Undergraduate chemistry students at Georgia College and State University interested in a career in pharmacy now have a streamlined process for matriculation into the University of Georgia’s Doctor of Pharmacy program.
The two University System of Georgia colleges recently signed an articulation agreement that provides undergraduate students at GCSU majoring in chemistry with a guided pathway into UGA’s four-year Doctor of Pharmacy curriculum. The agreement will allow participants an earlier start to a career in this critical health care field.
GCSU students in their junior year who maintain certain academic criteria and successfully fulfill all admissions requirements will receive a guaranteed admission interview at UGA. Those admitted then can complete their bachelor’s degree with transferred credits earned through the Pharm.D. program. Further, aspiring pharmacists will be eligible to receive structured guidance directly from UGA faculty, staff and current Pharm.D. student mentors as early as their freshman year.
Kelly Smith, dean of the UGA College of Pharmacy, said the role of pharmacists is expanding. “With a population increasing in numbers, age and diversity, the role of pharmacists is more important than ever before—especially in hospitals and clinics in which Doctors of Pharmacy are increasingly expected to provide direct patient care through comprehensive disease management. Our unique curriculum is well-suited to prepare an aspiring pharmacist for such challenges.”
Pharmacists are the fourth highest paid professionals in the U.S., making a degree in pharmacy a sound investment, according to Glassdoor, one of the world’s largest job and recruiting sites. In addition, the UGA College of Pharmacy is ranked 24th in the nation by U.S. News and World Report, and the pass rate for the North American Pharmacists Licensure Examination is 93%, which is 5% above the national average.
“We’re excited to introduce this accelerated pathway to UGA’s Pharm.D. program for our students,” said Chavonda Mills, chair of the Department of Chemistry, Physics and Astronomy at GCSU. “By reducing the total time required for the B.S. and Pharm.D. degrees, our students will be able to save both time and tuition dollars and begin their careers earlier.”
“Georgia College trains excellent critical thinkers who will be a great fit for Georgia’s top-ranked Pharm.D. program,” said Shane Pruitt, recruitment specialist at the UGA College of Pharmacy. “This partnership will ultimately result in a healthier future for our respective communities.”
Georgia College students interested in attending UGA’s Pharm.D. program may contact Chavonda Mills, for more information. A flyer illustrating the partnership is available here.