Residency Programs

The residency programs at the USC School of Pharmacy prepare pharmacists to be skilled clinical practitioners, researchers and educators. The programs are accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP).

Residency Settings

USC offers both Postgraduate Year 1 (PGY1) and Postgraduate Year 2 (PGY2) pharmacy practice residency programs in the following settings:

Residency training is held at the following sites:

  • Community/Safety-Net Clinics
  • Edward R. Roybal Comprehensive Health Center
  • Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center
  • Huntington Hospital, Pasadena
  • LAC+USC Medical Center and Clinics
  • Ralphs Pharmacy
  • USC Campus Pharmacies
  • USC/Norris Cancer Hospital
  • Keck Hospital of USC
  • Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System

Resident Responsibilities

All residents in the School of Pharmacy participate in various patient care, teaching and educational activities, including:

  • Coordinating courses with faculty mentors
  • Giving lectures and conducting small-group discussions to first-, second- and third-year pharmacy students
  • Serving as a preceptor and role model for students during their clinical clerkships
  • Proposing and completing a project suitable for presentation and publication
  • Presenting their project at the Western States Conference for Pharmacy Residents, Fellows and Preceptors
  • Completing and submitting a manuscript for publication prior to completion of the residency

Coursework and seminars are provided for residents throughout the year, offering instruction and experience in:

  • Teaching skills
  • Physical assessment
  • Emergency medicine
  • Research methodology
  • Drug-use evaluation
  • Drug information systems
  • Adverse drug reaction reporting
  • Leadership and professional development

Resident activities also include primary care practice, inpatient pharmacy practice, pharmacokinetic consultations, drug therapy preparation and distribution, and clinical research. Clinical practice activities vary depending on the area of practice.

Resident Benefits

Individuals appointed to the School’s residency programs are entitled to the following:

  • Yearly stipend of approximately $47,500
  • Professional liability insurance provided at affiliated institutional sites
  • Fringe benefits including health insurance, 12 vacation days
  • Upon completion of their training, USC residents are highly sought after and typically accept positions in academia, pharmaceutical research, pharmacy management and clinical services.

Residency Programs Admission

The USC School of Pharmacy's residency programs provide exceptional clinical preparation and education. Entry into the programs is competitive and applicants are encouraged to review all admission requirements and deadlines prior to beginning the application process.

The University of Southern California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.

Requirements

To be admitted to one of the USC School of Pharmacy’s residency programs, you must have obtained:

  • A Doctor of Pharmacy degree from an Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (APCE)-accredited college of pharmacy
  • A license to practice pharmacy in California within three months of the residency year

Application Process

When you are ready to apply go to the Residency and Fellowship online application

You will be asked to supply:

  • The email addresses of three references
  • Curriculum Vitae (CV)
  • Letter of intent
  • Official pharmacy school transcript mailed to Pharmacy Residency & Fellowship Training, 1985 Zonal Avenue, PSC B-15 Los Angeles, CA 90033

Application Deadline

January 2

Orientation Program

USC's annual Orientation Program provides a forum for students to learn about available programs. Program directors, preceptors and residents discuss their programs.

For location and times, or any additional information on the programs, please contact:

William C. Gong, PharmD, FASHP, FCSHP
Director, Residency and Fellowship Training
Associate Professor of Clinical Pharmacy
University of Southern California
School of Pharmacy
1985 Zonal Avenue
Los Angeles, California 90089-9121
Telephone: (323) 442-2625
Email: wgong@usc.edu, Res-Fellow@pharmacy.usc.edu

2011-12 Residents

Meet our current USC Pharmacy Residents