Creighton Online PharmD Interview Prep Guide (2025-2026)

Creighton University’s online Doctor of Pharmacy program combines a mission-driven education with an innovative learning format. Applicants invited to interview will encounter a panel-style format focused on understanding their motivations and fit for the profession creighton.edu. The school’s Jesuit Catholic heritage emphasizes service, compassion, and justice creighton.edu, values woven into its curriculum and community. Equally important, Creighton pioneered distance Pharm.D. education – being the first fully accredited online pharmacy program in the U.S. creighton.edu – and maintains the same rigorous four-year curriculum as its campus pathway. This guide examines the interview process, the school’s mission and unique program features, relevant healthcare policy topics, the non-academic qualities Creighton seeks, the competency frameworks guiding the curriculum, common themes in past interview questions, and key application timelines for the 2025–2026 cycle.

The Creighton Pharm.D. interview is typically a traditional panel interview: one applicant interviewing with two interviewers (often faculty members, or a faculty member paired with an alumnus) pharmcas.org. The interview itself usually lasts around 25 minutes as part of a half-day or full-day admissions process that includes informational sessions pharmcas.org. This format allows for an in-depth, conversational exploration of the candidate’s background, motivations, and understanding of pharmacy creighton.edu. Interviewers are attentive and engaged – past candidates describe the atmosphere as welcoming and of average stress level studentdoctor.net, meaning it’s professional but not intended to be overly intimidating. Creighton offers both in-person and virtual interview options for the Pharm.D. program pharmcas.org, reflecting flexibility for distance applicants.

The interview is open-file in practice, meaning the interview team has access to the applicant’s application materials. They may reference your personal statement, experiences, or academics during questions to tailor the conversation to you. The focus tends to be on whether you understand the pharmacy profession and can articulate why Creighton’s program fits your goals creighton.edu. Admissions is competitive – Creighton’s overall acceptance rate is about 22% of applicants pharmacyschoolfinder.org – but the post-interview acceptance rate is relatively high, since those selected for interviews have already passed rigorous screening. With a class size of roughly 114 seats pharmcas.org, a significant proportion of interviewed candidates ultimately receive offers. In other words, if you’ve made it to the interview, you have a strong chance, and the conversation is an opportunity for the school to confirm your fit and for you to showcase your interpersonal skills.

Creighton’s School of Pharmacy and Health Professions is grounded in Jesuit, Catholic traditions that shape its mission. The school “strives to improve lives and society through exemplary education, research and service within the Jesuit, Catholic tradition,” infusing those values into its programs creighton.edu. The official mission statement emphasizes compassionate, comprehensive care for individuals and communities and a commitment to justice and service to others creighton.edu. In essence, Creighton aims to develop pharmacists who are both highly competent and deeply conscientious – professionals who will use their knowledge to advocate for patients and contribute to the greater good.

Key Jesuit values, often called Ignatian values, are integral to the school’s identity. These include finding God in all things (seeking meaning and respect in every person and experience), cura personalis (care for the whole person), magis (striving for excellence), and a faith that promotes justice creighton.edu creighton.edu. Practically, the school encourages its faculty and students to serve others, especially the poor and marginalized, and to be leaders for positive change creighton.edu. For interview prep, understanding these values is important. Interviewers may not quiz you directly on Jesuit principles, but they often look for evidence of empathy, ethical reasoning, altruism, and social responsibility in your answers. Being able to connect your own experiences – for example, service projects or community involvement – to Creighton’s service-oriented mission can underscore your fit with the program.

Creighton offers three pathways to earn its Pharm.D.: the traditional Omaha campus pathway, an innovative Distance (online) pathway, and a Hybrid pathway in Phoenix creighton.edu. The online pathway, launched in 2001, was the first accredited online pharmacy program in the nation creighton.edu. Students in the distance program complete the same four-year curriculum as campus students through online coursework and interactive technologies. Notably, distance students attend short on-campus intensive sessions for labs during the summers pharmacytimes.com, ensuring they gain hands-on skills in compounding, patient assessment, and other practical areas. Beyond the mode of delivery, all Creighton Pharm.D. students receive a cutting-edge education that emphasizes medication therapy management, patient-centered care, and disease prevention creighton.edu. The program is nationally recognized (ranked among the top 50 pharmacy programs in the U.S. creighton.edu) and produces graduates well-prepared for diverse healthcare settings – from community pharmacies and hospitals to research, industry, and service in the military creighton.edu.

