Lakeland University Partners with Concordia University Wisconsin to Address National Pharmacist Shortage
Lakeland University and Concordia University Wisconsin have partnered to help bolster the number of pharmacists nationally.
Students enrolled in a dual degree program who meet all requirements will finish with a bachelor of science degree with a major in chemistry and biochemistry-pharmaceutical emphasis from Lakeland University and a doctor of pharmacy degree from Concordia University Wisconsin School of Pharmacy.
The agreement comes at a critical time. According to the National Community Pharmacists Association, 70% of pharmacies are experiencing staffing shortages, and the problem seems to be growing.
One issue impacting the pharmacist shortage is a decline in pharmacy school enrollment. In 2021, pharmacy school enrollment reached an all-time low of 40,552, dropping by more than 60% in less than a decade. This steady decline has led to fewer pharmacy graduates entering the workforce, further exacerbating the existing pharmacist staffing shortage and creating a cycle that has been challenging to break.
Students enrolled in the program will take their last year of Lakeland courses for their bachelor’s degree at Concordia while they are completing their first year of pharmacy school.
Concordia will assist in mentoring and advising those students while they are enrolled at Lakeland, including the provision of mock interviews or other interview preparation support. Students will also have increased opportunities for collaborative academic and pharmacy/healthcare-related professional engagement.
To learn more about the dual degree program, please contact our admissions office at admissions@lakeland.edu or 920-565-1022 – or fill out the form at the bottom of our website.
