International Pharmacy Graduate Program
ABOUT THIS PROGRAM
The International Pharmacy Graduate (IPG) program at the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy at the U of T School of Continuing Studies is an academic bridging program that prepares internationally educated pharmacists to meet Canadian entry-to-practice requirements and develop skills to care for patients as the profession evolves.
The IPG program is committed to ensuring academic excellence in pharmacy education and providing a supportive learning environment. In addition to covering current and emerging topics in pharmacotherapy, pharmacy practice, and the Canadian healthcare system, learners will also gain critical language, workplace, and patient care skills necessary for licensure in Canada.
Please visit our Help Centre for our most frequently asked questions.
Program and Course Overview
The IPG Program is a 23-week full-time online program comprised of two academic terms: Canadian Pharmacy Skills 1 (CPS 1) and Canadian Pharmacy Skills 2 (CPS 2). There is a scheduled break between CPS 1 and CPS 2. The program consists of the following courses:
| Canadian Pharmacy Skills 1 (CPS 1) | |
|---|---|
| Course Name | Course Description |
| 3610 - Pharmacotherapy 1 |
Pharmacotherapy 1 is designed to enhance the pharmacist’s core knowledge of pharmacotherapy and integrate it with acquired problem-solving skills. This course begins with two online introductory sessions, which will introduce learners to the philosophy of Pharmaceutical Care, review the Patient Care Process, and apply the foundational steps in the Therapeutic Thought Process for identifying and resolving Drug Therapy Problems (DTPs). Throughout the course, learners will complete assigned readings and online lectures to develop an understanding of specific chronic disease states and the management of DTPs commonly encountered in pharmacy practice. Online lectures reinforce the pathophysiologic and pharmacotherapeutic issues required to identify and solve actual and potential DTPs. Topics are sequenced within modules organized by medical discipline. Synchronous online tutorial sessions provide learners the opportunity to ask questions, practice and discuss patient cases with course coordinators. Through virtual facilitated workshops learners will practice their skills in identifying DTPs and developing care plans for patient case scenarios. These sessions will give learners further opportunity to verbally demonstrate their therapeutic knowledge and problem-solving skills to create and justify care plans with considerations of efficacy, safety, cost and/or convenience.
Method of delivery: Online, instructor-led, combination of synchronous and asynchronous sessions. Learning assets: Required and supplementary readings, asynchronous lecture videos, practice patient case scenarios, synchronous workshops, and synchronous tutorial sessions. Activities: Interactive workshops and scenario-based learning & case studies. Course hours: 47 hours of course activities Assessments: Quizzes, pharmaceutical care workshop case care plans, and exams |
| 3611 - Clinical Skills in Medication Management 1 |
Clinical Skills in Medication Management 1 (CSMM 1) introduces the learner to various components of the patient interview including: an interview framework and professional communication skills. Fulfilling these course outcomes will require the application of material from other CPS courses such as Pharmacotherapy 1 and Foundations of Pharmacy Practice 1. CSMM 1 is designed to integrate many aspects of these courses. By the end of CSMM 1, learners will be prepared for providing direct patient care and the advanced communication strategies and patient care approaches required in CSMM 2.
This course is comprised of synchronous online virtual role-plays with simulated patients. The course is designed to allow learners to integrate profession-specific language skills within the context of pharmacy practice, to integrate an interview framework and develop effective approaches for gathering information. Later in the course, learners will examine how to best identify, prevent and resolve drug-related problems. Learners are assessed on their patient care skills during role-play interactions. Learners will be required to write professional documentation following each role-play, another important assessment element in this course. An online synchronous workshop on Motivational Interviewing will provide more advanced techniques for communicating with patients.
|
| 3612 - Foundations of Pharmacy Practice 1 |
The Foundations of Pharmacy Practice (FPP) Course is a series of online lectures, tutorials, and self-study modules that will expose learners to pharmacy practice in Ontario and the healthcare system in Canada. Completion of this course will enable learners to practice as registered pharmacy students with an understanding of legal responsibilities, patient care skills, pharmaceutical calculations and other key aspects of pharmacy practice. The material in this course is considered foundational; completion of all modules is essential to deepening one's understanding of the profession, current issues in pharmacy practice. Modules are designed to develop critical skills and attitudes.
