RVCC, Fairleigh Dickinson University sign agreement creating pathway to pharmacy doctorate

BRANCHBURG TOWNSHIP, N.J. (Somerset County) — Raritan Valley Community College and Fairleigh Dickinson University have signed a new articulation agreement designed to create a pathway for qualified RVCC pre-pharmacy graduates seeking a Doctor of Pharmacy degree.

Under the agreement, five qualified RVCC students each year who earn an Associate of Science in Biological Sciences through the Pre-Medicine and Pre-Pharmacy track will be granted an interview for possible admission to FDU’s Doctor of Pharmacy program at its College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in Florham Park.

Students must meet several requirements to qualify, including maintaining the required grade-point average in their RVCC major and individual prerequisite courses. They also must complete 66 prerequisite undergraduate credits within four academic years and submit required letters of recommendation, one of which may come from a pharmacist.

FDU will provide eligible RVCC students with admission support and guidance. The university also plans to offer information sessions at RVCC about its PharmD program.

“We are excited to enter into this new partnership with Fairleigh Dickinson University, which offers an incredible opportunity for RVCC students interested in a career in pharmacy,” said Dr. Sarah Imbriglio, RVCC Dean of STEM. “The agreement also will enable students to continue their higher education, complete a doctorate in this highly competitive field, and remain close to home and their communities.”

The agreement is intended to give RVCC students a clearer route from their associate degree studies into FDU’s professional pharmacy program.

Added Dr. Anastasia Rivkin, Dean, FDU College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences: “We are excited about our collaboration with RVCC to create a pathway into FDU’s Doctor of Pharmacy program. The pharmacy profession is rapidly evolving, and pharmacists have many exciting career paths, including direct patient care in community and hospital settings, as well as jobs in pharmaceutical industry, managed care, and many others. Pharmacists are medication therapy experts who are essential healthcare professionals on clinical teams. Pharmacists work with doctors, nurses, physician assistants and others to improve patient health. We look forward to collaborating with RVCC to have their qualified students join FDU’s Doctor of Pharmacy program and to welcome them into our FDU College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences community.”