Dual MPH/PharmD Program

Program Highlights & Accreditation

Idaho State University offers a dual PharmD/MPH degree program designed for students enrolled in the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program. This combined program allows students to earn a Master of Public Health (MPH) alongside their pharmacy degree.

The MPH component aims to provide PharmD students with a competitive edge in the job market, opportunities for advanced practice in areas such as pharmacoepidemiology, and an enhanced capacity to impact community health.

The provided HTML context does not explicitly mention specific accreditation (e.g., CEPH) for the MPH program itself. Students are expected to meet all current learning outcomes for both the PharmD and MPH programs.

Delivery Modes

The MPH program courses within this dual degree are delivered fully online. The PharmD program component is taught face-to-face.

Curriculum Overview

The dual program structure allows students to combine the PharmD degree with an MPH degree with approximately one year of additional effort. MPH courses can satisfy elective requirements for the PharmD program, and PharmD coursework can satisfy elective requirements for the MPH program.

Core MPH courses cover essential public health domains, including:

• Applications in Epidemiology (MPH 6601)

• Biostatistics (MPH 6602)

• Health Program Planning and Evaluation (MPH 6620)

• Social and Cultural Perspectives in Public Health (MPH 6604)

• Environmental and Occupational Health (MPH 6606)

• Seminar in Public and Community Health (MPH 6609)

• Rural Health Systems (MPH 5507)

• Behavior Change Theory and Applications (MPH 6660)

• Research and Writing in Health I & II (MPH 5540, MPH 6640)

A key component is the Public Health Project (MPH 6651), which is cross-listed with PHAR 9981 Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience - Public Health, integrating practical experience.

Admissions Requirements

PharmD students wishing to pursue the dual PharmD/MPH degree must apply to the MPH program as typical prospective students and meet all regular admission requirements for the MPH program.

Applicants must have completed either a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent. PharmD students need to have the College of Pharmacy certify to the Graduate School that they have completed 120 hours of coursework equivalent to a bachelor’s degree.

Students typically apply for admission to the MPH program prior to the end of their second year of study in the PharmD program.

Career & Practical Experience

The dual degree is designed to enhance career prospects, offering an edge in the job market and opportunities for more advanced pharmacy practice, including roles in pharmacoepidemiology.

Practical experience is a core part of the MPH curriculum, highlighted by the MPH 6651 Public Health Project, which is integrated with the PharmD program's Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience.