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PORTLAND, Maine

With USM agreement, UNE continues to create opportunities for students to pursue pharmacy careers

UNE President James Herbert and USM President Glenn Cummings
UNE President James Herbert and USM President Glenn Cummings

On February 21, 2019, University of Southern Maine President Glenn Cummings, Ph.D., and University of New England President James D. Herbert, Ph.D., signed an agreement setting a course for students from USM’s Department of Biological Sciences to more easily apply to UNE’s College of Pharmacy.

“Upon arriving at the UNE College of Pharmacy, USM students will benefit from a program that prepares them for a wealth of career opportunities in the pharmacy field,” said UNE President James Herbert. “They will gain expert knowledge in pharmacy, while als o receiving interprofessional training alongside future physicians, dentists, physical therapists, nurses, social workers, and other health professionals. They will emerge ready to serve as members of health care teams.”

The 4 + 4 Program creates an opportunity for students who have successfully completed a four-year Bachelor of Science degree in biology at USM to have a smoother transition in pursuing their Doctor of Pharmacy degree at UNE’s College of Pharmacy. And if they are certain of their career path, students have another option - a 2 + 4 agreement that structures a two-year course of prerequisite study accelerating their access to the Doctorate of Pharmacy.

“This partnership between USM and UNE’s College of Pharmacy provides an outstanding opportunity for our students. Many USM students have strong connections to Maine, and some of them would have difficulty relocating out of state to attend pharmacy school. Thus, this collaboration takes away one barrier and gives our students a greater chance at success in their future careers,” said Christine R. Maher, Ph.D., USM professor of biology and associate dean for Academic Affairs, College of Science, Technology, and Health.

“The University of Southern Maine is pleased to work with the University of New England in creating this partnership between our public/private institutions of higher learning. The agreement addresses our students’ desire for exploring careers in the field of Pharmacy, and helps to meet the current and future workforce needs of the state of Maine,” said Glenn Cummings, President of the University of Southern Maine.

Read more in Mainebiz.

Lilia Brooks, a current USM student planning to study pharmacy at UNE, talks with Marlee Smith and Jenna Douglas
Lilia Brooks, a current USM student planning to study pharmacy at UNE, talks with Marlee Smith and Jenna Douglas, USM graduates currently enrolled at the UNE College of Pharmacy.

About the University of New England

The University of New England is Maine’s largest independent university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of flexible, accredited online degrees. In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges. The state’s top provider of health professionals, we are home to Maine’s only medical college, Maine’s only dental college, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care degree programs, as well as nationally recognized programs for marine science degrees, natural and social sciences degrees, arts and humanities degrees, and business degrees.