These program features can serve as talking points during your interview, especially when you’re given a chance to ask questions or discuss why Creighton is right for you. For example, the distance pathway’s structure is unique – you might inquire about how faculty support online students or how those summer lab immersions are conducted pharmacytimes.com. Creighton also offers dual-degree opportunities (such as a PharmD/MBA or PharmD/MS in pharmaceutical sciences) for students interested in leadership or research creighton.edu, which could prompt questions about how the school facilitates interdisciplinary learning or business training for pharmacists. Additionally, given the program’s emphasis on service and community health, you might ask about experiential learning projects or outreach clinics that online students can join. Showing that you’ve done your homework on Creighton – by referencing its pioneering online model, its curriculum strengths, or its Jesuit ethos – not only provides you with substantive questions to ask but also demonstrates genuine interest and fit.

Pharmacists play a vital and evolving role in the healthcare system, and being aware of current policy and healthcare topics can enrich your interview conversations. Creighton doesn’t expect you to be a policy expert, but understanding the broader context of pharmacy practice – especially as it relates to the school’s region and mission – is beneficial. Some relevant topics include:

• Federal Provider Status – Pharmacists are not yet recognized as "healthcare providers" under Medicare Part B (unlike physicians or nurse practitioners), which limits their ability to be reimbursed for clinical services uspharmacist.com. This has sparked ongoing legislative efforts to grant provider status. For instance, the Equitable Community Access to Pharmacist Services Act introduced in 2023 aims to allow Medicare to reimburse pharmacist-provided care (such as testing, immunizations, and disease management services) uspharmacist.com. Achieving provider status would formally acknowledge pharmacists’ contributions and potentially expand services in pharmacies nationwide.
• Serving Underserved Communities – There is a strong policy emphasis on improving healthcare access in rural and underserved areas. Pharmacists, being one of the most accessible healthcare professionals, are seen as key to this effort. A recent federal bill (the Pharmacy and Medically Underserved Areas Enhancement Act) seeks to enable Medicare payment for pharmacist services in medically underserved communities uspharmacist.com. The idea is that empowering pharmacists to practice at the top of their license in these areas will improve outcomes and reduce health disparities – a goal very much in line with Creighton’s social justice values. In Nebraska and other Midwest states, pharmacists already help fill healthcare gaps in rural towns, and policy changes could strengthen that safety net.
• Telepharmacy and Remote Care – The expansion of telepharmacy is a significant trend, especially relevant to Creighton’s online program. Telepharmacy allows pharmacists to supervise pharmacy operations and counsel patients remotely using technology. Over half of U.S. states now permit telepharmacy in some form, aimed at bringing pharmacy services to communities without a local pharmacist blog.telepharm.com. Nebraska, for example, has defined telepharmacy in its statutes and uses it to support rural areas. Embracing telehealth and telepharmacy was crucial during the COVID-19 pandemic and continues to grow. Awareness of this trend shows that you appreciate how technology can expand patient access to care – much like Creighton uses technology to expand access to its Pharm.D. education.
• Expanding Scope & Public Health – Pharmacists’ scope of practice has been gradually broadening, intersecting with public health needs. During the COVID-19 pandemic, pharmacists were granted emergency authorization to administer vaccines and even to prescribe antiviral therapies in some cases uspharmacist.com, highlighting their role as front-line healthcare providers. In the ongoing opioid crisis, many states have empowered pharmacists to dispense naloxone without a prescription and to counsel patients on opioid safety. Pharmacists are also involved in medication-assisted therapy for opioid use disorder and other harm-reduction services. These developments show pharmacists taking on "non-traditional" roles in healthcare. However, fully leveraging pharmacists in public health efforts often requires changes in law (for example, allowing a larger scope of practice and ensuring reimbursement for these services) pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Being conversant with how pharmacists are contributing to big-picture healthcare challenges – from vaccination campaigns to combating drug abuse – will demonstrate to interviewers that you see the profession in a realistic, informed light.

