Starting with the Class of 2027, the College of Pharmacy is rolling out a new curriculum, titled MNspire. The University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy’s MNspire curriculum cultivates a learning environment where students are supported to thrive personally and professionally. The MNspire curriculum is a four-year, full-time program that prepares students to be licensed pharmacists. In addition to core coursework, students have the opportunity to customize their studies through elective coursework, emphasis/focus areas, and dual degrees. As a part of our core PharmD curriculum, students receive six semesters of mostly classroom- and lab-based instruction, followed by one year of rotation-based experiential education.
Approaches Used in MNspire
Whole Task Learning (WTL)
WTL is a teaching approach that aims to prepare future pharmacists to be confident and effective clinicians when navigating the gray spaces of practice. Each semester, students will explore a case that is too complex for them by design. This helps emphasize the whole context of the case. Students receive scaffolded support throughout the curriculum, meaning more support in the beginning with guidance fading away as students learn to effectively integrate their disciplinary knowledge as they prepare for this work in real life settings.
Professional Skills Development (PSD)
PSD provides procedural information (i.e., how to) and repetition/practice related to the pharmacist's professional skills, including interprofessional communication, evidence-based medicine, compounding, and dispensing. You will participate in exercises and simulated situations, using a patient-centered approach and a unique process of care. You will work to build the skills necessary to establish relationships with patients, understand the patient’s medication experience, and take responsibility for drug-related outcomes. Repeated practice and feedback support the development of automaticity and an ingrained approach to care, which is then adapted to each patient. You will take a PSD course every semester of the first three years of the PharmD program.
High Impact Practices
High Impact Practices (HIP) are evidence-based teaching and learning practices that show significant educational benefits for students and are embedded throughout the MNspire curriculum.
P1 Year: Conversations in Critical Challenges in Pharmacy (3C)
Designed to mirror the “First Year Seminar” HIP, 3C course sections are small in size (~20 students). They create conversations on “critical challenges” in pharmacy and help students build skills, while actively engaging them with peers, instructors, and content.
P2 & P3 Year: Learning Communities (LC)
Learning communities are intertwined with each block to acknowledge the challenges that will occur in pharmacy careers. The communities also support successful development by engaging students with bridging activities and discussion in a positive, safe, and inclusive environment.
P4 Year: Elective Capstone
Capstone provides an opportunity for students to gain experience in optimizing medication and health outcomes. This is achieved by connecting students with a project sponsor (e.g., practitioner, scientists, faculty) to take on an initiative to advance practice, advocacy, research, or education.
Self-Regulated Learning
Through Self-Regulated Learning (SRL) activities students develop skills that support learning planning, performance, and self-reflection. Skills might include goal setting, self-monitoring, and motivation.
Example Semester Schedule
Please see the Current Student Overview page.
Electives
As you will see, our curriculum is designed to give students some room to pursue their interests in the profession via elective coursework – please take a look at our Elective Courses page for more information!
Optional Degree Specialization
Interprofessional Education Scholars Program
The Interprofessional Education (IPE) Scholars Program offers University of Minnesota health professions students a unique opportunity to enhance their knowledge about interprofessional education and develop important interprofessional collaboration skills.
Research Emphasis Area
You can choose to specialize your PharmD by adding a Research Emphasis Area.
Dual Degrees and Certificates
The College offers dual degrees with business (MBA), public health (MPH), and health informatics (MHI).