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The College

Founded in 1823, the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS) is one of the nations oldest schools of pharmacy. As a private independent institution with a long and distinguished history of specializing in health sciences education, the College offers traditional and nontraditional programs that embody teaching excellence, active scholarship and research, professional service, and community outreach.

MCPHS has a distinguished history and international reputation in pharmacy and health-care programs. With a background of liberal arts, general education, and other courses, graduates are enlightened citizens as well as competent practitioners. MCPHS graduates are in great demand, even before they graduate. Most are employed at or soon after graduation, with salaries that exceed those of most other new college graduates, beginning at $50,000 to $100,000.

The curriculum is designed to develop active thinkers and learners who are prepared for changing professions and a complex world. Developed by educators and working professionals, these courses are often tailored to give students practical information and valuable insights into todays health-care concerns. Students benefit from hands-on learning in the Colleges well-equipped laboratories and computer centers. Ultimately, the programs, which combine the basic sciences with the humanities, provide an education for lifelong enrichment.

The Department of Sports, Recreation, and Wellness offers opportunities for all students to participate in club sports, intramurals, wellness classes, and the Wellness Center. Baseball, basketball, cross-country, golf, soccer, softball, and volleyball operate as Student Government Association (SGA) clubs on campus. The intramural program is open to all MCPHS students and faculty and staff members and is an ideal way for students to be involved with the College community. Other student activities include the Academy of Students of Pharmacy, the Black Student Union, the Indian Student Organization, the International Student Association, the Republic of China Student Association, the Vietnamese Student Association, the College yearbook, and the Dispenser (student newspaper). There are also five professional fraternitiestwo for men, two for women, and one coed.

In addition to its main campus, in September2000, MCPHS opened a new campus in Worcester, Massachusetts. The College offers an innovative, accelerated Pharm.D. program for transfer students and a sixteen-month nursing program for students who already hold a bachelors degree in another major. In 2003, MCPHS opened a third campus, in Manchester, New Hampshire, where it offers a Master of Physician Assistant Studies program. The program awards the M.P.A.S. degree. Manchesters campus also offers an accelerated two-year Pharm.D. program in conjunction with the Worcester campus and offers a sixteen-month Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Programs on these two newer campuses are designed specifically for students holding a bachelor degree in another field looking to transition into the health-care field.

MCPHS is a member of the Colleges of the Fenway (COF). Other participating members are Wentworth, Wheelock, Simmons, Emmanuel, and Massachusetts College of Art. Students can take courses at the other institutions in the consortium.

Location

Dedicated solely to health sciences education, the College is a highly respected institution in Bostons world-renowned Longwood Medical and Academic Area. Its location alone gives MCPHS students resources for enriching their education. The area is home to the nations premier medical centers and educational and research institutionsa highly stimulating and inspiring environment in which to learn.

Boston is a college town in the best sense of the wordcultural, accessible, and vibrant with activity. Students experience Bostons history along the Freedom Trail, enjoy its seafood on the waterfront, or explore its ethnic neighborhoods. Favorite spots include Faneuil Hall Marketplace; the Esplanade along the Charles River, for outdoor concerts and movies, biking, jogging, and in-line skating; and the Public Gardens and Boston Common, for walks, picnics, and just relaxing. The citys elaborate public transportation network (the T) connects students to all these places and many more, such as Cambridge and Harvard Square, where students might browse in bookstores and enjoy a sidewalk performance; Newbury Street, for shopping and distinctive galleries; TD Banknorth Garden, where the Celtics and Bruins play; Fenway Park, a 5-minute walk for baseball fans; and Symphony Hall, home of the Boston Pops and the Symphony Orchestra.

Majors and Degrees

Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences is the oldest college in the City of Boston and offers innovative and cutting-edge academic programs that respond to the ever-changing needs of the health-care field. Programs at the College are designed to actively engage students in the learning process and to educate students to become skilled, caring, adaptable professionals who are committed to their own lifelong learning.

MCPHS offers undergraduate and professional degrees in chemistry, health psychology, pharmaceutical marketing and management, pharmaceutical sciences, pharmacy, physician assistant studies, and premedical and health studies with professional pathway opportunities. The College also offers accelerated three-year programs in dental hygiene, radiologic sciences, and nursing as part of the renowned Forsyth School of Dental Hygiene program.

The College offers a distinct advantage over other schools by accepting students directly into the dental hygiene, nursing, pharmacy, and radiologic sciences programs.

