North Carolina Central University (NCCU) and the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy have established an Early Assurance Program (EAP) partnership. The EAP gives NCCU students interested in a doctoral degree in pharmacy an opportunity to pursue an early assurance of admission to the school.
“We have a fantastic Early Assurance Program at our School,” said Angela Kashuba, dean of the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy. “This program broadens our reach across our state as we build an outstanding student body and prepare them to serve the people of North Carolina and beyond.”
Candidates for the EAP will be selected based on academic and nonacademic strengths, consistent with those identified through NCCU’s admissions process and their first and second year of collegiate study. The NCCU Health Professions Career Center, in consultation with academic advisors, will review candidates and recommend students for the EAP.
The UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy’s recruitment and admissions committee will then interview and select students for admission to the EAP. After a minimum of three years of undergraduate study at NCCU and a minimum of 72 hours of credit, eligible EAP students will be able to enter the School’s PharmD program. Each year, up to 10 students will be admitted into the EAP from NCCU.
“The Early Assurance Program represents a pivotal collaboration between NCCU and the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, providing a unique opportunity for our students to access a world-class pharmacy education,” said Mohammad Ahmed, Ph.D., dean of the NCCU College of Health and Sciences. “This partnership is a testament to our commitment to fostering academic excellence, supporting diverse talent, and preparing future leaders in the field of pharmacy. By building on our students’ strengths in STEM and health sciences, we are paving a pathway for them to make meaningful impacts in their communities and beyond.”
The first cohort of NCCU early assurance students will apply in fall 2025, be selected in spring 2026 and then begin their journey toward the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, which is the No. 1 pharmacy school in the country.