Method of delivery: Online, instructor-led, combination of synchronous and asynchronous sessions. |
| 3613 - Professional Practice Laboratories 1 |
This course provides learners with practical experience as a pharmacist through online virtual activities to simulated skills required in a community pharmacy setting. Successful completion of this course requires application of material from other courses, including Foundations in Pharmacy Practice 1 and Pharmacotherapy 1. Learners are introduced to a remote pharmacy dispensary entry system and must receive, process, and verify the accuracy of written and verbal prescriptions. Learners will respond to simple drug information requests to familiarize themselves with references available in pharmacy practice.
Method of delivery: Online, instructor-led, combination of synchronous and asynchronous sessions. |
| Canadian Pharmacy Skills 2 (CPS 2) | |
|---|---|
| Course Name | Course Description |
| 3614 - Pharmacotherapy 2 |
Pharmacotherapy 2 continues with the previous structure and objectives of Pharmacotherapy 1. The course is designed to build on prior knowledge and skills. The course is designed to further enhance the learner’s core knowledge of pharmacotherapy and integrate it with acquired problem-solving skills. Pharmacotherapy 2 begins online with an introductory topic, a review of the Patient Care Process and the foundational steps in the Therapeutic Thought Process for identifying and resolving Drug Therapy Problems (DTPs). Throughout the course, learners will complete assigned reading and online lectures. Online lectures reinforce the pathophysiologic and pharmacotherapeutic issues required to identify and solve actual and potential DTPs. Topics are sequenced within blocks and organized by medical system and/or discipline. Synchronous online tutorial sessions provide learners the opportunity to ask questions and take up patient cases with course coordinators. Through virtual facilitated workshops learners will practice their skills in identifying DTPs and developing care plans for patient case scenarios. These sessions will give learners further opportunity to verbally demonstrate their therapeutic knowledge and problem-solving skills to create and justify care plans with considerations of efficacy, safety, cost and/or convenience.
Method of delivery: Online, instructor-led, combination of synchronous and asynchronous sessions. |
| 3615 - Clinical Skills in Medication Management |
Clinical Skills in Medication Management 2 (CSMM2) continues with the previous structure of CPS 1, focusing on the provision of comprehensive patient care and is founded on the philosophy of pharmaceutical care. This course is comprised of synchronous online virtual role-plays with simulated patients. CSMM 2 provides learning opportunities to apply and integrate material learned from all courses in the program to date, using simulated practice-based interactions (role-play sessions) with patient actors and Clinical Instructors to enhance learners' patient care, decision-making, and documentation skills. Simulated interactions will focus on developing effective patient-centered management of multidimensional drug-therapy problems anchored in a professional context. This course emphasizes the pharmacist’s roles as a communicator, care provider, scholar, professional, leader-manager, collaborator, and health advocate. CSMM 2 focuses on developing and enhancing skills needed to work closely with the patient and other health care professionals in order to achieve optimal drug therapy outcomes for the patient.
Method of delivery: Online, instructor-led, combination of synchronous and asynchronous sessions. |
| 3616 - Foundations of Pharmacy Practice 2 |
The Foundations of Pharmacy Practice 2 (FPP) Course continues from CPS 1 as a series of lectures, tutorials, and self-study modules that will continue to expose learners to pharmacy practice in Ontario and the healthcare system in Canada. Completion of this course will enable learners to practice as pharmacy students with an understanding of legal and ethical responsibilities, pharmacy management, cannabis and cannabinoid regulations and other key aspects of pharmacy practice. Completion of all modules is essential to deepening the learner's understanding of the profession, current issues in pharmacy practice. Modules are designed to develop critical skills and attitudes.
