Accreditation Question??

[Johnny38]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hello:

I've recently been accepted to a pharmacy school that is a candidate for accreditation. The school is Northstate in Northern California, and I believe they are aiming for WASC accreditation hopefully by this summer. Does anyone know the difference between the WASC accreditation vs the ACPE Accreditation vs the NACPB Accreditation??

I'm wondering what the difference is between accreditations by these various organizations, and what does that translate to with regards to being a fully-certified pharmacist. I'm looking to practice in California. I really have no idea what these mean. Anyone have any thoughts??

Thanks!

J

 

[owlegrad]

No idea. We are going to need confetti for this one.

 

[wsbkp08]

I have found something weird.. well..
I just have a quick question...
http://www.pharmcas.org/collegesschools/AAGAccreditation.htm

this website tells you 2012-2013 accreditation status.
Now since I applied to PCOM and had some interests other colleges like D'Youville and Presbyterian college, I have noticed some kind of changes.
I am not sure if Pharmcas didn't update it or not, but check it out.
Did they go back to pre-candidate status or what? They used to be in candidate status.

 

[EBT12]

That list does not appear to be up-to-date.

 

[30Percent]

WASC accreditation means they meet the standards for colleges and universities. WASC accreditation is required for securing federal loans.

ACPE accreditation means they meet the standards for providing a pharmacy education.

If Northstate gets their WASC accreditation this year, your class should be able to secure federal loans. Currently their students are only able to secure private loans. I don't know what you are talking about when referring to NACPB. They are a bookkeeping organization.

 

[Johnny38]

WASC accreditation means they meet the standards for colleges and universities. WASC accreditation is required for securing federal loans.

ACPE accreditation means they meet the standards for providing a pharmacy education.

If Northstate gets their WASC accreditation this year, your class should be able to secure federal loans. Currently their students are only able to secure private loans. I don't know what you are talking about when referring to NACPB. They are a bookkeeping organization.

Do both types of accreditation - WASC and ACPE - presuppose that a pharm graduate can practice pharmacy? Or is one more recognized for this end?

 

[bacillus1]

Do both types of accreditation - WASC and ACPE - presuppose that a pharm graduate can practice pharmacy? Or is one more recognized for this end?

WASC accreditation has nothing to do with pharmacy. That just enables you to get federal loans. ACPE accreditation is what matters for a pharmacy school to be able to graduate pharmacists eligible to take the NAPLEX (the Pharmacy licensing exam)

 

[Johnny38]

WASC accreditation has nothing to do with pharmacy. That just enables you to get federal loans. ACPE accreditation is what matters for a pharmacy school to be able to graduate pharmacists eligible to take the NAPLEX (the Pharmacy licensing exam)

Oh wow, so is it usually customary for a new school to aim for obtaining WASC accreditation prior to the ACPE one? Does the ACPE usually follow WASC accreditation fairly easily?

I guess I'm worried about Northstate's prospects for obtaining accreditation. I know they are aiming for getting the WASC this summer hopefully, but does anyone know how long afterwards it takes for the ACPE accreditation? Are we talking a few months here or a few years?

 

[owlegrad]

Oh wow, so is it usually customary for a new school to aim for obtaining WASC accreditation prior to the ACPE one? Does the ACPE usually follow WASC accreditation fairly easily?

I guess I'm worried about Northstate's prospects for obtaining accreditation. I know they are aiming for getting the WASC this summer hopefully, but does anyone know how long afterwards it takes for the ACPE accreditation? Are we talking a few months here or a few years?

According to what I have seen around here, your school just needs to mail them a check and they get certified the next day.

OK that was mean of me. Schools do not get accredited until the first graduating class. So it is impossible to know until after the first class if they will get it. That is my understanding anyway.

 

[All4MyDaughter]

I believe that the college or university must have regional accreditation before ACPE accreditation can be granted. Plus, as others have stated, regional accreditation is required for federal loans.

Also, my school was granted full accreditation right before our class (the inaugural) class graduated. The idea that accreditation is contigent upon a certain % of the class passing the NAPLEX is a myth.

 

[Elisaveth]

There was a thread up about how northstate is being sued for shady methods of procuring loans.

 

[confettiflyer]

Looks like my question has been answered 🙂 I have taught you all well.

As an FYI, don't ever listen to anyone/any school about when they "expect" to get this or that accreditation status. Until the official results are out, those are just rumors or "forward looking statements" as they say in finance.

You should see the Kentucky thread about people who were whining that the school was "so so so sure" that they'd get pre-candidate status...then that thing went FUBAR quick.