Dual PharmD/MPH Program

Program Highlights & Accreditation

Mercer University offers a combined Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) and Master of Public Health (MPH) degree program. The MPH degree is conferred through Mercer’s College of Health Professions .

This program is designed to equip students with the competencies to address complex public health challenges in diverse communities, both domestically and internationally. It aims to broaden professional opportunities for graduates in community, industry, or institutional practice settings.

Specific accreditation details for the MPH program (e.g., CEPH) are not provided in this document.

Delivery Modes

The PharmD/MPH program is offered at the Atlanta, GA campus. While PharmD students must maintain full-time status, the MPH coursework can be completed at the student's own pace, suggesting flexibility for the public health component.

Curriculum Overview

Students in the combined program can use MPH courses to fulfill professional-level didactic elective requirements for the PharmD degree.

The PharmD course PHA 335 Health Care Delivery and Population Health (a three-credit hour course) fulfills a portion of the electives in the MPH Program. Students must complete other elective hours through one of two options:

• Option 1: Complete two specified College of Pharmacy electives: PHA 549 Introduction to Research, PHA 566 Women’s Health, or PHA 579 Global Health.

• Option 2: Complete one three-credit hour elective offered by the College of Health Professions Department of Public Health.

Both the PharmD and MPH programs incorporate service learning hours into their curricula. Students should consult the Mercer Atlanta Campus Catalog for prerequisite and core courses for the MPH degree.

Admissions Requirements

To be eligible for the MPH portion of the combined degree, Doctor of Pharmacy students must have completed a bachelor’s degree or 120 hours of college credit. Specific admission requirements for the MPH program are detailed on the College of Health Professions MPH program admissions website .

Key application components and academic standards include:

• Application submitted via SOPHAS Express .

• The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is optional.

• Maintenance of a cumulative pharmacy GPA of 2.75.

• Good academic standing in the PharmD program.

• A GPA of 3.0 or above in all public health courses.

Admitted students must meet with the chair of the Department of Public Health, or a designee, before enrolling in their first MPH course.

Career & Practical Experience

The PharmD/MPH program aims to broaden graduates' career prospects in community pharmacy, the pharmaceutical industry, and institutional settings.

Graduates will be prepared to address significant public health issues, including improving healthcare access, controlling infectious diseases, and mitigating environmental hazards, violence, substance abuse, and injuries.

Practical experience is gained through service learning components required by both the PharmD and MPH curricula.