A PharmD recruitment plan to discover why Waterloo is perfect for you
Waterloo Pharmacy takes students beyond the prescription and amplifies their confidence in providing exceptional patient care. Students get to experience on average more than 30 weeks of pharmacy experience compared to other pharmacy programs in Canada, a total of 72 weeks of work-integrated learning by graduation. We deliver a 3.6 year undergraduate pharmacy program, with three competitively paid co-op placements. We produce practice-ready pharmacists who meet or exceed professional standards and are innovative change agents contributing to exemplary patient care.
Why Waterloo?
- Only co-op program in Canada
- 100% success rate in co-op placement
- 98% retention rate
- Highest pass rate in Canada on the national pharmacist licensing exam
Discover your purpose
Waterloo Pharmacy is the most unique and innovative PharmD program in Canada. The only co-op PharmD program with the most holistic admissions process, a flexible and adaptable curriculum, and the only PharmD with a Conditional Admissions to Pharmacy (CAP) program.
At Waterloo Pharmacy, U Matter. Our caring and supportive environment and culture is unmatched, helping our students thrive and succeed both personally and professionally.
“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
Earn while you learn
The University of Waterloo has the largest co-op program globally and the Waterloo School of Pharmacy is the most successful co-op program at the University.
As Canada’s only PharmD co-op program we have a 100 percent success rate for co-op placement, where students can choose from hundreds of jobs across many career types. On average, students earn a total of $60,000 during co-op while still in school. Our students develop their professional identity through experience in a variety of pharmacy-related settings.
"I've seen firsthand how our co-op program bridges the gap between education and the real world. Employers gain access to skilled and productive healthcare students, while students discover their passions, earning up to $60,000 for school and exploring diverse careers from community pharmacy to technology and even banking. Over half of our students secure full-time roles with their co-op employers, building not just pharmacy skills but life-long connections. Co-op isn’t just a stepping stone—it's a launchpad for both students and employers alike." - Anthony Miller, Experiential Coordinator, Co-op, Waterloo Pharmacy
Get ready to be ready
Our students are ready for the future of pharmacy after graduation, with hands on learning and a curriculum that is adaptive and flexible, students are prepared to be great healthcare providers.
Across the board, students graduate with the top pass rate in Canada on the national pharmacist licensing exam and complete multiple certifications in smoking cessation, injection training, cannabis and more.
The pre-built network during their studies helps transition students to their career, with over 50 percent of students working for a previous co-op employer directly out of school.
“Waterloo Pharmacy graduates are different. We have the ability and confidence to hit the ground running after graduation.” – Minh-Thu Nguyen, Rx2017
A glimpse at your future schedule
