The University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences continues to expand access to education with four new pathway programs, which lead to both Bachelor of Science and a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degrees.
“Pathway programs have proven to be an effective tool to improve access and remove barriers to higher education,” said Senior Associate Dean for Student Affairs, Brian Hemstreet, PharmD. “We are creating new pathways to generate interest in the profession of pharmacy and to empower and support students to reach their goals.”
After teaming with four undergraduate and community college institutions, CU Pharmacy students can now start their undergraduate pathway program at either the University of Colorado Denver, The University of Colorado Colorado Springs, Red Rocks Community College, or Pima Medical Institute.
CU Pharmacy’s Undergraduate Pathway Program works closely with partner institutions to provide students with an advisor at each campus, a $5,000 scholarship to CU Pharmacy, a current pharmacy student mentor, pharmacist shadowing, and visits to the CU Anschutz integrated medical campus for hands-on experiences and professional development workshops.
Chandler Follett, PharmD, is CU Pharmacy’s Outreach Specialist. Dr. Follett, an experienced hospital pharmacist, also teaches in the PharmD program and is passionate about creating new opportunities for future pharmacists. She worked with each partner institute to establish the pathways and sees these new programs as only the beginning.
"My goal is to introduce students to the vast and often unknown career opportunities in pharmacy,” Follett said, “The support and experiences they gain prepare them for success as future Colorado healthcare providers and strengthen their commitment to pursuing a Doctor of Pharmacy degree. These programs are the first of many partnerships that will bridge the gap between undergraduate and doctoral studies, continuing to increase access to healthcare providers across the state of Colorado.”
Many of the programs allow the pathway student to transition to pharmacy school before their traditional four-year undergraduate completion, allowing for a faster timeline to a PharmD. Once at CU Pharmacy, the students are awarded their BS and continue in their PharmD curriculum.