Staying aware of such issues not only prepares you in case they come up in an interview question (e.g., “What do you think is a major issue in pharmacy today?”) but also allows you to weave informed perspective into your answers. For example, if asked why you want to be a pharmacist, you could reference the expanding opportunities pharmacists have to improve public health or access to care, which shows you understand the profession’s current trajectory. It’s about showing that you aspire to be not just a dispenser of medications, but a healthcare provider who is engaged with the challenges and advancements in the field.

Like many professional programs, Creighton’s Pharm.D. admissions uses a holistic review process – meaning they consider the whole applicant, not just grades and test scores. In fact, the Pharmacy Admission Committee explicitly looks at a variety of non-academic factors alongside academic metrics pharmcas.org. Some of the key selection criteria beyond GPA include:

• Extracurricular Involvement – Engagement in activities outside the classroom is highly valued. Creighton looks for evidence of leadership roles, participation in student organizations, research projects, or other meaningful hobbies and pursuits that show you are a well-rounded individual pharmcas.org. Demonstrating commitment and leadership in any arena (whether it’s a club, a sports team, a job, or a volunteer effort) can indicate qualities like responsibility, teamwork, and initiative.
• Service and Volunteer Work – A track record of community service or volunteering is especially important given Creighton’s mission pharmcas.org. The admissions committee will take note of any healthcare-related volunteering (for example, at hospitals, clinics, or health fairs) as well as service unrelated to healthcare (such as tutoring, charity work, or mission trips). Consistent involvement in helping others signals that you embody the school’s core value of service to others, and it suggests you are entering pharmacy for altruistic reasons.
• Work Experience – Practical experience in pharmacy or healthcare can strengthen your application. Many successful applicants have worked as pharmacy technicians, interns, or in other patient-care settings. Creighton recognizes that part-time jobs or significant responsibilities in the workplace (even outside of healthcare) can build professionalism, time management, and communication skills pharmcas.org. If you’ve held a job during college or worked in a team environment, that experience likely contributed to your maturity and is viewed positively in the holistic review.
• Recommendations and Personal Statement – The letters of reference and personal statement in your application also carry weight pharmcas.org. Strong recommendation letters (for example, from a pharmacist mentor, professor, or employer) that attest to your character, work ethic, and suitability for pharmacy school can bolster your case. Likewise, your personal statement is an opportunity to convey your passion for pharmacy and your personal story. Creighton’s reviewers pay attention to how clearly and genuinely you articulate your goals and values in writing, as it reflects your motivation and fit for their program.
• Interview Performance – The interview isn’t just a formality; it’s a significant part of the selection process pharmcas.org. Your communication skills, professionalism, and interpersonal qualities during the interview are closely observed. The admissions team is assessing whether you can think critically, express yourself clearly, and align with the school’s values (for instance, through your attitudes toward ethical scenarios or teamwork). A strong interview can reinforce all the positive elements of your written application by putting a personable, professional face to your file.
• Readiness for a Rigorous Curriculum – Creighton will evaluate whether you seem prepared to handle the demands of an intensive doctoral program pharmcas.org. Pharmacy school is academically challenging (full-time, four years), so qualities like good time management, resilience, and self-motivation are crucial. The committee infers this from various parts of your application – challenging course loads you’ve undertaken, upward trends in your grades, how you balance commitments, or even how you discuss challenges during your interview. They want to be confident that you can thrive in a rigorous program and ultimately in a high-responsibility career.