Method of delivery: Online, instructor-led, combination of synchronous and asynchronous sessions. |
| 3617 - Professional Practice Laboratories 2 |
This course provides learners with practical experience as a pharmacist through online virtual activities to simulated skills required in a community pharmacy setting. Successful completion of this course requires assimilation of material from other courses, including Foundations in Pharmacy Practice 2 and Pharmacotherapy 2. Learners are expected to be proficient with the remote pharmacy dispensary management software and must receive, process, and verify the accuracy of complex written and verbal prescriptions. Learners will communicate and collaborate with other individuals involved in the provision of patient care to ensure safe and appropriate medication use.
|
Schedules
FALL 2022 SCHEDULE
Session Duration: 23 weeks
Session Dates: September 26, 2022 to March 26, 2023
CPS 1: September 26 – December 18, 2022 (12 weeks)
CPS 2: January 9 – March 26, 2023 (11 weeks)
*Continuance in CPS2 is dependent on successful completion of all courses in CPS1. Once final grades for CPS1 are confirmed, those that have not successfully passed all CPS1 courses will be notified, withdrawn from CPS2 and provided with a full tuition refund.
| Block | Dates | Activities | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| CPS 1 Block 1 |
September 26 – October 9, 2022 |
Program Orientation and Introduction to Courses |
Completed remotely |
| CPS 1 Block 2 | October 10 – October 30, 2022 | Online lectures and activities. Mandatory weekend assessments | Completed remotely |
| CPS 1 Block 3 | October 31 – November 13, 2022 | CPS 1 Assessments and midterm exams | Completed remotely |
| CPS 1 Block 4 |
November 14 – December 4, 2022 |
Online lectures and activities. Mandatory weekend assessments | Completed remotely |
| CPS 1 Block 5 | December 5 – 18, 2022 | CPS 1 Assessments and final exams | Completed remotely |
| Break | December 19, 2022 – January 8, 2023 | Break | |
| CPS 2* Block 6 | January 9 – February 5, 2023 | Program & Course Orientation. Online lectures and activities. Mandatory weekend assessments | Completed remotely |
| CPS 2* Block 7 | February 6 – 19, 2023 | CPS 2 Assessments and midterm exams | Completed remotely |
| CPS 2* Block 8 | February 20 – March 12, 2023 | Online lectures and activities. Mandatory weekend assessments | Completed remotely |
| CPS 2* Block 9 | March 13 – 26, 2023 | CPS 2 Assessments and final exams | Completed remotely |
*Continuance in CPS2 is dependent on successful completion of all courses in CPS1. Once final grades for CPS1 are confirmed, those that have not successfully passed all CPS1 courses will be notified, withdrawn from CPS2 and provided with a full tuition refund.
Please note that dates, schedules, and fees are subject to change.
SPRING 2023 SCHEDULE - 23-WEEK ONLINE PROGRAM
Session Dates: March 27, 2023 to September 17, 2023
CPS 1: March 27 – June 18, 2023 (12 weeks)
CPS 2*: July 4– September 17, 2023 (11 weeks)
| Block | Dates | Activities | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| CPS 1 Block 1 |
March 27 – April 9, 2023 |
Program Orientation and Introduction to Courses |
Completed remotely |
| CPS 1 Block 2 | April 3 - 30, 2023 | Online lectures and activities. Mandatory weekend assessments | Completed remotely |
| CPS 1 Block 3 | May 1 – 14, 2023 | CPS 1 Assessments and midterm exams | Completed remotely |
| CPS 1 Block 4 |
May 15 – June 4, 2023 |
Online lectures and activities. Mandatory weekend assessments | Completed remotely |
| CPS 1 Block 5 | June 5 – June 18, 2023 | CPS 1 Assessments and final exams | Completed remotely |
| Break | June 19 - July 2, 2023 | Break | |
| CPS 2* Block 6 | July 4 – 30, 2023 | Program & Course Orientation. Online lectures and activities. Mandatory weekend assessments | Completed remotely |
| CPS 2* Block 7 | July 31 – August 13, 2023 | CPS 2 Assessments and midterm exams | Completed remotely |
| CPS 2* Block 8 | August 14 – September 3, 2023 | Online lectures and activities. Mandatory weekend assessments | Completed remotely |
| CPS 2* Block 9 | September 4 - 17, 2023 | CPS 2 Assessments and final exams | Completed remotely |
*Continuance in CPS2 is dependent on successful completion of all courses in CPS1. Once final grades for CPS1 are confirmed, those that have not successfully passed all CPS1 courses will be notified, withdrawn from CPS2 and provided with a full tuition refund.
