Welcome to Loma Linda University School of Pharmacy! We are so glad you’ve chosen us to guide your journey toward becoming a pharmacist. We believe patients achieve the best health and medication outcomes when pharmacists serve as essential, accountable members of interprofessional healthcare teams. Loma Linda University offers a distinctive environment for pharmacy education, where you can explore your calling to serve humanity and prepare to fulfill this vision as a future pharmacist.
In recent years, healthcare has faced extraordinary challenges, yet each challenge has also created new opportunities. These moments have underscored the essential contributions of pharmacists, who have further solidified their role in our health system, particularly in disease prevention and infectious disease management. In response, we have expanded our postgraduate residencies and fellowships and now operate the second-largest program of this kind in the state of California. We are also deeply committed to serving our local community through sustained engagement and by preparing pharmacists to provide compassionate, high-quality care to all patients. Globally, we are recognized for integrating faith as an essential component of whole-person care. This foundation shapes our commitment to helping you develop into a pharmacist who embodies competence, intellectual curiosity, compassion, integrity, and ethical practice.
The profession of pharmacy is evolving, and the opportunities within these changes are not always immediately visible. The Pharmacy Manpower Project conducts an analysis of pharmacy practice every five years, highlighting trends that shape where pharmacists practice today and where they will practice in the future. Traditional community pharmacy roles are shifting due to advances in technology and new models of medication distribution. This area of practice continues to offer meaningful opportunities, especially for pharmacists who innovate and expand patient-care services beyond medication dispensing. At the same time, the number of pharmacists working alongside physicians and other providers in team-based medical settings is growing rapidly, driven by an increased focus on improving patient outcomes. Pharmacists are also highly valued and practicing at the top of their license in hospitals, home healthcare, and many other care environments. Increasingly, pharmacists are building careers in specialized and emerging fields such as health information technology, managed care, leadership, precision and genomic medicine, and clinical trials management.
While change can be challenging, a Loma Linda pharmacy education will equip you with the knowledge, skills, and professional identity needed to thrive—whatever path you choose—and to pursue a career rich with purpose and opportunity. Our faculty and staff are here to support your growth intellectually, relationally, physically, and spiritually every step of the way as you prepare for a life of service as a future pharmacist.
Sincerely,
Kyle M. Sousa, Ph.D.
Dean, School of Pharmacy
School foundations
History
In 1994, the establishment of a School of Pharmacy was proposed to the Loma Linda University Board of Trustees. The following year, the Board approved the proposal in principle, paving the way for the creation of the School. The School of Pharmacy welcomed its inaugural class in September 2002, with the pioneering Class of 2006. In July 2007, the School achieved full accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education.
In October 2012, the School of Pharmacy relocated to Shryock Hall, a historic building at the heart of the Loma Linda University campus. Shryock Hall now houses the administrative offices, the Department of Pharmacy Practice, and the Department of Experiential and Continuing Education. The Chan Shun Pavilion is home to the Department of Pharmaceutical and Administrative Sciences, along with three dedicated research laboratories.
Our mission
The mission of Loma Linda University School of Pharmacy is to educate competent and compassionate pharmacists who are dedicated to whole-person care as integral members of a health-care team. We pursue excellence in teaching, service, research, and clinical care in honor of Jesus Christ.
Our vision
To continue the teaching and healing ministry of Jesus Christ.
Our goals
The goals of Loma Linda University School of Pharmacy are to:
Our values
The School of Pharmacy's academic and co-curricular activities focus on Loma Linda University's seven core values.
Students of the University are responsible for informing themselves of and satisfactorily meeting all regulations pertinent to registration, matriculation, and graduation. See the general academic policies and information section in this CATALOG. It is important to review specific program requirements in the context of the general requirements applicable to all programs.
The School of Pharmacy accepts students with advanced standing into the Pharm.D. program under the following conditions:
Students will only be admitted with advanced standing to either the PY1 or PY2 years of the LLUSP curriculum.
The information on student life contained in this CATALOG is brief. The University Student Handbook more comprehensively addresses University and school expectations, regulations, and policies, and is available to each registered student. Students need to familiarize themselves with the contents of the Student Handbook. Additional information regarding policies specific to a particular school or program within the University is available from the respective school.
The School of Pharmacy prepares a school-specific Policy and Procedure Manual, which is provided to all pharmacy students. Regulations, policies, procedures, and other program requirements are contained in this manual. Students who have questions about the Policy and Procedure Manual should contact the LLUSP Director, Student Services or LLUSP Associate Dean, Student Services.
