Overview
Although the global burden of mental illness continues to grow, many areas remain critically under resourced with respect to mental health care access. Psychiatric pharmacists are specialized leaders that can help fill this gap and serve as practice innovators. From pharmacist-led administration of long-acting injectables to combat opioid use disorder and ameliorate psychosis, to advising patients and providers on the use and actions of cannabinoids and other psychotropic medications, to interprofessional collaboration as part of a behavioral health care team, psychiatric pharmacists continue to develop new approaches to deliver care to those that need it. The Psychiatric Pharmacy Doctor of Pharmacy Path of Distinction at the University of Wisconsin–Madison is designed to give you the background and in-demand skills needed to begin your career with an advantage and lead the field to a brighter future.
The program does not appear on the student’s transcript but is recognized by the school as a program track within the PharmD curriculum. This program also gives students the opportunity to continue in the MS in Pharmaceutical Sciences: Psychoactive Pharmaceutical Investigation program if desired. Blending science with professional skills and the humanities, the MS program allows graduates to compete for industry/academia research, government, nonprofit, or healthcare positions.
Participants who complete this PoD are awarded a Psychiatric Pharmacy Badge.
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Credits and Courses
Required Courses
A 9-credit program of Psychiatric Pharmacy coursework is required, with up to 7 credits available to transfer into the PPI master’s program.
- Pharm Prac 555: Pharmacotherapy I, 3 credits (Fall)
- Pharm Prac 640: Appropriate Use of Abused Drugs, 2 credits (Spring)
- Pharm Prac 674: Seminars in Interprofessional Mental Health Care, 2 credits (Spring)
Choose one of the following:
- Pharmacy 671: Psychedelic Drugs in Science and Society, 2 credits (Spring)
- Pharmacy 674: Cannabinoids in Science and Society, 2 credits (Fall)
Required Electives
Pick one additional elective course from the following:
SoP Electives:
- PHARMACY 564 – Psychedelic History: Sacred Plants, Science & Psychotherapy, 3 credits
- PHARMACY 671 – Psychedelic Drugs in Science and Society, 2 credits (Spring)*
- PHARMACY 674 – Cannabinoids in Science and Society, 2 credits (Fall)*
- S&A PHM 703 – ommunity Engagement in Health Services Research, 2 credits (Fall)
- PHM SCI 699 – Independent Study (must be related to Psych Pharm topics)
Non-SoP Electives:
- HORT 240 – The Science of Cannabis, 31 credit, (Spring)
- NTP 666 – Neuroscience of Consciousness and Its Disorders, 3 credits (Spring)
- COUN PSY 237 – Mental Health, Self-Awareness, and Social Justice: Working in Diverse Communities, 3 credits (Fall & Spring)
* Can be used as elective in not taken as a required course
Experiential Requirement
None
Application Information
- Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above.
- Students must be in good academic and professional status to be considered.
- Students must submit an application between January 1 and March 1 of their DPH-1 year to be considered for admission.
Questions about the Path of Distinction in Psychiatric Pharmacy?
Contact:
Nathan McClain
Program Administrator
2220 Rennebohm Hall
Email: nmcclain2@wisc.edu
Phone: (608) 890-0912