History

The College of Pharmacy at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science (RFUMS) was established in 2009 as the fifth college within the university, reflecting a growing need for pharmacists as essential members of the healthcare team. With a focus on clinical and interprofessional practice, the college was built on the foundation that pharmacists play a critical role in delivering patient-centered care. From the beginning, the College of Pharmacy has been dedicated to preparing students for the evolving demands of the pharmacy profession through innovative education, research, and community partnerships.

In 2010, the Illinois Board of Higher Education approved the establishment of the college, allowing it to offer the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree. The same year, RFUMS celebrated the groundbreaking of its Interprofessional Education Center, which became home to the new college. In early 2011, the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) granted the college Precandidate status, and later that year, the Higher Learning Commission extended RFUMS’ accreditation to include the PharmD program.

The inaugural class began in August 2011, marking the start of the college’s journey toward full accreditation. In 2012, ACPE granted Candidate status, and by 2015, the college achieved full accreditation. That same year, the first class graduated, and the college’s PharmD/PhD dual degree program was approved by the Illinois Board of Higher Education in 2016, further expanding the college’s commitment to advanced education and research.

The College of Pharmacy is fully accredited through 2029.