Ramapo enters into pharmacy school agreement with N.Y.’s Touro College

Students in New Jersey looking to get a pharmacy degree just got another option.

Ramapo College in Mahwah has entered into an agreement with Touro College of Pharmacy in Harlem, creating a pre-pharmacy program that will allow qualified students to earn both bachelor’s and Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degrees in seven years, rather than the eight usually needed to complete both.

Interested students can apply to the program through Ramapo beginning Sept. 1.

Students would apply to Touro during their third year at Ramapo, at the end of which they will be required to have completed prerequisites in science, math and economics with cumulative GPAs of 3.0 and science GPAs of 2.75.

Under the articulation agreement, Ramapo agrees to provide counseling, advising and resources to students in the program. Students admitted to TCOP must satisfactorily complete their first year of pharmacy school to obtain their bachelor’s degree from Ramapo.

Edward Saiff, dean at Ramapo’s School of Theoretical and Applied Science, said the partnership will help fill a need in the workforce.

“Students interested in a career in pharmacy will be able to begin their studies here at Ramapo and then move on to the Touro campus in New York City for their professional studies,” he said. “Pharmacists are integral to any health care team and this partnership will offer Ramapo College students interested in the many dimensions of pharmacy a path to a wonderful career.”

Touro Dean Henry Cohen agreed.

“This extraordinary new partnership will offer a unique opportunity to enter the challenging and rewarding pharmacy profession,” he said. “Outstanding students will get a head start on their professional careers, enabling them to obtain bachelors and doctoral degrees in less time and for less money than if each degree was taken separately.

“We are delighted and honored to join with New Jersey’s premier public liberal arts college in carrying out TCOP’s vital mission to develop the next generation of pharmacists dedicated to promoting wellness, especially among underserved populations in Harlem and beyond.”