How to Choose a Pharmacy School

In 2019, Fehbe Meza of Blueprint Test Prep penned a blog post outlining top considerations when choosing a pharmacy school. In it, she offered seven criteria that prospective pharmacy students should carefully consider to ensure they choose the program that fits them best.

At the Cedarville University School of Pharmacy, we are pleased to meet, and even exceed, each of the author’s criteria. Here’s how:

Compare Curriculums

Cedarville’s School of Pharmacy affords students a student-focused curriculum that embraces active learning, small class sizes, and multiple opportunities to interact directly with nationally recognized faculty. The four-year curriculum includes one year of clinical training in top-ranked facilities such as the Cleveland Clinic, OhioHealth, the VA Medical Centers, and many others. Students may take up to 8 credit hours in classroom electives and 12 hours of clinical electives. Students may use some of those hours to apply toward a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with the ability to graduate with a dual PharmD + MBA degree. All students will develop research and entrepreneurship skills. One thing that really sets Cedarville apart is that students learn how to apply biblical principles to their profession, as a Christian worldview is integrated throughout the curriculum. Students will be able to integrate pharmacy practice, pharmacy science, ethics, faith, and business to become top-notch pharmacy practitioners that can work anywhere in the world.

Research the Faculty

Cedarville’s School of Pharmacy has hired a diverse and experienced team of faculty members who have been involved with research in pharmaceutical companies, the government, hospitals, and pharmacies. Our faculty members have experience both within the U.S. and internationally, which affords opportunities to have both a domestic and global impact. Many faculty members have received grants from various organizations or companies, such as the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy, Cardinal Health Foundation, and Merck. Because we choose to be a small program, all students will be mentored directly by a very talented faculty advisor.

Think About Cost

Cedarville’s School of Pharmacy prioritizes stewardship as an important facet of Christian living. Our tuition is designed to be one of the lowest private pharmacy school tuition models, with several scholarships and grants available to those who qualify. We have developed many partnerships with companies, organizations, pharmacies, and hospitals to provide students with paid internship opportunities to offset the costs of education.

Consider Affiliations

Cedarville’s School of Pharmacy has developed partnerships with more than 350 training sites in the Midwest and throughout the U.S. Students will have the opportunity to train in hospitals, community pharmacies, pharmaceutical companies, long-term care facilities, and many other practice settings. They also have opportunities to participate in medical missions trips as part of their training as well. Cedarville’s School of Pharmacy owns its own community pharmacy that serves as a teaching pharmacy for our students. Each student has an experiential advisor who works to customize a training experience to meet the student’s career goals.

Learn About the Area

Cedarville’s School of Pharmacy is located in a very unique area that blends rurality with easy access to major metropolitan areas. While located in a small, rural town, we are geographically located within 60 minutes of two major metropolitan areas (Cincinnati and Columbus), within 30 minutes of Dayton, and within 20-30 minutes of many smaller communities. The surrounding area includes snow skiing, water skiing, kayaking, boating, major amusement parks, theatres, concerts, the U.S. Air Force Museum, hundreds of restaurants and shopping areas, hiking trails, skydiving, river dinner cruises, Division I sporting events, professional baseball, football, soccer, and hockey events, and many more attractions. You also have the opportunity to simply enjoy the small town of Cedarville and dine in our local pizza or coffee shops. Whatever your taste, you will find it.

Don’t Overvalue Rankings or Reputations

 Cedarville’s School of Pharmacy began in 2009 and, thus, is relatively new. Although we are fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), we are still building our reputation within the U.S. rankings. For a new school, we are also honored that our students and faculty have been recognized by winning or placing in multiple state and national competitions, granted awards for our program innovation, and have attracted research grants. We are seeking top-notch students to come along as we move into the next decade of achievement.

Understand Passing Rates

Cedarville’s School of Pharmacy provides students with board preparation sessions throughout the curriculum and before graduation. All of the first three graduating classes have passed their licensing examinations and become pharmacists. Our attrition rate is very strong, and most students will graduate on time from our program.

At Cedarville University’s School of Pharmacy, we are pleased to offer pharmacy excellence with Christlike compassion, making us the school of choice for Christian pharmacy students. Our Doctor of Pharmacy degree program is equipping our graduates to be innovative pharmacists, who serve with excellence and honor Christ in the pharmacy field.