How does a new pharmacy school get accredited?

[neetfreek259]

Hi all,
I know there are new pharmacy schools emerging within the last couple of years? How do these schools get accredited? If I was to attend a brand new and non-accredited pharmacy school, does it post any risk to my graduation and my chance of sitting for a NAPLEX? Thank you 🙂

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[pharmtastic]

The basic steps are like this:

Pre-Candidate (PC)--> Candidate (C) --> Fully Acrredited (FA)

Sounds simple. Not really. In order to become PC, a school has to have a plan, a curriculum, faculty, sites, etc. And all of those have to be approved by the ACPE before the school becomes PC. I have been fortunate enough to see one school's PC application to the ACPE and it's very complicated. PC may sound bad to many applicants but actually the school is in quite good shape if it's granted PC. After the school obtains PC, it will start accepting students. For the next 1 year, it will teach based on the approved plan and the ACPE will do a site visit after 1 year. If everything is in order, the school will move on to be C and is able to maintain C status for up to 5 years. Of course, it doesnt have be 5 yrs, if everything goes well, after the 1st class graduates, the school will be FA. However, if after the 1st class graduates and ACPE is not happy the school still maintain C status until the 5 yr period is over. Now this is THE MOST IMPORTANT point here that many ppl do not understand. During the 5 yr period, you will see that the 1st class becomes PharmD while the school is still C, also the 2nd class, and prob the 3rd class (if the ACPE decides not to move the school to FA yet). What will happen to these PharmD? Based on the ACPE guideline, graduates from a C school has the same rights and privilages as those who graduate from a FA school. Therefore, these graduates will be able to take the NAPLEX and state exam, no problem.

Sorry for the long explanation but this is still a over-simplified explantion according to my limited understanding. You can call the school or even the ACPE directly if you have any question.

 

[WVUPharm2007]

I disagree. I think it's ridiculously easy as long as you have people running the school with moderately legit credentials. The ACPE has no way to put the breaks on new schools desiring to become accredited. The medical schools tried that but lost a court case....anyone who follows the steps as recommended by the accrediting body successfully will be accredited.....or they will sue.....and win.

 

[pinkyrx]

Now this is THE MOST IMPORTANT point here that many ppl do not understand. During the 5 yr period, you will see that the 1st class becomes PharmD while the school is still C, also the 2nd class, and prob the 3rd class (if the ACPE decides not to move the school to FA yet). What will happen to these PharmD? Based on the ACPE guideline, graduates from a C school has the same rights and privilages as those who graduate from a FA school. Therefore, these graduates will be able to take the NAPLEX and state exam, no problem.

Interesting. I've always thought the school had to be fully accredited before you could take the NAPLEX. I've never known anyone to go to an non-accredited school though, so what do I know.

Another question about these schools... are the students eligible for federal loans? Does the accreditation process make any difference there?

 

[confettiflyer]

Interesting. I've always thought the school had to be fully accredited before you could take the NAPLEX. I've never known anyone to go to an non-accredited school though, so what do I know.

Another question about these schools... are the students eligible for federal loans? Does the accreditation process make any difference there?

I don't know of any non-accredited schools operating. I think students are smart enough to look for PC/C/FA status from ACPE.

For federal loans, to my knowledge, a school has to receive REGIONAL accreditation from one of the 6 accrediting bodies. For us in California, it is WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges). So for start up schools with no other programs, it's another hoop to clear.

Candidate schools' students can sit for the NAPLEX exam.

 

[neetfreek259]

The basic steps are like this:

Pre-Candidate (PC)--> Candidate (C) --> Fully Acrredited (FA)

Sounds simple. Not really. In order to become PC, a school has to have a plan, a curriculum, faculty, sites, etc. And all of those have to be approved by the ACPE before the school becomes PC. I have been fortunate enough to see one school's PC application to the ACPE and it's very complicated. PC may sound bad to many applicants but actually the school is in quite good shape if it's granted PC. After the school obtains PC, it will start accepting students. For the next 1 year, it will teach based on the approved plan and the ACPE will do a site visit after 1 year. If everything is in order, the school will move on to be C and is able to maintain C status for up to 5 years. Of course, it doesnt have be 5 yrs, if everything goes well, after the 1st class graduates, the school will be FA. However, if after the 1st class graduates and ACPE is not happy the school still maintain C status until the 5 yr period is over. Now this is THE MOST IMPORTANT point here that many ppl do not understand. During the 5 yr period, you will see that the 1st class becomes PharmD while the school is still C, also the 2nd class, and prob the 3rd class (if the ACPE decides not to move the school to FA yet). What will happen to these PharmD? Based on the ACPE guideline, graduates from a C school has the same rights and privilages as those who graduate from a FA school. Therefore, these graduates will be able to take the NAPLEX and state exam, no problem.

Sorry for the long explanation but this is still a over-simplified explantion according to my limited understanding. You can call the school or even the ACPE directly if you have any question.

THANK YOU SO MUCH!! IT EXPLAINED EVERYTHING I NEEDED TO KNOW 🙂