The Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) informed the Belmont University School of Pharmacy (BUSOP) this morning that the new program has reached another significant benchmark toward full accreditation. The announcement confirms that BUSOP will officially be able to seat its first class of 75 newly admitted students in August 2008. ACPE is the official regulatory body that accredits all colleges of pharmacy in the United States. BUSOP continues on track for full accreditation, which is awarded to a new program once it has graduated its first class and met all ACPE standards for accreditation.
Belmont’s School of Pharmacy Dean Dr. Phil Johnston said, “ACPE’s standards for accreditation are extremely high, as they should be given that pharmacists are charged with the responsibility of public safety. I’m obviously thrilled that we have gained the trust of the Council, and that we are now empowered to help our students fulfill the dream of entering the pharmacy profession. Our faculty and staff are contacting each student personally, helping them prepare to begin class in August. We feel our profession just grew by 75! This is a great day.”
Belmont Provost Dr. Dan McAlexander added, “The ACPE approval to seat our first pharmacy class is the culmination of the efforts of many individuals at Belmont and throughout the community. We believe that the School of Pharmacy, an integral part of Belmont’s strategic growth plan, will provide students with the skills to contribute to the growing health care needs of our community.”
By opening a School of Pharmacy, Belmont will help alleviate the significant shortfall of qualified pharmacists needed both in the state and country at large. The Belmont University School of Pharmacy seeks to become a nationally-recognized practice and leadership center with a four-pillared approach that will allow students to focus on management, informatics, pharmacotherapy or missions. BUSOP intends to be a prominent resource for training and supporting competent, compassionate practitioners with a passion for life-long professional improvement and service to the profession and patients. For more information, visit www.belmont.edu/pharmacy.
