Certificate Programs
The Community Leadership and Innovation in Practice (CLIP) Center at the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy is proud to offer certificate programs to all pharmacists interested in increasing their knowledge base and advancing their practice.
APhA Pharmacy-Based Immunization Delivery Program – Now offering in a live remote format
APhA’s Pharmacy-Based Immunization Delivery certificate training program (14th Edition) is based on national educational standards for immunization training from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The purpose of this certificate training program is to prepare pharmacists with the knowledge, skills and resources necessary to serve as a primary source of vaccine information and to provide immunization services to patients across the life span.
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NACDS Community Pharmacy-Based Point-of-Care Testing – Now offering in a live remote format
There is a recognized need for community pharmacists to collaboratively improve patient access to care through the use of point-of-care testing. This certificate training program provides pharmacists with the skills necessary to develop and implement a collaborative testing program for influenza, Group A streptococcus, HIV and hepatitis C and also lays the foundation for implementation for other testing should it become available. The program includes information on targeted disease states, the physical assessment of a patient presenting to a community pharmacist, point-of-care tests and how to establish a point-of-care testing service.
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Test2Learn
The University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy in partnership with the National Association of Chain Drug Stores has launched the Test2Learn™ Community-Based Pharmacogenomics Certificate Program. The certificate program enables students to learn by using real genetic data in highly interactive exercises including an optional activity for learners to undergo personal genomic testing. At each stop on the national tour, pharmacist participants will engage in the in-person aspect of the program as well as receive the instruction necessary to administer the training to others.
DMEducate™
DM Educate is a comprehensive diabetes management course available for health care professionals and students that provides users a multidisciplinary foundation in the principles of diabetes management. The contributing faculty members are nationally recognized educators and practitioners in the disciplines of pharmacy, nursing, medicine, behavioral psychology, dietetics, and exercise physiology.
Pennsylvania Pharmacists Care Network (CMMC Training)
The Pennsylvania Pharmacists Care Network (PPCN) is a professional network of pharmacists collaborating to optimize appropriate medication use to promote positive patient health outcomes. Joining the Comprehensive Medication Management Collaborative (CMMC) and completing its training program are the first two critical steps to participate in the PPCN and its contracts to provide medication management services for a variety of payers. For more information, contact Stephanie McGrath, PharmD at smcgrath@papharmacists.com.
Additional Partnered Training Programs
NACDS Foundation Faculty Scholars Program
PittPharmacy has partnered with the NACDS Foundation since 2012 to design and conduct this program focused on supporting pharmacy faculty to design and conduct meaningful community pharmacy-based research. Scholars collaborate to learn and support research at their own school/college while learning from one another and from community pharmacy leaders and researchers nationwide.
TOP TIER
TOP TIER (Training Outpatient Pharmacists Techniques in Evidence-based Research) is a research course for community pharmacy practice residents in Pennsylvania. Residents will learn:
– Key components of successful research, from conceptualization to manuscript preparation
– Verbal and written communication skills via presentation and scientific writing
– Research problem solving skills during project design and implementation
– Professional skills of a well-rounded pharmacist eligible for a wide range of career opportunities
Student Learning & Outreach

Providing medication-related care to our communities is at the core of our Center’s mission. Our students along with faculty and alumni provide care to people in Pittsburgh and surrounding areas longitudinally throughout the year. We serve nearly 10,000 patients annually in senior centers, underserved communities, and community pharmacies. Below are select community-related programs in which PittPharmacy students participate, in some cases through the core curriculum and in other cases in addition to it.
Silver Scripts | Silver Scripts is a continuous outreach program to senior community centers in the Pittsburgh area. Student pharmacists complete comprehensive medication reviews to identify drug therapy problems ranging from nonadherence to inappropriate medication therapy or doses. The Silver Scripts experience gives students early exposure to real patient encounters, thereby allowing them to increase their level of comfort in communicating with patients and build a therapeutic knowledge base. |
Grace Lamsam Pharmacy Program for the Underserved | The Lamsam Program engages volunteer pharmacists and students in providing pharmacy services to homeless and low income individuals in Pittsburgh. The program has served our Pittsburgh community for over 20 years, with over 4,000 people cared for each year. |
Areas of Concentration | Area of concentration (ARCO) programs provide an opportunity for students to pursue in depth an area of personal interest during their four years of pharmacy school. There are six areas of concentration. Community Leadership and Innovation in Practice (CLIP) ARCO Global Health ARCO |
Community Pharmacy Network | During the students’ second academic year, the focus is to develop a true pharmacy network. Curriculum and pharmacy practice experiences are designed to foster patient care and enact real change within the community through a variety of initiatives. Some of these initiatives include: Script Your Future®, Operation Immunization, and Get Smart®. |
Residency Programs

