We, the students of the MCPHS University School of Pharmacy class of 2026, respectfully submit this petition to express our deep concerns regarding the structure and policies of the NAPLEX Readiness Course (PPB.700).

As students who have dedicated five or more years to this rigorous program, we entered MCPHS with the expectation that successful completion of all didactic coursework and clinical rotations would ensure our graduation. At no point during our academic journey were we informed that our diplomas could be withheld based on performance in a zero-credit review course. This policy has come as an unexpected and distressing development, especially so late in our academic careers.

Key Concerns:

1. Unprecedented and Unfair Requirements

Non-Credit Course with Graduation Consequences: PPB.700 is a non-credit bearing course, yet it carries graduation consequences typically reserved for credit-earning coursework. This bypasses traditional academic oversight, such as curriculum committee review, and denies students standard protections like formal grade appeals.

Excessive Passing Threshold: The required passing score of 70 out of 74 points (94.6%) far exceeds traditional academic standards. A score of 93%, which would be considered an “A” in most courses, results in failure and diploma withholding.

Narrow Margin for Error: Missing just one readiness quiz and one review session (a loss of three points) can lead to course failure. Additionally, the NAPLEX Readiness Exam alone accounts for nearly 50% of the course grade, meaning a single exam can negate years of academic and clinical achievement.

2. Scheduling and Logistical Barriers

Conflicts with Professional Obligations: Fixed 6 PM EST exam times directly conflict with Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences (APPEs), employment, and residency or fellowship interviews. When concerns were raised, we were told to treat this course “just like any other class” and to “work around it.” This ignores the reality that residency and fellowship interviews are highly competitive, time-sensitive, and crucial to our future careers.

Impact on International Students: Graduation delays may jeopardize F-1 visa status, Optional Practical Training (OPT) eligibility, and overall legal standing—without any formal accommodations provided to mitigate these serious consequences.

3. Course Materials and Transparency

Outdated and Delayed Materials: The course mandates use of UWorld materials, some of which are outdated and do not reflect current clinical guidelines. While we have been informed that we will receive an RxPrep book, many of us have not yet received it, despite previous cohorts having access much earlier.

Lack of Transparency: The costs for these materials are bundled into tuition, but there has been no transparency regarding the breakdown of these costs or the University’s relationship with UWorld and RxPrep vendors.

4. Ethical and Financial Concerns

Student Debt and Diploma Withholding: Many of us have accumulated over $300,000 in student loan debt to obtain this degree. Now, at the very end of our journey, our diplomas—the proof of our years of dedication, sacrifice, and financial commitment—are being withheld because of a review course that was never part of the original graduation requirements.

Institutional Motivations: This policy appears more aligned with protecting institutional NAPLEX pass rates than with supporting students who have already demonstrated their competence through coursework, clinical rotations, and national board preparation.

Requested Actions

We respectfully request that the University consider the following actions:

- Adjust the passing threshold to align with conventional academic standards.
- Offer greater flexibility in exam scheduling to accommodate students’ professional obligations, including residency and fellowship interviews.
Rebalance the course grading so that no single exam can disproportionately impact the final outcome.
- Provide specific accommodations for international students to safeguard visa status and employment opportunities.
- Update course materials to ensure they reflect current clinical guidelines and ensure timely distribution of all review resources.
- Increase transparency regarding the costs associated with the course and the University’s relationship with UWorld and RxPrep.
- Reconsider the diploma withholding policy to ensure students who have completed all degree requirements are not penalized based on performance in a non-credit review course.
- We believe these changes are essential to uphold the principles of fairness, academic integrity, and student support that should define the mission of MCPHS University.

Thank you for your attention to these concerns.

Sincerely,
The Students of MCPHS University School of Pharmacy Class of 2026

For contact please email: naplexpetition@gmail.com