Continuing Education
Mission Statement
Our mission is to provide professional continuing education to pharmacy practitioners in formats that are both accessible and functional, meet diverse pharmaceutical care requirements, and address current and emerging practice needs. The Continuing Education offerings shall be consistent with the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education’s Criteria for Quality and Interpretive Guidelines.
We scan the environment, study the literature, conduct needs assessments, and consult with individual practitioners, professional pharmacy organizations, regulatory bodies, health care groups and others to determine the educational needs, develop quality educational programs, evaluate educational outcomes, and deliver Continuing Education programming in a cost-effective manner.
Continuing Pharmacy Education Activities
View the latest live and home-based CPE activities offered by the SIUE School of Pharmacy. These programs are designed to help you:
- Develop new skills
- Acquire knowledge
- Maintain your professional competence
- Remain current with changes in practice
The SIUE School of Pharmacy is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of Continuing Pharmacy Education.
For additional information, please contact:Walter Siganga, RPh, PhD, Director of Continuing Education
618-650-5135
wsigang@siue.edu
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What type of Continuing Education is offered by the SIUE School of Pharmacy?
The SIUE School of Pharmacy currently offers only one method by which pharmacists can earn earn continuing education credits: live activities.
In this type of programming, participants are required to come to a specific site for a set number of hours to participate in a CE activity. In some instances, the live CE activity will be hosted on the internet, and participants will be required to log in to a secure website. In both methods, they are required to fill out a program evaluation form and attend all portions of the program for which they would like to receive continuing education credit.
In the future, we will offer home study courses. These courses are designed to update pharmacists' knowledge of current concepts in pharmacy at their own pace and in their own environment, without having to attend a live event. The courses will consist of written material covering a given subject, along with a post-test. Some home study courses may include an audio and/or visual aid.
How many hours of CE do I need to maintain my license?
The amount of continuing education (CE) hours required to renew a pharmacy license varies from state to state. For specific information on your state requirements, visit the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy.
Do I need a specific type of CE credit each year to maintain my license in Texas?
Individual states determine the number of contact hours needed per renewal period along with the content and types of activities that are acceptable. Please contact your state board for the most up to date requirements for content (e.g. HIV/AIDS), type (live CE requirements) etc., and what accrediting bodies they will accept.
How do I know if a CE program is ACPE-accredited?
To determine if a program is accredited by ACPE, look for the ACPE logo and a fourteen digit program number on information brochures regarding the program. If the program number is followed by a "P," it is accredited for pharmacists. If the program number is followed by a "T," it is approved for technicians.
Are all the programs offered by SIUE School of Pharmacy approved for CE credit in Illinois?
Yes. The programs are approved for CE status in Illinois and in every state and territory that accepts Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) accredited programs.
What does ACPE-accredited CE mean to me?
ACPE is the national accrediting agency for pharmacy continuing education. ACPE assures the quality of continuing pharmacy education programs by evaluating the providers of CE and by monitoring the quality of their educational activities. ACPE also provides a basis for uniform acceptance of CE credits among the states. The SIUE School of Pharmacy is an ACPE-approved provider.
What is Continuing Professional Development?
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is an approach to lifelong learning being discussed as a potential model for pharmacists in the United States. CPD does not replace continuing education (CE), but CE will be an essential component of CPD. Its purpose is to ensure that pharmacists maintain their knowledge, skills and competencies to practice throughout their careers in their specific area of practice, to improve the pharmacist's personal performance and, ultimately, to improve patient and public health outcomes.
Can I register online for SIUE School of Pharmacy CE programs?
Yes. You can register and pay for offered programs through the School of Pharmacy’s CE website
Other Questions?
If you have additional questions, please call the Continuing Education Office at 618-650-5135.
