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APhA offers two opportunities for student pharmacists to gain experience in association management and leadership. Students can apply for the Carl F. Emswiller Summer Internship or apply for an advance pharmacy practice experience (APPE) elective.

APhA works with each student pharmacist to tailor their experience to meet his or her career goal and interests. As a result of participation in the APhA Experiential Program in Association Management, all students will: 

  1. Gain an understanding of the mission, goals and objectives, organizational structure, programs and services of the American Pharmacists Association.
  2. Participate in appropriate staff and leadership meetings of the Association occurring during the experiential opportunity.
  3. Identify and analyze high priority issues in pharmacy practice.
  4. Develop skills in verbal and written communication, information gathering, evaluation, and analysis for use in specific organizational areas.

APPE Program Description

The APhA Experiential Program in Association Management & Leadership is a 4- to 6-week rotation experience at the Headquarters of the American Pharmacists Association in Washington, D.C. The APPE serves as a final-year elective within a school or college of pharmacy's curriculum-based experiential program. Members of APhA staff will serve as preceptors throughout the rotation. Transportation, housing, and all other costs of living are the responsibility, financially and otherwise, of the student.

Our experiential program is designed to be a highly rewarding, unique, and individualized experience. Our diverse range of national programs and services allows us to offer opportunities tailored to the specific interests of each student pharmacist, and to provide a preceptor whose area of expertise can best help the student reach his or her educational goals. As a result of participation in the APhA Experiential Program in Association Management & Leadership, all students will: 

  1. Gain an understanding of the mission, goals and objectives, organizational structure, programs and services of the American Pharmacists Association.
  2. Participate in appropriate staff and leadership meetings of the Association occurring during the experiential opportunity.
  3. Identify and analyze high priority issues in pharmacy practice.
  4. Develop skills in verbal and written communication, information gathering, evaluation, and analysis for use in specific organizational areas.

Students will be assigned to one APhA department for the entire APPE experience. Regardless of focus area, all students will have an opportunity to interact with and learn from staff across the Association. Read a brief description of available departments below.

