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������Ƶ Education Partners with the University of Findlay to Launch a Distance Doctor of Pharmacy Degree

The Partnership marks ������Ƶ Education’s first distance Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree.

FINDLAY, OHIO and CHICAGO (August 30, 2023) – The University of Findlay and ������Ƶ Education have launched a distance Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program designed to expand the reach and mission of the University of Findlay and help meet the consistent need for licensed pharmacists across the nation. The first cohort of students begins coursework this month, and student recruitment for Fall 2024 has commenced.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there is a small projected growth in pharmacists’ jobs through 2031. However, the nation is seeing a significant increase in the need for highly skilled and quality pharmacists to practice across the spectrum of the profession. In 2021, there were more than 80,000 job postings for pharmacists, with only 14,223 new PharmD graduates to fill those positions (Lightcast, accessed January 17, 2023; American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy, Fall 2021 Degrees Conferred-Profile of Pharmacy Students). The Ohio 2021 Pharmacist Workload Survey found that 68.6% of responding pharmacists either ‘disagreed’ or ‘strongly disagreed’ that their “work environment has sufficient pharmacist staffing that allows for safe patient care.” As employer demand continues to exceed capacity at institutions across the US, colleges and universities are looking for innovative solutions to overcome constraints limiting growth.

“We are pleased to offer a pathway to a Doctor of Pharmacy degree that meets the expectations and needs of today's learners,” said Debra Parker, Pharm.D., dean of the College of Pharmacy, University of Findlay. “We are providing a flexible learning experience that encompasses distance learning where appropriate, hands-on learning in consolidated on-campus sessions, and of course, experiential learning out in the field. We have the right mix to train tomorrow's pharmacists to serve their communities across the country without asking them to relocate.”

“The University of Findlay has a well-established track record of offering online degree programs. We are excited to build upon this as we launch a distance education pathway to a PharmD,” said Ryan A. Schneider, Pharm.D., Ph.D. Associate Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Associate Dean for Operations and Effectiveness and Chair, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Findlay. “As the first online PharmD program to be offered in the state of Ohio, and with fewer than ten online programs in the country, we believe this pathway will uniquely position our program to be ready to educate the next generation of pharmacists who are seeking a more flexible learning environment.”

Coursework will be offered online with concentrated campus immersions and hands-on experiential practical experiences in the students’ home community sourced by ������Ƶ Education’s placement network. The University of Findlay will also continue to offer a campus-based PharmD program for students who prefer a face-to-face program.

“At ������Ƶ, we know that rural and remote areas are most underserved across many healthcare professions and believe the distance PharmD program can close the shortfall within the Pharmacy profession,” said Steve Fireng, Global CEO, ������Ƶ Education. “We are continuing to support institutions like the University of Findlay to solve this most critical challenge by unlocking opportunities for aspiring pharmacists who live beyond their campus footprint to study, obtain licensure, and practice in the communities that need them the most.”

Universities across the globe are partnering with ������Ƶ Education to design and deliver high-quality, career-relevant, and industry-aligned graduate degrees built for working learners and the future of work, even across traditionally on-campus degrees with clinical placements. Leveraging ������ƵEDGE, our end-to-end data and technology platform, ������Ƶ works with university faculty to reimagine in-person degrees into online courses with rural areas, underserved communities, and a global reach in mind. University faculty design and teach the program curriculum and ������Ƶ provides the program management to support an enhanced online student learning experience including program marketing, recruitment, instructional and course design, clinical/experiential placements, and faculty recruitment services.

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About the University of Findlay:
Located in Findlay, Ohio, University of Findlay is known not only for science, health professions, animal science and equestrian studies programs, but also for cultivating the next generation of business leaders, educators, and innovative thinkers through a dedication to experiential learning, both in and outside of the classroom. Established in 1882 through a joint partnership between the Churches of God, General Counsel, and the City of Findlay, University of Findlay has more than 80 majors leading to baccalaureate degrees, offers 11 master’s degrees, and five doctoral degrees. More than 3,500 students are enrolled at Findlay, and the University is nationally recognized by U.S. News and World Report, the Princeton Review, and Money magazine.

About ������Ƶ Education:
Founded in 2014, ������Ƶ is a global, market-leading edtech company in the online program management market. In collaboration with its university partners, ������Ƶ delivers career-relevant, technology-enabled online higher education programs with the goal of preparing students for the future of work. The suite of services ������Ƶ provides to its university partners includes designing, developing, launching, marketing, and managing online programs. ������Ƶ also undertakes market research and provides student recruitment, support, and placement services. The services ������Ƶ provides are underpinned by ������ƵEDGE, its integrated technology and data platform. ������Ƶ has more than 750 employees with operations in Australia, the United States, Canada, the UK, Malaysia and Singapore.

For more information contact:
Ryan Schneider, Associate Dean of Operations and Effectiveness, Chair and Associate Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences
The University of Findlay, College of Pharmacy
schneiderr@findlay.edu

Ashley McGuire, Senior Manager, Global Communications and Brand
������Ƶ Education
ashley.mcguire@keypathedu.com