In short, Creighton looks for compassionate future pharmacists who have proven dedication and maturity, not just good grades. As you prepare for the interview, think about examples from your own experiences that highlight these attributes. You won’t be reciting your resume point-for-point, but you may get questions like “Tell us about a leadership experience” or “How have you overcome a challenge?” that allow you to demonstrate these qualities. By knowing what Creighton values, you can choose anecdotes that align naturally with those themes.

Creighton’s Pharm.D. curriculum is designed around nationally recognized competencies and outcomes to ensure graduates are practice-ready. As an ACPE-accredited program, it aligns with the Center for the Advancement of Pharmacy Education (CAPE) outcomes – a framework that defines the knowledge, skills, and attitudes new pharmacists should possess. These include domains like pharmacy knowledge, patient care, communication, ethics, and professionalism, among others. While you won’t be tested on the CAPE document in an interview, you might indirectly be evaluated on some of these competencies (for example, your communication skill in the interview itself, or your understanding of ethical principles). Creighton structures its curriculum intentionally to foster these outcomes: the content and skills are arranged in an “Introduce – Reinforce – Demonstrate” educational model, where key competencies are gradually built up and mastered over the four years creighton.edu. This means, as a student, you would first learn a concept, then reinforce it through application, and finally have to demonstrate it at a high level before graduation.

One specific framework you should be aware of is the Pharmacists’ Patient Care Process (PPCP), which has become a cornerstone of pharmacy education and practice. Creighton’s curriculum explicitly trains students in this process: you’ll learn to collect patient information, assess their needs, plan and implement a care plan (such as optimizing a medication regimen), and then follow up by monitoring outcomes and adjusting therapy creighton.edu. In fact, the program listing notes that today’s pharmacy education focuses on things like patient data collection, care planning, counseling, and outcomes evaluation creighton.edu – exactly reflecting the PPCP steps. Why is this important for your interview? Interview questions may probe your understanding of what pharmacists do in patient care. For instance, you might be given a hypothetical patient scenario to see how you approach solving medication-related problems. Showing familiarity with a systematic approach (even if you don’t name “PPCP” explicitly) can demonstrate that you’re already thinking like a pharmacist.

Another key component is interprofessional collaboration. Creighton is part of an academic health sciences center, and Pharm.D. students learn alongside medical, nursing, occupational therapy, and other students. This reflects the IPEC (Interprofessional Education Collaborative) competencies which stress communication, teamwork, and understanding of each profession’s roles. The school’s mission commits to “ethical conduct, interprofessional collaboration and service” creighton.edu. Don’t be surprised if your interview includes a question about teamwork or working with other healthcare professionals – they want to admit students who will excel in a team-based care environment. Understanding that today’s pharmacist must collaborate with physicians, nurses, etc., and having some experience or insight into teamwork, will serve you well in such discussions.

Overall, knowing about these competency frameworks can help you appreciate what the program expects from its students and graduates. You don’t need to memorize acronyms, but it’s useful to recognize that a Pharm.D. program isn’t just random courses – it’s intentionally building you into a capable, well-rounded clinician. If appropriate, you can mention your eagerness to train in an environment that values comprehensive competencies (e.g., “I’m excited by Creighton’s approach to developing not only our clinical knowledge but also our ethics and communication skills”). This shows you understand and share the program’s educational philosophy.

Every interview is different, but applicants to Creighton’s Pharm.D. program have reported encountering similar themes in their interview questions. Below are some common topics and examples of questions that tend to come up (drawn from past interviewees’ feedback):

