What is the South Carolina College of Pharmacy?
The South Carolina College of Pharmacy was formed in 2004 by the merger of the Colleges of Pharmacy at the University of South Carolina in Columbia and the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston to create a state-wide approach to pharmacy education. The merged program combines the nationally recognized faculties, staff, and resources of both institutions to advance pharmacy education, research, and service. With the combined resources of a health sciences center and a large comprehensive university the College offers expanded pharmacy education and service throughout the state, provides national leadership in pharmacy education, and conducts pioneering research that leads to new or improved treatments for common diseases. |
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Is pharmacy education offered on both USC and MUSC campuses?
Yes, the full 4-year doctor of pharmacy degree program is offered on both campuses. As well, graduate degrees are offered on both campuses. In the future, the third and fourth years will be available on the Greenville Hospital System University Medical Center campus and eventually the full program will be offered there.
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Do faculty, staff or students move from one campus to another?
While faculty, staff and students are involved in both campuses, they do not travel back and forth from Columbia and Charleston on a day-to-day basis. With modern Distance Education and other electronic resources, students and faculty are able to communicate with each other on a consistent basis. However, the Executive Dean maintains office hours on both campuses, and faculty travel to the alternate campus to meet with students that they teach through Distance Education. Students from both campuses sometimes get together for social events.
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How many students do you accept to the SCCP??
Our class size is 190 students which has increased from 160 in 2005. The USC campus enjoys 110 students per class; MUSC welcomes 80 students each year.
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Can students complete their four-year degree program on either the USC or MUSC campus?
Yes, students designate a preference for which campus they wish to attend, and may transfer to the other campus if there is an available slot, up to the class size limit on each campus. Also, students starting in Columbia or Charleston may be assigned to clinical sites throughout the state for their clinical (Experiential) training, which is mainly in the fourth year.
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Can students choose which campus they attend?
Yes, up to the point that the class size limit on each campus has been reached. Then, students can decide to attend the alternate campus, not attend either campus, or attend another college of pharmacy. Over 95% of incoming students study on their campus of first choice.
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Is there a Dean assigned to each campus?
Yes, each location has a Campus Dean who manages the day-to-day operations specific to their campus. The Campus Deans report to the Executive Dean, who has administrative oversight of the SCCP.
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What is the accreditation status of the South Carolina College of Pharmacy?
The South Carolina College of Pharmacy doctor of pharmacy program is approved by the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education and is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education, 20 North Clark Street, Suite 2500, Chicago, IL 60602-5109, 312/664-3575; FAX 312/664-4652, web site www.acpe-accredit.org.
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What is offered on the Greenville campus of the South Carolina College of Pharmacy?
Beginning in the fall of 2011, we will offer all required third year courses on our Greenville campus. Students taking their third year courses on the Greenville campus will be given preference for advanced pharmacy practice experiences in the Greenville Spartanburg Area for the fourth year. During the second year of program, students can apply to transfer to the Greenville campus. The transfer process is completely volunteer, but the number of students able to transfer to the Greenville campus is capped at 25 due to the classroom size.
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How do I apply to the College – two applications or one?
There is one electronic admission process for the SCCP where students can indicate their preference for the USC or MUSC campus. We encourage students to speak with the Assistant Deans, faculty and students on each campus to learn more about the College, and to visit prior to applying.
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Is the PCAT used in determining admission to the program?
Yes. Detailed information about the admissions process can be found here.
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Is financial aid available to students attending the SCCP?
Yes, each campus offers a variety of financial aid opportunities, including scholarships. Further information can be found here.
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Are South Carolina residents given preference in admissions to the SCCP?
Admission preference is given to “in-state” students, which includes South Carolina residents and those attending colleges in South Carolina.
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Where can I take pre-pharmacy coursework?
Pre-pharmacy courses can be completed at many different college and universities within and outside South Carolina.
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If I am enrolled at USC as a pre-pharmacy student, and am admitted to the SCCP, USC Campus, will I continue to be a USC student?
Yes, pharmacy students on the USC campus have all the rights and privileges of other USC students.
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Do both campuses have the same curriculum?
Yes. The joint curriculum was designed and approved by faculty from both campuses. Click here to view our curriculum.
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How is distance education used, and how is the curriculum delivered by distance?
Approximately half of the curriculum is offered by distance education and half of these courses originate on each campus. There is a balance of live and distance education between the two campuses. Distance education allows the best instructors on either campus to share their expertise.
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Are my practice experiences assigned to where I am attending classes – if I’m in Charleston, are all my rotations scheduled in Charleston, and the same for Columbia?
No. Students starting in Columbia or Charleston may be assigned to clinical sites throughout the state for their clinical training, which is mainly in the fourth year.
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Are there individual pharmacy student organizations at each campus?
The student pharmacy organizations chapters on each campus and work on joint projects, and have social events with each other. Check out our Student Organizations.
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Will my diploma indicate that I graduated from the University of South Carolina or the Medical University of South Carolina?
The diploma for students on both campuses has the seals of both universities and carries the name of the South Carolina College of Pharmacy. Your campus is indicated by where the degree is conferred.
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