CVS Health and WGU Launch Online Pre-Pharmacy Degree Program

CVS Health and WGU announced a new online pre-pharmacy degree program designed to help address the national need for pharmacists through flexible, affordable education. Developed in collaboration with CVS Health, WGU's fully online Associate of Science–Health Science (ASHS), Pre-Pharmacy degree program helps CVS Health colleagues complete foundational academic prerequisites at a lower cost than comparable programs. The program supports colleagues pursuing a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree and is part of CVS Health's broader investment in building the next generation of pharmacists.  

"This collaboration expands access to affordable education for our colleagues while strengthening the future pharmacist workforce," said Lucille Accetta, Chief Pharmacy Officer and Head of CVS Specialty Operations, CVS Health. "By reducing financial barriers and creating clear pathways to pharmacy careers, we're helping colleagues advance professionally while supporting the long-term needs of the profession."

"Pharmacists are the most accessible clinicians in any community," said Ryan Gates, Senior Vice President and Executive Dean, Michael O. Leavitt School of Health, WGU. "This is particularly true in communities that suffer from severe shortages of health care providers. CVS Health sees this reality every day across thousands of their locations. This collaboration gives CVS employees, who have long aspired to become a pharmacist, a real path forward without having to choose between their career and their education.  This partnership with CVS is a shining example of how industry and higher-education can work together to solve some of the most urgent and meaningful workforce shortages facing our country."