Academic Programs

Students in each of the undergraduate programs begin their studies in the basic sciences, humanities, and social sciences. First-year classes include two semesters of English, math, biology, and chemistry. After completing basic science courses, Bachelor of Science degree candidates progress to advanced courses in chemistry, psychology, pharmaceutics, and pharmacology. Students are also required to complete professional development courses, such as interpersonal communications, ethics, and law courses. In addition, students must complete 12 semester hours of elective courses in the humanities, social sciences, and behavioral sciences, as well as 12 semester hours of general elective course work.

Off-Campus Programs

The externship/clinical experience is a very important part of an MCPHS education and is built into most programs. The programs place students in professional settings for firsthand learning and guidance as they work with mentors from a sponsoring institutions staff. Students may choose experiences at more than fifty-five hospitals, 100 community-practice sites, and various research centers throughout New England.

Because the College is located in the heart of Bostons world-renowned Longwood Medical and Academic Area and has affiliations with Bostons high-caliber medical centers, top teaching hospitals, and pharmacies, students are ensured the highest-quality experience. Affiliates include such well-known institutions as Boston Medical Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard-affiliated hospitals, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Childrens Hospital, Joslin Diabetes Center, Brigham and Womens Hospital, and Genzyme.

Academic Facilities

The Boston campus features the $30-million Ronald A. Matricaria Academic and Student Center. The six-story, 93,000 square-foot building houses a state-of-the art library and chemistry, pharmacy, and computer laboratories. The building also houses four floors of beautiful apartment-style residences for 230 students.

Significant renovations in the White Building in 2005 included state-of-the-art clinics and laboratories for students enrolled in the dental hygiene, nursing, and physician assistant studies programs.

Costs

Tuition in 200708 was $22,000 for two semesters for freshmen and transfer students. Fees were $700 and room and board were $11,900. For two semesters and a summer session (accelerated dental hygiene, nursing, and radiologic sciences students), the tuition was $31,900, and room and board (two semesters only) were $14,500. Additional fees may apply for years two and three.

Financial Aid

The College offers a variety of scholarships, grants, loans, and employment opportunities to assist students in meeting costs of education that cannot be met through the familys own resources. The College is committed to making MCPHS an affordable option for its students and in recent years has awarded more than $6.2 million annually to eligible students. It participates in all federal and state college funding programs. Priority consideration is given to students who meet the March15 financial aid application deadline for all available funds.

MCPHS currently offers incoming freshman students several merit scholarships. All awards are based on academics, regardless of financial need. There is no separate application for these awards; merit scholarships are automatically awarded at the time of admission. In addition, these awards automatically renew each year provided students maintain continuous full-time enrollment and meet a specified grade point average. Students should contact the Admission Office at http://www.admissions@mcphs.edu for the specific requirements of the merit scholarships.

Faculty

MCPHS has 130 outstanding full-time faculty members, with an additional 500-plus adjunct and clinical faculty members who support the programs. Almost 90 percent of the faculty members hold the highest degree possible in their fields. Classes are taught by regular and adjunct faculty members, not by teaching assistants.

Student Government

The Student Government Association is an elective body charged with appropriating funds for and monitoring student activities, overseeing class elections, and functioning as the voice of the students and their interests. Its membership includes the Dean of Students, 18 student representatives, and 2 faculty representatives.

Admission Requirements

Freshman applicants should have a high school diploma or GED credential or have fewer than 12 college credits. In addition, they should have a minimum of 16 units of course work in a challenging college-preparatory program and good to excellent grades in the following subject areas: 4 units of English, 3 in mathematics (algebra 1, algebra 2, and geometry), 2 in laboratory science (1 each in biology and chemistry), 2 in social sciences (including 1 in history), and 5 in additional college-prep courses. Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), and honors-level courses are highly desired. Additional science and mathematics courses are highly recommended.

Freshman applicants must provide SAT (including the writing section) and/or ACT scores; a personal essay that cites reasons for choosing the academic program marked on the application, selecting the specific health career to be pursued after graduation, and applying to MCPHS; at least two letters of recommendation, one from a guidance or college counselor and one from a mathematics or science teacher; and a description of extracurricular activities to show a genuine interest, commitment, and involvement in activities outside of the classroom that demonstrate leadership, compassion and dedicationespecially activities that are related to health care, including community service positions of leadership, musical instruments played, athletic participation, and any other significant accomplishments.

Transfer applicants are those who have completed 12 or more college credits, with strong performance in math and science courses. They must have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale attained at an accredited college or university and evidence of being able to handle a full-time course load (1215 credits) at the four-year college or university level

SAT and/or ACT scores are required for transfer candidates with fewer than 30 college or university credits at the time of application. Transfer students must also submit the personal essay and description of extracurricular activities.

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