High school summer enrichment program and SAT/ACT Preparatory Program for rising juniors and seniors
About the Center of Excellence
Howard University College of Pharmacy Center of Excellence
The Center of Excellence (COE) program, funded through the Department of Health and Human Services, was established to assist designated health profession schools and other public and non-profit, or educational institutions strengthen the national capacity to produce a culturally competent healthcare workforce, whose diversity is representative of the U.S. population.
The Center of Excellence (COE) program is designed to strengthen the national capacity to train under-represented minority (URM) students in various health profession fields. The Center of Excellence program is designated to certain Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and/or colleges or universities that have a history of a high enrollment of Hispanic or Native American students. These colleges or universities are required to have a Health Professions School of Medicine, Osteopathic Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmacy. Centers of Excellence programs are also offered to other public and non-profit, or educational entities, and graduate programs in mental or behavioral health programs that train a significant number of the targeted minority populations.
Howard University's College of Pharmacy, received a Center of Excellence grant in 2000 to initiate programs for K-12 students, partnerships with community colleges, and bachelor’s degree granting institutions.
Supported by:
The Department of Health & Human Services
Meet The Team
The College of Pharmacy provides the following programs:
NAPLEX Prep
For fourth-year student pharmacists. North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination Preparation Program (NAPLEX Prep) for P4 student pharmacists.
Operational Programs
In addition, the Howard University COE offers operational programs to support Faculty Development, Student Health Services Training, Professionalism, Mentoring and Faculty Student Research
Pharmacy Tech Program
The Howard University Pharmacy Technician Training Program aims to recruit, prepare, and develop pharmacy technicians for job opportunities in the Washington, DC, area. The program is housed at the Howard University College of Pharmacy, which is the only pharmacy school in the District of Columbia. The proposed training is well-positioned for operational excellence, as it leverages the expertise of our college's faculty pharmacists, as well as the existing partnerships with employer partners serving our professional pharmacy program.
Regional Needs the Program is Addressing:
The program addresses the local shortage of pharmacy technicians in Washington, DC.
· Expanding the local pharmacy technician workforce will advance the DC Workforce Investment Council’s strategic objective to increase high-demand, high-growth, entry-level workforce groups.
Program Outcomes:
· To train and prepare participants to take and pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board PTCB as well as the ExCPT certification examinations.
· To provide additional preparation and competency strengthening relevant employment in hospital care settings
· To provide career exploration for further advancement in careers as pharmacists
Program Structure:
· Each cohort will have 100 hours of didactic coursework (Approximately 14 weeks of clinical instruction or 1 semester). Classes are held 4 days per week.
· Each cohort will have 160 hours of externship training at our existing clerkship sites
How to apply: Contact the DC Infrastructure Academy (DCIA) at https://dcia.dc.gov/page/pharmacy-technician 2201 Shannon Place SE Suite 300 Washington, DC 20020 Email: dcia@dc.gov Phone: 202-899-6040
Program Deadlines
K-12TH GRADE PROGRAMS
SAT Prep program: This program is designed for rising 11th and 12th graders interested in Pharmacy as a career.
Fall 2025 course information coming soon!
UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS
Pharm Step 2 application will open January 2026.
This program is designed and developed for rising junior and senior undergraduate students interested in Pharmacy as a career.
Pre-Pharmacy Student Training & Education Pipeline 2-Pharm STEP 2 Program:
Three-week summer program that will allow you the opportunity to challenge yourself academically while interacting with award-winning professors. Participants will have courses in medical terminology, pharmacology, pharmaceutical calculations, shadowing, field trips and more.
Qualifications:
Undergraduate student with interest in Pharmacy as a career, US citizen or permanent resident, minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
Eligibility:
Any African American, Hispanic/Latino American, and American Indian/Alaska Native undergraduate students who have an overall cumulative GPA of 3.0 and above, a U.S. Citizen or Legal Permanent Resident.
Program Dates: May 18 - June 5, 2026
GRADUATE/PROFESSIONAL PROGRAMS
Pharmacists Preparation and Education Program (Pharm PREP 3) formerly Advanced Pharmacotherapy Preview program (Summer 2026 dates TBA)
Faculty Student Research
Research Dates
- Fall 2025 September 8-November 21, 2025
- Spring 2026 February 2-April 24, 2026
- Summer May 18-June 26, 2026
- Tutorial Services
- Fall 2025: August 25-November 21, 2025
- Spring 2026: January 20-April 24, 2026
Program Updates
Spring 2026
- Faculty Student Research Application for Summer 2026 will be released spring 2026.
Timeline
- Application Period: TBD
- Application Review: TBD
- Notification: TBD
Research Dates
- Fall 2025: September 8-November 21, 2025
- Spring 2026: February 2-April 24, 2026
- Summer 2026: May 18-June 26, 2026
Pre-Pharmacy Student Training & Education Pipeline 2 Program (Pharm Step 2)
Undergraduate juniors and seniors interested in Pharmacy
Program Dates: May18-June 5, 2026
Application Period: TBD
Application Review: TBD
Interviews: TBD
Notification: TBD
Paperwork Due: TBD
Apply HERE
Pre-Pharmacy Student Training & Education Pipeline 1 Program (Pharm Step 1)
High School Juniors and Seniors interested in Pharmacy
Program Date: June 15 - June 26, 2026 (no program June 19, 2026)
Application Period: TBD
Application Review: TBD
Interviews: TBD
Notification: TBD
Apply HERE
Fall 2024
TBD