Identity area
Type of entity
Authorized form of name
Parallel form(s) of name
South Dakota State University. College of Pharmacy
Standardized form(s) of name according to other rules
Other form(s) of name
Identifiers for corporate bodies
Description area
Dates of existence
History
In 1887, South Dakota State College (SDSC) offered its first pharmacy coursework, including subjects such as physics, algebra, bookkeeping, chemistry, materia medica, botany, physiology, hygiene, and pharmacy. The program aimed to train young men and women as druggists, with the first degrees awarded in 1893. By 1898, a four-year pharmacy course was introduced as an option, becoming mandatory by 1930.
Between 1931 and 1970, the college established the Tau Chapter of Rho Chi, launched a continuing education program for practicing pharmacists, implemented a five-year pharmacy curriculum, and introduced an externship program.
According to the 1996–1998 undergraduate bulletin, the College of Pharmacy offered a six-year Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) program, structured into a two-year pre-pharmacy phase and a four-year professional phase. The pre-pharmacy curriculum provided a strong foundation in the biological and physical sciences, emphasizing critical thinking. The professional phase combined pharmaceutical science coursework with a comprehensive sequence of therapeutics and professional practice.
The College’s mission is to prepare graduates with effective primary care skills, focusing on the pharmacist’s role in promoting the rational use of medications and related therapies to achieve optimal patient outcomes. Additionally, the College seeks to inspire lifelong learning and foster a caring professional attitude, encouraging graduates to become agents of change within the profession.