(302) Improving student matriculation and retention in an online pharmacy pathway.

Objective : To describe a series of coordinated efforts that have been enacted to improve student progression in the online pathway of a pharmacy program.

Methods: A series of intentional retention efforts included engagement activities prior to the start of the program and throughout the academic year. The P-Zero program, a voluntary asynchronous course, was offered to students online the summer prior to their first academic pharmacy semester. The program consisted of six modules addressing time management, strategies for , wellness and improving performance, and included introductions to content from several courses that have been identified as high risk for student remediation within the P1 year. Estimated time commitments for online students, incorporating both academic and wellness activities, were shared with students upon program acceptance, followed by students completing a signed attestation of time commitment. A professional development hour and study hall block were built into course schedules throughout the year to further support student’s academic and professional development. Further wellness efforts have included the development of an ad-hoc Wellness Committee in addition to technology making mental health resources available to online students not able to directly access campus resources.

Results: On-time retention rates after the first semester in the online pathway have increased from 77% to 83% for the classes of 2025 and 2026 respectively. Total retention has also increased from 94% to 97%, respectively.

Conclusions: Successful student matriculation and retention within the pathway was improved through targeted initiatives. Student preparedness and wellness in addition to providing instruction on evidence-based time management strategies appear to be effective tools to improve progression through an online pharmacy pathway.