Our College

Precepting the next generation

For the 1,440 hours spent on rotation during the fourth year of a pharmacy student’s degree, 240 hours are spent with any one preceptor over 6 weeks. In those 240 hours, pharmacy students are taken under a preceptor’s wing to learn first-hand what it means to be a pharmacist. Through teaching and mentorship, preceptors guide pharmacy students as they work with patients in a variety of health care settings. These experiences are pivotal in determining a pharmacy student’s future career.

Meet pharmacy’s new dean

Pharmacy and research were never part of WSU College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Dean Mark Leid’s life plan, but dreams of becoming a Division 1 football player and following his then girlfriend to the WSU College of Pharmacy, led him on an unlikely path to a lifelong career as a pharmacist and researcher.

CPPS virtually welcomes class of 2024

Each Doctor of Pharmacy student at the Washington State University begins their journey with the donning of their white coats. This simple coat is symbolic. It represents professionalism, caring and trust that each future pharmacist must earn from their patients.

While this year’s celebration looked a little different, the symbolism is all the more significant in these world-changing times. For the first time, the College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences took to the web to welcome over 100 incoming pharmacy students with a virtual white coat celebration on Friday, August 21. Over 600 people attended the event online.

Keeping students and faculty connected while socially distanced

As COVID-19 swept through the nation, many institutes of higher education were faced with the prospect of suddenly moving instruction to a virtual setting. The WSU College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (CPPS) was no exception. With only a few days’ notice, the CPPS IT team had to spring to action to provide the IT infrastructure for nearly 700 students and 160 faculty and staff to work from home as the Washington state governor issued a mandated stay-at-home order in March.

7 things you didn’t know about our Yakima extension

Since Washington State University launched their Doctor of Pharmacy Yakima extension in 2015, students interested in learning about rural health care in a medically underserved area have pursued their PharmD degree in the scenic Yakima Valley. Last year, the extension graduated their inaugural class. As the college’s history in the Yakima Valley grows, we’re taking a moment to reflect on what makes our Yakima extension so special.