A new transfer agreement enables Community Colleges of Spokane students to pursue a bachelor’s degree in pharmaceutical and medical sciences from Washington State University at a reduced cost compared to enrolling at a four-year institution.
The Associate of Arts Direct Transfer Agreement (AA-DTA) degree makes local community college students eligible for admission to WSU’s new Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical and Medical Sciences program with junior standing after completing two years of required coursework. The transfer agreement will expedite pathways into health care careers and eliminates duplication of coursework.
“We are pleased to partner with Community Colleges of Spokane to help make a career in health care and health sciences accessible to everyone,” said Daryll DeWald, executive vice president of WSU Health Sciences. “This degree not only creates a pathway for students to further their education in the health sciences but also opens the door for immediate employment in both health-related research and professional settings.”
WSU has reserved 25 spots specifically for Community Colleges of Spokane students who have completed the AA-DTA degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0 and have met all the admission requirements.
“CCS is excited to participate in this joint effort with WSU Spokane. We are committed to supporting students as they pursue careers in health care. We are confident that this partnership will empower students to stay on course as they progress toward degree completion, and we are dedicated to ensuring students have access to affordable pathways that align with the needs of the local health care industry,” said Provost of the Community Colleges of Spokane Lori Hunt.
The new WSU Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical and Medical Sciences program is designed to help community college students enter the health care workforce still recovering from the post-pandemic exodus of workers across the state and nation. The degree is the first of its kind in the Pacific Northwest to prepare students for professional degree programs such as a Doctor of Pharmacy, Doctor of Medicine, and Doctor of Dental Surgery or Medicine and Dentistry, as well as PhD programs in the biomedical sciences. Classes will start in fall 2024 at WSU Spokane and will be taught by faculty from the College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences and the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine. Entry into this pathway does not guarantee admissions to WSU’s Doctor of Pharmacy or Doctor of Medicine program.
Interested students are encouraged to speak to their advisors or can fill out an online form to receive more information.