• Motivation for Pharmacy and "Why Creighton" – Expect to discuss why you want to become a pharmacist, and specifically why Creighton’s program appeals to you. Variations of “Why pharmacy?” and “Why did you choose Creighton?” are very common studentdoctor.net. Interviewers want to see genuine passion for the profession and that you’ve thought carefully about fit. A strong answer might touch on what sparked your interest in pharmacy, what you hope to contribute to the field, and how Creighton’s values or offerings align with your goals.
• Personal Introduction/Tell Me About Yourself – Many candidates are asked some form of “Tell me about yourself” at the start of the interview studentdoctor.net. This open-ended prompt is your chance to set the tone: highlight your background, key experiences, and attributes that make you a unique candidate. The school isn’t looking for a rehearsal of your resume line-by-line; rather, they want to get to know you as a person. A good approach is to mention where you’re from, your education, and one or two defining experiences or values (for example, “I’m a senior biology major who has been working as a pharmacy tech for two years, and I’m someone who really values service and lifelong learning”). Keep it concise but personal.
• Time Management and Online Learning Readiness – Given the rigor of Creighton’s program (and especially the self-discipline required for the distance pathway), you may get questions about how you manage your time and responsibilities. Interviewers have been known to ask how you plan to balance the demands of pharmacy school with other aspects of your life, or to describe a time when you had to juggle many tasks. They might also probe whether you’re prepared for the unique challenges of an online program – for instance, “How will you stay motivated in a distance learning environment?” Underlying these questions is the concern about independent learning skills and resilience studentdoctor.net. Be ready with examples of your study habits, time-management strategies, and experiences that show you can thrive in a less structured or more autonomous setting.
• Career Goals and Understanding of the Profession – Creighton’s interviewers often assess how well you understand what being a pharmacist entails and what you envision for your future. You might be asked, “What area of pharmacy are you interested in?” or “Where do you see yourself in 5–10 years as a pharmacist?” creighton.edu. There’s no right answer to your career ambitions – it’s fine if you’re still exploring – but having a thoughtful response shows insight. For example, you might say you’re intrigued by clinical pharmacy in a hospital, or community pharmacy ownership, or another pathway, and crucially, why it interests you. One Creighton faculty member noted that it impresses them when an applicant can discuss a specific area of pharmacy and their reasons for it, as it shows they’ve done their research and self-reflection creighton.edu. This doesn’t lock you into that career, but it demonstrates maturity in your decision to pursue pharmacy.
• Ethical or Scenario-Based Questions – In some interviews, schools (including Creighton) will pose an ethical dilemma or healthcare scenario to see how you think on your feet. Some past Creighton applicants have hinted at receiving situational questions – sometimes administered in a structured way resembling mini-scenarios studentdoctor.net. For instance, you could be asked how you would handle a case of a patient requesting an early refill for medication or what you would do if you caught a classmate cheating. Creighton expects honesty, empathy, and sound moral reasoning in your responses, in line with its emphasis on ethics. If the interview has an MMI (Multiple Mini-Interview) component (as a few past students alluded to, though the primary format is panel), you might encounter questions where details are withheld due to a confidentiality agreement (NDA) studentdoctor.net. The key is to articulate your thought process, consider multiple perspectives, and relate your actions to core principles of patient care and integrity.
• Service Orientation and Background – Given Creighton’s mission, don’t be surprised by questions about your service and volunteer experiences. Interviewers may ask something like, “Can you tell us about a meaningful community service activity you’ve done?” or “How have you demonstrated compassion for others?” They are looking to see that you have a heart for service and an understanding of a pharmacist’s role as a caregiver in the community. When you discuss your experiences, highlight what you learned and how it reinforced your desire to be a pharmacist. Even if you aren’t directly asked, you can often weave in mention of your volunteer work as examples in other answers (for example, an example of teamwork or a time you made an impact on someone’s life).

To prepare for these themes, it’s useful to reflect on your own experiences and motivations thoroughly. Think about the stories you can share that will address these areas: a story that explains why you chose pharmacy, a story that illustrates your work ethic or time management, a story that shows your integrity or teamwork in a difficult situation, and so on. Creighton’s interviewers are not trying to stump you with obscure clinical trivia; they genuinely want to know if you have the interpersonal skills, drive, and understanding to succeed in their program and in the profession. If you’ve reviewed the common themes above, you’ll recognize many questions as an invitation to talk about things you likely outlined in your application or personal statement. Take those invitations and show them who you are beyond the paper credentials.

