The Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science (RFUMS) College of Pharmacy (COP) seeks accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), the sole accreditor of the Doctor of Pharmacy Program.

The Doctorate of Pharmacy (PharmD) program at Rosalind Franklin University was granted Candidate Status in June 2012. The Accreditation Disclosure below will be updated shortly to reflect this advancement in the accreditation process.

Accreditation Disclosure Statement

The Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) accredits Doctor of Pharmacy programs offered by Colleges and Schools of Pharmacy in the United States and selected non-US sites. For a Doctor of Pharmacy program offered by a new College or School of Pharmacy, ACPE accreditation generally involves three steps: Precandidate accreditation status, Candidate accreditation status, and Full accreditation status. Precandidate accreditation status denotes a developmental program that is expected to mature in accord with stated plans and within a defined time period. Precandidate accreditation status is awarded to a new program of a College or School of Pharmacy that has not yet enrolled students in the professional program and authorizes the school to admit its first class. Candidate accreditation status is awarded to a Doctor of Pharmacy program that is currently recognized by ACPE with Precandidate status and has students enrolled but has not yet had a graduating class. Full accreditation status is awarded to a program that has met all ACPE standards for accreditation and has graduated its first class. Graduates of a class designated as having Candidate accreditation status have the same rights and privileges of those graduates from a fully accredited program. ACPE conveys its decisions to the various boards of pharmacy and makes recommendations in accord with its decisions. It should be noted, however, that decisions concerning eligibility for licensure by examination or reciprocity reside with the respective state boards of pharmacy in accordance with their state statutes and administrative rules.

The Doctor of Pharmacy program of the Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science College of Pharmacy was awarded Precandidate accreditation status during the January 19-23, 2011, meeting of the ACPE Board of Directors based upon an on-site evaluation conducted October 20-22, 2010, and discussion with University and College officials. Following the enrollment of the inaugural class of students in fall 2011, an on-site evaluation will be scheduled during academic year 2011-2012 for purposes of gathering additional information to be considered in the Board’s consideration of advancement to Candidate accreditation status. Based upon this evaluation, should the Board feel that Candidate accreditation status cannot be conferred, the College could respond to the Board’s concerns and reapply prior to the graduation of the first class. If Candidate accreditation status is not granted even after reapplication, graduates may not be eligible for licensure as pharmacists. If Candidate accreditation status is granted and the program continues to develop as planned, Full accreditation status of the Doctor of Pharmacy program would be considered by the Board following the graduation of students from the program.

Precandidate Status
A new program that has no students enrolled but has a Dean may be granted Precandidate accreditation status. The granting of Precandidate status indicates that a College or School’s planning for the Doctor of Pharmacy program has taken into account ACPE standards and guidelines and suggests reasonable assurances of moving to the next step, that of Candidate status. Granting of Precandidate status brings no rights or privileges of accreditation. Full public disclosure by the College or School of Pharmacy of the terms and conditions of this accreditation status is required.

Candidate Status
A new program that has students enrolled but has not had a graduating class may be granted Candidate status. The granting of Candidate status denotes a developmental program, which is expected to mature in accord with stated plans and within a defined time period. Reasonable assurances are expected to be provided that the program may become accredited as programmatic experiences are gained, generally, by the time the first class has graduated. Graduates of a class designated as having Candidate status have the same rights and privileges as graduates of an accredited program.

Higher Learning Commission
The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools approved continued accreditation status in 2008 for RFUMS for 10 years with no interim reports or other site visits required. Additionally, on May 20, 2011, the HLC informed the University that it had exted the school's accreditation to include the Doctor of Pharmacy Degree.