By Rebecca Wyatt, OU Web Writer

Oakland University has partnered with Wayne State University’s Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences to allow OU undergraduates a unique opportunity to earn a doctorate in pharmacy at Wayne State.

“This important agreement is a perfect example of how two public universities can share resources to restrain education costs while providing broader access to a pharmacy education,” said OU President Gary Russi. “Moreover, this partnership will help to alleviate an anticipated shortage of pharmacists in Michigan and prepare students for a career as important partners in health care delivery to Michigan citizens."

OU currently offers students a bachelor’s degree in health sciences with an emphasis on pre-pharmacy. Under this agreement, students in the program who meet admission requirements can take pharmacy classes at Wayne State while completing their final year of classes at OU. By doing this, students can earn their bachelor’s degree at OU and pharmacy degree at WSU in seven years instead of eight, thus saving time and money.

Under the current budget situation in the state, OU was hesitant to start a pharmacy school of its own so the partnership was an attractive, cost-effect option for both schools.

"When you have declining support, it is important that all public institutions find a way to provide public education at a low cost rather than starting a brand new program," said Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Virinder Moudgil in a Detroit News article about the program. "It behooves us to join hands and do things jointly and offer the same education at a reduced cost."

The official signing ceremony was held Tuesday, Feb. 1, at the CVS Pharmacy Practice Laboratory at WSU. Students can start to take advantage of this program beginning with the fall 2005 semester.

“We are very proud to be part of a collaboration that will allow Oakland University students to pursue an advanced degree in pharmacy and benefit from the tremendous resources available through the PharmD program at the Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences,” said Wayne State President Irvin Reid. “Moreover, this collaboration is an example of two state funded universities joining forces to benefit not only the students in their academic pursuits but also making innovative use of precious state financial resources in tight economic times.”

For more information on OU’s health sciences program, visit the School of Health Sciences Web site or call (248) 370-3562.