College of Pharmacy awarded ACPE candidate status
Kim Chaudoin |
Achieving this status is a step toward full accreditation, which is granted after a pharmacy program graduates its first class. Lipscomb’s first class will graduate in 2012.
“This is a very important step in the process. Achievement of candidate status is a direct reflection of the commitment of our faculty, staff and student pharmacists to build a premier profession,” said Davis, dean of the College of Pharmacy.
In June 2008, the college was granted pre-candidate status by ACPE, paving the way for Lipscomb to enroll its first class of student pharmacists last fall.
The candidate designation was awarded following an intensive, year-long effort to expand and enhance the college’s founding document, according to Davis. The process culminated in a site visit by a peer-review team that spent three days thoroughly reviewing all aspects of the pharmacy program.
“The review team spent a significant portion of time with student pharmacists in an effort to gauge their perception of the quality, fairness and friendliness of the college,” said Davis.
ACPE will conduct the next site visit in 2011. At that time documentation will be submitted and ACPE will rule on continuation of candidate status from 2011 through the graduation of the College of Pharmacy’s first class of student pharmacists.