Pharma Career Pathway Program 
PCOM School of Pharmacy

PCOM’s Pharma Career Pathway Program prepares PharmD students for careers in the pharmaceutical industry through mentorship, APPE rotations, networking, and fellowship preparation.

The program is designed for PharmD students at PCOM who are interested in pursuing careers in pharmaceutical industry roles such as medical affairs, regulatory affairs, and clinical development.

The Pharma Career Pathway Program program is ideal for PCOM Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) students who:

• Aspire to transition into roles within pharmaceutical companies, managed care organizations, regulatory bodies, or consulting firms.
• Seek hands-on experience through industry-focused rotations and internships.
• Value structured mentorship and networking to gain a competitive edge.
• Want to expand their impact beyond traditional clinical practice.
• Demonstrate a strong commitment to professionalism and show a genuine interest in contributing to and thriving within a professional work environment.

Students gain access to faculty mentorship, industry-focused APPE rotations, networking events, and fellowship preparation to strengthen their competitiveness for pharmaceutical careers.

The Pharma Career Pathway Program is designed to support a wide array of career interests in the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors, including but not limited to:

• Medical science liaison (MSL)
• Regulatory affairs specialist
• Government affairs advisor
• Market access and reimbursement analyst
• Clinical research associate (CRA)
• Health economics and outcomes research (HEOR) analyst
• Pharmaceutical marketing manager
• Product manager

The Pharma Career Pathway Program includes four main components:

Core Courses

Foundational coursework helps students understand the broader healthcare system and pharmaceutical industry frameworks:

• Explore the U.S. healthcare infrastructure, policies, and the role of pharmaceuticals in population health.
• Gain insights into operational, legal, and financial aspects of pharmacy practice and industry relations.

Targeted Electives

Dive deeper into the business and operational side of the pharmaceutical industry with courses in pharmaceutical marketing along with managed care and leadership:

• Learn strategies for brand management, product lifecycle, competitive analysis, and consumer engagement.
• Study health economics, formulary decision-making, payer-provider dynamics, and develop leadership skills.

Leadership Training

All participants will complete a structured leadership curriculum provided by the Maxwell Leadership Foundation. Training will focus on self-awareness, influence, teamwork and leading through change—critical competencies for success in dynamic industry environments.

Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences (APPEs)

Students are encouraged to complete at least two, and potentially all four, of their elective APPE rotations within pharmaceutical companies or organizations aligned with the industry. These immersive experiences may include placements in:

• Medical affairs
• Regulatory strategy
• Clinical development
• Market access
• Pharmacovigilance
• Health outcomes research

The program provides guidance on fellowship applications, interview preparation, CV development and organization, and professional development to help students secure competitive pharmaceutical fellowships.

Interested PharmD students should speak with program director Brent Rollins, RPh, PhD, and submit a short application indicating their career interests, goals, and commitment to completing the pathway requirements. Enrollment in the Pharma Career Pathway Program is open to all PCOM School of Pharmacy Doctor of Pharmacy students in good academic standing at the end of their first year of the program.