Pharm.D. students enjoy a sense of community by participating in the variety of programs offered at the USC School of Pharmacy. Students are involved in the Associated Students of the School of Pharmacy (ASSP), as well as pharmacy fraternities, student service and student honor associations. Many students are also members of the American Pharmacy Student Alliance (APSA), a professional organization that focuses on networking and career opportunities.
Pharmacy Honor Societies:
Rho Chi Theta
The Theta Chapter of Rho Chi was established at USC in 1925. The national academic honors society in pharmacy, Rho Chi encourages and recognizes excellence in intellectual achievement and advocates critical inquiry in all aspects of pharmacy. In order to be nominated, students must have completed two years of the professional curriculum, be among the upper 20 percent of their class and be approved by the Dean of the School of Pharmacy
Phi Lambda Sigma
This national pharmacy leadership society was founded at Auburn University in 1965. The Phi chapter was established at USC in 1988. It is an honor society devoted to identifying, supporting and recognizing the contributions of pharmacy students to their colleges, classmates, campuses, communities and to their chosen profession.
USC Honor Society (All University)
Phi Kappa Phi
The USC chapter was established in 1924. Phi Kappa Phi is a national scholarship society, organized in 1897, for the promotion of scholarship among American college students without discrimination as to the course of study pursued. USC honor students in any school or college who maintain a four-year curriculum are eligible for election on an equal basis. The society aims to unite the various separate units of USC in the common pursuit and recognition of scholarly standards.
Service Organizations:
Skull and Mortar
This honorary service organization was established at USC in 1930. Eligibility for membership in the society is attained by active extracurricular participation in the student service programs of the University or the School of Pharmacy, or in the student body activities of the School.
Vietnamese American Pharmacy Student Association (VAPSA)
VAPSA was established in December 2001. In just a short period of three years, VAPSA has grown into a recognized service organization while simultaneously promoting the pharmacy profession and Vietnamese culture. The USC School of Pharmacy's Project of the Year Award in 2005 for the Tet Health Fair helped to secure VAPSA's position among the leading service organizations on campus.
Social Fraternities:
Alpha Iota Pi
A local pharmacy fraternity, Alpha Iota Pi was founded at USC in 1940. Its objectives are to promote the profession of pharmacy, encourage closer relationships with both faculty and fellow students, foster the development of outstanding character and leadership and support high standards of scholarships.
Lambda Kappa Sigma
This national pharmacy fraternity was organized at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy in 1913. Its objective is to promote fellowship among students and to create a center for enjoyment, friendship and culture. Lambda chapter at USC was organized in 1921.
Phi Delta Chi
This national pharmacy fraternity was founded at the University of Michigan in 1883. Its purpose is to advance the science of pharmacy, develop leadership, and network for and promote cooperation and friendship among its members. Omicron chapter was established at USC in 1909. The Omicron Alumni chapter provides scholarships for active members.
Professional Organizations:
Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP)
The Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP) is a national organization with 14 student chapters nationwide. The AMCP-USC Chapter was established in 2000. Currently it is the only chapter west of the Mississippi, making the organization a unique opportunity for USC pharmacy students to explore career options and interests in the managed care pharmacy setting. Although the primary focus is managed care pharmacy (HMO's, PBM's, other health plans), the organization also has connections with pharmaceutical industry.
American Pharmacy Student Alliance (APSA)
The American Pharmacy Student Alliance (APSA) is a professional pharmacy organization at the USC School of Pharmacy. APSA is a student alliance between five independent professional organizations: APhA-ASP, ASHP, CPhA, CSHP and IPSF. An active chapter of the APhA-Asp is maintained at the School of Pharmacy. It is affiliated with the American Pharmaceutical Association, the California Society of Health-System Pharmacists and the California Pharmacists Association. Students have representation in the House of Delegates of these organizations, serve on policy committees and receive the journals of both the national and state organizations. The local student chapter meets regularly to consider issues of professional interest and to sponsor professional programs.
National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA)
The National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) represents independent pharmacy owners and practitioners. The USC Student chapter is focused in creating opportunities for those students who specifically want to learn about independent pharmacy. The student chapter was established in 2003 and proved to be very successful in it’s first year with membership totaling 100 students. The goal of the NCPA student organization is to increase student involvement by: increasing political awareness about issues facing independent pharmacy; educating student members on how to obtain ownership and operate their own pharmacies; establishing relationships between students and independent pharmacists; and by providing hands on experience for students in different aspects of independent pharmacy, including compounding. Furthermore, NCPA provides its members with a chance to become involved in local, state, and national positions. For more information on how to become a student member, please speak to any USC NCPA Student Chapter board member.
Student Industry Association (SIA)
The Student Industry Association (SIA) exists to prepare, educate and inform USC pharmacy school students for careers in the pharmaceutical industry. Whether to explore their possibilities or to share past experiences with their colleagues, the members of SIA have the opportunity to uncover the potential of this field. Through panel discussions with industry representatives, seminars, career development education, internship opportunities, unique conferences, and a mentorship program, SIA provides a wealth of untapped resources and exposure to this dynamic area of pharmacy.