Skip to Main Content

Pre-APPE Readiness Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCE)

In an effort to assess students’ readiness to progress into Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences (APPEs), the Touro College of Pharmacy mandates that all P3 students who are eligible to progress to APPE rotations during P3 Spring semester take Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs), to demonstrate their Pre-APPE readiness. Prior to the Fall semester of each academic year, TCOP will announce tentative date(s) for OSCEs in the academic calendar. Students are advised to check for the date(s) of OSCEs and be prepared to participate in the assessment on the scheduled date(s). Please note that OSCEs are comprised of several “stations,” and not all OSCE stations may be administered during a single day.

OSCE Procedures

  1. On the day of OSCEs, students must present with all materials required to participate in the assessment, including a photo ID. Any student presenting without any of the required materials will not be allowed to participate and will be considered absent without excuse.

  2. On the day of OSCEs, students are expected to arrive on time. Students who miss OSCE On the day of OSCEs, students are expected to arrive on time. Students who miss OSCE stations due to late arrival will be mandated to undergo remediation for the missing station(s).

  3. Any unprofessional behaviors, as determined by the OSCE team, will affect the students’ eligibility to participate in OSCEs and may require remediation.

  4. Students who fail to participate in OSCEs and have not been excused by the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs may have their progression in the program affected.

  5. Students must complete OSCEs with satisfactory results in order to progress into any APPE.

  6. The Touro College of Pharmacy upholds the highest standards for academic integrity for all assessments, including OSCEs. Any violation of academic integrity will be addressed according to the College’s Academic Integrity Policy.

Excused and Unexcused Absences for OSCEs

Although all dates are announced well in advance, TCOP recognizes that students may not be able to participate in the assessment due to planned or unplanned and unforeseen events. The following points outline the policy pertaining to excused and unexcused absences for OSCEs. All students must adhere to the policy as set forth by the College, no exceptions can be made.

  1. Any student who is unable to participate in OSCEs due to a planned event that cannot be postponed must contact the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs to request an excused absence at least two weeks prior to the planned OSCE date(s). Students utilize the standard TCOP absence request form and may be required to provide documentation to support the request for an excused absence.

  2. Any student who is unable to take the exam due to an unforeseen event must notify the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs as soon as possible – preferably prior to the scheduled exam – and submit documentation within one week after the OSCE date, unless a later date is approved by the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs – to receive an excused absence. Documentation is reviewed by the College.

  3. The Assistant Dean for Student Affairs will consider approving an excused absence only after discussing the matter with the requesting student and reviewing the documentation submitted. Any absence that remains unapproved by the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs will be considered an unexcused absence.

  4. Students who have received approval for an excused absence from the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs will be required to complete the OSCE on (a) make-up date(s) that will be scheduled by a faculty member who oversees the OSCE station(s). Faculty will communicate specific date(s), time(s), and location(s) to students.