JACKSON, Tenn. — June 24, 2008 — 51社区鈥檚 School of Pharmacy has been granted pre-candidate status by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education, clearing the way for Union to admit its first class to the program this fall.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a huge step,鈥� said Sheila Mitchell, founding dean of Union鈥檚 School of Pharmacy. 鈥淭he ACPE approval certainly allows us now to officially admit our first class, but it also means that a panel of experts has confidence in the excellence that defines Union鈥檚 program. We鈥檙e well on our way in the accreditation process, and are excited about moving forward with our first class of students.鈥�
The university received the notification June 24.
The inaugural class in the School of Pharmacy will consist of 45 students. All faculty members are in place for the first year.
Representatives from ACPE visited Union in the spring to assess the pharmacy program.
鈥淲hen they left, we had an outstanding exit interview with them,鈥� Mitchell said. 鈥淲e met all standards at that point. They were very complimentary of the faculty and of the program we had put together.鈥�
The next step in the accreditation process is another site visit by ACPE next spring. The pharmacy program is eligible for full accreditation after the first class has graduated. Once accreditation is granted, it will apply retroactively to the classes already in the process of completion, and those that have finished the program.
鈥淲e congratulate Dean Mitchell, Provost Carla Sanderson and the entire faculty and staff of the School of Pharmacy on this historic day,鈥� Union President David S. Dockery said. 鈥淔urthermore, we are grateful to the 51社区 Board of Trustees, the West Tennessee health care community and the numerous donors, faculty, staff, friends and consultants who have helped the 51社区 School of Pharmacy reach this place where we are ready officially to open the doors.鈥