A new partnership between Concordia College and the Medical College of Wisconsin creates an accelerated 3+3 Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program that allows students to earn both a bachelor’s degree and a PharmD in just six years — two years faster than the traditional route.
“This program gives our students a clear and efficient pathway into a vital health care profession,” said Dr. Julie Mach, chair of Concordia’s chemistry department. “There’s a need for more pharmacists, and this allow students to enter the field sooner.”
Mach noted how this partnership provides a way for students to fast-track their career, while also getting the benefits of attending a smaller, liberal arts college.
“Students will still get to be Cobbers,” Mach said. “They can experience the support, community, and strong liberal arts foundation Concordia offers before heading into pharmacy school.”
Through the program, students will complete three years of coursework at Concordia, majoring in either biochemistry or biosciences with a pharmacy concentration, before transitioning to MCW for three years in an accelerated pharmacy program.
Students who meet program requirements can be granted early assurance admission to MCW’s School of Pharmacy.
“This dual-degree program reduces the overall cost of undergraduate and professional education by reducing two full years of tuition,” said Dr. George E. MacKinnon III, the founding dean of the MCW School of Pharmacy. “This is our first dual-degree partnership with a Minnesota school, and we’re excited to establish connections with aspiring pharmacists in the state.”
Students interested in the program must enroll full time at Concordia, complete all degree and core requirements, and maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA in their coursework. To qualify for early assurance, students apply by January of their first or second year at Concordia, complete an interview with MCW pharmacy faculty, and meet all prerequisite course requirements.
Early assurance students receive mentorship from MCW faculty and are invited to participate in pharmacy-related events before transferring to MCW to begin their professional studies.
For more information about the MCW PharmD program at Concordia, visit the program webpage.
About the MCW School of Pharmacy:
The MCW School of Pharmacy is one of few institutions in the country offering a three-year, accelerated Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program. Students receive extensive training on advanced practice skills, such as vaccine administration, medication compounding, conducting basic medical tests and helping patients manage chronic diseases. The innovative curriculum includes weekly exposure to a variety of clinical rotation settings starting in the first year. MCW shares a campus and partners with Froedtert Hospital (Level 1 Trauma Center) and Children’s Wisconsin (Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center), providing access to rotations and research experiences at some of the top facilities in the country.