Elective Policies

NOTE: The School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences reserves the right to update the curricular plan as needed in order to achieve curricular outcomes in accordance with Accreditation Standards and Guidelines, university, state and federal regulations.

  • For the entering class of Fall 2020 (Graduating Class of 2024): Six (6) elective credit hours are required before starting P4 rotations.
  • For the entering class of Fall 2021 and Fall 2022 (Graduating Classes of 2025 and 2026): Nine (9) elective credit hours are required before starting P4 rotations.
  • For the entering class of Fall 2023 (Graduating Class of 2027): Twelve (12) elective credit hours are required before starting P4 rotations.
  • Dual and collaborative degree program students may have different elective course requirements.  Consult your advisors.
  • Eligible courses to apply towards the required electives are PHM and PHC courses offered by SPPS as well as approved outside/non-SPPS courses.
  • Be sure your selected electives do not conflict with your block schedule.
  • Up to one (1) approved non-SPPS course (up to 3 credits) may count toward the professional elective requirement. These include:
    1. Approved non-PHM or non-PHC courses at UB. The course will apply to your overall Pharmacy GPA.
    2. Approved non-UB courses at other accredited pharmacy schools. Students will register for the course through the other institution. Submit requests for approval and proof of completion to pharm-advise@buffalo.edu.
    3. Cross-listed courses taught by other departments may be considered non-SPPS.
    4. PMY TA's are considered non-SPPS.
    5. Elective courses taken outside the PharmD program which are applied to the PharmD elective requirement:  Student pharmacists who enroll in elective courses offered outside the PharmD program (non-PHC, non-PHM courses) and intending that the elective credits will fulfill the PharmD elective requirement, will need to submit a written request for S/U grading to the course instructor by the resign deadline as specified by the Student Calendar
  • To request approval to enroll in a course that is not in the approved list, email pharm-advise@buffalo.edu. A student will not receive professional elective credit without approval. Non-SPPS courses must be clearly related to your future practice in pharmacy and must be at an appropriate level (generally numbered at least 400 or above).
  • A professional elective must be taken for a letter grade. You must earn a C or higher to earn credit towards your degree.
  • Courses taken prior to admission to the PharmD program cannot be used as elective credit.
  • Courses taken to satisfy another degree (unless specifically spelled out in an approved joint or dual degree program) cannot be used as elective credit.
  • Students may take undergraduate or graduate electives. You will need to submit the form: Petition for Course Outside of Your Primary Academic Career and return to Christine Stumm (279 Pharmacy Building). The course will not apply to your overall Pharmacy GPA.
  • Students may not take any courses during their fourth professional year.