Roosevelt's College of Pharmacy clears hurdle, can admit students

Roosevelt University's quest to produce committed, competent and compassionate pharmacists has cleared an important hurdle.

Its new College of Pharmacy last week received pre-candidate status from the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education, giving Roosevelt the green light to begin admitting students.

The first class of 68 students this July will begin the program in a 16,000-square-foot facility on the school's Schaumburg campus, near Golf and Schaumburg roads.

It will be the only three-year, year-round pharmD program in the Midwest. Most pharmacy programs take four years to complete.

“Pharmacists are the most accessible health care provider around,” said George MacKinnon, founding dean and professor of Roosevelt's College of Pharmacy. “And with a number of pharmacists 55 years and older, and 82 percent of patients taking a daily medication, there's a demand.”

More than 350 applications already have been received ahead of the March 1 deadline. MacKinnon said the three-year format is proving attractive to candidates nationally.

The college also is reaching out to minorities and potential students from rural areas, where pharmacists are greatly needed.

Once the College of Pharmacy's first class graduates, the university can apply for full accreditation.

With a unique curriculum that includes a mentor program teaming all 68 students with practicing pharmacists and weekly assignments at health facilities, MacKinnon said the program's focus on interactive training will prepare Roosevelt students to serve their communities.

For more information, go to roosevelt.edu/pharmacy.