Experiential Education Where Knowledge Becomes Care
Dum Vivimus Servimus — While We Live, We Serve
At Ï㽶Ðã School of Pharmacy, service isn’t just a motto — it’s how our students learn, practice, and care for the communities they serve.
Our experiential education model integrates hands-on clinical practice directly into the academic curriculum, giving students opportunities to apply what they learn in real healthcare settings from their very first year.
Guided by the principles of community, integrity, service, and quality, Ï㽶Ðã School of Pharmacy prepares future pharmacists to serve patients, strengthen communities, and improve healthcare outcomes.
The dedication of the OEE department ensured that my rotation experiences were meaningful. When one of my rotations was canceled, they went above and beyond to secure a similar experience, reinforcing the program’s commitment to my learning. These experiences, combined with faculty who continuously strive to grow as educators, have prepared me to become a well-rounded, patient-centered pharmacist!
Paxton Alexander ’26
Learning Through Experience
At the School of Pharmacy, experiential education is longitudinal by design. Clinical experiences are woven throughout the academic semesters so students can immediately apply classroom knowledge to patient care.
Faculty members teach clinical concepts in the classroom and reinforce those lessons through structured practice experiences with real patients and healthcare teams.
What you learn in class becomes care in the community.
320 Hours
Introductory Practice Experiences
1,440 Hours
Advanced Clinical Rotations
4 Years
Integrated Experiential Learning
Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experiences (IPPE)
Experiential learning begins early at Ï㽶ÐãSP. Through Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experiences (IPPEs), students step into real pharmacy settings across South Carolina while building the foundational skills of patient care.
Over the first three years of the program, students complete 320 hours of hands-on experience, working alongside practicing pharmacists and serving communities throughout the region.
IPPE at A Glance
Year 1 (P1)
- Introductory patient care experiences
- One full day per week in a pharmacy practice setting
- Sites within approximately 30 miles of campus
Year 2 (P2)
- Expanded community and clinical exposure
- Increased patient interaction
- Sites within approximately 60 miles of campus
Year 3 (P3)
- Advanced introductory practice experiences
- Preparation for fourth-year clinical rotations
- Rotations extending up to 70 miles from campus
Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences (APPE)
In the fourth year, students transition to Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences (APPEs) — immersive clinical rotations that bring everything together. Students spend the year working alongside pharmacist preceptors in a variety of healthcare environments across South Carolina and beyond. Through approximately 1,440 hours of experiential training, students apply their knowledge, strengthen clinical skills, and prepare for professional practice.
Practice Settings Examples
- Community pharmacy
- Hospital and health-system practice
- Ambulatory care
- Clinical specialty areas
- Elective rotations aligned with career interests
Office of Experiential Education
The Office of Experiential Education coordinates all IPPE and APPE rotations, connecting students with pharmacist preceptors and practice sites across South Carolina and beyond. The office works closely with faculty and healthcare partners to ensure every experience supports student growth, meets ACPE standards, and prepares graduates for modern pharmacy practice.
The office supports students by:
- Coordinating IPPE and APPE placements
- Partnering with pharmacist preceptors and healthcare systems
- Ensuring experiential programs meet ACPE accreditation standards
- Supporting students throughout their clinical training
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