiring pharmacists to continue living and working in their communities while pursuing a Doctor of Pharmacy degree,” said Dr. Dianqing Sun, Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Director of Distance Education for the DKICP. This new PharmD-XO track is scheduled to be launched in January 2026.