West Virginia State University (WVSU) students now have a more direct route to a doctorate in pharmacy from Marshall University thanks to an agreement signed today by the schools’ top academic officers.
From Marshall, Dr. Gayle L. Ormiston, senior vice president and provost, and Dr. Kevin W. Yingling, dean of the School of Pharmacy, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that defines plans of study that, once completed by WVSU students, fulfill the prerequisite requirements for the Marshall University School of Pharmacy. Dr. R. Charles Byers, provost and vice president for academic affairs at WVSU, along with Dr. Katherine L. Harper, dean of the WVSU’s College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, also signed the MOU.
The agreement allows students who are in good standing and meet the admissions requirements to enroll at Marshall’s School of Pharmacy and receive full credit for up to 72 hours of college-level coursework. Additionally, once students satisfactorily complete two years of pharmacy coursework at Marshall, they will be eligible to receive their bachelor’s degree in chemistry or biology from West Virginia State.
The signing ceremony took place at Marshall’s School of Pharmacy located on the campus of the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Huntington. Following the signing, Yingling led the guests from West Virginia State on a tour of the School of Pharmacy.
“We are very pleased to offer this option to students at West Virginia State,” Ormiston said. “This collaboration helps streamline the process for students to pursue a Pharm D. degree, which ultimately helps us meet our goal of educating pharmacists for West Virginia and the Appalachian region.”
“We are excited for the new opportunity that this agreement creates for our students,” said Byers. “The close proximity of our two universities, and the seamless transition into the Pharmacy School will create even more educational and career options for our graduates.”
The agreement stipulates that Marshall will guarantee admission during each academic year to two WVSU students provided the students meet all admission requirements as articulated in the MOU.
