Detailed Information
Program of Study
The South University School of Pharmacy, accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), is one of only three schools of pharmacy in the state of Georgia and one of less than a dozen in the U.S. to offer an accelerated three-year curriculum. The mission of the South University School of Pharmacy is to serve the public’s health-care needs by preparing pharmacists to provide pharmaceutical care that improves health outcomes for patients.
The School of Pharmacy strives for excellence in teaching, scholarship, professional service, and community service. Faculty members provide students with the knowledge, skills, abilities, and values necessary to become a successful practitioner. While at South University, students are encouraged to foster a desire for lifelong learning, engage in scholarship, learn about the process of research, and develop an understanding of the value of interdisciplinary care. At South University, students are encouraged to become involved in their community and develop an understanding of the importance of volunteerism and its impact on the community.
Following acceptance into the program, Pharm.D. students begin an accelerated, full-time, twelve-quarter schedule designed to provide four academic years of study within three calendar years. This accelerated pace is only available at a handful of institutions across the country. South University’s program was designed to meet the increasing demand for well-trained pharmacists. The program is tailored to accentuate the future of the pharmacy profession while also developing pharmacists who are familiar with contemporary practice. The curriculum is structured to educate and prepare competent pharmaceutical practitioners who can provide care in a variety of institutional, community, and other settings. Students learn the skills needed to assess, monitor, initiate, or adjust drug therapy programs. In those roles, they are prepared to educate patients on the proper use of pharmaceuticals, develop drug therapy plans through data evaluation, and partner with other health-care providers to contribute to a patient’s well-being.
Research Facilities
South University’s Savannah campus is home to the School of Business, the School of Health Professions, and the School of Pharmacy. The campus houses classroom and laboratory facilities for the health sciences and pharmacy programs. In addition, the University opened an $8-million School of Pharmacy building in December 2004. This facility provides wireless instructional, laboratory, and office facilities for pharmacy students, faculty members, and administrators. In addition to eight small classrooms, two large tiered lecture halls, and two 50-seat classrooms, the building houses two general-purpose laboratories that accommodate 34 students each, a sterile dilutions facility, six patient examination rooms equipped with audio/video monitoring, a drug information center, and a suite of eight laboratories to accommodate basic faculty research. Practice sites to provide both intermediate and advanced practice experiences include community pharmacies, hospitals, long-term-care facilities, pharmaceutical companies, and other venues that have been recruited to support the experiential component of the curriculum. South University’s facilities are designed to offer personalized and technically sophisticated instructional delivery.
The campus library provides comfortable study space for students, wireless Internet capabilities for laptop network connectivity, a separate computer lab, and reference and interlibrary loan services.
Financial Aid
A wide range of financial aid options is available to students who qualify. The Savannah campus of South University offers access to federal and state aid, including grants, loans, and work-study programs. Eligible students may apply for veterans’ educational benefits and are encouraged to investigate the availability of grants and scholarships through community resources. As a first step, students should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students may apply electronically at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov or at the campus Student Financial Services department. Applications should be submitted promptly to receive consideration for the maximum amount of aid.
Cost of Study
Tuition information for the Doctor of Pharmacy program may be obtained by contacting the School of Pharmacy via the South University Web site at http://www.southuniversity.edu.
Living and Housing Costs
South University offers school-sponsored student housing at its Savannah campus in conjunction with a local apartment complex. Due to the full-time nature of the program, pharmacy students typically live in rental homes or apartments in the Savannah area. More information is available by contacting the Director of Student Housing at 912-201-8000.
Student Group
The Savannah campus of South University has a diverse student body enrolled in both day and evening classes. Students are primarily commuters who live within 50 miles of the city.
Student Outcomes
The South University Career Services Department has been established to assist currently enrolled students in developing their career plans and reaching their employment goals. Career services include, but are not limited to, one-on-one career counseling, special career-related workshops and programs, coaching for resume and cover letter development, and resume referral to employers.
Location
Located on the south side of the historic city of Savannah, the campus is convenient to the city’s bustling midtown section and a full range of educational and cultural activities. The Atlantic Ocean and recreational amenities of Tybee Island, including beaches and numerous outdoor activities, are just a short drive away. In addition, the campus is located just a short drive from Hilton Head Island and Charleston, South Carolina.
The School
The School of Pharmacy is accredited by the American Council on Pharmaceutical Education (ACPE). South University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) to award associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. Students should contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 with questions about the accreditation of South University.
Applying
Students are accepted into the Doctor of Pharmacy program once each year, in the fall quarter that begins in June. Entrance into the program is gained through a formal application review and assessment of the applicant’s potential for professional and academic achievement. Prospective students must complete a minimum of two years of prescribed prepharmacy course requirements at a regionally accredited U.S. college or university. A grade of C or better must be earned in each prerequisite course. The cumulative GPA for the current first-year class was 3.41, and their average science GPA was 3.15. Applicants also must submit scores from the Pharmacy College Admissions Test (PCAT).
The South University School of Pharmacy utilizes the Pharmacy College Application Service (PharmCAS), a centralized application service for prospective students applying to colleges and schools of pharmacy. In addition, a supplemental application is required to complete the application process, along with a fee of $50. The application is available at http://www.southuniversity.edu/Pharmacy/
The Faculty
- One of the most outstanding aspects of South University’s Doctor of Pharmacy program is the dedication of the faculty members and their ability to cultivate a supportive learning environment. Faculty members are committed to their roles as mentors, teachers, and colearners. They are also dedicated to the training of students who can assume positions of leadership within the field of pharmacy. A current list of program faculty members is available at the South University Web site (http://www.southuniversity.edu/pharmacy).
Correspondence and Information
South University
Applications for admission to the South University Doctor of Pharmacy program are available by contacting:
School of Pharmacy
709 Mall Boulevard
Savannah, Georgia 31406-4805
Telephone:
912-201-8120
866-629-2901 (toll-free)
Fax:
912-201-8070
Email:
pharmd@southuniversity.edu
