South Charlotte Today

CHARLOTTE, N.C. / Aug. 3, 2022 – Johnson C. Smith University students can now earn a Bachelor of Science degree from JCSU and a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Howard University in a seven-year dual degree program.

“Johnson C. Smith University actively searches for new pathways that will enhance the student experience to provide desirable outcomes for our graduates,” said JCSU President Clarence D. Armbrister. “The dual degree program with Howard University’s College of Pharmacy is just another way we are setting our students up for success.” 

The 3 + 4 agreement, which was officially signed in May 2022, permits qualified students to enter the Doctor of Pharmacy program at Howard in their fourth year in a Bachelor of Science program at JCSU. Students first have to satisfy the Howard admission requirements, including achieving a minimum 2.5 grade-point average.

After three years at JCSU, students in the program will leave campus for the in-person Doctor of Pharmacy program at Howard University in Washington, D.C.

The program at Howard is ranked No. 1 out of all pharmacy programs at HBCUs around the country, making it a great pathway for student success in the field.

“While Blacks make up 13 percent of the U.S. population, only 7.6 percent of pharmacists are Black,” said Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Karen D. Morgan. “With that disparity, there is a need to help bridge that gap and increase diversity in the pharmacy profession.” 

“I’m very excited about this partnership,” added Dr. Vijaya Gompa, dean of the College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics at JCSU. “Our team worked hard to make sure our students will get the most benefit from this partnership. It is great to partner with a fellow HBCU to increase the numbers of Blacks in the pharmacy profession.”

Morgan said this memorandum of understanding with Howard University plays a vital role in Johnson C. Smith University’s strategic plan initiatives to enhance academic offerings and expand partnerships. She encourages students, especially those interested in the sciences, mathematics, public health and psychology, to reach out to Joshua Zellar, the recruitment officer for Howard’s College of Pharmacy, at Joshua.zellar@howard.edu. 

Original source can be found here.