Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD)

Care with Confidence
Periodic table that spells out PharmD with the elements being perserverance, healing, aspiration, resilience, mentorship, dedication

Welcome to Canada's only PharmD co-op program

Gain real-world pharmacy experience while studying at Waterloo Pharmacy

Within our PharmD program, we prepare students for the challenges of real-world pharmacy practice by exposing them to the diverse healthcare environments and practice settings pharmacists will face in their pharmacy careers. Our future pharmacists will be prepared to make an immediate, meaningful impact on the well-being of every patient they serve. Applications are now open until January 6, 2025.

Care with Confidence

At the heart of our PharmD program is the fundamental pursuit to empower future pharmacists to Care with Confidence. Within a supportive community, we guide students in discovering their purpose and prepare them for a profession in pharmacy with practical experience. As the one and only pharmacy co-op program in Canada, we provide a unique combination of experiential learning, classroom education and real-world experience.

View on YouTube

Finding your Pharmacy Pathway

Waterloo Pharmacy welcomes PharmD applicants from all programs and backgrounds. Whether you're interested in the Conditional Admission to Pharmacy (CAP) program or you identify as a Canadian post-secondary student, Indigenous student or international, college or mature student - we have a place for you.

Select the pathway that suits you to begin your career in pharmacy from the options below.

Why choose Waterloo?

Our small class sizes, safe learning environments and one-on-one mentorship, ensures every student receives the personalized guidance needed to succeed in the field of pharmacy. Our strong support system fosters both personal and professional growth, allowing students to confidently step into their roles as healthcare providers.

Clock ticking

3.6 year

duration

calender with a clock

January 

start date

graduation cap

120

seats

briefcase

100% success rate

co-op employment

A Pharmacy School Like No Other

Waterloo Pharmacy takes students beyond the prescription and amplifies their passion for patient-centred care.

Students get to experience 18 months of work-integrated learning by graduation.

Life as a Waterloo Pharmacy Student

Students walking on pharmacy campus
The pharmacy frisbee team gathers for a cheer before the game starts
Two co-op students pose infront of mountains and lake smiling
Two students sitting at picnic table smiling
Pharmacy soccer team in front of net
Two pharmacy students smile in front of projected slideshow
3 women in evening gowns smiling in front of balloons that spell "Rx2023"
Two women standing smiling in front of mountains
3 students inwhite coats taking a selfie
Students walking on pharmacy campus
1 / 9
The pharmacy frisbee team gathers for a cheer before the game starts
2 / 9
Two co-op students pose infront of mountains and lake smiling
3 / 9
Two students sitting at picnic table smiling
4 / 9
Pharmacy soccer team in front of net
5 / 9
Two pharmacy students smile in front of projected slideshow
6 / 9
3 women in evening gowns smiling in front of balloons that spell "Rx2023"
7 / 9
Two women standing smiling in front of mountains
8 / 9
3 students inwhite coats taking a selfie
9 / 9

Waterloo Pharmacy student success stories

Our PharmD program is not just about acquiring knowledge, it's about fostering a caring and supportive learning environment, where we empower our students to reach their full potential by discovering their passion and their purpose and to excel in their careers while within the program and beyond.

“It was amazing to able to play a big role in the vaccine rollout during the pandemic, I felt like I was able to put my skills to use and really contribute to society, even while just on co-op."

CAMILLE HUO, Rx2023
"The education from Waterloo pharmacy is next to none. I treat it like a bragging right. The impact is the level of competence I felt right out of school and the ability to adapt to all sorts of work environments and patient encounters."

MICHAEL KANI, WATERLOO PHARMACY ALUM, CPHA NEW PRACTITIONER OF THE YEAR 2019
"The School of Pharmacy co-op program is incredibly important to us, it’s the missing piece of the puzzle. They [students] can explore different opportunities in pharmacy while learning hands-on skills, but we also learn from them."

ANDREW HANNAH, CO-OP SUPERVISOR AND PHARMACIST SUPERVISOR AT AVALON COMPOUND PHARMACY
"Waterloo Pharmacy graduates are different. We have the ability and confidence to hit the ground running after graduation."

MINH-THU NGUYEN, Rx2017
"I’ve been so impressed with the thought that’s been put into the curriculum and the care of you as a participant. Life happens while you’re in School, they see us as people with our own lives, empathize and help you as much as they can."

JOY BETHEL, Rx2027
"Waterloo Pharmacy sets us up to keep asking ‘why not’. The type of lens it gives its students encourages them to push the limits and barriers, to propel the profession forwards."

MAT DEMARCO, Rx2011
"I’m so grateful that we as pharmacy students can advocate for the profession and show how approachable and helpful pharmacists are, even in non-medication related questions."

CASSANDRA VAN DRUNEN-LACHANSE, Rx2025

Earn while you learn

Financial aid, tuition and more

We believe that stepping into the role of pharmacist with co-op is the foundation for a fulfilling and impactful pharmacy career. Through Canada’s only co-op PharmD program you will gain a year of hands-on, real-world experiential learning opportunities, build a strong network with potential employers and earn enough to cover up to 60% of tuition costs, with the potential to earn up to 95% of tuition costs.

Hear from our students and alumni

In the heart of Kitchener-Waterloo 

Situated in downtown Kitchener, the University of Waterloo School of Pharmacy is in the heart of the technology hub. With Google, the Tannery Building and Velocity around us, this is where innovation begins and grows. The University of Waterloo is a short ION light rail ride away, connecting us to main campus accessibly and sustainably. Discover more about living and learning in Kitchener-Waterloo.