Ferris State University College of Pharmacy and Aquinas College have established a cooperative program of pre-pharmacy education so that pre-pharmacy students at Aquinas can have an early assurance of admission at Ferris State. At least one pre-pharmacy student will be admitted per year. The goal of the Early Assurance Program is to increase the number of pharmacists practicing in West Michigan by increasing the number of seats that pre-pharmacy students can fill to get their Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.). There is also a cooperative program between Ferris State University Michigan College of Optometry and Aquinas College with the same protocols to increase the number of optometrists by increasing the Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) seats in Michigan.