Department of Pharmacy Practice
The University of Mississippi

Experiential Education Overview

What is Experiential Education?

  • Learning by DOING
  • Allows the learner to be ENGAGED
  • Allows the learner to play an ACTIVE role in the learning process
  • In medical education, it means involving the learner in direct PATIENT CARE
  • REQUIRED for graduation and licensure
  • Comprises more than 30% of the entire SCHOOL OF PHARMACY CURRICULUM

What Experiential Education is NOT?

  • On-the-job training
  • Busy work
  • Free labor

Doctor of Pharmacy students will participate in pharmacy practice experiences during PY1 through PY4 years. Upon completion of the final year of pharmacy school, students will have completed 1920 hours of experiential education. During years 1 through 3, students will participate in Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experiences (IPPE), and in year 4, students will participate in Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences (APPE). The purpose of IPPEs is to expose students to pharmacy practice models and patient care in preparation for the APPEs. The fundamental goal of APPEs is to provide students with a planned program of applied knowledge, skills, attitudes, and abilities that will assist them in becoming a competent pharmacist. The APPEs must also have a patient care emphasis, as well as take place in diverse settings with maximum opportunity for inter-professional interactions.