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MILLIGAN COLLEGE, TN (December 15, 2009) — Milligan College and the Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy at East Tennessee State University have announced a dual degree and affiliation agreement that shortens the time students can earn both their bachelor’s and their pharmacy degrees.
“Milligan students can complete three years of the allied health science course work and then, if accepted, begin pharmacy school,” said Milligan Academic Dean Mark Matson. “Successful completion of one year of the pharmacy program would in turn satisfy the requirements for a bachelor of science degree from Milligan, allowing students to complete a bachelor’s degree at Milligan and a doctorate (Pharm.D.) from ETSU in as few as seven years.”
The affiliation agreement allows Milligan students who meet specific criteria to receive a guaranteed interview at the Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy. The agreement was signed Tuesday, Dec. 15, by Matson; Milligan President Donald R. Jeanes; Dr. Larry Calhoun, dean of the Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy; and Dr. Wilsie Bishop, chief operating officer and vice president for health affairs at ETSU.
To receive a guaranteed interview to the Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy, Milligan’s allied health science students must meet the conditions of the agreement, including prerequisite coursework, as well as GPA and PCAT requirements. They must also submit their PharmCas application and supporting documents on deadline.
“Meeting the healthcare needs of the region has long been an important emphasis for Milligan,” explained Matson, citing the college’s strong pre-med, nursing and occupational therapy programs.
Milligan has enjoyed a steadily growing relationship with the college of pharmacy since it began at ETSU four years ago, supporting its mission to achieve excellence in innovative pharmacy education, scholarly research, service to society and the profession, and thus improve the healthcare of the rural Appalachian community. The Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy will graduate its first class in 2010.
“Milligan has had a longstanding relationship with ETSU and strongly supported their pursuit of a free-standing pharmacy school in East Tennessee,” said Jeanes. ”We hope to contribute to the mission of the pharmacy school by providing students who have a passion for this field and the strong academic preparation they need to succeed at the Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy.”
Calhoun echoed that sentiment.
“We are excited to partner with Milligan College on this agreement because there are shared benefits,” said Calhoun. “Milligan students who aspire to enter the Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy will receive a competitive boost in the admissions process. The college of pharmacy also benefits, as the agreement provides the college with a new opportunity to attract quality students who can help the college achieve its mission of preparing pharmacists to improve the health and quality of life of the residents of Northeast Tennessee and the Appalachian region.”
For more information about Milligan’s allied health science degree, contact the Office of Admissions Office at 423.461.8730, or email admissions@milligan.edu. For more information about the Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy at ETSU, visit www. www.etsu.edu/pharmacy.