Heidelberg announces partnership with ONU

TIFFIN — Heidelberg University recently announced a new partnership with Ohio Northern University's Raabe College of Pharmacy. The agreement will build upon foundational science courses taken at Heidelberg and combine with required coursework at ONU's Ada campus to result in a PharmD (Doctor of Pharmacy) degree. Berg undergrads who meet the requirements will be guaranteed an admission interview at the Raabe College of Pharmacy. "Adding this pathway with ONU provides a fantastic post-Heidelberg option for students to follow and continues our legacy of preparing students for successful careers," said Nate Beres, professor of Chemistry at Heidelberg. The new partnership will be a benefit to Heidelberg students who are majoring in chemistry or biochemistry. Students who are majoring in biology or health science also could benefit from some careful planning with an academic advisor, said Jena Suffel, assistant professor of Athletic Training and Health Sciences. Interested students "could move on to grad school quickly," she added. While the university offers a series of 10 pre-professional health programs, including pre-pharmacy, this partnership will allow the most serious students to take their career aspirations to the next level. And the future looks promising for pharmacists. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the field is growing consistently at about 3% annually. In 2022, the median pay for pharmacists was $136,030. Ohio Northern has been training pharmacists since 1884. Over the decades, the school has graduated more than 9,000 students. Today, the Raabe School of Pharmacy has a 97% placement rate within 6 months of graduation. According to Courtney Demayo Pugno, assistant vice president for academic affairs at Heidelberg University, This is Heidelberg's second such partnership with Ohio Northern, having launched the first last fall with ONU's Claude W. Petit College of Law. That partnership provides an accelerated 3+3 pathway that allows students to complete a bachelor's degree at Heidelberg and a Juris Doctor degree in ONU in six years. "We welcome partnerships of this type for our students who we believe are well-prepared to take on the academic challenges at some very prestigious colleges and universities," said Demayo Pugno. "These partnerships give our students an advantage – a boost, if you will – by clearing some hurdles in the process of entering grad school." Heidelberg has entered into a series of partnerships that provide excellent opportunities for motivated students to get a jump on grad school. "We are continually looking to develop these types of opportunities for our students to accelerate the next step on their path to successful and fulfilling careers."