Ferris State College of Pharmacy receives eight-year renewal of accreditation, ensuring that students receive a high-quality, relevant education

July 2, 2024

BIG RAPIDS, Michigan —

Ferris State University’s School of Pharmacy has received an extension of its accreditation for up to eight years, assuring students that they are receiving a high-quality program that prepares them for careers in a rapidly changing field.

“Accreditation provides students with the confidence that they will be prepared to practice at the highest level, respond to the growing needs of the population, and provide expert guidance to ensure the proper administration and monitoring of complex treatment regimens,” said College of Pharmacy Dean Stephen Durst.

Accreditation is a recognition by an authorized agency that an institution maintains a level of excellence throughout its curriculum and college. The Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education is a national agency that ensures and improves the quality of education and prepares students to provide patient care as pharmacists.

Pharmacy graduates in the United States must complete an ACPE-accredited program in order to be eligible to sit for the North American pharmacy licensing examination, making accreditation extremely important.

The College of Pharmacy is one of only three in the state and is known as Ferris State’s first accredited program. Its origins date back to 1893 when Woodbridge N. Ferris saw an opportunity to help local residents prepare for the pharmacy licensing exams. The college has been continuously accredited since the 1930s.

Ferris State’s College of Pharmacy provides students with a scientific foundation and meaningful hands-on experience. The PharmD program pairs students with faculty experts who are pioneering new paths in biomedical, pharmaceutical and clinical research.

Durst said the School of Pharmacy learned that all accreditation standards had been met in late June.

“I am particularly proud of the 2024 results because it was a completely transparent process that was taken very seriously by the institution, with everyone involved participating,” Durst said. “The accreditation process is designed to ensure continuous improvement within the institution, as evidenced by the report from the visiting team and the ACPE board.”

Durst said all members of the college’s faculty participated in the preparation for the independent study and made sure Ferris State met all standards. The ACPE team that visited the college was very pleased with the process and the college’s operations.

“Thanks to the efforts of faculty and staff, the accreditation team was able to conduct an in-depth study of the program, which is the basis for this outstanding outcome,” Durst said.

Dr. Lisa Meny, chair of the college’s self-study program, said the award of full accreditation confirms the college’s focus on its mission of preparing pharmacists to be leaders in health care through an integrated learning approach, interdisciplinary collaboration and scholarship to advance practice and scholarship.

“All faculty members engaged in a deliberate process of highlighting the unique quality of our program,” she said. “Members of the ACPE on-site team emphasized the college’s commitment to interdisciplinary education and the value of students participating in co-curricular activities to support professional identity formation.”

Ferris State’s College of Pharmacy students complete more than 1,700 hours of pharmacy internships integrated with a curriculum that is based on active learning principles. First- and second-year students complete courses on the Big Rapids campus. Students move to Ferris State’s campus on the Medical Mile in Grand Rapids in their third year, and fourth-year students complete internships at sites throughout the Upper and Lower Peninsulas.

The Faculty of Pharmacy also offers the possibility of obtaining a double degree: Master of Business Administration from the Faculty of Business or Master of Public Health from the Faculty of Health Professions.