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 Process & 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 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.

College of Notre Dame of Maryland School of Pharmacy is in the process of applying for accreditation status by 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 . For an explanation of ACPE accreditation process, consult the office of the dean or ACPE ( www.acpe-accredit.org ).”

The School will submit an application to ACPE for review at the June 2008 Board of Directors meeting to request an on-site evaluation visit for fall 2008.  Authorization of an on-site evaluation for pre-candidate status does not carry with it nor imply an accreditation status. The on-site is authorized solely for purposes of gathering additional information so that the ACPE Board of Directors can take an accreditation action.  If an on-site visit is authorized, information derived from the on-site evaluation and application will be considered by the Board of Directors at the January 2009 meeting in determining if Precandidate accreditation status will be granted.  If Precandidate accreditation status is conferred at the January 2009 meeting, the inaugural class will begin coursework in fall 2009.  After the first class of students are enrolled, the School will apply for Candidate accreditation status.  Upon graduation of the inaugural class, the School of Pharmacy will apply for Full accreditation status.