What started as a meeting with a Cobber turned into an opportunity for aspiring pharmacists at 做爱视频 and a way to meet critical community needs — a collaborative dual-degree program pairing a Bachelor of Arts degree in biosciences with a pharmacy concentration from Concordia and both a and a from North Dakota State University.
Keenly aware of a shortage of pharmacists in the field, Jeff Lindoo, a now-retired pharmacist and former president of the Minnesota Pharmacists Association, asked Concordia leaders, “What are you doing to help?”
That prompted Dr. Gwen Halaas ’75, dean of Concordia’s Sanford Heimarck School of Health Professions, to work on a solution.
Halaas, a trained family health medical provider, also had firsthand knowledge of the dwindling numbers of pharmacists as well as their importance.
“They serve a huge role,” she said. “With many more and newer medications, pharmacists are doing more prescription management and direct care to patients, and we really need more of them.”
With that in mind, she worked with Dr. Julie Mach, chair and associate professor of chemistry at Concordia, to create a biosciences major with a pharmacy concentration, which launched in Fall 2024. The interdisciplinary program between the SHSHP and the School of Arts and Sciences is designed to prepare students for admission to pharmacy schools, related graduate programs, or careers such as pharmaceutical research and production.
However, there was more that could be done to alleviate shortages.
Based on the success of a pre-engineering partnership with North Dakota State University, Concordia leaders reached out to create an accelerated dual-degree program with NDSU’s School of Pharmacy.
Through the new partnership, students will take coursework at Concordia and then transition to NDSU, earning Bachelor of Science in pharmaceutical sciences and Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degrees while also completing the bachelor’s degree in biosciences from Concordia.
This would allow students to take advantage of a smaller campus for their undergraduate years.
“They can do music, sports, or theatre and really get the Concordia experience,” Halaas said.
It also provides students with a strong foundation of liberal arts learning.
“A liberal arts education fosters critical thinking and problem-solving skills, which are highly valuable in pharmacy and biotechnology careers,” Mach said. “Students in the program will draw upon the benefits of this curriculum, allowing them to bring a valuable perspective to their pharmacy practice.”
The program is designed to streamline the path to a pharmacy career while keeping talented students in the region.
“This partnership is a powerful example of how institutions can work together to meet the evolving needs of students and the communities we serve,” said Dr. Susan Larson, provost and dean of Concordia. “By aligning our strengths, we’re creating a seamless academic experience that prepares students for high-demand careers in pharmacy.”
The program is structured to ensure academic continuity and maximize credit transfer, allowing students to complete all degrees efficiently.
“As the only institution in North Dakota offering a pharmacy program, NDSU is uniquely positioned to lead in pharmacy education,” said Dr. David Bertolini, provost of NDSU. “This collaboration not only benefits students by expanding access to pharmacy education, but it also strengthens the healthcare infrastructure across state lines. By training future pharmacists locally, we’re helping to fill essential roles in North Dakota and the region.”
The program officially launches with the 2025-26 academic year and is expected to attract students interested in a comprehensive, community-focused pharmacy education. Both institutions emphasized their shared commitment to student success, academic excellence, and regional workforce development.
Learn more about Concordia’s .
