Non-Traditional PharmD Education

Rio Grande College of Pharmacy

Didactic Curriculum


The didactic curriculum consists of coursework designed to be completed by students at home on their own time. Students will receive texts for all courses upon enrollment, and are expected to complete the curriculum on their own schedule (within 4 years).

Students pass each course by receiving a grade of 75% or better on self-administered exams. The exams are contained in the PSAP modules and/or are available on-line. Students may retake exams one time per course. An answer booklet will be returned to the student with all PSAP module exams achieving a passing grade.


All students must pass Ph625, Biostatistics and Drug Research.

All students must also pass Ph635, Physical Assessment. This course is not based on the PSAP modules.

The remaining part of the didactic curriculum is based on disease states, organ systems, and theraputic concepts. Students select which courses to complete depending on personal interest. Each student must pass any 6 of the following courses:
  • Ph681, Cardiovascular
  • Ph682, Critical Care
  • Ph683, Infectious Diseases
  • Ph684, Neurology and Psychiarty
  • Ph686, Respiratory and Endocrinology
  • Ph687, Immunology and Nephrology
  • Ph688, Gastroenterology and Nutrition
  • Ph689, Pediatrics
  • Ph690, Oncology
  • Ph691, Women's Health
    • Students submit exams to be graded for the courses they have selected. Ph625 (Biostatistics) and Ph635 (Physical Assessment) must be completed prior to completing the other courses.

    Students who have successfully completed PSAP modules within the past three years may submit evidence of completion in order to receive credit for the respective exams. Students may also receive transfer credit for physical assessment courses completed within the past four years.

    Students will receive answer booklets for all courses upon completion of the didactic curriculum.