2012-2013 Graduate Academic Catalog

Page 28 2012–13 Graduate Catalog Introduction Experience Admissions Academic s Financial Info. Campus Services M.Ed. M. S.N. Pharmacy Course Descriptions Appendix Precandidate Status Granting of Precandidate accreditation status brings no rights or privileges of accreditation as associated with either candidate status or fully accredited status. Precandidate accreditation status indicates only that planning has taken into account ACPE standards and guidelines and suggests reasonable assurance of moving to the next step, that of Candidate accreditation status. Since Precandidate accreditation status does not create any rights of accreditation under the ACPE standards, it is the opinion of ACPE that graduates of programs or Colleges or Schools of Pharmacy that bear Precandidate accreditation status do not meet the educational requirements for licensure. Candidate Status With respect to clarification of the meaning of Candidate accreditation status, graduates of a program so designed would, in the opinion of ACPE, have the same rights and privileges of the those graduates from a fully accredited program. The Candidate accreditation status denotes a developmental program that is expected to mature in accord with stated plans within a defined time period. It should be underscored, 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. Should Candidate accreditation status be awarded to a program, ACPE would, however, make its position known and make recommendations consistent with that position. Admission Standards Preferred Admission For Freshman and Transfer Students Cedarville University uses a direct entry approach, allowing new freshman and transfer students to compete for preferred admission to the School of Pharmacy. If you gain preferred admission as a new student, you will not need to compete for admission to the final four years of advanced professional- level education. Your admission will only be contingent upon successfully maintaining the academic and personal requirements of the program, including a professional interview in the fall of the last year of prepharmacy study. This approach enables you to focus on enjoying your undergraduate education, not competing for admission to pharmacy school. Gaining preferred admission to the School of Pharmacy involves two steps. First, you must obtain admission to the University. Second, you must compete for preferred admission to the School of Pharmacy. That competition begins with an invitation by the Pharmacy Admissions Committee. Those invitations are based upon the following criteria: For freshman students applying directly from high school: • Declared interest in pharmacy • High school curriculum • Cumulative high school grade point average of at least a 3.25 on a 4 point scale • Class rank • ACT composite and subscores of at least 23 (or SAT subscores of at least 530) For transfer students who have studied full-time at another university: • Declared interest in pharmacy • Collegiate course work • Cumulative grade point average (3.0 required) The Pharmacy Admissions Committee begins inviting students to apply by the first week of December. The application process involves submitting an essay and scheduling an interview with the Pharmacy Admissions Committee. Your final selection will be based upon performance in the interview and on the essay. While most students apply prior to March 1, there is no firm application deadline. Applicants are considered as long as there is room in the class. Students typically receive notification concerning their admission within two weeks of their interview with the Pharmacy Admissions Committee. If you do not initially qualify for preferred admission you may enroll at the University as a pre-pharmacy student, taking the recommended prepharmacy curriculum. Working with a pharmacy faculty advisor, you may develop a plan to pursue admission to the Cedarville University School of Pharmacy or another pharmacy program. Typically and depending upon space in the class, you will be considered for preferred admission to the Cedarville University School of Pharmacy when your spring semester cumulative Cedarville grade point average exceeds 3.0. Postbaccalaureate Admission While most students enter the professional pharmacy program through the preferred admission pathway, several come as postbaccalaureate students, having earned undergraduate degrees at other institutions. The School of Pharmacy welcomes these students, viewing their diverse backgrounds as opportunities to enrich other pharmacy students through their experiences and perspectives. Because class size is limited, admission is competitive. Primary criteria considered include the cumulative collegiate grade point average, PCAT scores, and an interview with the School of Pharmacy. Additionally, students must complete the postbaccalaureate candidate prepharmacy requirements, earning a grade of “C” or better in each course. To pursue admission to the professional pharmacy program as a postbaccalaureate student: • Complete and submit the undergraduate application for admission, denoting yourself as a “postbaccalaureate student” and indicating pharmacy as your intended program of study. • Take the PCAT and send your official scores (must be no more than 5 years old) to Pharmacy Admissions, Cedarville University, 251 N. Main Street, Cedarville, OH 45314. Since these scores will be reviewed as a part of your application, plan to take the PCAT in July, September, or January prior to applying for admission. Candidates with composite scores at or above the 50th percentile are given priority consideration. • Submit a recommendation from a practicing pharmacist or employer/supervisor who is not a full- or part-time faculty member of Cedarville University School of Pharmacy or your relative, using the Professional Recommendation Form provided. • Complete and submit the postbaccalaureate professional program application ( cedarville.edu/~/media/Files/PDF/ Pharmacy/Post-Baccalaureate-Admission-Application. pdf) for admission along with a copy of your résumé and the short essay requested. In addition to providing helpful information about you, this will help us track your application through the University admission process and provide feedback regarding any additional prerequisites you may need to complete. When we learn of your admission to the University and receive your pharmacy application, we will contact you concerning your eligibility for an interview. The School of Pharmacy operates on a rolling admission basis, typically starting interviews in February and then continuing until the class beginning the professional program in the fall is full.