The WVU School of Pharmacy is partnering with the University of Charleston to provide educational pathways to UC students affected by that institution’s decision to discontinue its Doctor of Pharmacy program. (WVU Photo)
In a collaborative effort to support student success, the West Virginia University School of Pharmacy and the University of Charleston are partnering to provide a seamless transition plan for students affected by the discontinuation of UC’s Doctor of Pharmacy program.
On Dec. 13, UC announced it would no longer admit new students into its PharmD program. Students in UC’s graduating classes of 2025 and 2026 will be able to complete their degree with UC while students in other class years will continue to be instructed through the spring semester at UC.
Under a teach-out agreement between the two universities, current second-year UC students in good academic standing will be offered an automatic transfer to WVU, with the class location to be determined. First-year students will have the opportunity to seamlessly transfer to WVU, with classes to be held in Morgantown. Those students who have been accepted into UC for Fall 2025 will be asked to formally apply to the WVU School of Pharmacy where they will receive expedited review.
Other details such as curricular alignment, educational costs and site of instruction are being addressed in partnership between the universities to best accommodate the students’ needs and academic progress, while providing a high-quality education.
“As a land-grant institution and West Virginia’s leader in pharmacy education for decades, we will commit to making every effort to helping the UC students fulfill their dreams of becoming pharmacists,” WVU School of Pharmacy Dean Dr. William Petros said.
UC cited declining pharmacy program enrollment and a focus on other growth opportunities as reasons for discontinuing its pharmacy program after 20 years. However, the role of pharmacists in health care remains critical. As their responsibilities in patient care continue to expand, pharmacists are often the first point of contact in rural communities where access to other health care professionals may be limited.
“We are fully committed to helping all UC pharmacy students find a home at WVU after the discontinuation of the UC program,” said Dr. Clay Marsh, WVU Health Sciences chancellor and executive dean.
“The WVU School of Pharmacy is located on our large academic medical center campus and is a robust program with extensive opportunities for clinical practice and experiential learning. The UC pharmacy students will work with caring and compassionate WVU faculty and staff who will provide exceptional training and prepare these students for bright futures in the pharmacy field.”
A degree in pharmacy remains a strong and promising educational pathway, offering more than 100 career types and well-paying jobs in every community. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects growth in pharmacist employment that is above the national average across all occupations.
The WVU School of Pharmacy, the oldest pharmacy school in West Virginia, is celebrating 110 years of pharmacy education this year. Housing national award-winning faculty and students, the school is ranked among the top third of pharmacy schools nationwide and boasts approximately 4,000 alumni practicing across the country.
To learn more about WVU School of Pharmacy, visit pharmacy.wvu.edu.
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