Dr. Barry Ryan Announces West Coast University’s Plans to Launch Doctor of Pharmacy Program

IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In keeping with West Coast University’s history and reputation in health care education, Dr. Barry Ryan, WCU’s President, is pleased to announce plans to begin a Doctor of Pharmacy program at its Los Angeles campus. The program will be the University’s first professional doctoral degree program, pending approvals by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), and the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE). The School of Pharmacy anticipates seating its inaugural class in the fall of 2013.

“This integrated approach facilitates the ability of students to capture the big picture of health care, and appreciate a wider breadth of understanding of the interconnectedness of pharmacy within the wider range of health care professions”

West Coast University School of Pharmacy plans to offer a traditional 4-year degree program, which will provide an educational program that blends innovative clinical experiences and challenging interprofessional education opportunities in our technologically advanced patient simulation centers, all within a rigorous academic curriculum.

“This integrated approach facilitates the ability of students to capture the big picture of health care, and appreciate a wider breadth of understanding of the interconnectedness of pharmacy within the wider range of health care professions,” said Dr. Ryan.

In anticipation of its launch, construction has commenced on what will be the new School of Pharmacy’s technologically advanced facility, located at 590 North Vermont Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90004. The School of Pharmacy campus will house three large classrooms, two small class rooms, two teaching labs, one large research lab as well as 16 audio/video capture rooms, which will be used for a variety of purposes including case discussions, communication and consultation skill development and Objective Structured Clinical Exams (OSCEs). The School of Pharmacy plans to enroll 70 students in its first class.

About West Coast University

West Coast University is one of Southern California’s leading health care educators, offering programs in nursing, health care management and dental hygiene at campuses in Los Angeles, Orange County and Ontario, and nursing programs at its new campus in Dallas, Texas. The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) awarded programmatic accreditation to WCU’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs in October 2009 and its Master of Science in Nursing program in May 2012. WCU’s Dental Hygiene program at the Orange County Campus is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) of the American Dental Association to offer the only Bachelor of Science Degree in Dental Hygiene (BSDH) in the County. It is one of only four BSDH programs in California. West Coast University is regionally accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC - www.wascsenior.org) Dr. Barry Ryan is the President of West Coast University.