Dual MPH/PharmD Program

Program Highlights

The Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) offers a concurrent Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) and Master of Public Health (MPH) Generalist degree program. This interdisciplinary program integrates pharmacy education with public health training, designed for students who want to expand their impact beyond individual patient care to population health initiatives, healthcare policy, and public health interventions.

Key benefits include enhanced career opportunities, leadership skills in healthcare policy and management, an interdisciplinary perspective for collaborative health interventions, and the ability to address health disparities. Completing both degrees concurrently saves students time compared to pursuing them separately.

Delivery Modes

The MPH coursework within this concurrent degree program is delivered fully online and asynchronously. This allows students to integrate public health studies seamlessly with their PharmD curriculum.

Curriculum Overview

The MPH Generalist curriculum provides a broad foundation in public health principles. Core areas of study include:

• Epidemiology & Biostatistics – Understanding disease patterns and data analysis in healthcare.

• Health Policy & Management – Learning how healthcare policies shape practice and patient outcomes.

• Environmental & Social Health Sciences – Examining the role of environmental factors and social determinants in health.

• Public Health Leadership & Communication – Building skills to advocate for community health and influence health policies.

• Applied Public Health Practice – Engaging in hands-on public health experiences through internships and research projects.

Students in the concurrent program begin taking 1-2 public health courses per semester starting in the second year of their PharmD program. All MPH coursework is typically completed by the end of the fourth year of the PharmD program.

Admissions Requirements

To be eligible for the PharmD/MPH concurrent degree program, applicants must:

• Be currently enrolled in the PharmD program at MUSC.

• Have successfully completed the first year of the PharmD program with a minimum GPA of 3.0.

• Submit an official transcript.

• Provide one letter of recommendation.

• Submit a personal statement detailing how an MPH degree will support their career aspirations.

• Provide a resume outlining relevant academic and professional experiences.

The application period is from April to June 1 each year. For further information regarding MPH program admissions, interested students can contact [email protected].

Career Outcomes & Practical Experience

Graduates of the PharmD/MPH program are uniquely positioned for a variety of roles that bridge pharmacy and public health. Potential career paths include positions in:

• Government agencies

• Public health organizations

• Pharmaceutical companies

• Hospitals

• Healthcare policy development

• Epidemiology

• Healthcare administration

• Community health

The MPH component emphasizes practical application, with students engaging in hands-on public health experiences through internships and research projects as part of the Applied Public Health Practice curriculum. This provides valuable real-world experience.