Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education ACPE

Overview

The Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) is the national accrediting agency for professional degree programs in pharmacy in the United States. Established in 1932, ACPE is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). The council's primary mission is to ensure and advance the quality of pharmacy education through rigorous accreditation processes, thereby preparing pharmacists to deliver optimal patient care.

History and Legal Framework

ACPE was founded in 1932 as the American Council on Pharmaceutical Education. In 2003, it adopted its current name to better reflect its expanded scope and mission. The council operates as a non-profit organization and is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as the national agency for the accreditation of professional degree programs in pharmacy. ACPE's accreditation standards are designed to ensure that pharmacy programs meet high-quality educational criteria, preparing graduates for effective professional practice.

Mission, Vision and Objectives

ACPE's mission is to assure and advance the quality of pharmacy education by establishing and promoting accreditation standards and policies that foster excellence in the education and training of pharmacists. The council's vision is to be a global leader in pharmacy education accreditation, recognized for its commitment to continuous improvement and innovation. ACPE's objectives include:

• Developing and maintaining rigorous accreditation standards for pharmacy programs.
• Conducting comprehensive evaluations of pharmacy education programs.
• Providing guidance and resources to institutions to enhance educational quality.
• Engaging with stakeholders to promote the value of accreditation in pharmacy education.

Governance, Structure and Independence

ACPE operates under a governance structure that includes a Board of Directors responsible for overseeing the council's activities and ensuring adherence to its mission and objectives. The board comprises individuals with diverse backgrounds in pharmacy education, practice and administration. The council maintains its independence by operating as a non-profit organization and by ensuring that its accreditation processes are objective and free from external influence.

Accreditation and Quality Evaluation Role in Higher Education

ACPE accredits professional degree programs in pharmacy leading to the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree. The accreditation process involves a comprehensive evaluation of a program's curriculum, faculty, facilities and resources to ensure that it meets established standards of quality. ACPE also accredits providers of continuing pharmacy education, ensuring that pharmacists have access to high-quality educational opportunities throughout their careers. The council's accreditation activities play a crucial role in maintaining and enhancing the quality of pharmacy education, thereby ensuring that graduates are well-prepared to meet the evolving needs of the healthcare system.

International Cooperation and Network Memberships

In 2011, ACPE established the International Services Program (ISP) to offer accreditation and preaccreditation services to pharmacy programs outside the United States. The ISP provides consultation, training and guidance to international stakeholders seeking to enhance the quality of pharmacy education. Through this program, ACPE collaborates with educational institutions and organizations worldwide to promote excellence in pharmacy education and to facilitate the mobility of pharmacy professionals across borders.

Current or Future Impact on Higher Education

ACPE's accreditation activities have a significant impact on higher education by ensuring that pharmacy programs maintain high standards of quality and effectiveness. The council's rigorous evaluation processes promote continuous improvement within pharmacy education programs, leading to enhanced educational outcomes for students. Looking forward, ACPE aims to strengthen its role as a global leader in pharmacy education accreditation by expanding its international reach, enhancing program support and fostering innovation in pharmacy education.

Summary

The Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education plays a pivotal role in maintaining and enhancing the quality of pharmacy education in the United States and internationally. Through its rigorous accreditation process, ACPE ensures that pharmacy programs meet established standards, thereby preparing students for effective professional practice. The council's commitment to continuous improvement, innovation and global collaboration underscores its leadership in pharmacy education accreditation.

FAQs

1. What is ACPE?
   The Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education is the national accrediting agency for professional degree programs in pharmacy in the United States.
2. How does ACPE impact pharmacy education?
   ACPE ensures that pharmacy programs meet established standards of quality and effectiveness through a peer-review accreditation process, leading to improved educational outcomes and professional preparedness for students.
3. Is ACPE recognized by the U.S. Department of Education?
   Yes, ACPE is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) as the national agency for the accreditation of professional degree programs in pharmacy.
4. Does ACPE accredit programs outside the United States?
   Yes, through its International Services Program, ACPE offers accreditation and preaccreditation services to pharmacy programs outside the United States, promoting global excellence in pharmacy education.
5. How can a pharmacy program achieve ACPE accreditation?
   A pharmacy program can achieve ACPE accreditation by undergoing a voluntary, peer-review process that includes self-assessment, an external review by ACPE-appointed peer evaluators and meeting established standards and criteria for educational quality.

Organization Name

Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education

Acronym

ACPE

Year of Establishment

1/01/1932

Control Type

Private

Entity Type

Non-Profit

Geo Focus and Coverage

National

Recognized by

Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA); U.S. Department of Education

Affiliations or Memberships

Association for Specialized and Professional Accreditors (ASPA)

Number of Member Universities or Accredited Institutions

140

Address

190 S. LaSalle Street, Suite 2850
Chicago
60603-3499 Illinois United States

Phone

+1 (312) 664 3575

Fax

+1 (866) 228 2631

List of universities offering programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE):

1) Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
2) American University of Health Sciences School of Pharmacy
3) Appalachian College of Pharmacy
4) Auburn University Harrison College of Pharmacy
5) Belmont University College of Pharmacy
6) Binghamton University State University of New York School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
7) Butler University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
8) California Northstate University College of Pharmacy
9) Campbell University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
10) Cedarville University School of Pharmacy
11) Chapman University School of Pharmacy
12) Concordia University Wisconsin School of Pharmacy
13) Creighton University School of Pharmacy and Health Professions
14) Drake University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
15) Duquesne University School of Pharmacy
16) D'Youville University School of Pharmacy
17) East Tennessee State University Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy
18) Fairleigh Dickinson University School of Pharmacy & Health Sciences
19) Ferris State University College of Pharmacy
20) Florida A&M University College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
21) Harding University College of Pharmacy
22) High Point University Fred Wilson School of Pharmacy
23) Howard University College of Pharmacy
24) Husson University College of Health and Pharmacy School of Pharmacy
25) Idaho State University College of Pharmacy
26) Keck Graduate Institute (KGI) School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
27) Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine School of Pharmacy
28) Larkin University College of Pharmacy
29) Lebanese American University School of Pharmacy
30) Lipscomb University Health Sciences Center College of Pharmacy
31) Loma Linda University School of Pharmacy
32) Long Island University Arnold and Marie Schwartz College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
33) Manchester University College of Pharmacy
34) Marshall B. Ketchum University College of Pharmacy
35) Marshall University School of Pharmacy
36) MCPHS University School of Pharmacy - Worcester
37) MCPHS University School of Pharmacy - Boston
38) Medical College of Wisconsin School of Pharmacy
39) Medical University of South Carolina College of Pharmacy
40) Mercer University College of Pharmacy
41) Midwestern University College of Pharmacy
42) North Dakota State University College of Health Professions School of Pharmacy
43) Northeast Ohio Medical University College of Pharmacy
44) Northeastern University Bouvé College of Health Sciences School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
45) Notre Dame of Maryland University School of Pharmacy
46) Nova Southeastern University College of Pharmacy
47) Ohio Northern University Raabe College of Pharmacy
48) Ohio State University College of Pharmacy
49) Oregon State University College of Pharmacy
50) Pacific University School of Pharmacy
51) Palm Beach Atlantic University Lloyd L. Gregory School of Pharmacy
52) Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine - Georgia School of Pharmacy
53) Presbyterian College School of Pharmacy
54) Purdue University College of Pharmacy
55) Regis University Rueckert-Hartman College for Health Professions School of Pharmacy
56) Roosevelt University College of Science
57) Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science College of Pharmacy
58) Roseman University of Health Sciences College of Pharmacy
59) Rutgers
60) Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia College of Pharmacy
61) Samford University McWhorter School of Pharmacy
62) Shenandoah University Bernard J. Dunn School of Pharmacy
63) South College School of Pharmacy
64) South Dakota State University College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions
65) South University School of Pharmacy
66) Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Pharmacy
67) Southwestern Oklahoma State University College of Pharmacy
68) St. John Fisher University Wegmans School of Pharmacy
69) St. John's University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
70) Sullivan University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
71) Temple University School of Pharmacy
72) Texas A & M University Health Science Center Irma Lerma Rangel School of Pharmacy
73) Texas Southern University Joan M. Lafleur College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
74) Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Jerry H. Hodge School of Pharmacy
75) Thomas Jefferson University Jefferson College of Pharmacy
76) Touro University Touro College of Pharmacy
77) Touro University - California College of Pharmacy
78) Union University College of Pharmacy
79) University at Buffalo The State University of New York School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences
80) University of Arizona R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy
81) University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Pharmacy
82) University of California
83) University of California
84) University of Charleston School of Pharmacy
85) University of Cincinnati James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy
86) University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
87) University of Connecticut School of Pharmacy
88) University of Findlay College of Pharmacy
89) University of Florida College of Pharmacy
90) University of Georgia College of Pharmacy
91) University of Hawaii at Hilo Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy
92) University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis St. Louis College of Pharmacy
93) University of Houston College of Pharmacy
94) University of Illinois at Chicago College of Pharmacy
95) University of Iowa College of Pharmacy
96) University of Kansas School of Pharmacy
97) University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy
98) University of Louisiana at Monroe College of Pharmacy
99) University of Maryland School of Pharmacy
100) University of Maryland Eastern Shore School of Pharmacy and Health Professions
101) University of Michigan College of Pharmacy
102) University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy
103) University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy
104) University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Pharmacy
105) University of Montana College of Health Skaggs School of Pharmacy
106) University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy
107) University of New England Westbrook College of Health Professions School of Pharmacy
108) University of New Mexico College of Pharmacy
109) University of North Carolina Eshelman School of Pharmacy
110) University of North Texas Health Science Center UNT System College of Pharmacy
111) University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center College of Pharmacy
112) University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy
113) University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus School of Pharmacy
114) University of Rhode Island College of Pharmacy
115) University of Saint Joseph School of Pharmacy and Physician Assistant Studies
116) University of South Carolina College of Pharmacy
117) University of South Florida Health Taneja College of Pharmacy
118) University of Southern California Alfred E. Mann School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
119) University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Pharmacy
120) University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy
121) University of Texas at El Paso School of Pharmacy
122) University of Texas at Tyler Fisch College of Pharmacy
123) University of the Incarnate Word Feik School of Pharmacy
124) University of the Pacific Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy
125) University of Toledo College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
126) University of Utah College of Pharmacy
127) University of Washington School of Pharmacy
128) University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Pharmacy
129) University of Wyoming School of Pharmacy
130) Virginia Commonwealth University at the Medical College of Virginia Campus School of Pharmacy
131) Washington State University College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
132) Wayne State University Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
133) West Coast University School of Pharmacy
134) West Virginia University School of Pharmacy
135) Western New England University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
136) Western University of Health Sciences College of Pharmacy
137) Wilkes University Nesbitt School of Pharmacy
138) William Carey University School of Pharmacy
139) Wingate University School of Pharmacy
140) Xavier University of Louisiana College of Pharmacy

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