Please note that dates, schedules, and fees are subject to change.
Tuition and Financial Assistance
Tuition
CPS 1 Tuition: $6965 + HST CAD
CPS 2 Tuition: $6965 + HST CAD
Financial Assistance
Financial assistance may be available to eligible students through the Ontario Bridging Participant Assistance Program (OBPAP) provided once annually by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU). Ministry funding decisions are made annually in March/April. Once funding has been determined, eligible students enrolled in the program will be contacted. Please refer to the Help Desk’s frequently asked questions for more information.
Please refer to the University of Toronto Financial Aid for information on additional funding resources that may be available. Learners may be eligible for private loans:
Deadlines
Fall 2022 Registration
Application: August 19, 2022
CPS1 Registration & Tuition Deadline: August 26, 2022
CPS2 Registration* & Tuition Deadline: January 4, 2023
Spring 2023 Registration
Application Deadline: February 19, 2023
CPS1 Registration & Tuition Deadline: February 26, 2023
CPS2 Registration* & Tuition Deadline: June 28, 2023
Withdrawal Deadlines
- Full refund: withdraw by the end of the first week
- 75% refund: by the end of the second week
- 50% refund: by the end of the third week
Program Completion
Learners should aim to complete the program within two years of their official start date. However, learners who successfully complete CPS 1 can defer enrollment of CPS 2 to the next offering.
Time Commitment and Attendance
Time Commitment
The IPG program is a full-time, fast-paced program with a significant workload and commitment of approximately 30‐40 hours per week to complete course activities as well as an additional 5 – 10 hours per week for studying. This is a general estimate and the time required to study and complete course activities will differ depending on the course, the materials for the week and the learner’s foundational knowledge. Please refer to the course descriptions for a breakdown of the number of hours of course activities. Learners are encouraged to create circumstances that will allow them to succeed in the program and to dedicate sufficient time to the review of materials and completion of activities.
Attendance
Learners are expected to participate in all virtual sessions and activities online and complete mandatory assessments every weekend (Saturday and/or Sunday) for the duration of the program, which involves approximately a 2-hour time commitment between 9AM – 2PM EST. These assessments are predetermined on the schedule and cannot be rescheduled.
Schedule Accommodations
IPG program does not provide schedule accommodations for work conflicts. It is strongly recommended that learners wait until after completing both CPS 1 and CPS 2 before attempting PEBC qualifying exams. However, if a learner decides to attempt the PEBC examinations while enrolled in the program, it is their responsibility to ensure that they do not schedule PEBC exams on days that conflict with IPG activities, assessments, and exams. The program schedule is set according to Eastern Standard Time (EST) and is unable to accommodate individualized times for learners in different time zones.
Requirements
Enrolment Requirements
To enroll in the IPG Program you must have successfully:
- Completed the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC) Evaluating Examination.
- Met minimum requirements on an Objective English Language Proficiency Test. If you are a native English speaker you may request a Non-Objective Evidence of Language Proficiency from the Ontario College of Pharmacists (OCP). In order to do so, you must have a file open with OCP in order for them to review your documents. You can find additional information on their website.
Application Requirements
- A copy of the letter stating that you have successfully completed the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC) Evaluating Examination
- A copy of your valid Objective English Language Proficiency test score that meets the minimum requirement. For a summary of the minimum requirements for English fluency scores on an Objective English Language Proficiency test, please visit the Ontario College of Pharmacists (OCP) website by clicking here.
