PharmD/MS in Pharmaceutical Sciences

Program Description

The Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD)/Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences (MSPS) degree program enables highly qualified students to obtain both degrees in four years. This PharmD/MSPS degree program is designed primarily for students who are strongly motivated toward an academic/research career in the pharmaceutical sciences. The program is flexible enough to accommodate individuals of varied educational backgrounds. The actual time required for completion of the program depends on the individual qualifications and interests of the student.

Program Requirements

Upon acceptance into the PharmD/MSPS degree program, students will be assigned to an adviser from the faculty of the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences. The adviser will schedule the program of study until the student selects a major professor. The specific program selected will be determined by the student’s previous academic history as well as by the departmental requirements of the MS program. The structure of the PharmD/MSPS degree program differs from that of the Pharm.D. program in several respects.

  • During the first year, the student’s research capability and commitment will be assessed through documented evaluation by the research adviser after the end of the first semester, second semester and again at the end of the first summer, with oversight of the Student Advisory Committee, as well as the director of graduate studies and department chair. Additionally, PharmD/MSPS students will complete a self-assessment of their first year and present their first-year research results at the end of the first summer as a requirement for progression. At the end of the first year, if progress is determined to be unsatisfactory, the student has the option of changing dissertation advisers.
  • PharmD/MSPS students will take MSPS core courses in place of professional electives that simultaneously satisfy the requirements of both the Pharm.D. electives and the MSPS program.
  • PharmD/MSPS students are required to complete five Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences (APPEs) in the areas of Advanced Community Pharmacy, Advanced Institutional Pharmacy, Acute Care (two) and Ambulatory Care. In addition, students complete three elective experiences by registering for PHA 696 (Research) over three APPE blocks. PHA 650 (Pharmacotherapy Case Conference) also is required.
  • The student is expected to participate in Graduate Seminar throughout their matriculation and to enroll for credit in the summer semester beginning with Year 3.

Following completion of the third year, the student focuses on the research component of the curriculum. With the exception of the Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences, the student should have completed all prerequisite and core courses by this time.

Continuation in the PharmD/MSPS degree program is contingent upon satisfactory performance and progress toward fulfillment of the requirements of the Doctor of Pharmacy degree program and the MSPS degree program. Students admitted to the PharmD/MSPS degree program are expected to complete all program requirements. For students who decide to withdraw from the dual degree program at any point, they must reapply for admission to either program separately, and if accepted, they must fulfill all requirements of either program individually.

Required Courses

  • PHA 715. Pharmacokenetics* (3 hours)
  • PHA 742. Foundations in Pharmaceutical Sciences* (5 hours)
  • PHA 743. Foundations in Research (3 hours)
  • PHA 744. Scientific Writing (3 hours)
  • PHA 745. Statistical Methods (3 hours)
  • PHA 749. Introduction to Research (2 hours)
  • PHA 797. Graduate Seminar (1 hour)

Choose one:

  • PHA 799. Thesis Research (5 hours)
  • PHA 798. Non-Thesis Project (5 hours)

 * Credit from PharmD courses.

Tuition

$750 per credit hour