With greater numbers of America’s population pushing into old age, and growing advances in medicine creating more pharmaceutical products, our country is facing a critical shortage in one area of health care delivery—qualified pharmacists. 

Though pharmacists are seriously needed by community pharmacies, medical centers, and other health care facilities to meet today’s rising consumer demand, our nation’s educational institutions cannot keep pace.  With five to ten qualified applicants for every one opening in U.S. pharmacy schools, the need for a new professional school is clear.

In response, Notre Dame is about to launch a bold new initiative in fall 2009—the College of Notre Dame of Maryland School of Pharmacy.  Adding to the College’s history of firsts, the new School of Pharmacy is the first of its kind created by a women’s college in the U.S.  In addition, it will be Notre Dame’s first professional degree program.  More importantly, the School reflects Notre Dame’s commitment to service to the world by solving social challenges through innovative educational efforts.

Accreditation Status

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 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, generally including eligibility for licensure. 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.

Since initial student enrollment is planned for fall 2009, the College of Notre Dame of Maryland School of Pharmacy has applied for Precandidate accreditation status for its Doctor of Pharmacy program. An on-site evaluation will occur during fall 2008. The ACPE Board of Directors will meet in January 2009, to consider the School’s application. The School will be notified of the Board’s decision as soon as feasible following the meeting. Should the Board feel that Precandidate status cannot be conferred at that time, the School could respond to the Board’s concerns and reapply. Should the School enroll and begin instruction of its inaugural class without first achieving pre-candidate status or fail to advance to Candidate status before graduation of its first class, the program will be ineligible of accreditation by ACPE until after graduation of its first class. It is unlikely that graduates of an unaccredited Doctor of Pharmacy program will meet licensing requirements in any U.S. jurisdiction.