Post-professional Pharmacy Education
Offering adaptive credentials for pharmacists working in contemporary Canadian practice and those looking to prepare for the expanded scope of practice in Alberta
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About Our Programs
Ready to deepen your expertise and broaden your skills? Looking to gain the competitive advantage you need to advance your pharmacy career? Considering a pharmacy career in Canada? We offer standalone courses as well as pathways to certificates, a diploma, and a post-professional degree.
Our programs support pharmacists across the pharmacy landscape, from experienced pharmacists seeking to rejuvenate their current practice, to newly graduated pharmacists interested in refining their knowledge and skills, to internationally educated pharmacists beginning their pharmacy practice in Canada. Discover which path is right for you.
Credential + Completion Pathways
- Take individual courses for personalized professional development
- Ladder individual courses to earn a certificate
- Ladder certificates with blended patient care skills courses to earn a diploma
- Complete a degree in advanced pharmacy practice
Ready to enrol? Fill out our First Steps form
Courses
Quickly acquire targeted, job-ready skills to fill immediate knowledge gaps or enhance existing skills. Our standalone courses offer a flexible way to improve knowledge related to the health care system, professionalism, and pharmacy operations, or refine skills related to patient care, communication, accessibility and belonging, or evidence-based practice. Courses allow you to:
- Learn at your own pace
- Individualize your learning
- Build upon your foundational knowledge and skills to enhance your practice
- Earn credits that can later be applied toward a full certificate or diploma
Certificates
Our certificate programs bridge the gap between foundational knowledge and advanced practice. We currently offer:
- Certificate in Canadian Pharmacy Fundamentals (CCPF)
Diploma
Achieve a comprehensive, recognized credential that opens doors to new opportunities. Our Diploma in Canadian Pharmacy Practice prepares you for practice in the Canadian healthcare system and the expanded scope of services expected of pharmacists in Alberta. Our flexible program pace adapts to your life.
Looking for the Certificate in Canadian Pharmacy Practice (CCPP)? The CCPP for international learners has officially been updated and enhanced to the Diploma in Canadian Pharmacy Practice (DCPP).
Program Formats
Ready to get started? Whether you're interested in the Diploma, Certificate or a Course, fill out our quick First Steps form to find your perfect path!
Courses
Quickly acquire targeted, job-ready skills to fill immediate knowledge gaps or enhance existing skills. Our standalone courses offer a flexible way to address knowledge gaps or refine skills expected of pharmacists in Alberta everyday.
Ready to enrol? Fill out our First Steps form
Canadian Health System and Canadian Law
EXPH 2560 I 10-12 hours
This course introduces learners to the Canadian health care and legal systems, including the laws, regulations and standards related to pharmacy practice. Learners will explore Treaty obligations in Canadian healthcare, discover Canadian public health strategies, and develop awareness of the broad scope of practice for pharmacists in Alberta.
Cultural Competence & Social Justice in Pharmacy
10-12 hours
This course introduces learners to the various dimensions of culture with a focus on integrating issues related to social justice into pharmacy practice. Learners will consider and apply social determinants of health, concepts of equity, diversity, and inclusion as well as Indigenous perspectives to pharmacy practice.
Drug Informatics and Evidence-Based Practice in Pharmacy
10-12 hours
This course will engage learners in accessing pharmacy resources, application of drug informatics, and integrating evidence into clinical decision-making. Learners will be introduced to research study design, critical appraisal, communication of numeracy and how evidence based medicine can impact Indigenous health.
Ethics, Professionalism, and Communication Skills in Pharmacy
10-12 hours
This course introduces learners to ethical frameworks and professional behaviour in pharmacy. Learners will delve into ethical practice, leadership, collaboration, active learning, and person-centred care. A foundation in communication skills including active listening is established.
Patient Care Process for Pharmacy Practice
10-12 hours
This course establishes the foundation of clinical pharmacy practice through the patient care process to collect data, assess drug therapy needs, plan care and reassess the patient. Learners will also be introduced to clinical documentation.
Pharmacy Operations and Systems
10-12 hours
This course introduces learners to the expectations of pharmacists within pharmacy systems in Canada and Alberta. Learners will discuss the medication use process, prescription requirements, drug scheduling, and the importance of patient safety and privacy.
Pharmacotherapy 1 - Acute Conditions in Primary Care
20 hours
This course allows learners to expand their knowledge and skills in caring for patients with various acute conditions commonly encountered by pharmacists in primary care settings. Learners will apply the patient care process framework, critical thinking, and principles of evidence-based therapeutic decision making in an exploration of pharmacotherapy topics related to self care, ophthalmology, dermatology, and infectious diseases.
Pharmacotherapy 2 - Chronic Disease Management in Primary Care
20 hours
This course allows learners to expand their knowledge and skills in caring for patients with various chronic conditions commonly encountered by pharmacists in primary care settings. Learners will apply the patient care process framework, critical thinking, and principles of evidence-based therapeutic decision making in a variety of pharmacotherapy topics related to cardiovascular, respiratory, renal and mental health conditions.
Pharmacotherapy 3 - Expanded Topics in Pharmacotherapy
20 hours
This course allows learners to expand their knowledge and skills in order to provide care to various patient populations in pharmacy practice. Learners will apply the patient care process framework, critical thinking, and principles of evidence-based therapeutic decision making in a variety of expanded pharmacotherapy topics such as special populations, sexual health, pain management and substance use disorder.
Certificates
Our certificates allow you to continue to build your pharmacy expertise.
Certificate in Canadian Pharmacy Fundamentals (CCPF)
Asynchronous, online, on-demand, self-paced
- Canadian Health System & Canadian Law (10-12 hours)
- Pharmacy Operations & Systems (10-12 hours)
- Ethics, Professionalism, and Communication Skills in Pharmacy (10-12 hours)
- Patient Care Process for Pharmacy Practice (10-12 hours)
- Cultural Competence & Social Justice in Pharmacy (10-12 hours)
- Drug Informatics & Evidence-Based Practice (10-12 hours)
Diploma in Canadian Pharmacy Practice
Achieve a comprehensive, recognized credential that opens doors to new opportunities. The Diploma in Canadian Pharmacy Practice will prepare internationally-educated pharmacy graduates and licensed pharmacists to be clinicians and lifelong learners in Alberta’s progressive pharmacy practice environment.
- Our flexible pace adapts to your life. Complete your education on an accelerated 6-month track, a moderate 9–12 month schedule, or a relaxed pace of over a year or more.
- A required program by the Alberta College of Pharmacy for IEPGs who are unsuccessful in their national PEBC Qualifying Exams (Parts 1 and 2) on their first attempt.
- A blended delivery model of mostly self-paced online learning plus a small number of carefully planned in-person learning sessions in the spring term.
- Ladder certificates and blended delivery patient-care skills courses into the diploma.
Ready to enrol? Fill out our First Steps form
Pharmd for Practicing Pharmacists
Interested in the PharmD for Practicing Pharmacists degree? Gain the advanced skills needed to lead in the evolving healthcare landscape. Our curriculum is tailored for working pharmacists, allowing you to complete your program on a timeline that works for you.
Connect with Us
If you have questions, email our Pharmacy Post-Professional Education Office at phpped@ualberta.ca or check out our FAQ page.