The purpose of the dual Doctor of Pharmacy/Master of Public Health Program 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 and public health positions that address today's most challenging population health care issues. A Public Health Pharmacist can be involved in advanced pharmacy practice, health policy development, emergency and humanitarian response, public health leadership, and much more.

The purpose of the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) Program is to prepare entry-level pharmacy practitioners to meet the health care 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. The Master of Public Health (MPH) degree is an interdisciplinary graduate degree in public health that provides coursework opportunities for students to obtain broad knowledge and basic skills in public health. The public health program focuses on rural and underserved populations, providing students with training in public health issues present in rural and underserved areas.

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 and public health profession. The dual program affords individuals interested in pursuing pharmacy and public health training a unique opportunity to complete both degree programs in five years, saving time and money by completing both concurrently. The PharmD/MPH program is designed for students who are presently enrolled in or applying to pharmacy school. 

Program Requirements 

The Doctor of Pharmacy courses listed below may not be taken out of sequence. However, most of the Master of Public Health courses may be taken in any sequence (except for PH 701, PH 703 and PH 704 which have prerequisites). Once the PharmD coursework is completed, students can continue the remaning MPH coursework on either a full-time or part-time basis.

For the MPH program, a required passing grade of “B-” or higher must be received in each course. Additionally, maintenance of the required cumulative GPA in each program is required for satisfactory progression and graduation (3.00 for both programs). Policies regarding academic standing and graduation are contained in the graduate catalog as well as the Pharmacy Program and Master of Public Health Student Handbooks.

Credits of Overlap Between Programs

The total credit overlap between the PharmD and MPH program is up to 15 credits. The courses and requirements that may overlap are illustrated in the table below. The selected overlap is in-line with each program's requirements and also meets accreditation standards for both programs. 

PH Substitutions for Pharmacy Requirements

Pharmacy Substitutions for PH Requirements

*Students can select another suitable 3 credit PharmD course to satisfy MPH electives with prior MPH Director approval.