Remote PharmD Programs in the United States: A Descriptive Analysis of Design, Implementation, and Sustainability

To describe structural features and operational resource utilization of remote or online Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) programs across the United States.

Fourteen US colleges of pharmacy offering remote PharmD pathways were identified via Pharmacy College Application Service data and invited to participate in 60‑minute virtual interviews on remote program structure and operations. Programs consenting to participate received a 43‑item questionnaire addressing curricular delivery, assessment strategies, admissions processes, student and faculty experiences, and pathway evaluation. Interview notes and transcripts were collated and organized by section. Cross-program themes were identified, and characteristics were quantified through artificial intelligence-assisted analysis and investigator review.

Ten institutions (71.4%) across diverse geographic regions completed virtual interviews. Most programs (n = 8) enrolled their first remote cohort after the COVID‑19 pandemic (academic years 2022-2024); 2 piloted earlier cohorts prior to 2020. Admissions processes were comparable across pathways; however, some implemented additional screening to evaluate applicants' readiness for online learning (n = 6). Most programs (n = 9) used primarily asynchronous curricular delivery, with all (n = 10) emphasizing hands‑on skills development during required on‑campus immersive experiences. Remote proctoring approaches for assessments varied across programs; online proctoring software (n = 10) and external cameras (n = 4) were reported as strategies to promote academic integrity in exam settings. Faculty commonly taught across both pathways (n = 10). No programs had available North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination pass rate data for pathway‑specific comparison at the time of interviews.

Remote programs require substantial resources to achieve parity with traditional on‑campus models but may provide a comparable, yet flexible, approach to PharmD education.