Program in Pharmacy

Program of Study

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 Doctor of Pharmacy degree program at South University's campus in Columbia, South Carolina, is designed to provide progressive, quality postgraduate education for the pharmacy profession's future practitioners. The role of pharmacists in the medical field is changing and evolving to meet the demands of the profession and society. The Pharmacy degree curriculum at South University--Columbia is structured to produce graduates who can adapt to the profession's changes while also maintaining high standards of pharmacy practice. This is the third Doctor of Pharmacy program in South Carolina. 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. 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 Columbia campus recently celebrated the opening of its new satellite campus facility for the School of Pharmacy program. In addition to the new facility and its classroom and lab facilities, South University--Columbia includes a bookstore, student lounge, and career services center. Students may retrieve periodicals in paper or electronic form. The South University Library provides in-library and remote access to electronic databases. Both bibliographic and full-text databases are available via EBSCOhost (e.g., Academic Search Premier, SocINDEX, PsycINFO, PsycARTICLES, and Mental Measurements Yearbook), the search and retrieval system of EBSCO Information Services, and via the Library and Information Resources Network (e.g., Infotrac and ProQuest databases). Infotrac databases include counseling sources such as Expanded Academic ASAP, Academic OneFile, and InfotracOneFile. ProQuest databases include counseling sources such as ProQuest Psychology Journals and ProQuest Research Library. Internet access is available on all computers throughout the campus.

Financial Aid

A wide range of financial aid options is available to students who qualify. The Columbia 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 through the program. 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 does not offer or operate student housing. Pharmacy students typically live in apartments in the Columbia area. Students who commute from long distances can arrange to stay at nearby hotels that offer long-term rates. More information may be obtained by contacting the Admissions Department.

Student Group

The Columbia 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

South University recently relocated its Columbia campus to the growing east side of Columbia, just minutes from downtown. The campus is conveniently located at 9 Science Court. The campus surroundings are highlighted by a natural wooded landscape and vast greenspace featuring a tranquil campus courtyard. Convenient to malls, shopping, and the growing east side of Columbia, the new campus location provides easier access to students from throughout the greater Columbia area.

The University

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, baccalaureate, 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 pre-pharmacy 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.

Correspondence and Information

Applications for admission to the South University Doctor of Pharmacy program are available by contacting: School of Pharmacy South University, Columbia 9 Science Court Columbia, SC 29203 United States Phone: 803-799-9082 or 866-629-3031 (toll-free) Fax: 803-935-4382 E-mail: pharmd@southuniversity.edu Website: http://www.southuniversity.edu/pharmacy See https://www.southuniversity.edu/programs-info for program duration; tuition, fees, and other costs; median debt; federal salary data; alumni success; and other important information. Programs, credential levels, technology, and scheduling options are subject to change. South University, Columbia, 9 Science Court, Columbia, SC 29203 ©2014 South University. The email address is csprogramadmin@edmc.edu.

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 co-learners. 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 website.