Alaska’s first doctoral pharmacy program is near its debut at the University of Alaska Anchorage through a partnership with Idaho State University.
KTUU-TV reports the program launching Monday allows students pursuing doctorates in pharmacy to stay in Alaska to finish their degrees.
Assistant dean Tom Wadsworth said the program will help bridge a gap in rural areas where communities have trouble finding enough pharmacists.
He said that students who want a degree in pharmacy will no longer have to leave Alaska for all or part of their studies.
The two universities have 80 students enrolled, with seven in Anchorage.
Long-distance learning will keep students connected from state to state.
Wadsworth said the tuition-funded expansion will not be impacted by university budget cuts.
