About the College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions

About Us

We offer seven degree programs:

  • Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.)
  • Ph.D. and M.S. in pharmaceutical sciences
  • Master of Public Health (MPH)
  • B.S. in medical laboratory science
  • A.S. and B.S. in respiratory care

In addition, the college offers an undergraduate certificate in phlebotomy and a graduate certificate in public health.


Mission, Vision and Values
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.

Dan Hansen

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 of the College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions

University Mission, Vision and Values
Icon of a video camera
Virtual Tour
Avera Health and Science Center

The main office for the college is located in the Avera Health and Science Center on the SDSU campus in Brookings. Learn more about this state-of-the-art facility.

Our History

Since its founding in 1887, the College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions has evolved from one of the nation's early pharmacy programs into a comprehensive health sciences college dedicated to education, research, and service.

  • 1884 – State Agricultural College opens in Brookings.
  • 1887 – Pharmacy offered as a branch of chemistry (under Professor Shepard).
  • 1888 – First class of 11 pharmacy students enrolled.
  • 1898 – B.S. in Pharmacy first offered.
  • WWI era – Pharmaceutical Garden established (lasted ~70 years; today part of McCrory Gardens).
  • 1930 – Master's degree in pharmacy first offered.
  • 1964 – College attains university status; Division of Pharmacy becomes the College of Pharmacy.
  • 1981 – College moves into Guilford C. Gross Pharmacy Building.
  • 1994 – First 50 students admitted to professional Pharm.D. program; college's first U.S. patent issued.
  • Mid-1980s – Cancer research program begins.
  • 1998 – First Pharm.D. class graduates.
  • 2007 – First Ph.D. in college history awarded.
  • 2008 – Gross Pharmacy Building demolished for Avera Health and Science Center.
  • 2009 – Translational Cancer Research Center established with Sanford Research.
  • 2010 (summer) – College moves into current Avera Health and Science Center building.
  • 2012 (summer) – Community pharmacy residency launched with Liebe Drug, Milbank.
  • 2016  – College renamed College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions.
  • 2018 – Major remodel of pharmacy teaching labs completed.
  • 2019 – Department of Allied and Population Health created.
  • 2020 – Community Practice Innovation Center approved.
  • 2021 – $3.9M award establishes 3D (Drug, Disease and Delivery) Research Center.
  • Recent – Community pharmacy residency site moved to Lewis Drug, Sioux Falls.
Contact Us
Photo of College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions
College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions
Physical Address
1055 Campanile Ave.
Brookings, SD 57007
Mailing Address
SAV 133, Box 2202C
Brookings, SD 57007
Hours
Mon - Fri: 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.