Marshall University's
doctor of pharmacy program has been granted precandidate accreditation status
by the Accreditation Council For Pharmacy Education (ACPE) Board of Directors,
MU President Stephen J. Kopp announced Wednesday, June 27.
The precandidate status is a major step toward Marshall
receiving full accreditation. The status authorizes the School
of Pharmacy to enroll its inaugural
class, which will begin this fall. The first class is expected to total up to
80 students.
To reach its decision, the ACPE board reviewed the report of
an evaluation team, documenting the findings from a comprehensive on-site
evaluation.
"This achievement is a momentous one, one that is on the
level approaching that of the founding of the School
of Medicine," Kopp said. "It should
be a source of great pride for all who care about Marshall
and the future of those we serve."
The precandidate accreditation term granted for the doctor
of pharmacy program extends until June
30, 2013. A comprehensive on-site evaluation for consideration of
advancing the program from precandidate to candidate accreditation status will
be scheduled during the 2012-13 academic year. The accreditation process
consists of three steps culminating with graduation of the first class and
adherence to all ACPE accreditation standards.
"The faculty and staff of the Marshall University School of
Pharmacy have been working diligently to develop an outstanding curriculum and
educational program," said Kevin Yingling, inaugural dean of the School
of Pharmacy.
Kopp said that during conversations with ACPE
representatives, they made it very clear that they are not accrediting new
pharmacy schools with any regularity and only the ones that meet their
stringent standards earn this status.
"We have met those standards and will continue to do so,"
Kopp said.
Marshall's School
of Pharmacy is located at the Robert
W. Coon Education
Building on the grounds of the
Huntington VA Medical Center in the Spring Valley area
of Wayne County.
An ongoing $9.3 million renovation project on the building will result in a
76,000-square foot learning, research and pharmacy practice facility. Work is
on schedule for the building to open in time for the start of the fall
semester.
The Marshall Board of Governors voted unanimously in
December 2009 to approve the awarding of the doctor of pharmacy degree. It is
estimated that nearly 40 new high-paying faculty and staff positions will be
created at the school within the first four years, and the school is expected
to generate more than $150 million in regional economic impact.
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