The purpose of the dual Doctor of Pharmacy/Master of Science in Pharmacogenomics and Personalized Medicine (PharmD/MS PGPM) is to graduate highly qualified health professionals who have obtained competencies necessary to succeed in the rapidly changing healthcare system. The dual program prepares students to enter a wide-range of pharmacy positions that address some of today’s most challenging healthcare issues.

The Master of Science in Pharmacogenomics and Personalized Medicine (MS PGPM) degree provides the opportunity for students to explore the relationship between an individual’s genetic make-up, their health and their response to medications. Pharmacogenomics focuses on the use of genomic information to develop the most effective use of medications, including minimizing adverse events. Personalized medicine is a method of disease prevention and treatment for which the healthcare team considers individual variations in genes, environment and lifestyle. Students will become familiar with the most widely used genomic laboratory techniques and interpretation of pharmacogenomics data used in personalizing drug therapy. Introductory concepts of genomic data science will also be introduced in a hands-on format. 

The purpose of the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) Program is to prepare entry-level pharmacy practitioners to meet the healthcare needs of an increasingly diverse patient population, and to constantly strive to add to the knowledge base of the profession of pharmacy. In fulfilling its educational mission, the school provides the environment, opportunities and stimuli for faculty, students and practitioners of the profession to learn, maintain and expand upon the knowledge and skills necessary to meet the health care needs of the patients they serve. The School of Pharmacy supports the concept that the mission of pharmacy is to serve society as the profession responsible for the appropriate use of medications, devices and services to achieve optimal therapeutic outcomes.

Both programs integrate graduate-level critical thinking and analysis, problem solving, scientific inquiry, self-directed learning and the effective use of modern technology for professional practice that includes elements of research, leadership, education and continued enhancement of the pharmacy, pharmacogenomics and personalized medicine. The dual program affords individuals interested in pursuing training in pharmacy and pharmacogenomics a unique opportunity to complete both degree programs in under five years, saving time and money by completing both concurrently. The PharmD/MS PGPM program is designed for students who are presently enrolled in pharmacy school. 

To be considered for admission to the Master of Science in Pharmacogenomics and Personalized Medicine, the student will meet the following qualifications:

• A student in good standing matriculated in the Doctor of Pharmacy program in the Bernard J Dunn School of Pharmacy
• A minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4-point scale