University of Arizona’s Pharmacy Program Achieves Full Accreditation
The University of Arizona’s R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy recently celebrated a significant milestone. The Doctor of Pharmacy program has been awarded full accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), the longest accreditation term possible, valid through June 30, 2033.
Accreditation is crucial for pharmacy graduates, as it is required to sit for licensure exams. Interim Dean Brian Erstad explained that while new colleges often start with shorter accreditation terms, achieving full accreditation requires a comprehensive understanding of the accreditation system. “I know how important accreditation with no partial or non-compliance findings is,” Erstad emphasized, especially for a pharmacy college at a top research university.
University President Suresh Garimella acknowledged the faculty’s dedication and leadership. “I am very pleased to congratulate the R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy on earning full accreditation from ACPE,” he said. “This achievement speaks to the caliber of our college and its place as a preeminent institution in pharmacy education and research.”
The accreditation process includes a self-study by the college, documenting its performance according to ACPE standards, followed by an on-campus evaluation. Evaluators review curriculum, student outcomes, faculty resources, governance, and clinical training, and conduct interviews with faculty, staff, and students.
Established in 1947, the Coit College of Pharmacy is the first health sciences college at the University of Arizona and the only public university pharmacy program in the state. With over 4,000 alumni, the college offers training on campuses in Tucson and Phoenix. Approximately 1,100 practicing pharmacists mentor students across nearly 600 clinical sites in Arizona, providing diverse learning experiences in hospitals, community pharmacies, and clinics.
The college also boasts research excellence, ranking No. 4 for National Institutes of Health funding according to the Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research, with $18.6 million in funding. Research areas include drug discovery, pharmacology, toxicology, and health outcomes. Notable research centers include the Coit Center for Longevity and NeuroTherapeutics, focusing on healthy aging, and the Center for Health Outcomes and PharmacoEconomic Research.
Among its research initiatives, the college launched a Phase 3 clinical trial this year, testing rapamycin’s effects on resilience and immune function in older adults. Funded with $12 million from alumnus R. Ken Coit, this trial highlights the college’s commitment to advancing healthcare.
Erstad highlighted the collaborative effort behind the accreditation. Elizabeth Hall-Lipsy, associate dean of faculty and academic affairs, and Maria Coronado, director of assessment, played key roles in the preparation process. “This really is a team effort,” said Erstad. “Everybody has to know what we’re doing, and they did a great job.”
For prospective students, Erstad emphasized the significance of the accreditation. “The accreditation reaffirms that we are a top-ranked college of pharmacy,” he stated. “Along with our great clinicians and researchers, it’s one more reason to come to this place.”
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