Internationally recognized graduate programs and nationally ranked Doctor of Pharmacy
program (US News and World Report), with a proven track record of producing high-quality scientists and pharmacists
for over 70 years
Top 5 nationwide first-time NAPLEX pass rate over past 11 years AND #1 in Texas for
past 4 years
Progressive, integrated Pharm.D. curriculum reinforced with innovative and application-based
skills labs and hands-on, robust experiential training
Relevant professional development opportunities promoting postgraduate training and
employment success for students in a variety of practice settings
Robust network of guest lecturers and seminar speakers with wide range of expertise
such as clinical practice, pharmacy administration, health outcomes and policy, biomedical
sciences, pharmaceutical industry, managed care and government agencies
Nationally recognized program in conjunction with seven TMC institutions to offer
a combined Residency and M.S. in Pharmacy Leadership and Administration (PLA) training
program
Research
Nationally ranked Top 30 in research funding
Internationally recognized scholars and inventors
Significant contributor to the Tier One status of the university
High-quality, multidisciplinary, innovative research programs supported by funding
from federal agencies, industry, foundations and private donors
Resources, infrastructure and core facilities at UH and TMC partners to support the
research enterprise
Inaugural leadership for university-level Drug Discovery Institute and highly productive
college-level research centers
People
Diverse faculty, preceptors, staff and students integrate unique perspective to education,
research and practice
Collaborative and collegial culture with joint decision-making driven by faculty,
staff and students
Internationally recognized faculty passionate for research, scholarship, education,
entrepreneurship and service
Strong leadership, highly effective staff and extensive alumni network that elevate
pharmacy education, research and practice
Strong professional student leaders recognized nationally for service and skills
Environment
Physical facilities, state-of-the-art equipment and integrated technology catalyze
effective, flexible models/modes of learning and innovative research
Extensive network facilitates access to national organizations, governmental agencies
and pharmaceutical industry and allows for specialized rotations, pharmacy practice
sites, research collaborations and exposure to unique and diverse patient populations
Membership within the TMC, the largest medical center in the world, provides opportunities
for partnerships with stakeholders, research collaborations, preceptorship and interprofessional
education, as well as access to progressive models of clinical pharmacy practice and
cutting-edge technology
Collaboration with UH COP RGV Pharm.D. Satellite Program and DHR provides education
and training, research and community outreach to diverse patient and student populations
Houston, as one of the largest and most ethnically diverse cities in the nation and
rich in health care resources, promotes a culture of inclusion that attracts top national
and international talent and provides exposure to a broad range of experiential and
employment offerings
Weaknesses
Limited resources for recruiting and supporting highly qualified Pharm.D. students
Limited graduate student individual professional development and training plans, pre-doctoral
fellowship opportunities, and domestic graduate student recruitment
Limited research and physical space for future growth
Budget limitations hinder ability to recruit, retain and provide competitive salaries
and professional development for faculty and staff
Lack of active TMC brick-and-mortar footprint and the resulting distance between UH
main campus and TMC Campus impacts practice and research activities
Certain academic programs have inadequate number of expert faculty needed to assure
continuity
Opportunities
Academics
Strength, breadth and diversity of faculty along with resources of UH, the TMC and
Houston allows us to capitalize on opportunities for expansion into evolving areas
of pharmacy practice, education and research
Creation and expansion of certificate, graduate and dual-degree programs in key areas
for current students and/or continuing education for professionals
Increase national recognition by promoting the value and visibility of UHCOP postgraduate
opportunities such as The Houston Program, infectious disease fellowship, and academic
fellows programs
Research
Existing and new faculty hires with significant funding along with research synergies
positions us to dramatically increase our research expenditures and ranking
Continue promoting the value and visibility of UHCOP cutting-edge research and scholarship
to increase national recognition and rankings
UH College of Medicine and clinical research space in Health 2 could enable new avenues
for COP clinical research including health disparities
Faculty of the National Academy of Inventors provide expertise that advances intellectual
property opportunities for all faculty
Synergistic interests between faculty from diverse research disciplines can translate
into new discoveries and increased extramural funding
Capitalize on assessment data, curriculum and factory expertise to expand Scholarship
of Teaching and Learning Cultivate and showcase the college-level research centers/institutes to the highest
potential
People
Utilization of expanded resources to improve faculty, staff, and student well-being
National and local priorities as well as access to specialized personnel allows for
increased focus on faculty, staff and student well-being
Create a targeted and innovative plan for an increased applicant pool of highly qualified
Pharm.D. and graduate students
Stature of the college and faculty allows for increased focus of diverse recruitment
of graduate students
University and college resources for post-doctoral fellows facilitates job-ready development
opportunities
Established research areas allow for synergies of established faculty and attracting
faculty with substantial and sustainable research programs
Increasing the number of endowed chairs and professorships will assist in fulfilling
college strategic imperatives
Developing advocates within the offices of state government on behalf of the college,
university, and profession
Promote college activities and contributions to the community to improve alumni engagement
and philanthropy
Promote graduate student engagement in student organizations, department, college,
and professional societies
Expand engagement of faculty, alumni and students leading innovative ways to provide
care to all patient populations, especially the underserved
Expand innovative preceptor training and education to enhance and expand learning
and experiential opportunities with institutions and community partners
Environment
Highlight the critical role of the pharmacist and health researchers in responding
to the emerging public health needs of the community in Texas
Strategically leverage the city of Houston's diverse population, economy, world's
largest medical center (TMC), and other industries to support the college's mission
Achieve stakeholder status in TMC-3, a translational research campus, and accelerate
interdisciplinary innovation in Houston
Expand tech transfer and entrepreneurial opportunities within the University of Houston
Enhance the collaborative potential with university and community partners to provide
opportunities for research, interprofessional education and outreach to underserved
patient populations across Texas
Continue to maximize the utilization of advancements in technology to improve teaching,
research, service, and faculty, staff and student engagement
From Weaknesses
Increase UHCOP visibility on a national level by showcasing full range of accolades
and accomplishments through multimedia and in-person presence
Build on current research infrastructure to establish program/center and training
grants
Continue to expand and develop programs that promote diversity, equity and inclusivity
within the college
From Threats
Increasing recognition of pharmacists as a medical provider
Immersion in communities, diversity, growing cultural awareness and competency positions
UHCOP to prepare pharmacists to address health disparities
Threats
Research
Fulfilling the COP's contribution to the university's research growth goals will require
realignment of existing resources and substantial additional resources
Dependence on external entities for resources (such as core facilities, data and clinical
samples) may hinder research productivity
People
Declining size of national Pharm.D. applicant pool
Environment
Increased competition for state and university resources may risk fulfilling the college's
mission
Saturated national job market
Inadequate growth of postgraduate training opportunities to meet the demand
Increasing number of schools of pharmacy create challenges for attracting and/or retaining
highly qualified faculty, staff and students
Changes in budget allocations and policies may create challenges in the maintenance
of current operations and future expansion
Increased competition for experiential sites present challenges in experiential education
Rising debt load and decreasing starting salaries could potentially impact philanthropic
donations to the college