A new agreement between Concordia University Wisconsin’s School of Pharmacy and Finlandia University gives students the opportunity to obtain a bachelor’s degree and a CUW PharmD degree, and save a year of studies in the process.
Concordia University is excited to announce the signing of a 3+4 dual degree agreement with the FinnU, a Lutheran university located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. In the program, students will spend three years in a Bachelor of Science in Biology program at Finlandia, then four years in Concordia’s Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program. Several first-year courses in the CUW PharmD program will fulfill requirements for the bachelor’s degree at FinnU.
“We’re excited to partner with Concordia and offer our students an accelerated pathway into a pharmacy program with priority for admission,” says Dr. Jason Oyadomari, Dean of the Suomi College of Arts & Sciences at Finlandia.
This is the eighth 3+4 dual degree agreement Concordia has signed with partner schools, and the first in Michigan. Agreements exist with:
- Alverno College
- Concordia University, St. Paul
- Edgewood College
- Lakeland University
- University of Wisconsin-Green Bay
- The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
- Viterbo University
Concordia also offers CUW undergraduates the same opportunity to obtain a bachelor’s degree and PharmD degree in a shorter amount of time than it would otherwise take. Students who take advantage of Concordia’s own 3+4 program would earn a Bachelor of Science in pharmaceutical sciences after completion of undergraduate coursework, core requirements and general elective requirements, as well as the first year of pharmacy school.
The CUW School of Pharmacy Difference
In February 2021, following its most recent accreditation review, CUW SOP was named one of only five “Noteworthy Examples” of exceptional achievement for its work in interprofessional education. At the conclusion of each accreditation review cycle, the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) and the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) recognize model programs through the nation.
The ACPE also announced in February that it would extend CUW SOP’s accreditation for an eight-year term, the maximum approval period that a pharmacy school can earn.
Another noted strength of Concordia’s PharmD program is its holistic approach to student success. While some pharmacy schools throughout the nation have moved to an accelerated, three-year model, Concordia remains committed to its four-year structure (which includes summer and winter breaks from classes) to reduce the occurrences of burnout among students. Students are also given opportunity to participate in Daily Chapel, and other robust spiritual life offerings on campus.
“We place a high emphasis on developing the whole person,” says Dean of Pharmacy Erik Jorvig, PhD. “Our aim is to equip our student-pharmacists to be leaders as future pharmacists, serving within their communities and offering exemplary, Christ-inspired care.”
— This story is written by Kali Thiel, director of university communications for Concordia University Wisconsin and Ann Arbor. She may be reached at kali.thiel@cuw.edu or 262-243-2149.
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