Doctor of Pharmacy/Master of Public Health (PharmD/MPH)

Program Overview

The PharmD/MPH combination degree program prepares pharmacists who can dispense medications and manage disease states within a population-based public health framework. The knowledge and skills of pharmacists in pharmaceutical science and clinical pharmacy together with public health, create an excellent foundation for graduates to seek positions in the health care system as it relates to pharmacotherapy and health promotion, disease prevention and medication safety.  Pharmacists with this combination degree are prepared to:

  • Contribute to the development and implementation of policy to provide safer medications to patients
  • Educate and assist patients to manage diseases such as diabetes
  • Conduct research to better manage treatments for diseases such as cancer and HIV
  • Provide education on medication management, such as drug interactions between prescription drugs and herbal supplements

Graduation Requirements

All students in combination MPH programs must meet graduation requirements of the MPH. A student must satisfy the curriculum requirements for each degree before either degree is awarded. Participants in this combination degree program must begin their studies in the College of Pharmacy and complete the first two years of the Doctor of Pharmacy curriculum. The third year is used to complete requirements in the MPH program. During the fourth and fifth year, students will return to their pharmacy program and complete their remaining requirements for the PharmD.

The combination degree curricula provide for a total of 48 credits for the MPH degree and 146 credits for the Doctor of Pharmacy degree to be completed in five years. Twelve credits of professional courses (PharmD) are counted toward the graduate degree (MPH) and 6 credits of graduate (MPH) courses are counted toward the professional (PharmD) degree. The “shared” courses between the two programs are selected from a list of acceptable courses.

Click here to view the graduation requirements for the MPH program.

Admission Criteria and Process

Candidates for the program must:

  • Express their interest in the Pharm.D./MPH combination degree program during the first professional year of study and seek the advice and direction of the College of Pharmacy’s Program Coordinator for the combination degree curriculum
  • Meet the entrance requirements and procedures for admission to the Master of Public Health
  • Meet the entrance requirements and procedures for admission to the Doctor of Pharmacy degree program in the College of Pharmacy
  • Have completed a minimum of two years of pre-pharmacy coursework
  • Have completed two years of the Doctor of Pharmacy curriculum prior to enrollment in the MPH program
  • Have a minimum 3.0 grade point average in the two years of the Doctor of Pharmacy degree program

(Note: The Doctor of Pharmacy degree does not require a prior baccalaureate degree as the educational requirements in the Doctor of Pharmacy degree program exceed those for a baccalaureate degree.)

Timing of Application/Admission

All application materials must be received by February 1 for the Summer semester and June 1 for the Fall semester. Pharmacy students should express their interest in the Pharm.D./MPH combination degree program during the first professional year of study and seek the advice and direction of the Program Coordinator in the College of Pharmacy for the combination degree program. The support and endorsement of the College of Pharmacy’s for the student’s application is required.

Students should feel free to contact Telisha Martin (martints@phhp.ufl.edu; 352-273-6444) or Dr. Steven M. Smith (ssmith@cop.ufl.edu) if they have questions regarding the PharmD/MPH joint degree program.