Frequently Asked Questions
What is your 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 generally involves three steps: Precandidate accreditation status, Candidate accreditation status, and Full accreditation status. Precandidate accreditation status denotes a developmental program that is expected to mature in accord with stated plans and within a defined time period. Precandidate accreditation 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 status 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 accreditation 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 the Harding University College of Pharmacy was awarded Candidate accreditation status during the June 24-28, 2009 meeting of the ACPE Board of Directors based upon an on-site evaluation conducted March 17-19, 2009, and discussion with University and College officials. If the program continues to develop as planned, Full accreditation of the Doctor of Pharmacy program will be considered by the Board following the graduation of students from the program. ACPE may be contacted at 1120 North Clark Street, Suite 2500, Chicago, IL 60660 312/664-3575, 800/533-3606; FAX 312/664-4652 web site www.acpe-accredit.org
When was the first class admitted?
The inaugural class was seated in the fall of 2008.
What degree is offered?
The College offers the Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) as its single professional degree.
How long is the Pharm.D. program?
The Pharm.D. program is a four-year professional program after students have completed approximately three years of preprofessional courses.
Where can I complete my preprofessional courses?
Students may complete their preprofessional course requirements at Harding University or at any U.S. regionally accredited college or university. Be sure to review the HUCOP admissions information Web page for the list of required preprofessional courses. If you have any questions about the equivalency of any prepharmacy course to those required by the College, please contact the College via e-mail at pharmacy@harding.edu.
What is the tuition for pharmacy students?
The tuition for 2009-10 is $27,300. Other program costs include books, insurance, purchase of a laptop computer, travel to practice sites, room, and board. Book costs are estimated to be $600 - $1000 per semester years P1 – P3.
Will I be required to find my own clinical sites or will the College locate these for me?
No student is required to find his or her own clinical sites. However, if a student knows of clinical sites near his or her home, there is a process in place to petition the Assistant Dean for Experiential Education for site verification and approval. The student should begin the petition process well in advance of the anticipated practice experience in order to allow ample time for appropriate site investigation and preceptor training. Not all potential sites identified by students will be deemed acceptable by the Assistant Dean for Experiential Education and approval will be at the discretion of the Dean.
Where will I complete my clinical experiences?
The Pharm.D. curiculum includes clinical experiences in all four professional years (P1 – P4). The early, or introductory, pharmacy practice experiences is located within a 1-hour driving radius of the HUCOP campus in Searcy, Arkansas. The advanced pharmacy practice experiences comprising the fourth professional year may require relocation of the student to sites outside the Searcy area. Students may also petition the Assistant Dean for Experiential Education to complete selected experiences at other locations outside the HUCOP network of affiliated clinical sites. Additionally, students will have opportunities to participate in international mission-related clinical experiences.
Is there University housing available for pharmacy students?
Yes, students have access to Harding University housing facilities.
Will I be required to interview at the College before I will be considered for admission?
Yes, the College requires an on-site interview prior to admission to the Pharm.D. program. All expenses related to travel for the interview are the student’s responsibility, although low-cost accommodations may be available on campus.
What other health science programs does Harding University offer?
The College of Nursing has been in existence for 30 years offering the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. The Physician Assistant Program graduated its first class of Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MS) candidates in July 2007. The College of Communication awards a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Disorders and a Master of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology for students planning to pursue certification by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
What is the class size in the College of Pharmacy?
The College enrolls 60 students per year for an eventual total enrollment of 240 P1-P4 students in the College.