Instructional Programs

Conferral of Degrees

The University of Hawai'i has been granted authority by the Board of Regents to confer the Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree, the Bachelor of Arts in Pharmacy Studies, and the PhD in Pharmaceutical Science.

Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) Degree

At DKICP, students pursue the Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree. The DKICP Pharm.D. program prepares the student for entry into the profession of pharmacy. The entire program requires a minimum of six years of coursework; prerequisites may be completed in two years at UH Hilo or another regionally-accredited college or university, and the final four years at DKICP. During their four years at DKICP, students complete a minimum total of 144 semester hours of credit: 96 hours in required courses, which includes a minimum of 8 credit hours in elective professional courses, and 48 credit hours in clinical/experiential education. For more information please visit the Contemporary Curriculum webpage.

Bachelor of Arts in Pharmacy Studies Degree

Students earning the Bachelor of Arts in Pharmacy Studies (BAPS) degree attain broad and thorough knowledge in the liberal arts and basic sciences, as well as specialized education in the field of pharmacy, both academic and experiential in nature. The BAPS degree also acknowledges the achievement of students who complete a minimum of four years of college education, including rigorous course work in the basic and pharmacy sciences, on their path to the Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree. Students with a BAPS degree are well positioned to take advantage of numerous educational and career opportunities in diverse areas, including positions in pharmacy, health care, or medicine, or may continue on in research, business, and academia. This degree is not designed to lead to licensure as a professional pharmacist and is available only to students currently enrolled in the Pharm.D. program at the Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy. To request a degree audit please send a request via email to Daryl Masanda, DKICP Academic Advisor darylm@hawaii.edu. Please make sure you obtain prior approval from the DKICP Office of Student Services before registering for any additional undergraduate coursework. For more information please visit the UH Hilo Catalog.

Certificate in Health Science Research

This certificate is designed to give the DKICP Doctor of Pharmacy students an introduction to basic research methods as well as experience completing a research project. Students will receive an introduction to research methodology in pharmacy; this includes clinical studies, analyzing data, program evaluation and big data designs. Students will receive training in human subject research and scientific writing (e.g. research abstracts, biosketches, publishable papers, survey questions, etc.). Topics for research projects will vary based on student interest, mentors, and available data. The mission of this certificate program is to produce PharmD graduates who are more competitive for postgraduate residency programs, which are increasingly required for jobs in clinical and academic settings. For more information please visit the UH Hilo Catalog.

Certificate in Healthcare Leadership

This certificate program is designed to give PharmD students a basic foundation in business administration, with a concentration in healthcare leadership. Students who complete this program will have a better understanding of the business aspect of the healthcare industry, particularly in pharmacy practice and the pharmaceutical industry. This mission of this certificate program is to produce PharmD graduates who are more competitive for a variety of positions in the job market, particularly those involving pharmacy management, leadership, and innovation. For more information please visit the UH Hilo Catalog.

Certificate in Rural Health

This certificate program is designed to give PharmD students a concentration in both rural health science and the practice of rural healthcare. Students who complete this program will have a better understanding of the health challenges and opportunities in rural communities as well as a better ability to improve health of patients and populations within these communities. Very generally, “rural” can be defined as less densely populated geographic areas; this program introduces students to the more specific definitions of rural that are used by the US federal government and other organizations. This mission of this certificate program is to produce PharmD graduates who are equipped with the knowledge and experience needed to thrive as a pharmacist working in rural settings. For more information please visit the UH Hilo Catalog.

Ph.D. in the Pharmaceutical Sciences

The Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy offers a Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences. This program provides graduate training in the Pharmaceutical Sciences generally, as well as specifically in the areas of Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmacology, Pharmaceutics, and Pharmacognosy and is aimed at students with a BS, MS, or Pharm.D. Degree, and those currently working in the field. Studies culminate with the award of a PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences, with an emphasis on natural products discovery and development and their importance in Pharmacy and healthcare in general. The program utilizes the extraordinary intellectual, biological, physical and cultural diversity on the Island of Hawai‘i, and within both the State and Asia‐Pacific Region, as a focus of investigation and study. The program prepares students for senior leadership positions in the Pharmaceutical Sciences in academia, research, education, government, industry and related fields ‐ leaders who can identify, research, and problem solve issues related to the Pharmaceutical Sciences. The Ph.D. program is designed to foster student development as critical thinkers, team players, self‐directed interdisciplinary scholars and communicators. It is the only program of its type offered in the State of Hawaii and in the Pacific region generally. For more information please visit the UH Hilo Catalog.