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
Pharmacy instruction at South Dakota State College began in 1887 with coursework in subjects including physics, algebra, bookkeeping, chemistry, materia medica, botany, physiology, hygiene, and pharmacy. The early program was designed to prepare students to work as druggists, and the first pharmacy degrees were awarded in 1893. A four-year curriculum option was introduced by 1898 and became the required standard by 1930.
Between 1931 and 1970, the program expanded its professional scope. During this period, the college established the Tau Chapter of Rho Chi, a pharmacy honor society; initiated a continuing education program for practicing pharmacists; adopted a five-year pharmacy curriculum; and introduced an externship program to provide experiential training. By the 1996–1998 academic bulletin, the College of Pharmacy had transitioned to a six-year Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) program, comprising a two-year pre-pharmacy sequence grounded in biological and physical sciences and a four-year professional phase integrating pharmaceutical sciences, therapeutics, and professional practice.
The mission of the College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions emphasizes preparation of graduates with primary care skills focused on the rational use of medications and therapies to achieve optimal patient outcomes. The College also aims to foster lifelong learning and a professional commitment to service and improvement within the field.