The Pharm.D./MBA program is offered to highly motivated students who seek to combine pharmacy education with business managerial knowledge and skills. After completing the first two years of study in the Pharm.D. in the School of Pharmacy, students enroll in the MBA Program for the third year, and then return to the School of Pharmacy for the last two years of the Pharm.D. Program. Students must meet the admission requirements of both programs and typically apply to the MBA Program in the spring semester of the second professional year as they complete the BS in Pharmacy Studies. Both the Pharm.D. and the MBA will be conferred simultaneously after the program requirements have been successfully met.

This program is on hold for the 2024-2025 academic year.

A dual Pharm.D./MPH program is offered to highly motivated students who seek to combine pharmacy education with special skills in public health as it relates to pharmacotherapy and health promotion, disease prevention and medication safety. After completing the first two years of study in the School of Pharmacy, students enroll in the MPH Program for the third year and then return to the School of Pharmacy for the last two years of the Pharm.D. Program, which would consist of both pharmacy and public health courses. Students must meet the admission requirements of both programs and typically apply to the MPH Program in the spring semester of the P2 year as they complete the BS in Pharmacy Studies. Both the Pharm.D. and the MPH will be conferred simultaneously after the program requirements have been successfully met.

The School of Pharmacy offers a dual Pharm.D./Ph.D. program. This program targets a small number of highly motivated students who seek to combine pharmacy education suitable for professional licensure with advanced research-based training. The Ph.D. may be in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences within the School of Pharmacy or another program at UConn. Applicants must be admitted into both programs. Once admitted, the Office of Admissions and Student Affairs will work with the department where the Ph.D. is housed to create a customized plan of study to shorten the total time required to complete both degrees.

Applicants who wish to apply to the Pharm.D./Ph.D. program who have a prior earned bachelor’s degree should apply to both programs simultaneously if the intent is to start both programs at the same time. Applicants who do not have an earned prior bachelor’s degree will apply to the Ph.D. program during their second professional (P2) year as they complete the BS in Pharmacy Studies.

Applicants with a prior earned bachelor’s degree who wish to matriculate into both programs at the same time should contact the Academic Advisor for the Professional Program for personalized admissions guidance.

Curricular Tracks

The goal of the curricular tracks is to provide students who have a passion for an area of pharmacy the option to develop and apply advanced skills in that area. The designation of “Track Scholar” will be given to students who are accepted into and complete all the requirements of the track. Each track delineates the application process as well as the minimum entry and graduation requirements for the students. Students may apply to more than one track but can participate in only one track. Please contact the faculty coordinator for additional information on a specific track.

The following represent minimum requirements; additional specifics may be found within the description of each track.

• Completion of an application and acceptance into a track program.
• Minimum GPA for admittance.
• Entry into a track program during P2 or by the beginning of P3 year.
• Four credits of elective didactic/independent study course work that is defined by the track.
• The equivalent of up to two credits of introductory applied activities. For clinically related concentrations, these are typically accomplished during IPPEs. For research-based concentrations, these would likely be introductory lab skills.
• Four credits of an independent research project in the track concentration.
• Four credits of advanced application within the area of track concentration. For clinically related concentrations, this is an advanced APPE within that concentration. For research-based concentrations, this would be defined by the track (e.g., advanced coursework or advanced research).
• Presentation of final projects during the year in which the track is completed.

Courses taken in fulfillment of a track can be used toward professional electives and can be completed in addition to any honors activities.

Faculty Coordinator: Dr. Devra Dang

The Urban Service Track (UST) is a collaboration between the UConn’s Schools of Pharmacy, Dental Medicine, Medicine, Nursing and Social Work, the Quinnipiac University’s Physician Assistant Program, and the community. UST scholars participate in activities to understand health literacy, population health, interprofessional teamwork and leadership, professional and ethical conduct, health policy and advocacy. There is a focus on vulnerable populations which includes the homeless, children, elderly, and immigrants.

Faculty Coordinator: Dr. Marie Smith

LEADERS stands for: Leadership through Engagement, Advocacy, Dedication, Education, Research, and Service. LEADERS Track is intended to identify and develop the next generation of pharmacy leaders by:

• Increasing student awareness of current issues in pharmacy practice and care.
• Increasing awareness of leadership challenges / opportunities in pharmacy.
• Exploring individual leadership styles and strengths.
• Enhancing student-faculty interaction outside of class.
• Providing students with the opportunity to actively engage and positively influence the university, community, and beyond.

Faculty Coordinator: Dr. Jennifer Girotto

This track is designed to provide pharmacy students with tools to help them succeed as pediatric clinical practitioners. Track students will have exposure to a wide range of pediatric experiences throughout their time in the Pharm.D. Program.

Faculty Coordinator: Dr. Andrew Wiemer

This track will provide pharmacy students with greater exposure to the pharmaceutical sciences and related research. The track is designed to help students that are:

• Considering working as a pharmacist for a pharmaceutical company.
• Planning to pursue a joint Pharm.D./Ph.D. degree.
• Enjoy science/have a science minor.

Minors & Additional Degrees

To supplement their studies in the BS in Pharmacy Studies, students may choose to complete one or more minors; while not required, minors allow students to pursue passions outside of pharmacy. You can choose one of the many minors offered through other schools and colleges at UConn.

The additional degree option allows pharmacy students to complete a major offered by a different school or college at UConn. Students can earn a second degree either concurrently or after earning their first degree. Students are required to earn at least 18 credits higher than the degree with the higher minimum-credit requirement (this is usually pharmacy) and must meet all requirements for each degree.

Minor Requirements and Restrictions

• Minors consist of 15-18 credits and the requirements for each minor vary.
• Requests for substitutions in a minor need the approval of the sponsoring department and dean's office.
• Transfer credits cannot be applied to a minor without the approval of the sponsoring department and dean's office.
• Students must earn a grade of “C” (2.0) or better in each one of the courses required for the minor, unless a higher standard is noted in the specific minor program.
• Some minors might have course overlap restrictions with courses for a major.

Review and Declare Minors

• Review the full list of UConn minors
• Declare a minor (Non-Business)
• Declare a minor with the School of Business

Additional Degree Requirements and Restrictions

Students must:

• Meet all requirements for both degrees.
• Complete 18 unique additional credits more than the degree with higher minimum (e.g. School of Pharmacy and CLAS, School of Pharmacy requires 137 credits to graduate, 137 + 18 = 155 credits to graduate with both degrees); the only exception is for students in the Teacher Education Program offered through the Neag School of Education.
• All 18 credits for the additional degree must be at the 2000 level or higher.

Declaring an Additional Degree

• Complete parts I and II of the Additional Degree Petition Form from the Registrar's Office.
• Bring the form to the department of the additional major that is being added to obtain an advisor’s signature.