Applying to Creighton’s Pharm.D. program involves a rolling admissions process through the PharmCAS system. It’s important to keep track of the key dates for the 2025–2026 application cycle (for the class entering in Fall 2026):

• Mid-July 2025 – The PharmCAS application cycle opens in July (typically around July 10) for students aiming to begin the Pharm.D. in August 2026 creighton.edu. It’s wise to start your application early, as Creighton reviews applications on a rolling basis once they are complete.
• November 1, 2025 – Preferred deadline. Creighton sets a November 1 preferred application deadline creighton.edu. Applying by this date is strongly encouraged (especially for Creighton undergraduates in the pharmacy assurance pathway, whose guarantee deadline is also Nov 1). Meeting the preferred deadline may give you an earlier interview slot and consideration for certain scholarships. However, note that it is not an absolute cutoff for regular applicants.
• December 2025 – January 2026 – PharmCAS Academic Update window creighton.edu. During this time, applicants who have fall semester/quarter grades can update their academic record in PharmCAS. Creighton allows and expects students to update their transcripts so that the admissions committee can see fall 2025 grades, especially if you were finishing science prerequisites.
• March 2026 (approximate) – While not a formal deadline, early spring is when Creighton’s interviews and admissions offers are in full swing. If you applied by the fall, you might receive an interview invite in the winter and potentially an acceptance by March or April. Spots can fill up as the cycle progresses, so again, earlier is better.
• June 1, 2026 – Final application deadline. This is the last date to submit your PharmCAS application to Creighton for the cycle creighton.edu. If you apply close to this final deadline, be aware that interview slots might be limited or the class could be nearly full. It’s generally advised to avoid waiting this long, but the option exists for those who need more time (e.g., finishing prerequisites or taking the PCAT, if applicable).
• September 2025 – June 2026 – Interview season. Creighton conducts interviews on a rolling basis throughout the admissions cycle, typically beginning as early as September and continuing through late spring creighton.edu. Invitations to interview are sent out by email. If invited, you’ll be able to schedule on one of the available interview dates. The earlier you apply, the earlier you could interview; conversely, those who apply later (winter/spring) might interview in May or June 2026 if spaces are still open.
• Mid-August 2026 – Matriculation. Classes for the Creighton Pharm.D. program will begin in August 2026 for those admitted in this cycle. For reference, the first day of classes for the previous entering class was August 17, 2026 pharmcas.org, and you can expect a similar mid-August start with an orientation program preceding it.

Keeping these dates in mind is crucial for planning – missing a deadline can jeopardize your chances. Also, because Creighton uses a rolling admissions process, early applicants could receive acceptances well before the final deadline. In fact, some seats may already be taken by late spring. If you’re preparing for an interview during this cycle, you’ve likely applied in time to be in the earlier wave of interviews. Make sure you promptly respond to interview invitations (typically sent via email) and sign up for a slot, since those slots can fill quickly. After your interview, decisions can sometimes come fast – occasionally within a few weeks or even days. For example, some students have reported receiving an acceptance call or email just a few days after interviewing (depending on the time of year). In all cases, continue to perform well in any ongoing coursework (the academic update is your chance to show strong senior-year grades) and be mindful of any additional steps (like submitting a deposit) if you are admitted.

Preparing for the Creighton University Pharm.D. interview means understanding the school from multiple angles: its supportive interview format, its deeply rooted mission and values, the distinctive features of its online program, and the broader trends in pharmacy that shape patient care today. In this guide, we’ve synthesized those elements – highlighting how Creighton seeks well-rounded, service-driven students and how it trains them to become competent, compassionate pharmacists. As you ready your own stories and responses, keep in mind the Jesuit spirit of Creighton, the qualities that the admissions committee is looking for, and the fact that an interview is as much an opportunity for you to learn about the program as for them to learn about you. With solid knowledge of the program’s structure and expectations, as well as reflection on your fit with its values, you can enter the interview confident in presenting your authentic self. Good luck – and remember that the goal is not to deliver "perfect" answers, but to engage in a genuine conversation about your journey into pharmacy and how Creighton can be the next chapter of that journey.