APhA Foundation
Established in 1953, the APhA Foundation has been dedicated to advancing the quality of patient health outcomes through various initiatives such as research, public education, issue forums, and recognition of pharmacy practice. With more than 70 years of experience, the APhA Foundation has consistently demonstrated the positive impact of pharmacists on patient health outcomes. Through a plethora of programs and opportunities such as the Incentive Grants Program, Pinnacle Awards, student scholarships, foundation volunteer committees, research programs, and so much more, the APhA Foundation aims to provide students with a diverse APPE experience and allow for a deeper look into association management.
Association Management and Nonprofit Leadership
As a nonprofit organization, APhA exists to advance the pharmacy profession and serve the needs of its members through advocacy, education, professional development, and member engagement. As part of this APPE rotation experience, student pharmacists will gain exposure to the operational and business aspects of managing a nonprofit organization, including strategic planning, project management, program implementation, and organizational operations. Throughout the rotation, students will participate in meaningful projects that support APhA’s strategic and operational plans while working with APhA staff and leaders to gain insight into organizational leadership, cross-functional collaboration, and the execution of initiatives that advance the association’s mission.
Board of Pharmacy Specialties
The Board of Pharmacy Specialties (BPS) was established in 1976 as an autonomous division of the American Pharmacists Association (APhA). The mission of BPS is to improve patient care by positioning BPS Board-Certified Pharmacist Specialists as integral members of multidisciplinary health care teams, through recognition and promotion of specialized training, knowledge, and skills for pharmacists in the United States and internationally. Board certification is a recognized credential for determining which pharmacists are qualified to contribute at advanced practice levels given the rigorous standards mandated by BPS board certification and recertification. As of the end of 2025, BPS recognized more than 63,400 pharmacist certifications across 17 specialties.
Education Department
Pharmacy is a continually growing and advancing profession. It is imperative pharmacists and technicians stay up to date on the latest safe and effective medication practices, patient care services, research findings, and other innovative ideas regarding the profession and health care. The Education Department provides pharmacists with numerous options for continuing pharmacy education (CPE) credit and additional certification programs, such as immunization training and diabetes, podcasts and more. In creating and maintaining these resources, the department aims to achieve its goal developing pharmacists and technicians who are well-equipped with the knowledge and materials to provide optimal patient care and service to their patients.
Executive Office and Governance
The Executive Office and Governance team works with the APhA Board of Trustees, the APhA House of Delegates, and other internal and external teams to develop and implement APhA’s strategic plan and policies. Student pharmacists on APPE rotation with the Executive Office will gain exposure and understanding of nonprofit governance structures, association management, APhA history, and the overall APhA policy process.
Government Affairs
APhA’s Government Affairs team monitors and influences legislative and regulatory developments, engages key partners, and empowers pharmacists, student pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and pharmacy personnel to advocate for the profession and the patients they serve. Through education, grassroots advocacy, legislative outreach, and policy engagement initiatives, the team connects members directly with elected officials and regulatory agencies at the federal and state levels. In partnership with APhA’s Professional Affairs team, Government Affairs advances policies and practice initiatives that strengthen the pharmacy workforce and improve patient care.
Practice Implementation Center
The Practice Implementation Center helps pharmacists thoughtfully design, launch, and maintain innovative clinical services within their existing pharmacy workflow. Through its selection of comprehensive resources for business planning, practice administration, clinical management, and marketing, the Practice Implementation Center serves as a one-stop shop for pharmacists looking to deliver a truly unparalleled experience to patients. Designed to complement other APhA offerings, such as advanced training and certificate programs, resources leverage many existing frameworks for advancing pharmacy practice and help demonstrate the value of pharmacy services within evolving health care models.
Professional Affairs
The APhA Professional Affairs team serves as the voice of the profession, advancing pharmacy practice through professional leadership, advocacy, public health initiatives, member engagement, and collaboration with health care and pharmacy partners. During the APhA Professional Affairs APPE, student pharmacists gain practical experience in practice advancement, advocacy, professional development, member engagement, and public health initiatives. Through collaboration with the Government Affairs team, students can access experiences focused on legislative and regulatory issues affecting pharmacy practice.
Publishing
APhA’s Publishing team produces four peer-reviewed journals and a monthly magazine that serve as key resources for pharmacists, student pharmacists, and health care professionals. APhA also publishes textbooks and educational materials to support pharmacy practice and patient care. APhA books cover a range of topics to support professional development and delivery of outstanding patient care.
Student and New Practitioner Development
The Student & New Practitioner Development team is responsible for all programs that support APhA’s student and new practitioner members, including patient care projects, community outreach events, career and leadership development, and much more. The team also manages several internal and external meetings: the APhA Summer Leadership Institute, APhA Institute on Substance Use Disorders, and the APhA-ASP Midyear Regional Meetings.

Application & Deadline

Student pharmacists interested in being considered for the APhA APPE Program should submit an application by December 1. Please note that you will be able to create an account for the application system. All application materials, including letters of recommendation, must be received by December 1. Letters of recommendation may be included in the form or sent directly to tenglish@aphanet.org.

Required materials include:

  • CV or Resume
  • Letter of Intent
  • Letters of Recommendation (Maximum 2)
  • Acknowledgement of Support from Experiential Director

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Selection Process

APhA staff will review all complete applications. If staff requires more information about your application or interest in the program, phone interviews may be conducted in January. All students will be notified of their placement status by mid February.

Questions

Please contact Tom English, APhA Senior Director, Academic & Member Relations, at tenglish@aphanet.org.

Carl F. Emswiller Summer Internship

The APhA Carl Emswiller Summer Internship in Association Management provides one student the opportunity to gain experience at a national pharmacy association for 8-10 weeks.  The internship typically begins in mid- to late-May and ends in mid-July to early-August.  All student pharmacists in their professional years of pharmacy school are eligible to apply. 

Transportation, housing, and all other costs of living are the responsibility, financially and otherwise of the student. There is a modest stipend involved with the APhA Summer Internship in Association Management.

Application Requirements

A complete package containing the following materials must be submitted:

  • Letter of intent detailing the following
    • Student’s specific interest and goals for internship
    • APhA Membership number
    • Preferred start and end dates
  • Current resume or curriculum vitae
  • Letters of recommendation (minimum of two, maximum of four)
  • Headshot

All applications must be submitted electronically to APhA-ASP@aphanet.org by January 15. Letters of recommendation may be submitted separately from the other application materials, and should also be sent to APhA-ASP@aphanet.org.

Selection Process

APhA staff will process and review all complete applications. Phone interviews may be conducted. All students will be notified of their placement status by February 15.

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