Message from the Dean

Welcome to the SDSU College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions website. Our College is comprised of three departments, the Department of Pharmacy Practice, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Department of Allied and Population Health. Faculty from each of those departments come together to offer a Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences, a Master’s in Public Health, a B.S. in Medical Laboratory Science, a Doctor of Pharmacy Degree and both a A.S. and B.S. in Respiratory Care. These programs have guided graduates to outstanding successes and we look forward to continued excellence.

Our current facility is located in the heart of SDSU’s campus and features state-of-the-art teaching, simulation, laboratory and research space. Faculty utilize these learning environments to mentor students into professionals who are ready to thrive as part of an interprofessional healthcare team. Outside of the classroom, many of our clinical faculty are practitioners at different healthcare facilities throughout the State of South Dakota. That means what our faculty teach in the classroom is what they put into practice every day as they care for patients. All of this, combined with our opportunity to partner with preceptors throughout the State and region, adds up to a world class educational experience. 

The research activities within the College have grown dramatically over the last few years. In addition to obtaining donor support for three endowed positions (Markl Faculty Scholar in Cancer Research, Hoch Family Endowed Professor for Community Pharmacy Practice and the Haarberg Chair in Cancer Research), we have had success in securing external funding, patents and invention disclosures. Students in all majors have the opportunity to participate in the research happening in our labs and working with our faculty to solve of the world’s most complex problems. Having strong research faculty allows our College to bring experts in the field into the classroom and expose our students to work being done to advance the practice of healthcare.

In addition to world class educational opportunities and a growing research portfolio, our College is blessed to have some of the best and brightest students in the Nation. That excellence reaches outside of the classroom, with many of our student organizations earning recognition at the state, regional and national level. Whether it is helping to administer immunizations, providing health screenings, going out to educate students in our local schools, or any of the other countless other activities they participate in, nothing makes me prouder than to know that each and every one of our students makes a positive impact within the community.

The College has a rich history, having been founded more than 130 years ago. I am honored to be serving as the Dean for the College and I look forward to working with our students, faculty, staff, clinical partners and alums, to ensure we continue our tradition of success.

Dan Hansen, Dean