The effect of socioeconomic disadvantage for on-time graduation in an accelerated doctor of pharmacy program

Abstract

IntroductionThe purpose of this study was to determine if there is a relationship between socioeconomic disadvantage and student progression in an accelerated, three-year, doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) program. MethodsThe percentage of socioeconomically disadvantaged students in Larkin University's applicant and accepted pool was compared to national data using an N-1 Chi-square. The on-time graduation rate for three classes of PharmD students were compared based on the economic or environmental disadvantage questions posed by Pharmacy College Application Service (PharmCAS). On-time graduation rates were also analyzed by sex, race/ethnicity, and geographical area using a Pearson's Chi-square. Student academic admissions profiles were compared by race/ethnicity using analysis of variance. ResultsLarkin University had a higher percentage of applicants and accepted candidates from certain underrepresented groups. There was no significant difference in on-time graduation for students who answered yes to any of the economic or environmental disadvantage questions as opposed to those who answered no, nor was there a significant difference in on-time graduation by sex or geographical area. For race, there was a significantly lower rate of on-time graduation for students who were Black or African American, even though their admissions criteria were comparable to that of students of other races. ConclusionsStudents who had an economic or environmental disadvantage graduated on-time at the same rate as students who did not have such disadvantages. Black or African American students had lower on-time rates than other ethnic groups, but the reason for lower on-time graduation was unclear.