The USF College of Pharmacy took another big leap forward earlier this month when it was granted candidate accreditation status by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), a designation that warrants USF pharmacy students the same status as graduates of fully accredited programs.

The designation is a mid-point accreditation, of sorts, that further signifies the College’s continued forward progression to full accreditation once the charter class graduates in 2015. In its report, the ACPE noted that “Graduates of a class designated as having Candidate accreditation status have the same rights and privileges of those graduates from a fully accredited program.”

“This is an enormous accomplishment, and the entire college is to be commended for its focus, commitment, and efforts to achieve this accomplishment,” said Kevin B. Sneed, PharmD, dean of the USF College of Pharmacy. “Our young program has had to endure political winds, budget constraints, and cultural evolution (both internal and external) to get to this point. As dean, I cannot be more proud of the entire college for their enormous efforts to achieve this accomplishment.”

Dr. Kevin Sneed with some of Pharmacy’s charter class.

Barely a year ago, the USF College of Pharmacy earned initial pre-candidate status that cleared it to begin its pharmacy coursework for its charter class of 53 students, which began in August 2011. That charter class, Dr. Sneed said, is also getting great reviews from local clinical training sites.

“Reports are flying in about the outstanding performances of our students in numerous clinical and business environments this summer, many saying how well prepared the students are, even far and above first-year students from other pharmacy programs,” Dr. Sneed said.

Up next for the USF pharmacy program is the start of its second group of students, the Class of 2016, an even larger group of 70 to 75 students.

“The USF College of Pharmacy started strong and remains strong, offering a new type of pharmacy program that is a pacesetter in pharmacy curriculum and clinical experience,” Dr. Sneed said. “The pharmacy community, both within Florida and outside, is recognizing that the USF College of Pharmacy is charting a path to the future of pharmacists’ participation in the evolving healthcare arena.  The interprofessional and simulation resources offered by USF Health will make the USF College of Pharmacy a top destination for students moving forward.  ACPE recognized these resources, and this was a key factor in earning this accreditation milestone. Our future is bright, and I remain committed to building an innovative and transformative pharmacy program focus on the year 2015 and beyond!!”