Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences: A Comprehensive Overview

Introduction

Founded in 1823, the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS) stands as a cornerstone of health- and life-sciences education. Originally established as the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy by fourteen Boston pharmacists, it holds the distinction of being the oldest higher education institution in Boston and the second-oldest and largest college of pharmacy in the United States. With campuses in Boston and Worcester, Massachusetts, and Manchester, New Hampshire, as well as a robust offering of online programs, MCPHS has evolved into a comprehensive university dedicated to preparing students for leadership roles in the healthcare sector.

A Legacy of Innovation and Growth

Early Years and Expansion

In 1825, MCPHS demonstrated its commitment to advancing pharmaceutical knowledge by publishing the First American Pharmaceutical Library Catalogue, a detailed compilation of the effects of numerous pharmaceutical products. The university further solidified its presence in the heart of Boston's medical community in 1918 with the construction of the George Robert White Building in the Longwood Medical Area, directly across from Harvard Medical School. This move established a central campus location and facilitated collaboration with neighboring institutions.

Recognizing the growing demand for healthcare professionals in various disciplines, MCPHS broadened its scope and adopted the name Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. This expansion continued with the establishment of a campus in Worcester, Massachusetts, in 2000, followed by an expanded campus in Manchester, New Hampshire, in 2002. Further demonstrating its commitment to comprehensive healthcare education, MCPHS integrated the Forsyth School of Dental Hygienists into the University in 2002, introducing an Oral Hygiene Course.

Strategic Locations and Facilities

MCPHS strategically positions its campuses near leading healthcare institutions to provide students with unparalleled access to clinical experiences and research opportunities.

Boston Campus: Located at 179 Longwood Avenue in the Longwood Medical and Academic Area, the Boston campus is surrounded by renowned hospitals and research centers, including Boston Children's Hospital, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Brigham and Women's Hospital, and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. This proximity fosters collaboration and provides students with invaluable real-world exposure. The campus comprises the George Robert White Building, the Ronald A.
Worcester Campus: MCPHS Worcester is composed of three main buildings that are known collectively as The Thomas Henry Borysek Living and Learning Center. The Thomas Henry Borysek Living and Learning Center houses administrative and faculty offices, conference rooms, classrooms, a technology center, patient assessment and clinical simulation laboratories, and six floors of suite-style student housing (all with private bedrooms). The basement provides comfortable group study/social (lounge) space for students. On September 21, 2009, MCPHS officially opened a new academic center in downtown Worcester, the Maher Academic Building at 40 Foster Street. The building houses 30,000 square feet of academic and student space. Two 250-seat auditoria and three "smart" classrooms feature interactive technology. The street-level multipurpose laboratory includes a model pharmacy that simulates community and institutional practice environments. In mid-June 2010, MCPHS acquired the property at 10 Lincoln Square (formerly the Crowne Plaza Hotel). This 250,000-square-foot building offers furnished rooms, parking, a fitness center, dining hall, outdoor patio, and green space. The 28 Mechanic Street building is home to MCPHS Online, which was formed in 2011.
Manchester Campus: MCPHS expanded to Manchester, New Hampshire in 2002, acquiring Notre Dame College's Physician Assistant program after that college closed. A Nursing program was added in 2007. The campus is located at 1260 Elm Street. The Brant Building, established in 2017, accommodates the Occupational Therapy program, with both pediatric and adult labs for students to practice in environments designed to simulate a patient’s living and working space. Students complete clinical rotations at the nearby Catholic Medical Center, Elliot Hospital, St.

State-of-the-Art Facilities and Resources

MCPHS is committed to providing its students with access to cutting-edge facilities and resources that enhance their learning experience. The Richard E. Griffin Academic Center, opened in January 2009, houses the university's School of Nursing, School of Physician Assistant Studies, School of Medical Imaging and Therapeutics, Center for Professional Career Development, and University Development. This six-story structure features classrooms, faculty offices, and specialized labs for patient examination and clinical simulation teaching.

MCPHS boasts specialized testing laboratories tailored to various academic fields. These include a radioisotope testing collection, a product development laboratory equipped for drug production designed for medicinal tableting, coating and encapsulation and a facility to manufacture liquids, ointments, and sterile cosmetic products. Students have access to advanced instrumentation such as infrared, ultraviolet, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometers, gas chromatographs, and high-pressure liquid chromatographs. Facilities for machine and animal testing are also available.

Academic Programs and Interprofessional Education

MCPHS offers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate programs across a wide spectrum of health- and life-sciences fields. These programs are designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and experience necessary to excel in their chosen careers.

