Program Overview
The PharmD & MPH Dual Degree program combines pharmacy and public health training to prepare graduates for careers in advanced pharmacy practice, health policy development, and public health leadership. It offers a unique opportunity to save time and money by completing both degrees concurrently, while equipping students with the knowledge and skills to address population health challenges.
Program Outline
PharmD & MPH Dual Degree
Degree Overview:
The PharmD & MPH Dual Degree program prepares highly qualified health professionals with competencies to succeed in the rapidly changing healthcare system. It combines pharmacy and public health training to address population health challenges. This program offers unique opportunities for students interested in advanced pharmacy practice, health policy development, public health leadership, and other related fields.
Objectives:
- Equip students with knowledge and skills to address public health challenges.
- Prepare graduates for a wide range of pharmacy and public health positions.
- Foster critical thinking, analysis, problem-solving, and self-directed learning skills.
- Promote effective use of modern technology for professional practice.
- Integrate research, leadership, education, and professional development into the curriculum.
- Save time and money by completing both degrees concurrently.
Outline:
Year 1:
- Fall: Introduction to Pharmacy Profession, Pharmaceutics, Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience, Introduction to Physical Assessment, Biomedical Sciences, Communications in Pharmacy Practice, Nonprescription Products, Outpatient Pharmacy Practice Lab.
- Spring: Pharmaceutics, Pharmaceutics and Compounding Laboratory, Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience, Physical Assessment Lab, Essentials of Pharmacogenomics, Integrated Pathophysiology, Drug Information Skills, Pharmacy Professional Development Lab.
Year 2:
- Summer: History and Philosophy of Public Health.
- Fall: Pharmacokinetic Principles, ICare: General Med I, Pharmacology, Drug Literature Analysis & Interpretation, Drug Literature Analysis & Interpretation Lab, Federal and State Pharmacy Law, Introduction to Patient Centered Care, Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience.
- Spring: ICare: Renal, ICare: Cardiovascular, Applied PK and PGx, Toxicology, Health Information Technology & Practice Management, Patient Centered Care, Pharmacy Professional Development Lab, Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience.
Year 3:
- Fall: ICare: Endocrine, ICare: Hematology/Oncology, ICare: Infectious Disease, Patient Centered Care, Applied PK and PGx, Pharmacy Administration, Essentials of Research Design, Principles of Epidemiology.
- Spring: ICare: General Med II, ICare: Special Populations, ICare: Neuro/Psychiatry, Patient Centered Care, Applied PK and PGx, Pharmacy Administration, Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience, Pharmacy Professional Development Lab, Program Planning and Implementation.
Year 4:
- Summer: Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences I, II, and III, Social and Behavioral Aspects of Public Health.
- Fall: Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience IV, Public Health Policy and Management.
- Spring: Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences VI, VII, and VIII.
Year 5:
- Fall: Fundamentals of Program Evaluation, Rural Health Systems, Public Health Leadership and Professionalism.
- Spring: Health Communications, Public Health Perspectives on Chronic Disease, Integrated Learning Experience.
Assessment:
Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher in both PharmD and MPH programs. Individual courses require a passing grade of "C" or higher. Specific assessments may vary within each course depending on the content and objectives.
Teaching:
The program utilizes diverse teaching methods, including lectures, labs, seminars, case studies, simulations, and group projects. The faculty comprises experienced pharmacists, public health professionals, and researchers, offering expertise and guidance to students.
Careers:
Graduates can pursue careers in various settings, including:
- Public health agencies
- Hospitals and clinics
- Pharmaceutical companies
- Non-profit organizations
- Government agencies
- Research institutions
- Consulting firms Specific career options include:
- Public health pharmacist
- Health policy analyst
- Epidemiologist
- Health educator
- Clinical research coordinator
- Pharmacy manager
- Pharmaceutical sales representative
Other:
- The total number of credits required for the program is 175.
- Students can overlap up to 19 credits between the PharmD and MPH programs.
- Pharmacy courses can substitute for certain MPH electives with prior approval.
- Clinical experiences can potentially count towards the MPH Applied Practice Experience.
- The program is designed for students currently enrolled in or applying to pharmacy school.
- Students should follow admission requirements outlined on the Graduate Public Health Admissions site.
