For aspiring pharmacists, the transition from pharmacy school to a full-time career in healthcare involves making important early-career decisions that can be difficult. Choosing between entering practice immediately, pursuing residency, or completing a fellowship often shapes the rest of a pharmacist’s career. For future pharmacists considering a fellowship, CUSP offers PHRM 792 and 793: Path to Fellowship, Parts 1 and 2, taught by Reza Taheri, Pharm.D., and Sun “Coco” Yang, Ph.D..

In these courses, students are led through the fellowship application process. Lecture consists of sessions by faculty and staff with extensive expertise in post-graduation training programs, including fellowships. Students have the flexibility to take one or both courses in any order, with no prerequisites. PHRM 792 and PHRM 793 offer distinct learning outcomes tailored to different stages of fellowship application preparation.

PHRM 792 provides a broad overview of different types of fellowships, featuring guest lectures from current and graduated fellows, as well as industry professionals, who share insights and experiences on preparing for, landing, and successfully navigating fellowships. PHRM 792 also covers essential knowledge, skills, and experiences to hone during the Pharm.D. program to develop a strong fellowship candidacy profile.

In PHRM 793, students refine their application package (including CV, LOI, Letter of Support, supplemental documents) to strengthen and tailor their applications for their desired fellowship programs. PHRM 793 also emphasizes the development of strong interview skills. While this course is designed for students seeking fellowships post-graduation, these skills are applicable to every career journey and will benefit rising pharmacists even if they choose not to pursue a fellowship.

In both courses, students benefit from personalized mentorship with seasoned pharmaceutical professionals who bring decades of industry and clinical experience to support the next generation of pharmacists in pursuing their career goals.

While these courses are offered in the same trimester, 792 is offered during the first half, and 793 is offered in the second half of the trimester, giving students flexibility in completing the series. Together, these courses thoroughly prepare students for the fellowship application process and guide them through securing competitive positions. CUSP is committed to providing individualized, holistic education for every student, so classes are capped at 20 students to ensure personalized attention on their path to a career in pharmacy.

Interested in earning your Pharm.D. with CUSP? Click here to learn more.

This article was co-written by Silas Fernandes.