Appalachian College of Pharmacy: Accreditation and Mission
The Appalachian College of Pharmacy (ACP), located in Oakwood, Virginia, stands as a unique institution dedicated to addressing the healthcare needs of rural and underserved communities, particularly within the Appalachian region. Founded in 2003, ACP has distinguished itself through its accelerated Doctor of Pharmacy program, community engagement initiatives, and commitment to fostering a learning environment that cultivates professional development and service.
Accreditation: A Testament to Quality
ACP holds accreditation from both the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). These accreditations signify that ACP meets rigorous standards of quality in pharmacy education and is authorized to award the Doctor of Pharmacy degree.
Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE)
The Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) is the national agency responsible for the accreditation of pharmacy programs in the United States. ACPE accreditation assures that a pharmacy program provides students with the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to enter and advance in the profession of pharmacy. In a significant development, the ACPE Board approved the Appalachian College of Pharmacy’s (ACP) instructional site at the Roanoke Higher Education Center (RHEC) in Roanoke, VA. ACPE conducted a site visit at the Roanoke center in May.
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) is a regional accrediting body that accredits degree-granting higher education institutions in the Southern United States. SACSCOC accreditation indicates that an institution has a sound mission, qualified faculty, adequate resources, and effective programs.
Academic Programs: A Focus on Accelerated Learning and Public Health
ACP is known for offering the only three-year accelerated Doctor of Pharmacy program in the Commonwealth of Virginia. This program allows students to complete their PharmD degree in a shorter timeframe compared to traditional four-year programs, enabling them to enter the workforce more quickly.
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Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) Program
The PharmD program at ACP provides students with intense training in a unique setting in Southwest Virginia. The curriculum is designed to develop critical thinking skills and prepare student pharmacists to function on interdisciplinary teams of medical professionals. A minimum of 140 credits and more than 1,700 hours of experiential coursework are required for graduation. Pharm-D students enrolled in ACP programs who are from the Tri-Cities area can complete their first year of study at the ACP Oakwood campus and then spend their final two years at the ACP campus location at the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center in Abingdon, VA.
Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) Program
In addition to the PharmD program, ACP offers an add-on online Doctor of Public Health degree which can be completed post-PharmD in as little as one year.
Certified Pharmacy Technician Program
The college also offers a Certified Pharmacy Technician program.
Dual Degree Program with King University
The dual degree agreement between King University in Bristol, TN and the Appalachian College of Pharmacy (ACP) in Oakwood, VA, allows students to complete a bachelor’s degree at King University in three years and then complete a doctor of pharmacy degree at ACP in three additional years. Under the agreement, both institutions will appoint a program supervisor to monitor, manage and advise students who participate in the dual degree program. ACP will admit up to 10 students each year pursuing an accelerated program leading to the bachelor degree in biology and a doctor of pharmacy from ACP. It will require approximately three years of attendance at King University followed by a minimum of three academic years attendance at ACP. If more than 10 students from King University are qualified, the students chosen to attend ACP will be selected on a competitive basis.
A Mission of Service and Community Engagement
A core component of ACP's mission is to cultivate a learning community committed to education, community outreach, and the professional development of pharmacists. The college places a strong emphasis on service to rural and underserved communities, particularly in the Appalachian region.
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Pharmacists in Community Service (PICS) Program
All students at ACP are required to complete a total of one-hundred and fifty hours of community service during their three years of enrollment as a requirement for graduation. Students are required to complete one hundred hours of community service before beginning Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE) rotations their third year. Of the total one-hundred fifty hours, one hundred community service hours must be health-related, fifty of which must provide patient care, as part of the college's mission to improve the health-related needs of rural and underserved communities.
Mountain Care Center
The college opened the Mountain Care Center, a community clinic that provides health screenings, medication therapy management, and a prescription assistance program for community residents who are uninsured and unable to afford their medications. In addition, health and wellness programs such as smoking cessation and nutrition counseling are available.
Facilities and Campus Expansion
ACP's campus has expanded over the years to accommodate its growing student body and academic programs. The college's Garden campus, located in Oakwood, Virginia, opened in the fall of 2006 as the academic facilities for the second class of students enrolled at ACP. McGlothlin Hall, now the primary academic building, opened in June 2009, adding two student lecture halls, eight breakout rooms, and a faculty laboratory, more than doubling the size of the college campus, with an additional 30,000 square feet.
Tuition and Fees
The annual tuition for the Doctor of Pharmacy program at ACP is $37,500. Additional fees include a student activities fee ($403), a student government fee ($77), a clerkship/practicum fee ($1358), and a technology fee ($2162), bringing the total tuition and fees to $41,500. There is also a seat deposit of $400.
Addressing Healthcare Needs in Appalachia
ACP was founded in response to the significant healthcare challenges facing the Appalachian region. Residents of Southwest Virginia have historically experienced difficulty obtaining and paying for healthcare, including dental and pharmaceutical care. By bringing higher education and advances in healthcare to the region, ACP aims to be a catalyst for positive changes in economic development, education, and healthcare.
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