HU, ONU PharmD pathway builds on undergrad science foundation

The job outlook is bright for future pharmacists. Now, Heidelberg students who want to pursue their degree in the field have an excellent opportunity at one of the most prestigious pharmacy schools in the country.

Late last month, Heidelberg inked a new partnership with Ohio Northern University that will open the door for ‘Berg students who want to pursue their PharmD (Doctor of Pharmacy) degree.

The cooperative agreement between HU and ONU’s Raabe College of Pharmacy will build upon foundational sciences courses taken at Heidelberg and combine those with required coursework at Ohio Northern’s Ada campus toward a PharmD degree from ONU. Heidelberg undergrads who meet academic criteria will be guaranteed an admission interview at the Raabe College of Pharmacy.

“Adding this pathway with ONU provides a fantastic post-Heidelberg option for students to follow and continues our legacy of preparing students for successful careers,” said Dr. Nate Beres, Professor of Chemistry.

The new partnership will be primarily advantageous to Heidelberg students who are majoring in Chemistry or Biochemistry. Students who are majoring in Biology or Health Science also could benefit with some careful planning with an academic advisor, said Dr. Jena Suffel, Assistant Professor of Athletic Training and Health Sciences. Interested students “could move on to grad school quickly,” she added.

While HU offers a series of 10 pre-professional health programs, including Pre-Pharmacy, this partnership will allow the most serious students to take their career aspirations to the next level. And, the future looks promising for pharmacists.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the field is growing consistently at about 3 percent annually. In 2022, the median pay for pharmacists was $136,030.

Ohio Northern has been training pharmacists since 1884. Over the decades, the school has graduated more than 9,000 students. Today, the Raabe School of Pharmacy has a 97% placement rate within 6 months of graduation.

This is the second partnership between the two schools. Last summer, Heidelberg and Ohio Northern University’s Claude W. Petit College of Law rolled out a new pathway that accelerates entry into law school for HU undergrads.