Pharmacy school to host visitation Saturday, Jan. 30

Are you interested in becoming a pharmacist?

California Health Sciences University’s College of Pharmacy invites prospective students to visit the campus Saturday, Jan. 30 from 10 a.m. to noon.

The two-hour visitation will include an overview of the curriculum, information on admissions, financial aid and a campus tour. Prospective students can also speak with current students and meet the faculty. Refreshments will be provided.

“We hope that our prospective students bring family and friends to really get a sense of whether it’s the right program for them,” said Richele Kleiser, vice president for marketing and communications at the college. “Sometimes bringing parents or other decision makers can be helpful because they can ask the questions that students wouldn’t think of.”

CHSU, a privately funded university, welcomed its inaugural College of Pharmacy class in August 2014. The Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program at CHSU is a four-year program that requires a bachelor’s degree.

“It’s the first program here at the school and it’s a program that is in high demand,” Kleiser said. “We have 130 students enrolled in the school right now and we are recruiting for our next class.”

New students are brought in only once per year, in the fall semester. There are 84 spots available in the 2016-17 class, Kleiser said.

“It’s not just for new and young students,” she pointed out. “This is also a program for people who are looking to go back to school, people who are looking for a second career in life. Pharmacy technicians are great candidates because they already know the industry. We have students of all ages.”

Once the program becomes fully accredited, which is only possible after the first class of students graduate in May of 2018, CHSU hopes to start its second college, Kleiser said.

“We can host up to five health science related colleges. We are exploring allied health as our next one.”

Applications for the College of Pharmacy’s 2016-17 academic year are now available at pharmcas.org. The due date is March 1.

Private scholarships of up to $10,000 are available to CHSU students through the California Health Sciences University Scholarship Fund.

For more information and to register for Visitation Day, visit http://www.chsu.org

This story was originally published January 13, 2016 at 3:30 PM with the headline "Pharmacy school to host visitation Saturday, Jan. 30."