About the College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences

At the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, we’re committed to providing innovative and interprofessional educational experiences with a liberal arts perspective. Along with our renowned Pharmacy program, which originated in 1904, Butler also houses the longest-running Physician Assistant (PA) program in the state of Indiana. We have since evolved to include on-campus Nursing and Health Sciences programs, as well as an online Doctor of Medical Science, Bridge to Doctor of Medical Science, and a PharmD Online Pathway program. Within all our programs, students are prepared for meaningful healthcare careers through hands-on learning in the classroom, collaborative research opportunities alongside our dedicated and accomplished faculty, and outstanding clinical experiences.

Accreditation

Butler University and the programs within each college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The HLC is a regional accreditation agency that accredits degree-granting colleges and universities. HLC accreditation validates the quality of an institution as a whole and evaluates multiple aspects of an institution, including its academic offerings, governance and administration, mission, finances, and resources. Accreditation was granted to Butler University initially in January 1915. The most recent reaffirmation of accreditation was in 2022–2023. The next reaffirmation of accreditation is 2032–2033.

The Butler University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences is a member of the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy. The pharmacy program is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education through June 2028. By completion of the doctor of pharmacy curriculum, its graduates fulfill the educational requirements for examination and licensure as pharmacists in every state in the nation.

Butler’s PA Program is a member of the Physician Assistant Education Association and is accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant. Graduates of the PA Program must sit for the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE), the successful completion of which provides one the criteria for licensure or certification.

The Butler Nursing Program is fully accredited by the Indiana State Board of Nursing as of May 17, 2024. Graduates of the Nursing Program must sit for the National Council Licensure Examination [for] Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN), the successful completion of which provides one the criteria for licensure. The baccalaureate degree in nursing at Butler University is pursuing initial accreditation by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington DC 20001, 202-887-6791. Applying for accreditation does not guarantee that accreditation will be granted.

College Leadership and Guiding Principles

Robert Soltis ’87 joined Butler University in 2016. Prior to his appointment as Dean, he was a faculty member at Drake University serving as Chair of the Department of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical, and Administrative Sciences, and held the title Ellis and Nelle Levitt Distinguished Professor of Pharmacology in the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. His most recent work is in the scholarship of teaching and learning. He is the co-author of the textbook Introduction to the Pharmaceutical Sciences: An Integrated Approach and was elected to the Academy of Pharmacology Educators of the American Society of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics.
Soltis earned his Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy (cum laude) from Butler, his doctorate in Pharmacology/Toxicology at the Indiana University School of Medicine in 1991 and was a Pharmacology Research Associate (PRAT Fellow) at the National Institutes of Health’s National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.

Professionally focused
Inspired with excellence in teaching and model life learning. We have a passion for our life work and have dedicated our careers to training the next generation of health care providers and educators. We look for new ways to improve learning and we adapt to the need for new knowledge, skills and attitudes. We share our practical experiences with our students so that what they learn is directly connected to actual patient care or to our scholarship. We utilize real-life experiences whenever possible so that students develop an appreciation for the patient and the societal variables that add complexity to care of an individual or of a population. As faculty, we have developed a collaborative learning environment and are respectful and supportive of one another.

Student focused
Dedicated to our students. We are dedicated to our students and are committed to their development, both inside and outside the classroom, with teaching, advising, project oversight, and experiential learning.

Patient focused
Dedicated to our patients and our professions. We are experienced health care practitioners and investigators who exude a high regard for patient care that extends to our students. We teach others so our professions can excel and provide better patient care and research each day.

Educate and Practice
Advance the practice of our health care professions and the importance of an interdisciplinary approach by providing effective and innovative programs for undergraduate, graduate, and professional level learners.

Research and Scholarly Activity
Conduct focused research and scholarly activity that is consistent with our expertise and tied to student experiences.

Public Health, Service, and Leadership
Foster leadership and service for students, faculty, and staff through public health-related community outreach, university and college service, and involvement in professional organizations.

Employer of Choice
Create an employment environment that provides leadership, personal growth, and resources to be a desired place of employment for the ongoing vitality of our programs.

Collaboration
Develop collaborations to increase the reach and effectiveness of our programs and public health initiatives.