Beginning in 2009, the University of Wisconsin-Madison will no longer be the only university in the state to house a pharmacy school.

Concordia University Wisconsin, a private college in Mequon, has approved funding to open a pharmacy school beginning in the 2009-10 academic year.

Patrick Ferry, president of Concordia University, said the pharmacy school would enhance the academic offerings at the school while strengthening Concordia's science programs and use of laboratory space and faculty.

"We have had quite a bit of reaction from prospective students," Ferry said. "A significant number have been calling the admissions office about this."

UW pharmacy school Dean Jeanette Roberts said she does not think the opening of Concordia's pharmacy will have much of an impact on students at UW.

"Our environment is distinctly attractive to a lot of applicants," Roberts said. "We have an excellent program with some students attracted to our environment and some attracted to [Concordia's]."

Roberts said there has been only one pharmacy school in Wisconsin because such a program is expensive and difficult to maintain. UW is able to maintain these high standards through the rigor of the program, she added.

Ferry also said he does not expect the opening of Concordia's pharmacy school to directly affect UW's.

"We want to complement what UW is doing," Ferry said.

Ferry said Concordia's pharmacy school would focus on practitioners for pharmacies across the country, while UW's pharmacy school has a strong research emphasis.

"There are so many vacancies for pharmacists across the country," Ferry said. "UW is aware of our progress, and this [addition] will help address the need for pharmacists."

Roberts said 130 students are admitted to UW School of Pharmacy out of approximately 400 applicants each year.

Concordia plans to accept between 50 and 75 students annually into its pharmacy school, Ferry said.

Tyler Golembiewski, chair of the UW Pre-School of Pharmacy Club, said he was excited that Wisconsin residents will have an additional in-state option for pharmacy school.

"Because Madison is so competitive, it opens up more opportunities and better opportunities for families that can't pay the tuition for an out-of-state school," Golembiewski said.

Golembiewski said there is currently a high demand for pharmacist jobs.

"There's a great need for pharmacists, and there are great job opportunities in the field," Golembiewski said. "That's why I think it’s so important that Madison's so selective with who they take."

Golembiewski added he did not believe the new school would affect the quality of UW School of Pharmacy.

"Wisconsin still has its prestige, and people realize that it is such a great school to go to for its education and the professors that they have here," said. "I don't think it will affect UW-Madison at all."

– Carl Jaeger contributed to this report