Students going on to college now have another career option in Springfield.
The UMKC School of Pharmacy held its grand opening Wednesday for a branch of the school at Missouri State University.
Governor Jay Nixon spoke at the event.
“UMKC’s PharmD at MSU is a prime example of a goal that we have had for higher education from day one. Giving more Missouri students access to quality, affordable college education that prepares them to step directly into good jobs and lasting careers,” he said.
MSU’s campus will be the third branch for UMKC’s PharmD program, which allows students to earn a degree in Pharmacy.
Students will be able to register through the UMKC Pharmacy program while fulfilling the required coursework at MSU’s campus.
According to regional data, there’s a shortage of healthcare providers such as pharmacists in the area. Nixon says this expansion is a way to maintain healthcare workers in southern Missouri.
“Today, thanks to innovative partnerships like this one, we are well positioned to build on this progress and build a brighter and more prosperous future for all Missourians," he said.
Springfield is well-known for its “Medical Mile,” which is the location of two major centrally located healthcare systems as well as numerous pharmacies where students will be able to learn and find future employment.
The new pharmacy program will be located in the historic Brick City building in downtown Springfield, just southwest of MSU’s campus. It will feature state of the art videoconference technology in three classrooms, in which students will be able to view classes from either the Kansas City or Columbia locations.