An official signing ceremony will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 1 from 3 to 5 p.m. in the CVS Pharmacy Practice Laboratory at the Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences on John R. and Mack, on Wayne State's medical campus in Detroit.
The agreement allows Oakland University pre-pharmacy students who meet admission requirements, to enroll in the PharmD program at Wayne State University.
Wayne State students majoring in pharmacy practice complete a six-year academic program that culminates into a doctorate degree in pharmacy. Oakland University, which offers students a bachelor's degree in health sciences with an emphasis on pre-pharmacy, contemplated starting a graduate program. But this agreement allows the two universities to adopt a collaborative model for providing the doctorate of pharmacy degree.
"We are very proud to be part of a collaboration that will allow Oakland University students to pursue an advanced degree in pharmacy and benefit from the tremendous resources available through the PharmD program at the Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences," said Wayne State President Irvin D. Reid. "Moreover, this collaboration is an example of two-state funded universities joining forces to benefit not only the students in their academic pursuits, but also making innovative use of precious state financial resources in tight economic times."
Oakland University's President Gary Russi also welcomed the agreement between the two universities.
"This important agreement is a perfect example of how two public universities can share resources to restrain education costs, while providing broader access to a pharmacy education," Russi said. "Moreover, this partnership will help to alleviate an anticipated shortage of pharmacists in Michigan, and prepare students for a career as important partners in health care delivery to Michigan citizens."
Eugene Applebaum College Dean Beverly Schmoll is equally pleased with the agreement.
"We are looking forward to working with Oakland University as a partner in this articulation agreement and believe both institutions have developed an effective approach to providing more students the opportunity to pursue a doctorate in pharmacy practice," Schmoll said.