According to abbreviationfinder, Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences is commonly known as ACPHS. Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences was founded in 1881. The college was originally established as the Albany College of Pharmacy, the first school of pharmacy in New York State. The college focused on providing students with a comprehensive education in pharmacy and science-related disciplines. In the early years, the college offered courses on topics such as botany, chemistry, toxicology, and pharmacy practice. In 1895, the college added a degree program in medicine and surgery to its curriculum. This marked a significant milestone for the college since it was now offering more comprehensive healthcare education and training to its students.
The college continued to expand its offerings throughout the 20th century. In 1945, it became one of the first schools to offer a bachelor’s degree in pharmaceutical sciences; this was followed by master’s degrees in pharmaceutical sciences and health-related disciplines in 1966 and 1969 respectively. In 1975, Albany College of Pharmacy became Albany College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences after adding health sciences courses such as nursing and physical therapy to its curriculum.
Today, Albany College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences is a leader among private colleges that offer professional healthcare training programs for students from across New York State and beyond. The college has grown significantly over time with new campuses located throughout New York State as well as online programs for those looking for more flexible learning options. It has also maintained its commitment to providing quality healthcare education that prepares students for successful careers in their chosen fields.
Degrees Offered and Departments
Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (ACPHS) offers a wide variety of programs that prepare students for professional and graduate-level careers in the fields of pharmacy, health sciences, and pharmaceutical sciences. The College has five departments that offer degrees at the undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate levels.
The Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences offers two undergraduate degrees: Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences (BSPS) and Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD). The BSPS program provides students with a strong foundation in pharmaceutical sciences, including pharmacology, medicinal chemistry, biochemistry, biology and physiology. The PharmD program is designed to prepare students to become licensed pharmacists who can provide patient-centered care in a variety of health care settings. Students may also choose to pursue advanced studies by enrolling in the department’s MS or PhD programs.
The Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences focuses on preparing students for careers as clinical laboratory scientists or medical technologists. It offers two degree programs: Bachelor of Science (BS) in Clinical Laboratory Sciences and Master of Science (MS) in Clinical Laboratory Sciences. Both degrees provide students with the necessary knowledge and skills to succeed as professional clinical laboratory scientists or medical technologists.
The Department of Physician Assistant Studies offers a Master’s degree program which prepares students for entry-level positions as physician assistants. This program focuses on providing students with the educational background needed to work collaboratively with physicians to diagnose illnesses, order tests, prescribe medicines, interpret results from lab tests and other diagnostic procedures, advise patients on preventive care measures and provide general medical care services.
Finally, ACPHS’ Graduate Programs department offers several master’s degree programs such as Master’s degrees in Pharmaceutical Marketing & Management; Biomedical Informatics; Regulatory Affairs; Health Care Law; Bioethics; Public Health Practice; Global Health Practice; Pharmaceutical Outcomes & Policy Research; Pharmacogenomics & Personalized Medicine; Pharmaceutical Business Administration; Medical Product Development & Regulation; Drug Discovery & Development among others. These programs provide advanced training for those pursuing professional careers in the health care industry or research settings related to pharmacy practice or pharmaceutical sciences.
Rankings
Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences is consistently ranked among the top schools in the United States for pharmacy and health sciences. According to U.S. News & World Report, ACPHS is ranked as the #1 private college of pharmacy in the North region and #3 overall in the nation. Additionally, ACPHS was recently recognized by The Princeton Review as one of the top pharmacy schools in the country, ranking 5th out of 122 schools nationally. The college also earned a spot on their list of best Northeastern colleges for 2021.
The college’s commitment to excellence extends beyond rankings, however; ACPHS has been recognized by several organizations for their innovative approach to teaching and learning, including being named a Center of Excellence in Interprofessional Education by the Interprofessional Education Collaborative. Furthermore, ACPHS is an active participant in experiential learning opportunities for students through internships, externships and clinical rotations across various disciplines such as pharmaceutical sciences, nursing and medical laboratory sciences. These programs provide students with invaluable hands-on experience that prepares them for successful careers upon graduation.
ACPHS also has a strong commitment to research; faculty members are actively engaged in collaborative research projects with partners from around the world that focus on improving patient care through innovative approaches to pharmaceuticals and healthcare technologies. This work has been recognized by several organizations such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and National Science Foundation (NSF). The college’s research efforts have resulted in numerous awards being awarded to faculty members over the years including recognition from both NIH and NSF as well as numerous grants from other organizations like American Heart Association (AHA) and American Cancer Society (ACS).
Admissions Requirements
Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (ACPHS) is a private, independent college located in the heart of Albany, New York. To be eligible for admission to ACPHS, applicants must have a high school diploma or GED equivalent and meet all specific academic requirements outlined by the college. All prospective students must submit official transcripts from all secondary schools attended as well as any post-secondary education completed. Additionally, applicants are required to take either the SAT or ACT tests with scores that meet or exceed the minimums established by ACPHS.
Foreign students must also submit proof of English language proficiency by providing scores from either TOEFL or IELTS tests. Additionally, international applicants must provide a financial statement showing sufficient funds for tuition and living expenses during their time in school. All applications are considered on an individual basis with consideration given to academic performance as well as personal qualities such as leadership and community service. After completing all application materials and meeting all requirements, accepted students will receive an offer letter from ACPHS along with instructions on how to pay their tuition deposit and begin the enrollment process.
