Bieda

By Tony Bieda

Healthcare education options in the greater Kentuckiana region continue to expand as traditional higher education providers and career education institutions collaborate to create new pathways for student achievement.

Recently, Sullivan University’s College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences and Spalding University established a formal partnership that will allow Spalding students to complete Sullivan’s pharmacy program at an accelerated pace while completing their Bachelor of Science degree at Spalding.  The agreement enables Spalding University students in natural sciences on a pre-pharmacy track to transfer to Sullivan after three years at Spalding. Upon completing the first year of Sullivan’s accelerated Pharm.D. program, the students can transfer apply those credits at Spalding for completion of the bachelor’s degree.

While the program does not currently guarantee admission into the Sullivan Pharm. D. program, Sullivan has found students who attend Spalding University are highly competitive candidates for admission into the Sullivan program. The agreement is innovative in that it establishes a ‘3+3’ pathway for students to complete both a bachelor’s degree from Spalding and a doctor of pharmacy degree from Sullivan in six years, a year faster than pursuing both degrees independently. The innovation demonstrates commitments by both institutions to faster student completion and lower education costs.

“Both institutions have the opportunity to market to interested high school students the opportunity to obtain a degree in a highly respected profession with secure employment and both of these institutions provides a greater faculty to student ratio as well as an intimate family atmosphere,” a Sullivan spokesman said. “Faculty at both institutions pride themselves on being incredibly student-centered and know their students beyond the classroom. Actively engaging with students to assist them in their future career aspirations and endeavors is a key component of faculty engagement at both universities.”

Sullivan University’s Doctor of Pharmacy program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education. Sullivan University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.  Sullivan is an active member of the Kentucky Association of Career Colleges and Schools (KACCS).

-Tony Bieda is executive director of  Kentucky Association of Career Colleges and Schools.