After a comprehensive review process, the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education has extended the full accreditation of the University of Rhode Island College of Pharmacy through 2032.

After months of review through remote meetings and in-person visits, the ACPE board determined the URI College of Pharmacy to be in compliance with all standards for pharmacy education, extending its accreditation of the college for the maximum eight years. The continuing endorsement of the college’s programs is gratifying, though not surprising, said Dean Kerry LaPlante, as the college has been continually accredited throughout its existence.

“Our vision is to advance health and transform communities, and we take pride in the collaborative efforts of our outstanding faculty, dedicated staff, and ambitious students,” LaPlante said. “Together, we’ve cultivated a community that is truly remarkable for both learning and working. I want to acknowledge the tremendous efforts of our entire team in ensuring the success of the accreditation and self study. A special appreciation goes to Matthew Lacroix, our director of accreditation, Jayne Pawasauskas, clinical professor and chairperson of the self study, and former Dean Paul Larrat.”

During its visit to Avedisian Hall on the Kingston campus, the ACPE site team identified several notable strengths within the program, LaPlante said, including the effectiveness of the college’s strategic planning process and monitoring, the personalized attention given to each student in experiential placement, and the diverse array of experiences curated by the office of experiential education. The team also commended the college on its integration of graduate student teaching assistants in operational aspects such as exam assessment. Some notable statistics include:

• The college achieved the highest placement in New England for postgraduate training, both in terms of total numbers and as a percentage of those actively seeking opportunities.
• Upon graduation, 99 percent of students have secured employment or committed to full-time academic pursuits.
• The College averages a 96 percent post-doctoral residency placement rate, highest in New England.
• At graduation, 100 percent of graduates in a recent survey expressed confidence in their readiness to step into professional practice.
• If given the choice again, 98 percent of URI College of Pharmacy graduates would opt for our program again.

The URI College of Pharmacy offers a six-year entry-level Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree, a four-year Bachelor of Science degree, and M.S. and Ph.D. level degrees in Pharmaceutical Sciences.

The University of Rhode Island College of Pharmacy’s Doctor of Pharmacy program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education, 190 South LaSalle Street, Suite 3000, Chicago, IL 60603, 312/664-3575; FAX 866/228-2631, website www.acpe-accredit.org.