FAMU College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (COPPS) 2019 graduates made gains in their performance on the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination® (NAPLEX®) by posting an 83.65 percent first time pass rate. This represented an increase of approximately 8 percentage points over the previous year. Students took the exam between May 1, 2019, and August 31, 2019.
“I am extremely proud of the performance of the Class of 2019 during the first test window. The College is continually working to increase our first-time candidates’ licensure pass rates,” said Jocelyn D. Spates, PharmD., COPPS associate dean of Clinical Affairs. “We are analyzing our program and generating actionable recommendations to continue this upward trend of pass rates,” Spates added.
The national average for first-time NAPLEX test takers is 90.59 percent; the state average is 86.96 percent.
“Compliments to the staff and faculty for fostering a caring and supportive environment for student achievement. And we are all grateful,” said COPPS Dean Johnnie Early II, Ph.D.
In 2016 first-time pass rates for FAMU COPPS graduates had fallen to to 59.3 percent, dead last among the nation's 129 pharmacy schools. Dean Early began his second tour of duty as Dean in October 2018.