The UNMC College of Pharmacy is committed to meeting the next generation of potential pharmacists where they are. And where they are, increasingly, is in the middle of already busy lives. Working to earn a living. Caring for loved ones. Raising kids.
In 2026 and beyond, the traditional academic model of simply setting aside four years to be a full-time student doesn’t work for everyone.
A not-insignificant number of people would like to go to school to become a pharmacist, but …
“They have life that gets in the way,” said Don Klepser, PhD, Joseph D. Williams Endowed Dean.
Finding a way to make life compatible with pharmacy school could put more good people into the state’s healthcare workforce, the dean said. People who might otherwise have been counted out.
“Let’s recognize that and address that,” Dr. Klepser said. “Let’s give you every opportunity to succeed.”
In 2027, UNMC will become the second public university in the country (following the University of Hawaii-Hilo) to enroll students in what has become known as an “extended” PharmD program. This means pursuing pharmacy education, not full time but over a longer period of years and with a lower cost per academic year. The goal: Make pursuing a PharmD degree more attainable for working adults.
More UNMC pharmacy students now will have the flexibility to follow their dreams while living their realities.
The UNMC College of Pharmacy has received Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education approval for an extended PharmD curriculum. Students can now opt for the traditional four-year program or instead earn their PharmD over six years.
“This is the same education as our traditional four-year program. The same curriculum, the same assessments and the same expectations,” said Chris Shaffer, PharmD, PhD, pharmacy’s senior associate dean.
The first cohort of UNMC’s extended PharmD program is set to matriculate in August 2027.
Extended PharmD programs are a small but growing trend.
University of the Pacific, Drake University, Western New England University (distance) and Duquesne University (online) are among the handful of other pharmacy schools now offering extended pathways to a PharmD degree.
As noted, UNMC is the second public institution in the U.S. to take this step. “The second of what I assume would be several,” Dr. Klepser said. “Everybody nationally is seeing the same thing.”
Dr. Klepser said pharmacies across the state already have shown enthusiasm for the idea of giving people the opportunity to work toward a doctorate-level professional degree without leaving their jobs.
“We’ve heard from employers who tell us, ‘We’ve got someone working for us who would be incredible (as a pharmacist). But there’s not a pathway for them.’
“This provides that pathway,” Dr. Klepser said.
Kudos to the UNMC College of Pharmacy for making this extended program available to students. It sounds like a win-win to me.