Chapman University’s School of Pharmacy receives national accreditation
As the first graduating class of Chapman University’s School of Pharmacy leaves the school behind, its alma mater has received full national accreditation.
“We’re thrilled,” Ronald Jordan, dean of the School of Pharmacy, said. “The first three classes I call my pioneer students. They were the ones who took a chance to join a new school of pharmacy and worked with us. This really is their school. I’m grateful to them and the work that they did to make sure this school is a great school of pharmacy.”
The school held its commencement ceremony May 18.
Accreditation of pharmacy schools is required for graduates to practice in the United States. Candidates are ineligible to sit for state pharmacy license examinations if they have graduated from an unaccredited institution, as there is no assurance that the quality of the education given meets industry standards.
The American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy says applying to schools without official status can be risky for students, as accreditation cannot be given until after a program’s first class graduates.
Chapman’s School of Pharmacy was founded in 2013 and received pre-candidate accreditation status, allowing it to open in fall 2015 as the first school of pharmacy established in Orange County.
It offers five programs and operates on a year-round trimester schedule.
Chapman reported that in the most recent trimester, the School of Pharmacy had 248 students in its Doctor of Pharmacy program; 30 students in its Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Science program; and 12 students in its Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmaceutical Science program.
Jordan said the accreditation will not significantly impact the number of prospective applicants, but he is optimistic about the institution’s future.
“We’re in the top half of schools of pharmacy that conduct research. We learned we were number 46 in the nation, improving about 21 slots in one year for the research funding we get,” he said.
“We want to become one of the top 10 research schools in the country in the next decade or so. After four years of operation, we’re in a good place for that.”