Our Vision
Over the last several years, the aging of baby boomers and increasing demand for prescription medications have created an urgent need for licensed pharmacists. In fact, the Wisconsin Hospital Association lists pharmacists as the most difficult position to fill, as well as being the most at risk for future shortage.

At CUW, we strive to prepare students to serve the Church and the world in areas of the greatest need. It is this guiding principle that has led us to embark on the journey of establishing a School of Pharmacy ― so that we may satisfy this imminent need for quality pharmacists in Wisconsin, the nation and throughout the world.

By adding a School of Pharmacy, CUW will become the only private university in Wisconsin and one of just over 100 schools in the United States to offer a Pharm. D degree, furthering our commitment to the academic, professional and personal development of our students.

Admission
We’ve already begun accepting applications for our Pre-Pharmacy program. To gain admission to the Pre-Pharmacy program, applicants must meet all CUW admission criteria.

To enter the professional program, students will need a 3.75 GPA, have completed 72 credits of undergraduate studies and maintained a B (3.0 GPA) or above in all undergraduate science courses. They must also undergo a professional program interview and complete an essay. An additional one-on-one interview may also be required. Only 60 to 75 students will be accepted to the professional program, with preference given to CUW students first.

Students graduating from the program will have earned a Doctor of Pharmacy degree.

Currently, the state’s only public pharmacy school is located at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Annually, the school graduates approximately 130 students; however, between 300 and 400 applicants apply to the program each year.

Program Overview
CUW will work with the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education and the American Association of Colleges and Pharmacy to develop and implement a curriculum that will prepare students for entry into the field of pharmacy. In addition, Concordia will partner with the appropriate state organizations to address the particular needs of Wisconsin pharmacists.

About the Faculty
Former State Representative Curt Gielow has been named as the executive dean and assistant professor of pharmacy practice, and Dean Arneson, Pharm. D., Ph.D. has been named as the academic dean and associate professor of pharmacy administration for the University’s new School of Pharmacy.

Gielow began his career as a pharmacist and went on to be a State Representative for the 23rd District, where he led Medicaid Reform efforts. He will be responsible for the School of Pharmacy’s external relations and development.

Gielow holds a Master’s in Healthcare Administration from the Washington School of Medicine in St. Louis and a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from St. Louis College of Pharmacy. Most recently Gielow was serving as executive vice president of DHR International, the fifth largest executive search firm in the United States. He served in the state legislature from 2003 – 2007. From 1990 – 2007, he ran Gielow Associates, a national executive search, public policy and consulting firm that specializes in both executive searches and healthcare consulting.

Dr. Arneson had been serving as associate professor, associate dean for Academic Affairs for the College of Pharmacy: Clinical and Administrative Sciences for University of Oklahoma-Tulsa. He will be responsible for establishing and maintaining the curricular requirements of the Accrediting Counsel of Pharmacy Education (ACPE) as well as hiring and overseeing the anticipated 25 to 35 full and part-time pharmacy faculty and support staff.

In addition, Dr. Arnseon holds a Pharm. D. and Ph.D. from the University of Nebraska Medical Center, a Master’s of Science from the University of Nebraska Medical Center and completed his pre-pharmacy studies at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He currently is a licensed pharmacist in Nebraska, Iowa and Oklahoma. He has also taught at Ferris State and Nova Southeastern University College of Pharmacy.