California law requires that all pharmacy students are licensed as pharmacy interns before participating in any pharmacy practice experience. Consequently, all enrolled students must possess a valid, non-probationary intern pharmacist license to participate in the experiential components of the Pharm.D. program. Application for this license occurs during the PY1 year.
Loma Linda University seeks to educate ethical and proficient pharmacists within a Christian paradigm. Integrity, wholeness, excellence, justice, teamwork, and humility are expected of each School of Pharmacy student and are important in upholding the standards of professional and personal conduct that are consistent with the oath that is taken upon graduation. Integrity includes being accountable for one's own conduct as well as assuming responsibility for the professional behavior of one's colleagues within the profession.
In harmony with the goals of Loma Linda University, students are expected to demonstrate a pattern of personal discipline with lifestyle expectations that are consistent with those of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Joining the Loma Linda University family is an honor and requires each individual to uphold the policies, regulations, and guidelines established for all members of the University team.
Specific policies are outlined in greater detail in the University Student Handbook.
All students must have current basic life support and first aid certification from the American Heart Association during their enrollment in the School of Pharmacy.
Involvement in professional organizations is an integral part of the educational and professional experience within the School of Pharmacy. The complete list of School of Pharmacy-recognized professional organizations can be found in the Professional Organization Policies and Procedure Manual. This manual is maintained by the Office of Student Services.
These outcomes are based on AACP Curriculum Outcomes and Entrustable Professional Activities (COEPA) 2022.
Domain 1: Knowledge
1.1 Scientific Thinking: Seek, analyze, integrate, and apply foundational knowledge of medications and pharmacy practice (biomedical; pharmaceutical; social, behavioral, administrative; and clinical sciences; drug classes, and digital health).
Domain 2: Skills
2.1 Problem-Solving Process: Use problem-solving and critical thinking skills, along with an innovative mindset, to address challenges and to promote positive change.
2.2 Communication: Actively engage, listen, and communicate verbally, nonverbally, and in writing when interacting with or educating an individual, group, or organization.
2.3 Cultural and Structural Humility: 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.
2.4 Person-Centered Care: Provide whole person care to individuals as the medication specialist using the Pharmacists’ Patient Care Process.
2.5 Advocacy: Promote the best interests of patients and/or the pharmacy profession within healthcare settings and at the community, state, or national level.
2.6 Medication-Use Process Stewardship: Optimize patient healthcare outcomes using human, financial, technological, and physical resources to improve the safety, efficacy, and environmental impact of medication use systems.
2.7 Interprofessional Collaboration: Actively engage and contribute as a healthcare team member by demonstrating core interprofessional competencies.
2.8 Population Health and Wellness: Assess factors that influence the health and wellness of a population and develop strategies to address those factors.
2.9 Leadership: Demonstrate the ability to influence and support the achievement of shared goals on a team, regardless of one’s role.
2.10 Service*: Apply intercultural understanding and collaborative skills to engage in meaningful community service initiatives.
2.11 Spiritual Care*: Integrate spiritual care into whole person care by recognizing and responding to the spiritual needs of individuals in diverse clinical or community settings.
Domain 3: Attitudes
3.1 Self-Awareness: 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.
3.2 Professionalism: Exhibit attitudes and behaviors that embody a commitment to building and maintaining trust with patients, colleagues, other health care professionals, and society.
*Indicates Loma Linda University School of Pharmacy-specific learning outcomes.
Student Complaints Policy of the accreditation standards and guidelines for the professional program in pharmacy leading to the Doctor of Pharmacy degree states, “the college or school develops, implements, and makes available to students a complaints policy that includes procedures for how students may file complaints within the college or school and also directly to ACPE regarding their college or school’s adherence to ACPE standards. The college or school maintains a chronological record of such student complaints, including how each complaint was resolved.”
The ACPE complaints policy with instructions on how to file a complaint can be found at https://www.acpe-accredit.org/complaints/.
While enrolled in the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program, students complete a series of practice-based required courses to prepare them to become licensed pharmacists. To qualify for licensure as a pharmacist, students must graduate from the School of Pharmacy with a PharmD degree, achieve passing scores on the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX) and the law examination for the state where they plan to practice.
The experiential program consists of both Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience (IPPE) and Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE). Students and their supervising preceptors are guided by the Loma Linda University School of Pharmacy (LLUSP) Experiential Program Manuals which contain guidelines and policies for successful completion of the program.
The School of Pharmacy requires participation in IPPE during P1 through P3 to enhance practice skills and prepare students to function as members of a health-care team. APPE comprises the entire P4 curriculum and are designed to help students integrate and refine skills learned in the first three years of pharmacy curriculum (didactic and experiential) as well as prepare students to serve as trustworthy professionals who provide patient-centered care.
