South College ranks second nationally for exam pass rate among accelerated pharmacy programs
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 19, 2025
South College School of Pharmacy graduates for 2024 exceled on national exams with a first-time pass rate that ranks second in the country among three-year programs.
The rates for 2024 graduates on the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination (MPJE) and North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX) were released by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy in January.
South College’s MPJE rate of 88.9 percent outperformed the national average listed at 76 percent. Its NAPLEX rate of 85.7 percent also surpassed the national mean of 75.7 percent. Both rates position South College at No. 2 in the country for first-time pass rates among accelerated pharmacy programs.
“It’s gratifying to see our pharmacy graduates excel on national exams,” South College Chancellor Steve South said. “The success of our students continues to demonstrate the high-quality education South College offers to prepare the next generation of professionals.”
South College is the only accelerated, three-year Doctor of Pharmacy program in Tennessee and is accredited by the Accreditation Council of Pharmacy Education (ACPE).
“Graduates in 2024 exhibited mastery at high levels on both of these exams,” said Dr. Timothy Smith, dean of South College School of Pharmacy. “It validates the standard of excellence we set with our instruction and clinical training and shows these graduates have the tools to succeed.”
MPJE tests prospective pharmacists on both state and federal law and serves as the pharmacy law examination in participating jurisdictions.
NAPLEX measures a candidate’s knowledge of the practice of pharmacy. It is just one component of the licensure process and is used by the boards of pharmacy as part of their assessment of a candidate’s competence to practice as a pharmacist.
South College offers an accelerated PharmD program to earn a doctoral degree in three years instead of the traditional four. Visit south.edu/pharmacy to learn more about the accelerated program.
South College offers academic programs at multiple levels, including professional certificates and associate, bachelor’s, master’s, educational specialist and doctoral degree programs via campuses in Knoxville and Nashville, Tennessee; Asheville, North Carolina; Atlanta and Marietta, Georgia; Indianapolis, Indiana; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Dallas, Texas; and Orlando, Florida, as well as Online and CBE.
To learn more about South College, visit south.edu.
About South College
South College serves more than 14,000 students and is proud of its more than 17,000 graduates. The institution offers academic programs at multiple levels, including professional certificates and associate, bachelor’s, master’s, educational specialist and doctoral degree programs via campuses in Knoxville and Nashville, Tennessee; Asheville, North Carolina; Atlanta and Marietta, Georgia; Indianapolis, Indiana; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Dallas, Texas; and Orlando, Florida, as well as Online and CBE. South College focuses on ensuring high standards and quality educational offerings, maintaining multiple authorizations and accreditations.
South College’s programs span diverse fields such as business, criminal justice, dental hygiene/assisting, diagnostic medical sonography, nursing, occupational therapy, paralegal studies, physical therapy, radiography, respiratory therapy, physician assistant studies, pharmacy and surgical technology. The institution is dedicated to preparing students with the skills and knowledge needed for the professional opportunities ahead of them. For more information, visit south.edu.