The Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) accredits Doctor of Pharmacy programs offered by Colleges and Schools of Pharmacy in the United States and selected non-US sites. For a Doctor of Pharmacy program offered by a new College or School of Pharmacy, ACPE accreditation generally involves three steps: Pre candidate status, Candidate status, and Full accreditation. Pre candidate accreditation status denotes a developmental program, which is expected to mature in accord with stated plans and within a defined time period. Pre candidate status is awarded to a new program of a College or School of Pharmacy that has not yet enrolled students in the professional program, and authorizes the college or school to admit its first class. Candidate accreditation status is awarded to a Doctor of Pharmacy program that has students enrolled, but has not yet had a graduating class. Full accreditation is awarded to a program that has met all ACPE standards for accreditation and has graduated its first class. Graduates of a class designated as having Candidate status have the same rights and privileges of those graduates from a fully accredited program. ACPE conveys its decisions to the various boards of pharmacy and makes recommendations in accord with its decisions. It should be noted, however, that decisions concerning eligibility for licensure, by examination or reciprocity, reside with the respective state boards of pharmacy in accordance with their state statutes and administrative rules.

The Doctor of Pharmacy program of the University of Charleston, School of Pharmacy, was awarded candidate accreditation status during the June 20-23, 2007 meeting of the ACPE Board of Directors, based upon an on-site evaluation conducted March 6-8, 2007. An on-site evaluation will be scheduled during academic year 2008-2009 for purposes of gathering additional information to be considered in the Board’s consideration of continuing Candidate accreditation status. Based upon this evaluation, should the Board feel that Candidate status could’t be continued, the School could respond to the Board’s concerns and reapply prior to the graduation of the first class. If Candidate status is not continued, even after reapplication, graduates may not be eligible for licensure as pharmacists. If Candidate status is continued and the program continues to develop as planned, full accreditation of the Doctor of Pharmacy program would be considered by the Board following the graduation of students from the program.

For further information on the School’s accreditation status visit the School of Pharmacy site to check for updates or for further information on the accreditation process please visit the ACPE web site at www.acpe-accredit.org.