School of Pharmacy
Mission
The mission of Presbyterian College School of Pharmacy is to improve the health of South Carolinians and society in general by developing students with an unwavering ethical foundation who will positively impact the delivery of quality equitable pharmacy care; who will dedicate their lives to community service; and who will provide enlightened leadership in addressing the health care needs of a diverse patient population.
In order to fulfill our mission, our top priority is the creation of an environment and opportunities that stimulate our faculty, students, and practitioners to learn, maintain, and expand upon the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to meet the health care needs of the patients they serve.
The School of Pharmacy will accept approximately 80 professional students in its founding class in the fall of 2010. From our beautiful residence halls and spirited campus events to our diverse clubs and Division I athletic teams, PC offers one of the most enjoyable educational experiences in the region.
Accreditation Process
The Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) accredits Doctor of Pharmacy programs offered by Colleges and Schools of Pharmacy in the United States and selected non-US sites. For a Doctor of Pharmacy program offered by a new College or School of Pharmacy, ACPE accreditation generally involves three steps: Precandidate status, Candidate status, and Full accreditation.
Precandidate accreditation status denotes a developmental program, which is expected to mature in accord with stated plans and within a defined time period. Precandidate status is awarded to a new program of a College or School of Pharmacy that has not yet enrolled students in the professional program, and authorizes the college or school to admit its first class.
Candidate accreditation status is awarded to a Doctor of Pharmacy program that has students enrolled, but has not yet had a graduating class.
Full accreditation is awarded to a program that has met all ACPE standards for accreditation and has graduated its first class. Graduates of a class designated as having Candidate status have the same rights and privileges of those graduates from a fully accredited program. ACPE conveys its decisions to the various boards of pharmacy and makes recommendations in accord with its decisions. It should be noted, however, that decisions concerning eligibility for licensure, by examination or reciprocity, reside with the respective state boards of pharmacy in accordance with their state statutes and administrative rules.
The Doctor of Pharmacy program of Presbyterian College School of Pharmacy was awarded precandidate accreditation status during the January 20-24, 2010, meeting of the ACPE Board of Directors, based upon an on-site evaluation conducted October 13-15, 2009, and discussion with College and School officials.
Following the enrollment of the inaugural class of students in fall 2010, an on-site evaluation will be scheduled during academic year 2010-2011 for purposes of gathering additional information to be considered in the Board’s consideration of advancement to Candidate accreditation status. Based upon this evaluation, should the Board feel that Candidate status cannot be conferred, the School could respond to the Board’s concerns and reapply prior to the graduation of the first class. If Candidate status is not granted, even after reapplication, graduates may not be eligible for licensure as pharmacists. If Candidate status is granted and the program continues to develop as planned, full accreditation of the Doctor of Pharmacy program would be considered by the Board following the graduation of students from the program
For more information on ACPE accreditation process, consult the Office of the Dean at 864-938-3900; pharmacy@presby.edu or the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education 20 North Clark Street, Suite 2500, Chicago, IL 60602-5109, 312/644-3575; FAX 312/664-4652, web site www.acpe-accredit.org.
This website will be regularly updated to reflect any changes in status.