- A recent resume with your current contact information, including address, email, phone number, and a summary of your education and career history in PDF format.
Minimum Internet Speed
High-speed broadband access (LAN, Cable or DSL) with a minimum download speed of 25Mbps and upload speed of 10 Mbps is required.
Minimum Technology Requirements
| Requirement | Windows-based PC | Apple Mac/macOS-based PC |
|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Windows 10 | macOS 10.15.7 or higher |
| Web Browser | Firefox or Google Chrome | Firefox or Google Chrome |
| Processor | Intel Core i7 9th generation or newer | Intel Core i7 9th generation or newer or any Apple M1 chip |
| RAM/Memory | 16GB | 16GB |
| Storage | 5GB of available space | 5GB of available space |
| Screen Resolution | 1024 x 768 | 1024 x 768 |
| Connectivity | Ethernet of WiFi; available USV port(s) accommodate recommended accessories | Ethernet of WiFi; available USV port(s) accommodate recommended accessories |
The program is committed to the orientation of learners to the various program technologies and platforms, and the continuous support of learners through their technology issues. The virtual nature of the program requires learners to have basic computer competencies and skills to be successful in the program. Competencies and skills including but not limited to:
- Navigating your operating system to update/change computer’s settings (e.g., audio, video, screen, and other settings)
- Installing/uninstalling software
- Basic use of word processing software e.g., Microsoft Word
- Using email and communication programs
- Using web browsers and search engines
Application Process
1. Review the program’s enrolment requirements to ensure you meet them
2. Complete the online IPG Application
3. Prepare and upload all required documents to the online IPG Application
4. Pay the $250 + HST CAD non-refundable application fee through the online IPG Application. We accept Visa, Mastercard, and AMEX only. We do not accept cash, debit, or personal cheques. If you need to pay by Canadian Bank Draft/Money Order (payable to the University of Toronto) please complete and save the online form and then mail the Canadian Bank Draft/Money Order to the following address:
School of Continuing Studies – IPG Program
158 St. George St.
Toronto, ON
M5S 2V8
5. Your application will be reviewed to ensure that the minimum requirements have been met. If they have not been met, an SCS team member will reach out to you.
6. We will contact you by email within three business days to notify you whether your application has been approved or denied.
7. If your application has been approved, you will receive a link to register into the program and courses and pay the CPS1 Semester 1 tuition fee: $6965 + HST CAD. Please pay the full tuition fee by the posted deadline.
8. To confirm your enrollment into the program, we must receive your full tuition payment. Once the full tuition payment is received, a receipt and Confirmation of Registration and Acceptance Letter will be emailed to you.
9. You will receive a welcome email, orientation packet and information about your mandatory orientation sessions (see below) from the IPG program 21 days before the start of the program.
Mandatory Orientation Sessions
The IPG Program is delivered entirely online, in order to familiarize learners to the various platforms and technologies used throughout the program, learners will need to complete the following mandatory orientation sessions:
Technology Orientation Session
Monday March 13, 2023 and Tuesday March 14, 2023 (2 hour slot from 9am – 7pm please refer to welcome email for specific day/timeslot)
In this 2-hour slot learners will be introduced to the various technologies and platforms that will be used throughout the program. This orientation session is interactive and will require learners to complete tasks.
Technology Orientation Workshop
Monday March 20, 2023 (Full day workshop: 9am – 5pm)
Learners who are unable to complete tasks in the technology orientation session must attend the technology orientation workshop. In this workshop learners will work closely with an instructor to review the technologies and platforms that will be used throughout the program.
Program Orientation Session
Monday March 27, 2023 and Tuesday March 28, 2023 (1 hour slot from 8:30am – 7pm please refer to welcome email for specific day/timeslot)
In this 1-hour slot learners will be introduced to the orientation materials for their courses and e-resources available to them throughout the program.=
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