PGY1 Community-Based Pharmacy | Innovation – Leading the way in advancing community pharmacy practice is our history and future. Our residency is designed to provide you with an array of opportunities leading you to an in-depth understanding of patient care practice development, Medication Therapy Management service implementation, business planning and management skills including corporate experiences and business ownership. Our resident graduates are positioned to lead clinical services and advance patient care in the community. |
PGY1 Pharmacy Practice – UPMC St. Margaret | The purpose of the PGY1 residency is to train highly motivated, team-oriented pharmacy residents on advanced patient care skills, teaching techniques, and practice-based research methods, preparing them to be leaders of change in the medical/academic community. The PGY-1 residency provides the resident with direct patient care experiences in a variety of settings throughout the year, allowing for mastery of the applications of pharmaceutical care principles to practice. |
PGY2 Ambulatory Care – UPMC St. Margaret | The postgraduate year two (PGY2) Ambulatory Care Pharmacy Residency at UPMC St. Margaret is a second year following the UPMC St. Margaret PGY1 Pharmacy Practice Residency in which the resident specializes in Ambulatory Care with special emphasis in family medicine. Continuity in learning environment and interdisciplinary relationships built in the first year allows for a rich and independent practice during the second year. |
PGY2 Geriatrics – UPMC St. Margaret | The postgraduate year two (PGY2) Geriatrics Residency at UPMC St. Margaret is a second year following the UPMC St. Margaret PGY1 Pharmacy Practice Residency in which the resident specializes in Geriatrics. Continuity in learning environment and interdisciplinary relationships built in the first year allows for a rich and independent practice during the second year. |
PGY2 Ambulatory Care – UPMC Presbyterian | The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) Health System is one of the leading integrated health care delivery systems in western Pennsylvania consisting of tertiary, specialty and community hospitals, physician offices, and rehabilitation facilities. This setting allows the ambulatory care resident to gain experience in both institutional and community based outpatient clinics involved in direct care of a diverse patient population. |
PGY2 Geriatrics – UPMC Presbyterian | The PGY2-Geriatric Pharmacy Residency at UPMC Presby-Shadyside collaborates with experienced geriatric practitioners in inpatient, outpatient, and long-term care settings. The resident gains skills providing direct patient care in diversified geriatric care environments. The resident also designs and conducts a research project which will be presented at regional and national conferences. Moreover, the resident has the opportunity to hone teaching skills with pharmacy learners as well as interprofessional educational opportunities. |
PGY2 Underserved Care/Global Health | The PGY2 global health and underserved care advanced practice residency program is designed for the individual interested in developing specialized clinical skills and expertise working with underserved, under-resourced and vulnerable populations locally and globally. The resident will develop these skills through service to patients at Grace Lamsam Pharmacy Program partner sites and international experiences. |
Fellowship Programs

Community Practice Development & Research Fellowship
The fellowship program was established within the Department of Pharmacy and Therapeutics at the University of Pittsburgh in 2007.
The goal of this fellowship program is to provide graduates with a solid foundation in scholarship pertaining to community pharmacy practice, and emphasis is placed on developing future faculty members. The fellowship program is designed to build upon the school’s community- based initiatives while actively contributing to the research agenda for community-based scholarship.