Pharmacy school coming to Edwardsville campus in 2005
September 25, 2002
Second public school of pharmacy in the state coming to SIU
Factoid:Interested students can check out the school’s website at www.siue.edu/PHARMACY.
Pharmacists are in high demand, but SIU officials are hoping that the University’s graduates can help meet the job market’s needs in several years.
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The Illinois Board of Higher Education approved adding the pharmacy school to SIU’s curriculum in April, and plans are now in place to build the school at the Edwardsville campus. The dean of the school, whom officials plan to hire by March, will coordinate further details of the school’s construction.
An interim facility currently exists and an additional facility, designed by a Chicago architectural firm, will be built at the Edwardsville campus.
The first group of students is expected to be enrolled for fall 2005 and each year of tuition will cost about $10,000, said Dwight Smith, SIUE associate provost for planning.
“The pharmacy school fits with the campus’ mission statement, complements the school of medicine and nursing and fits with the need in the community,” he said. “There is a high demand for pharmacists around the nation and Midwest. This is why it’s a good reason to bring the school to SIU.”
The school will be only the second public pharmacy school in the state. Funding for the $5 million project will come primarily from state aid that is supplemented with tuition dollars, Smith said.
Officials had hoped last year to see classes begin in the fall of 2003, but the project was delayed because of budget cuts, said Scott Kaiser, spokesman for SIU President James Walker.
Students enrolled in the program study a pre-pharmacy curriculum for two years, which can be fulfilled at SIUE or almost any college, including most community colleges. Then the students will spend the next two years learning the trade in Edwardsville and work during their final two years at clinic sites.
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There are 150 students on the school’s mailing list and about 20 students enrolled as pre-pharmacy at Edwardsville, Smith said.
SIU-Edwardsville is currently accepting applications for dean of the school. The school will begin reviewing applications on Oct. 1, and plans on hiring a dean by March 1, 2003.
Reporter Carrie Roderick can be reached at [email protected]
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