Academic and Student Support for Pharmacy, OT and PT Students

Supporting Student Success

The Creighton University School of Pharmacy and Health Professions offers students a range of helpful resources, from academic support to career services to pastoral care and counseling. In alignment with our values, we want to support you as you prepare to contribute to a diverse, global society as a caring, ethical and knowledgeable healthcare professional.

Our academic support services are tailored specifically to students in pharmacy, OT and PT. Whether you study on our Omaha campus, our Phoenix campus or online, we have the resources you need to adjust to your program, excel and succeed after graduation.

Support Services

New Student Orientation

Omaha New Student Orientation 2025

Occupational Therapy, Pharmacy, Distance Pharmacy, Physical Therapy

  • Omaha OT: Sunday, Aug. 10—Thursday, Aug. 14
  • Distance Pharmacy: Sunday, Aug. 10—Thursday, Aug. 14
  • Omaha Pharmacy: Sunday, Aug. 10—Thursday, Aug. 14
  • Omaha PT: Sunday, Aug. 10—Friday, Aug. 15
     

Denver New Student Orientation 

  • Regis Creighton Occupational Therapy
    Monday, Aug. 4—Thursday, Aug. 7
    Regis University-Denver, Colorado
     

Anchorage New Student Orientation 

  • Alaska Occupational Therapy
    Sunday, Aug. 10—Wednesday, Aug. 13
    University of Alaska-Anchorage
     

Phoenix New Student Orientation 

  • Phoenix Occupational Therapy, Phoenix Pharmacy, Phoenix Physical Therapy
    Wednesday, Aug. 13—Saturday, Aug. 16
    Creighton University Phoenix Health Sciences Campus-Phoenix, Arizona
     

Purpose of New Student Orientation

The purpose of this orientation is to provide you with a clear introduction to life at Creighton. The central focus is to facilitate your transition into professional education within the context of the Catholic mission and Ignatian tradition of the university. This overarching theme is the integration of the following overlapping dimensions of School life, which you will notice as priorities throughout this orientation:

Community: We seek to initiate and foster relationships of mutual respect and support among students, faculty and staff. In the Ignatian tradition, this may best be described as the beginning of a process of becoming true “companions” to each other. Becoming a professional involves more than acquiring disciplinary knowledge and skills. This process also involves affirming vocation and is reflected in personal dispositions of solidarity, justice and caring. During the orientation, community is reflected in activities including student socials, dining with faculty, participating in a volunteer service activity and reflection sharing.

Diversity: We recognize the diversity of backgrounds and experiences of all members of the School. During the orientation, we work to meet the various needs of new students, transfer students, adult learners and other special groups. In the Ignatian tradition, this may best be described as finding the good in all persons. Diversity is reflected in activities including ice-breakers, times for reflection and sharing, exploration of the community through service and exposure to opportunities for involvement.

Learning: During the orientation, we want you to become aware of the many resources in place to help you succeed as a student. Ignatian pedagogy describes this as attention to the context in which learning takes place. During the orientation, you will see this reflected in opportunities to meet faculty, staff and students from upper classes. You will also get to know your academic success counselors, technology support staff and others who can help you achieve a healthy balance between your academic, professional and personal endeavors.

Scholarship: You will receive an initial orientation to your academic program and the unique ways in which your discipline contributes to the betterment of society. These sessions reflect our University’s pursuit of truth in all its forms.

Service: To others, the importance of family life, the inalienable worth of each individual and appreciation of ethnic and cultural diversity are core values of Creighton. A service opportunity during the orientation highlights the importance our School places on the commitment to prepare professionals who are concerned for others. While you will have the opportunity to participate in a service project, by no means is this the only opportunity you will have to serve each other during the orientation! You were invited to join on of our academic programs because this commitment was already visible in your words and past actions.

Integrity: All these priorities are integrated into the development of professionals who have integrity. Our policies and procedures are in place to foster an environment in which future professionals can continually grow into people who represent the University, School and their chosen professions with honesty, truthfulness and honor. During the orientation, you will begin to explore the meaning of the oaths you will make as you become a professional.

The Professionalism Ceremony provides insight into the integration of knowledge and skill with altruistic attitudes, values and behaviors. Held in conjunction with and concluding each orientation week, the ceremony emphasizes responsibility to a chosen profession through the academic programs. Representatives from the School of Pharmacy and Health Professions’ faculty, staff and current students welcome new students into their chosen profession and share their experiences of growth and encouragement in curricular and co-curricular involvement.

Ceremony Dates

Alaska Occupational Therapy
Wednesday, August 13 – Time 6 p.m.
University of Alaska - Anchorage
Gorsuch Commons

Regis Creighton Occupational Therapy 
Wednesday, August 6 – Time 5:30 p.m.
Regis University - Denver, Colorado
St. John Francis Regis Chapel

Omaha Occupational Therapy, Omaha and Distance Pharmacy, and Physical Therapy
Thursday, August 14 – Time, 2 p.m.
Creighton University
DJ Sokol Arena at the Ryan Athletic Center

Phoenix Occupational Therapy, Pharmacy, and Physical Therapy
Saturday, August 16 – Time 10 a.m.
Creighton University - Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix Health Sciences Campus

General Information

Guests are welcome to attend each ceremony.

Professional Oaths and Pledges

Contact the Office of Academic and Student Affairs

Mission of the Office of Academic and Student Affairs

The mission of the Office of Academic and Student Affairs (OASA) is to ensure the highest academic standards within academic programs of the school and to provide leadership, services and opportunities that enable students to succeed in and contribute to a diverse and global society as caring, ethical and knowledgeable healthcare professionals. This mission will be accomplished by our commitment to working with administration, faculty, students and staff to:

  • Deliver high-quality services to students that meet their academic, leadership and career goals through collaboration with faculty and other campus departments
  • Identify and address evolving student needs in a changing environment
  • Contribute to a supportive and professional learning environment
  • Provide academic support systems to increase student retention and encourage excellence in their educational progress
  • Celebrate diversity within the school’s community
  • Collaborate with all constituencies within the University to increase enrollment and improve the quality of the student experience
  • Help students assume responsibility for their educational decisions and experiences
  • Ensure that the school’s academic and non-academic policies are consistently upheld in a manner that is fair and sensitive to students’ needs
  • Address the needs of greater community constituencies through programs, services and other resources