Objective: To develop and implement an elective course to increase pharmacy students' awareness of legislation that might affect the pharmacy profession and to promote advocacy for the profession.
Design: Students participated in class discussions regarding current legislative issues and methods to advocate for the pharmacy profession. Assignments included a student-led presentation of the advocacy agendas for various pharmacy organizations, a take-home examination, participation in class debates, and a legislative presentation.
Assessment: Forty-eight students enrolled in the elective course over 3 years. Assignments and class participation were assessed using grading rubrics. At the end of the semester, students completed a questionnaire to assess the overall benefit of the course.
Conclusions: Participation in an elective course devoted to pharmacy political advocacy increased awareness of legislation and the desire to become involved in pharmacy organizations to promote the pharmacy profession.
Keywords: advocacy; elective; legislation; pharmacy; policy.