Documentation and Analysis of Increased Grade Point Averages at a College of Pharmacy Over 20 Years

Abstract

Objectives. To evaluate the overall mean grade point average (GPA) of all graduates of a College of Pharmacy from 1982 through 2002, as well as the grades awarded in pharmacy science courses, pharmacy practice courses, electives, and experiential clerkships. Methods. The grades of all students graduating from the University of Arkansas College of Pharmacy during the study period were included. GPAs used to determine each student's overall class ranking were used to calculate a mean GPA for each graduating class. Archives of final course grade reports in Pharmacy Science, Pharmacy Practice didactic, elective or experiential clerkship courses were used to determine the mean GPA within these disciplines. Correlation coefficients were used to evaluate the change in grades over time and to compare these grades to preprofessional GPA and Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT) scores. Results. The overall mean GPA of over 1300 graduates, along with the grades in pharmacy science courses, pharmacy practice course...