Dual MPH/PharmD Program

Program Highlights

The Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) offers a dual Pharm.D./M.P.H. degree program, co-sponsored by the Department of Pharmacotherapy and Outcomes Science in the School of Pharmacy and the School of Public Health. This program allows students to earn both degrees with a reduced number of credits (minimum 191 total, with the M.P.H. component being 37 credits) compared to pursuing them separately (200 credits if pursued separately). This structure aims to lower overall tuition costs and shorten the time to completion. The primary goal is to equip students with essential knowledge and skills in public and population health alongside their Doctor of Pharmacy training.

Key benefits for students include:

• A comprehensive understanding of health issues at a population level.

• Mastery of health behavior theory crucial for effective health promotion activities, such as community vaccination campaigns and wellness programs.

• The ability to plan and evaluate health programs effectively.

• Training in epidemiological methodology and data analysis techniques.

• Enhanced competitiveness when applying for pharmacy residencies.

Delivery Modes

The M.P.H. component of this dual degree program is designed for full-time study. Students typically dedicate their fourth year of the five-year dual degree program to M.P.H. coursework, which implies an on-campus delivery format. No online or part-time options are explicitly mentioned for the M.P.H. portion.

Curriculum Overview

The M.P.H. portion of the dual degree requires a minimum of 37 credit hours. This includes:

• 20 credit hours of M.P.H. core courses (covering areas like biostatistics, epidemiology, health policy, environmental health, social and behavioral health, public health ethics, and foundations of public health).

• A minimum of 9 credit hours of concentration-specific courses.

• A minimum of 6 credit hours of elective coursework. Notably, 8 credits from specific Pharm.D. courses (PHAR 508, PHAR 511, and PHAR 530) can satisfy M.P.H. electives.

• A 3-credit hour Public Health Internship (PHLT 693), part of the core requirements.

• A 3-credit hour M.P.H. Capstone Project (PHLT 694) focusing on a relevant public health topic.

The entire dual Pharm.D./M.P.H. degree program requires a minimum of 185.5 credit hours. Students typically complete the M.P.H. didactic coursework in their fourth year, with an option to finish the capstone project during the fifth year while completing P4 pharmacy rotations.

Admissions Requirements

Admission to the M.P.H. component of the dual degree program is for current VCU Pharm.D. students, who typically apply during their P3 year. Key aspects of the application process include:

• Application submission through the Schools of Public Health Application Service (SOPHAS). The SOPHAS website lists current application deadlines.

• A supplemental application to VCU, which requires an additional fee (amount not specified).

• Standardized test scores such as the GRE are not required for the M.P.H. application. However, students may choose to submit their PCAT scores.

• Applicants should refer to the VCU Graduate Bulletin for specific M.P.H. concentration admission requirements, including details on transcripts, personal statements, and letters of recommendation.

Career & Practical Experience

Graduates of the Pharm.D./M.P.H. dual degree program are prepared to apply public health principles in pharmacy practice and related fields. The program aims to enhance competitiveness for pharmacy residencies. Students will develop skills in:

• Collecting, analyzing, and evaluating public health data.

• Planning, implementing, and evaluating public health interventions.

• Applying evaluation results and data analyses to policy development.

• Promoting community health through educational campaigns.

• Synthesizing and applying evidence-based information to identify key areas of practice and research.

Practical experience is integrated through a required Public Health Internship (PHLT 693) and an M.P.H. Capstone Project (PHLT 694). Advising is provided by faculty from both the M.P.H. and Pharm.D. programs. An M.P.H. faculty member guides the student's capstone project, with potential collaboration from a Pharm.D. faculty member.