College of Health & Education

Pursue a Career of Helping Others

Do you feel destined to pursue a career where you get to help others? Whether you see yourself as part of a medical team caring for patients or in a classroom teaching the next generation, the College of Health and Education can help you get there.

The Nesbitt School of Pharmacy at Wilkes University is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education.

The baccalaureate degree in nursing, master's degree in nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice, and post graduate APRN certificate programs at Wilkes University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education external website.

Wilkes University nursing programs are approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing external website.

The Pennsylvania Department of Education has approved the Wilkes University Bachelor of Arts degree to offer majors and one minor leading to teacher certification. Both the majors and the minor may add Special Education certification.

What do you want to do?

Our Schools

The College of Health and Education houses the Nesbitt School of Pharmacy, Passan School of Nursing, and the School of Education.

Wilkes University four-year Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree.

Nesbitt School of Pharmacy

As a pharmacy student, you will learn not just through lectures, but also through experiential learning. You will gain knowledge in the sciences, obtain clinical knowledge and skills, and improve your interpersonal skills. As part of the Pharmacy program, you will join a close-knit community of students and be mentored by supportive professors whose goal is to shape you into a successful pharmacist.

Wilkes University nursing (BSN) major.

Passan School of Nursing

With faculty who take time to get to know students personally and many opportunities for hands-on patient care, the Passan School of Nursing helps students develop into confident and competent nurses. We offers students plenty of opportunities to apply what they learn in the classroom through hands-on activities and caring for real patients.

School of Education

At the School of Education, you will be trained in the latest technologies and teaching methods with the help of supportive faculty to effectively prepare you to take charge of a classroom. Students gain field experience by student-teaching in regional schools and are given the opportunity to observe local classrooms starting their first year.

13:1

student-faculty ratio

98%

job / graduate school placement rate Asterisk

2,200

undergraduate students

Asterisk indicates based on self-reported survey data.

A Supportive Learning Community

Students within the College of Health and Education will find a tight-knit community of fellow students and passionate faculty. Our professors take time to get to know students personally, providing opportunities for hands-on experiential learning and helping mentor future pharmacists, nurses, and educators to reach their potential.

College of Health & Education Faculty and Staff

Our Students

I feel more than prepared to work each day as a pharmacist and leader with the U.S. Air Force because of the values instilled within me by the faculty and staff at Wilkes.

Cody Morcom ’20 - Captain and Pharmacist, U.S. Air Force

My favorite aspect of Wilkes University is the supportive faculty and family-like learning environment.

Alex Ponce '19 - PharmD

One reason why I chose Wilkes is because of the connections and relationships that you can make with students, faculty and staff.

Long Le '25 - Pharmacy

It's helpful to understand the science of why certain products are going to be more effective for certain conditions. Providing increased education will make people more valuable to the cannabis industry, which is continuing to grow and expand both in PA and throughout much of the country

Lexie Panek '21 - PharmD

I had the opportunity to complete a rotation at Geisinger Health Plan during my final year of school, which led me to pursue a managed care pharmacy residency.

Leslie Shumlas ’19 - Health Plan Pharmacist at Geisinger Health Plan

My interviewer was familiar with how good the nursing program at Wilkes is, which definitely helped me get my externship and job.

Alyssa Kresge '22 - Nursing

My favorite thing about Wilkes is the people I met here, whether they were students, professors, coaches or other staff members. Everyone works so hard to make sure the students are well taken care of, well educated and safe.

Celine Podlesney '20 - Nursing major and softball student-athlete

The transfer process through admissions was very welcoming and helpful, whether it would be a last-minute tour of campus or weekly phone calls with your admissions counselor.

Mark Chester -

The Passan School of Nursing has instilled in me the leadership qualities and nursing skills needed for me to begin my career, and I could not be more thankful.

Megan Kramer '19 - Nursing major

I chose Wilkes because it felt like home. The opportunities on and off campus are endless and there is lots of room for growth and development.

Emily Repp '24 - Nursing

I get to see all different kinds of student behavior and teaching strategies.

Michael Brown '20 - Elementrary and Early Childhood Education

My observational/teaching experiences solidified the fact that I knew I was meant to teach, while working in the lab, community outreach experiences and research opportunities really broadened my understanding and welcoming to teach all different kinds of subjects under the umbrella of STEM.

Seth Platukas '20 - Secondary Education, Biology

I want to learn all the necessary skills to be able to teach my children and others in the community the wonderful fulfillment received from expressing yourself through language and arts.

Yosara Gonzalez - MS in Middle-Level Education with Initial Teaching Certification

Students become invested in their own learning, feel empowered, and hopefully gain more interest and curiosity for the material we cover throughout the school year. I think it's a great way to challenge your teaching methods and feel safe in taking chances and seeing the results.

Ashley Alveranga‘20 - STEM Endorsement

I get to see all different kinds of student behavior and teaching strategies.

Michael Brown '20 - Elementrary and Early Childhood Education