Concordia University Wisconsin’s School of Pharmacy has notched another above-average residency match rate!
For the seventh year in a row, Concordia University Wisconsin’s School of Pharmacy students have surpassed the average rate of pharmacy students nationwide who attempted and successfully matched with a PGY1 residency.
Final match results were released today and 90.9% of CUW students attempting to match to PGY1 residencies were successful, which outpaces the national average by 10 points. Additionally, 75% of CUW students who attempted PGY2 residencies successfully matched.
”I’m very proud of the success our CUWSOP graduates have achieved in matching with highly selective residencies both in Wisconsin and throughout the nation,” said Dr. Erik Jorvig, Dean of Concordia University Wisconsin School of Pharmacy. “This advanced training allows our graduates to advance their specific pharmacy vocation and serve their communities in many unique hospital-based, ambulatory clinic-based or specialty settings. Additionally, upon completion, it sets up our graduates to advance into leadership positions in healthcare systems to have a greater impact on the future health of their communities.”
These latest results continue CUW SOP’s positive momentum. Since 2018, CUW’s pharmacy students have bested the average PGY1 residency match rate nationwide:
| Year | CUW SOP | National Avg. |
| 2018 | 76.5% | 65.4% |
| 2019 | 73.1% | 64.3% |
| 2020 | 65.7% | 63.1% |
| 2021 | 75.6% | 64.9% |
| 2022 | 83.3% | 76.5% |
| 2023 | 92.3% | 81.8% |
| 2024 | 90.9% | 81.2% |
ASHP National Resident Matching Program
Each year, nearly 150 schools nationwide participate in the American Society of health-system Pharmacist (ASHP) National Resident Matching Program. The ASHP match program provides an unbiased mechanism for matching applicants’ preferences with those of participating residency programs.
Pharmacy residencies are optional post-graduate education experiences for licensed pharmacists. They focus on the resident providing patient care and furthering their project, leadership, and teaching skills under the preceptorship of experience pharmacists. In some care settings, residencies are increasingly becoming a requisite for obtaining a position, especially those settings where pharmacists are involved in direct patient care.
Residencies typically last one to two years and begin in early July. Concordia’s 2024 graduates will primarily serve Wisconsin residents through residency experiences, as 28 students matched with residency programs within the state. The remainder matched with programs in Minnesota, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Georgia, and Arizona.
Padding the accolades
ASHP’s residency match rate announcement comes on the heels of other celebratory news for Concordia’s School of Pharmacy. Last month, CUW SOP received word that the latest cohort of graduates had ranked second among all pharmacy school graduates in the region and 11th nationwide for their first-time pass rates on the NAPLEX exam. The class of 2023 PharmD graduates’ first-time pass rate of 91.7% was also the top score of any Christian pharmacy school in the nation.
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As a CUW pharmacy student, you can expect to participate in active applied learning throughout your degree program. Our accomplished faculty teach and mentor each individual student in a welcoming Christ-centered environment. Our highest priority is helping you develop your talents for a rewarding life, not only a career.