The Marshall University School of Pharmacy has earned “candidate” accreditation status from the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), the national accrediting body for schools of pharmacy in the United States, according to the school’s dean, Dr. Kevin W. Yingling.
Candidate accreditation status is the second step of a three-step process that culminates with graduation of the first class and adherence to all ACPE accreditation standards. The new status is based on a site visit made to the school in April.
In its decision to grant candidate status to Marshall’s Doctor of Pharmacy program, the ACPE’s Board of Directors reported, “action was taken upon the determination that planning for the Doctor of Pharmacy program has adequately taken into account ACPE standards and guidelines, and that reasonable assurances exist for moving to the next step in the accreditation process, namely that of Full accreditation status. The Candidate accreditation term granted for the Doctor of Pharmacy program extends until June 30, 2015, which represents the customary two-year cycle for programs granted Candidate accreditation status. A focused on-site evaluation for purposes of considering the continuation of the Doctor of Pharmacy program Candidate accreditation status and its transition to Full accreditation status shall be scheduled during the 2014-2015 academic year.”
“I am so very pleased to announce that Marshall has passed this very pivotal point in the accreditation process,” Yingling said. “The ACPE was very complimentary of our faculty and staff for their outstanding efforts to build a dynamic, forward-thinking school of pharmacy which will educate the next generation of pharmacists and help meet the growing health care needs of our state and region.”
Yingling went on to say that receiving candidate status is the result of months of building robust experiential and clinical platforms, as well as developing operational policies and procedures for faculty, staff and students.
Marshall University President Stephen J. Kopp said the School of Pharmacy’s progress under Yingling’s guidance is a testament to his outstanding leadership abilities.
“Dr. Yingling has assembled a dedicated, highly-qualified group of individuals who, working together as a team, are molding what will become one of the premier pharmacy schools in the country,” Kopp said. “Our commitment to the success of Marshall University and our students is unwavering; our vision to create an outstanding academic program designed for the 21st century is clear.”
The Marshall University Board of Governors voted unanimously in December 2009 to approve the awarding of the Doctor of Pharmacy degree. The first class was admitted in August 2012.
ACPE accredits Doctor of Pharmacy programs offered by colleges and schools of Pharmacy in the United States and selected non-U.S. sites. It is located at 135 South LaSalle Street, Suite 4100, Chicago, IL 60503, 312/644-3575; FAX 312/664-4652, website www.acpe-accredit.org.
