Findlay, Ohio - The University of Findlay has moved a few steps closer
to starting classes in the professional phase for a doctor of pharmacy
degree.
Last week, the University’s proposal received preliminary approval from
the Accreditation Council on Pharmacy Education (ACPE). This follows an
endorsement in December by another accrediting agency, the Higher
Learning Commission. The Ohio Board of Regents endorsed the plans last
year. Final approval by ACPE for start-up is anticipated in July 2006.
“The decisions by the Higher Learning Commission and the Accreditation
Council on Pharmacy Education are truly exciting,” said Dr. Donald W.
Stansloski, dean of the School of Pharmacy at The University of
Findlay. “This is the first pharmacy program in the state of Ohio in
100 years, and it will help us serve the students and the residents of
Ohio and the Midwest with vitally needed expertise and services.” The
University is recruiting new first year students, as well as sophomore
and junior transfer students for the six-year long program.
Stansloski noted that pharmacy roles are increasing
dramatically as the
types and complexity of drugs and their applications increases and the
nation’s population ages. These factors have increased the demand for
pharmaceutical expertise and have greatly improved the job market for
pharmacists.
A new graduate with a doctor of pharmacy degree can earn a starting
salary of $90,000 in many areas. And the need for new pharmacists has
never been more acute.
A graduate of The University of Findlay with a doctor of pharmacy degree can begin a career in a variety of areas:
• Traditional roles as community and hospital pharmacists;
• Careers in pharmacy education, collaborative practice in
physicians’ offices, pharmacy journalism, pharmacy associations and
specialty practices; and
• Recognized specialties in nuclear pharmacy, pharmacotherapy,
nutrition support pharmacy, oncology pharmacy, and psychiatric pharmacy.
“Our emphasis will be on personalized instruction and classes that will
be smaller than what other institutions may offer,” Stansloski said.
“In addition, we will guarantee that freshmen admitted to our program
will be admitted to advanced courses if they maintain their academic
standing.” This is not the case in some programs, where up to
two-thirds of students fail to progress. “In other words, if you
qualify for our higher entrance standards and maintain a high level of
performance, you will progress towards a degree,” Stansloski said.
Graduates of the Findlay program will be qualified to sit for pharmacy
licensure examination in all 50 states and to continue with graduate
education or advanced clinical residencies or fellowships in pharmacy
practice.
Students will be admitted to the School of Pharmacy from high school
based on strong academic performance. The successful high school
student will have completed:
• Four years of English, four years of math, four years of science,
and a combination of six years of social sciences and foreign language.
• Prospective students with a minimum ACT of 23 or SAT of 1060, a
3.3/4.0 or higher high school GPA and a ranking in the top third of the
graduating class will receive higher consideration for acceptance since
these are important predictors of success.
• All admitted students are assured a place in the third year of the
program if they meet academic and professional standards.
Dr. Dan May, vice president for academic affairs, highlighted the
importance of this new program. “The University has been expanding its
degree programs in the health professions for over a decade now,
responding in a meaningful way to important needs of the region,” May
said. “The demand for highly competent leaders in pharmacy will only
increase in the years ahead. Our new doctor of pharmacy program is a
response to that need and will help produce the leaders of the 21st
century. We’re well placed to begin this program since pharmacy will
complement other growing health professions programs already on campus
as well as majors in chemistry, biology, environmental and occupational
health and forensic science.”
The University of Findlay is a four-year comprehensive university
located in Findlay, Ohio, about 45 miles south of Toledo. With a total
enrollment of more than 4,600 full-time and part-time students, The
University of Findlay is noted for its innovative, career-oriented
programs in more than 65 majors and eight master’s degrees.
Media Contact: Rebecca Shell, UF public relations officer, 419-434-4345, Cell – 419-343-8205, shell@findlay.edu.