The purpose of the experiential education program is to apply knowledge from classroom and laboratory courses to pharmacy practice and patient care. The ultimate goal of the experiential program is to produce well-rounded, competent, caring and responsible pharmacists who can deliver exemplary pharmaceutical care as well as communicate effectively with diverse patients and other healthcare professionals.
During experiential courses, students are assigned to both inpatient and outpatient pharmacy practice settings under the direct supervision of a School of Pharmacy preceptor. Participation in the IPPE/APPE courses requires an active, non-probationary California intern pharmacist license issued by the California Board of Pharmacy. When a student is participating in an IPPE/APPE rotation, Loma Linda University’s code of conduct and the guidelines found in the School of Pharmacy Student Policies & Procedures Manual remain in effect throughout the completion of this experience. If IPPE/APPE site regulations and policies differ from University policies, the site policies supersede. In addition to the aforementioned guidelines, the following regulations are to be followed by all professional pharmacy students assigned to experiential rotations:
Participation in the practice-based experiences requires:
A reactive (positive) titer is obtained through a blood draw and indicates immunity. Students with nonreactive (negative) titer results are required to follow up with LLU Student Health Services for further evaluation and any necessary vaccinations or boosters. Students must complete all recommended steps to achieve and document immunity in order to remain eligible for participation in clinical rotations.
The goals of IPPE are to sharpen clinical skills through direct patient care activities in community and institutional care settings; to introduce the student to different career opportunities in pharmacy; and to apply therapeutic knowledge through the first three years of the curriculum. IPPE course series are designed to track student progression and ensure APPE readiness. Under the supervision of a School of Pharmacy preceptor, the student will be provided opportunities to apply didactic knowledge to patient care in community and institutional care settings early in the program. These experiences enhance communication, problem-solving, critical thinking and decision-making skills through direct patient care activities. Students must complete 360 IPPE hours in three areas throughout P1 to P3 before progressing to APPEs:
In order to progress to the APPEs, a student must achieve P4 standing as defined by LLUSP curriculum. APPEs consist of six rotations, one study block, and one longitudinal board preparation block. The six rotations include:
Each APPE block is six weeks (240 hours). Students must complete a minimum of 1,440 rotation hours.
The Office of the Dean is the final authority on all financial matters and is charged with the interpretation of all financial policies. Any exceptions to published policy in regard to reduction or reimbursement of tuition must be approved by the dean. Any statement by individual faculty members, program directors, or department chairs in regard to these matters is non-binding for the school or the University unless approved by the dean.
Registration is not complete until tuition and fees of the required installment are paid; therefore, the student should be prepared to make these payments during scheduled registration for each academic year. There may be adjustments in tuition and fees as economic conditions warrant.
The student is expected to arrange for financial resources to cover all expenses before the beginning of each school year. Previous accounts with other schools or with this University must have been settled.
Upon notification of acceptance, the applicant must deposit $350 to hold a place in the class. This amount is deducted from the tuition and fees due at registration and is nonrefundable should an applicant decide not to register.
Students who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents entering Loma Linda University School of Pharmacy must deposit funds in the amount of the first full year of tuition. This deposit will be applied to the student's account for educational costs during their last term of enrollment. An international student's deposit will be refunded if a student visa is not obtained.
Tuition, fees, and other cost-of-attendance items are located on the Find a Program webpage.
The following charges are subject to change without notice.
| $75 | Application fee |
| $350 | Acceptance deposit; nonrefundable, applicable to tuition |
| $25 | Returned check processing fee |
| $100-200 | Late fee |
Students may go to llu.edu/central/housing for housing information and a housing application form.
Students are responsible for staying informed and satisfactorily meeting all regulations pertinent to registration, matriculation, and graduation.
Kyle M. Sousa
Olayemi Adeoye
Khaled Bahjri
Kristopher Boyle
Willie L. Davis
Danielle L. Davis-Khoromana
Ike dela Pena
Alireza FakhriRavari
Olivia Francis-Boyle
Paul Gavaza
Jody M. Gonzalez
Alireza Hayatshahi
Lisa Hong
Tomona Iso
Christopher Jacobson
Justin M. Kinney
Kathryn T. Knecht
Jessa M. Koch
Victoria Maskiewicz
Randall McDonough
Aimable Ngendahimana
Wei-Xing Shi
Caroline M. Sierra
Kyle M. Sousa
Noreen Chan Tompkins
Huyentran N. Tran
Farnoosh Zough
Antony Gobin
Norm Hamada
Christopher Hauschild
Michael D. Hogue
Michelle Spencer-Safier
Nancy E. Kawahara
Print this page.
The PDF will include all information unique to this page.