Classes of 2018 and 2019 eclipse national averages in key benchmarks

NAPLEX, MPJE Results

The results of the North American Pharmacists Licensure Examination (NAPLEX) were recently released and MUSC’s Class of 2018 compiled an impressive 94.74% first time pass rate, versus a national average of 89.46%. The class also eclipsed the national average for the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination (MPJE), with the MUSC mark of 92.20% against a national average of 83.80%.

A pharmacy school’s ability to prepare students to succeed on the board exams is a common metric of quality, as it is a requirement for obtaining a license and being able to practice pharmacy.

“We are very proud of the Class of 2018 and gratified that their achievements in the College are translating to success in the field,” said Philip D. Hall, dean of the MUSC College of Pharmacy. “We want them to succeed on the boards, succeed in finding jobs or residencies or fellowships, and feel prepared to succeed in life.”

Match Day Results

MUSC College of Pharmacy students landed prime residencies during an exciting Match Day 2019 on March 15. Nearly two dozen students successfully placed in programs all around the country, ranging from Boston to Chicago to San Diego. The MUSC Phase I match rate of 78% is once again substantially higher than the national average, as it has been for many years in a row.  

Students matched with post-graduate year one (PGY1) programs at Brigham and Women's Hospital, University of Virginia Health System, Wake Forest Baptist Health, Grady Health System, and many others as well as at top residency programs in South Carolina.

Industry Fellowships

Three students decided to pursue additional training through fellowships in the pharmaceutical industry and the Federal Drug Administration (FDA). Savannah Scardo was awarded one at Eli Lilly in Medical Affairs and Katie Wray was awarded one at Alexion Pharmaceuticals in Global Medical Affairs. She-Chia Chen was awarded a fellowship with a focus on medication safety at the FDA.