It is important to understand the accreditation process as governed by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE). Following is a brief explanation of the process and statement of accreditation for the Gatton College of Pharmacy.  Complete information is available at the ACPE website (www.acpe-accredit.org).

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 involves three steps: Precandidate status, Candidate status, and Full accreditation.

• Precandidate status denotes a developmental program, which is expected to mature in accord with stated plans and within a defined time period. Precandidate 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 status is awarded to a Doctor of Pharmacy program that has students enrolled, but has not yet had a graduating class.

• Full accreditation 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 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 Gatton College of Pharmacy was awarded candidate accreditation status during the June 18-22, 2008 meeting of the ACPE Board of Directors based upon an on-site evaluation conducted February 11-13, 2008 and discussion with University and College officials.   If the program continues to develop as planned, full accreditation of the Doctor of Pharmacy program will be considered by the Board following the initial graduation of students from the program in 2010.

updated August 16, 2008