Experiential Education

Immersing students in real-world, hands-on activities across diverse pharmacy practice environments

In their first three years (P1, P2, and P3), students are required to complete 300 hours of Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experiences (IPPEs). During their fourth year (P4), they are required to complete 1,600 hours of Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences (APPEs).

IPPEs and APPEs enhance students’ classroom learning by offering hands-on learning opportunities in contemporary pharmacy practice, accounting for roughly one-third of the four-year curriculum. These experiences ensure that knowledge, practical skills and professional attitudes and values are integrated and advanced throughout their academic journey.

To facilitate practice experiences, there are a variety of preceptors and affiliated practice sites for students’ IPPE and APPE assignments.

Practice Sites

  • community pharmacies (independent, chain, outpatient, supermarket)
  • hospitals (community and academic health centers)
  • compounding pharmacies
  • pharmaceutical companies
  • outpatient clinics
  • specialty pharmacies
  • public health or government agencies (FDA, CDC, NIH)
  • home infusion centers
  • Indian Health Service
  • long-term care companies
  • managed care companies
  • military bases
  • correctional facilities
  • research sites
  • national professional associations
  • academic teaching sites

We have a broad network of preceptor and rotation sites throughout Virginia and Washington, D.C., with elective options elsewhere.

International Rotations

VCU offers international APPEs to help students learn about the practice of pharmacy in other countries and broaden their horizons. Our international rotations can take you to:

  • Ajman, United Arab Emirates
  • Heidelberg, Germany
  • Liverpool, U.K.
Two students in a sandy desert ride a camel at sunset

Student Calendar

Contacts

wanda coffey

Wanda Coffey

Director of Experiential Education

veronica kikuchi

Veronica Kikuchi

Clinical Placement Specialist

jessica langer

Jessica Langer

Clinical Placement Specialist