ATLANTA – The Mercer University College of Pharmacy recently earned the full eight-year accreditation status from the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE). The status is the longest term achievable for a Doctor of Pharmacy program and extends until June 30, 2022.
An ACPE accreditation team conducted an on-campus site visit of Mercer College of Pharmacy in October 2013 and recently notified the college of its final evaluation. H.W. “Ted” Matthews, Ph.D., dean of the College of Pharmacy and senior vice president for health sciences, credits the accreditation renewal status to a faculty and staff who continue to work tirelessly for excellence in student-learning outcomes.
“I am extremely pleased that our accreditation was renewed for the longest period possible,” Matthews said. “This achievement was not a forgone conclusion. It was made possible by the hard and diligent work of an entire college with a singular focus for excellence. And words cannot adequately express my appreciation for the hard work of my faculty, staff and students.”
The ACPE accreditation process is an exhaustive assessment of virtually every aspect of a pharmacy school – from its mission, planning and evaluation process to its curriculum, administration, faculty, students and facilities. Each pharmacy school undergoing evaluation is measured against 30 accreditation standards. And each standard is individually evaluated to determine whether the school is in compliance, partial compliance or non-compliance of the standard. The ACPE found that Mercer's College of Pharmacy was in compliance with all 30 standards and is monitoring seven for further improvements.
Candace Barnett, Ph.D., executive associate dean and professor of pharmacy practice, led the College's accreditation renewal process with the assistance of clinical associate professor Lisa Lundquist, Pharm.D. Barnett, who also had a leadership role in the last two accreditation processes for the College of Pharmacy, said the process is a team effort.
“The faculty, students and staff all played a critical role in our success,” Barnett said. “It has truly been a team effort. Now, our focus is to diligently address the areas that we can improve, because we always look for continuous quality improvements.”
About the College of Pharmacy
Mercer University's College of Pharmacy is ranked No. 4 among pharmacy programs at private institutions in the United States, according to U.S. News & World Report. The College offers doctoral degrees in pharmacy (Pharm.D.) and pharmaceutical sciences (Ph.D.). Founded in 1903 as the independent Southern School of Pharmacy, the school merged with Mercer University in 1959 and in 1981 became the first school in the Southeast to offer the Doctor of Pharmacy degree as its sole professional degree. In 1988, the College launched its graduate program, offering the Ph.D. degree in pharmaceutical sciences. The College is one of four health sciences units within the Mercer Health Sciences Center. With an enrollment today of more than 650 students and a distinguished faculty of basic scientists and clinicians, the College of Pharmacy houses seven centers focusing on research, teaching and learning. The College's motto, “A Tradition of Excellence – A Legacy of Caring,” frames its philosophy of providing excellent academic programs in an environment where every student matters and every person counts. For more information about the College, please call (678) 547-6244 or visit
pharmacy.mercer.edu.
