PURPOSE
The intent of the program is to develop scholarship, service, and leadership in motivated Pharm.D. candidates through a diversified block of advanced pharmacy practice experiences (APPE) in a health-system environment. The student will complete four advanced pharmacy practice experiences (APPE), including hospital practice, at one health system during cycles 1-5.
PROGRAM GOALS
Upon completion of the program, the KNIGHT Scholar will have gained:
- Knowledge and skills necessary to function as an active member of the healthcare team.
- A network of preceptors, practitioners, and P4 students who can support his/her student and professional career.
- Innovative experiences that will prepare him/her for success in a postgraduate training program.
REQUIREMENTS
- One (1) clinical or practice-based research project suitable for presentation, at ASHP’s Midyear Clinical Meeting or any other professional meeting and Rutgers Pharmacy Research Day, to be completed by the end of the final APPE of the program block
- One (1) service project to be completed in collaboration with the other site KNIGHT Scholars – any volunteering activity outside of rotation that can be put on your CV counts!
- Maintain a portfolio containing all rotation activities, responsibilities, assignments, and interventions.
- Adherence to all policies and procedures as outlined in the Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy Clerkship Program and the each institution’s specific Policy & Procedure manual
ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES
- Professional Development Days
- One per cycle, Topics may include:
- Research 101
- Obtaining post-graduate training positions
- Interviewing skills/etiquette
- CV workshop
- One per cycle, Topics may include:
ASSESSMENT
KNIGHT Scholars will be evaluated as per the Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy Experiential Program guidelines. A certificate will be awarded upon successful completion of all KNIGHT Scholar APPEs and completion of all requirements. Successful completion of an APPE is considered a grade of B or above.
PARTICIPATING SITES
Currently there are participating sites accommodating 20 students:
- Capital Health, Trenton & Pennington, NJ
- Hunterdon Medical Center, Flemington, NJ
- Jersey City Medical Center, Jersey City, NJ
- Jersey Shore Medical Center, Neptune, NJ
- Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center, Plainsboro, NJ
- Robert Wood Johnson Hospital Hamilton, Hamilton, NJ
- Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, New Brunswick, NJ
- Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset, Somerset, NJ
- Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center, Livingston, NJ
- St. Joseph’s University Medical Center, Paterson, NJ
APPLICATION PROCESS
The deadline to submit application materials for the 2025-2026 academic year is Monday, October 21st.
Interviews for the 2025-2026 academic year will be held between October 28th – November 1st.
Email the following documents to KnightScholar@pharmacy.rutgers.edu
- Letter of Intent (Please include top 3 KNIGHT Scholar Sites ranked)
- Updated Curriculum Vitae
- Current Transcripts (unofficial)
After applications are received, interviews will be held at the School of Pharmacy or virtually. After ranking, students will be paired with participating sites through a match-like process.