Diverse Fields of Study

Students can choose from a diverse array of fields, including:

Pharmacy: The university remains a leader in pharmacy education, offering a range of programs, including the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree. A new, online pathway to the PharmD is a flexible, accelerated pathway into the pharmacy profession. In this program, students complete most coursework online and visit the Manchester, NH campus once per academic year for immersive academic experiences.
Nursing: Dozens of career opportunities await nursing graduates. Each role has a direct and consequential impact on the quality of care and patient outcomes.
Occupational Therapy: As an occupational therapist, you have the opportunity to help people of all ages who have physical, sensory, or cognitive challenges.
Optometry: As the primary medical professionals dedicated to the health of the eye, optometrists play a crucial role in helping people see the world.
Physician Assistant Studies: If you're interested in a rewarding profession with a substantial impact on patients’ health and well-being, consider pursuing a career as a physician assistant.

Interprofessional Collaboration

MCPHS emphasizes interprofessional education, fostering collaboration among students from different healthcare disciplines. Pharmacy students work with acupuncture students on pain management. Optometry students join forces with physician assistant students on health assessments. Premed students work side-by-side with public health students on the virology of a pandemic. Through these experiences, students learn to appreciate the perspectives of other healthcare professionals and develop the teamwork skills essential for providing comprehensive patient care.

Doctor of Physical Therapy Program

The Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program at MCPHS prepares students to become compassionate, skilled, and reflective practitioners who are ready to meet the evolving demands of healthcare. Rooted in a philosophy of lifelong learning and evidence-based practice, the curriculum fosters the development of master adaptive learners equipped to enhance the health and well-being of individuals and communities.

Read also: The History of UMass Amherst

The DPT program is located in Worcester, Massachusetts, 30 miles west of Boston, in a region, rich in cultural, recreational, and healthcare opportunities.

Key features of the DPT program include:

Immediate Integrated Clinical Experiences: Observation and application of clinical skills including hands-on patient care within the first few weeks of classes that parallel curricular content. These occur in a variety of traditional and nontraditional settings promoting the development of clinical skills, professional identity, and readiness for future clinical practice.
Student-led Balance, Movement and Wellness Center: Students work with community participants and put relevant skills to practice in a clinical learning environment that promotes professionalism, clinical competency, and service for our Doctor of Physical Therapy students.
Dedicated Faculty: Faculty with specialty certifications in neurology, pediatrics, geriatrics, cardiopulmonary, orthopedics, ergonomics, manual therapy and strength and conditioning. Faculty are committed to student success.
Personalized Education: With an average class size of 40 students, students receive individualized attention from faculty in both classes and labs throughout the DPT program, as well as individual advising sessions each semester.
Interprofessional Education: Exceptional interprofessional education experiences are woven throughout the curriculum to learn with students from many of the other health professions at MCPHS, including Nursing, Physician Assistant, Optometry, Dental Hygiene, Pharmacy, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Acupuncture and more.

Campus Life and Student Resources

MCPHS provides a supportive and engaging campus environment that fosters student success.

Colleges of the Fenway

MCPHS Boston is a member of the Colleges of the Fenway, a collegiate consortium in the Longwood Medical and Academic Area. The association promotes collaboration between local schools, both academically and with buildings. The consortium includes MCPHS, Emmanuel College, MassArt, Simmons, and Wentworth Institute of Technology. Students are able to cross register between institutions and participate in shared social events planned by the Colleges of the Fenway and various groups throughout the campus. Students may also live at either their school of attendance, or in the campus dormitories of the other member schools.

Financial Aid

MCPHS is committed to making education accessible to all qualified students. Our collaborative financial planning with students and their families has yielded amazing outcomes: 90% of MCPHS students receive financial aid.

A Leader in Healthcare Education

Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS) has been a global leader in healthcare education since 1823. MCPHS is improving lives-and the world-in educational, clinical, industrial, and policymaking arenas. The lived experiences of MCPHS students, alumni, faculty, and partners demonstrate how our student-centered, teaching-first approach keeps us in the top tier of the country’s “most transformative colleges.” (Money magazine).

Rankings and Recognition

MCPHS is consistently ranked among the top universities in the nation for median salary, ahead of other premier institutions.

Student Success

MCPHS graduates have gone on to play vital roles in all areas of the healthcare sector, from emergency rooms to boardrooms and beyond.

DPT Program Outcomes:

97% ultimate pass rate (2023-2024)
6 month employment rate: 100% (2023-2024)
1. 2% graduation rate (2023-2024)

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