Graduate programs in pharmacy are divided into four tracks where you can expand your expertise in research and basic science in drug discovery and development (PhD), pharmacology and toxicology (PhD), pharmaceutics and pharmacokinetics (PhD) and health and pharmaceutical outcomes (MS and PhD). Graduates of these programs are prepared for positions in academia, government and the pharmaceutical industry, where they are equipped to translate the results of basic and clinical research into practice, teaching or policy.

This dual-degree program can be completed in as little as seven years.

Are you interested in conducting basic science (wet bench) research as part of your education? Complete the Laboratory-Based Basic Science Research Interest Form. 

Contact

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Jason Karnes, PharmD, PHD, BCPS, FAHA 
Associate Professor, Pharmacy Practice and Science
Track Director, PharmD/PhD Dual Degree Program

Email Jason Karnes
Phone: 520-626-3180
Drachman Hall B207C

Pharmacists’ services are growing to include more patient-oriented, health care administration and public health functions; accordingly, pharmacists trained in public health activities, particularly involving health education, disease prevention and health promotion, public health advocacy, and improving health quality, will be at the forefront of improving health outcomes and reducing disparities across populations and communities. Pursue this path to gain new knowledge that can be applied in population and community health.

This dual-degree program can be completed in as little as five years. 

Contact

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Elizabeth Hall-Lipsy, JD, MPH
Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs and Assessment
Program Manager, Health Disparities and Outreach
Assistant Professor, Pharmacy Practice and Science

Email Elizabeth Hall-Lipsy
Phone: 520-626-3180
Drachman Hall B207N

The PharmD/MLS dual-degree will provide training in growing areas of health care regulation like compliance, negotiations, working with administrative agencies and corporations. This program is ideal for professionals who regularly encounter legal issues.

This dual-degree program can be completed in as little as five years. 

TARA SKLAR
Professor of Health Law
Director of Graduate Health Sciences Programs
law-healthcare@email.arizona.edu

The PharmD/MLS dual-degree will provide training in growing areas of health care regulation like compliance, negotiations, working with administrative agencies and corporations. This program is ideal for professionals who regularly encounter legal issues.

This dual-degree program can be completed in as little as five years. 

MICHAEL BROOKS
Registrar, James E. Rogers College of Law
Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs, James E. Rogers College of Law
brooks@email.arizona.edu

Several professional organizations, including the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, have advocated for the creation of dual PharmD/MBA degrees for filling leadership positions in pharmacy as the professional field evolves in the health care arena. With this degree, you will possess qualifications that make you an attractive candidate for leadership roles in community pharmacy practice, the pharmaceutical industry, academia, and health care institutions such as hospitals and managed care organizations.

This dual-degree program can be completed in as little as five years. 

Contact

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Elizabeth Hall-Lipsy, JD, MPH
Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs and Assessment
Program Manager, Health Disparities and Outreach
Assistant Professor, Pharmacy Practice and Science

Email Elizabeth Hall-Lipsy
Phone: 520-626-3180
Drachman Hall B207N

A New Kind of Provider

Across the country, a perfect storm is brewing: the population is aging, requiring more care; greater numbers of primary care providers are retiring from practice; and fewer medical graduates are entering primary care practice. The answer to this challenge lies in novel approaches that complement our current education and training programs. One such innovation is our first-of-its-kind dual degree program, the Dual PharmD/DNP with FNP Specialty. By supplementing pharmacy education and nurse practitioner education through the PharmD/Doctor of Nursing Practice program, we have enabled our dual-degree graduates to diagnose, prescribe and treat patients who cannot access care from a primary provider.

Pre-requisite for DNP Program

• MS-MEPN (pre-requisite)

For PharmD students we recommend applying both to the PharmD program as well as the MEPN program to ensure you meet the requirements for admission to the DNP with FNP Specialty

View more information about the MEPN program. 

MEPN Requirements

• Prerequisite GPA: 
  • A combined minimum GPA of 3.0 is required
  • A grade of 'C' or better is required in all prerequisites 
  • Last 60 credits GPA
• A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required for all graded postsecondary coursework
• Must have already obtained a non-nursing Bachelor-level (or higher) degree
• HESI 

Admission Requirements

Students must meet the admission requirements of all programs in order to be eligible for acceptance. 

PharmD Requirements

• Prerequisite GPA:
  • Science GPA: Minimum of 2.5 or higher
  • Cumulative prerequisite GPA: Minimum 2.5 or higher
  • Minimum grade of 'C' in prerequisite courses, grades 'B' or higher strongly preferred
• No Bachelor degree is required for PharmD (but students in this dual degree program will be required to have a Bachelors)
• PCAT - Option for 2022-2023 applicants, but not required for students entering PharmD after completing the MEPN 
• Must have obtained a non-nursing Bachelor-level (or higher) degree
• Valid HESI A2 Exam (Reading, Vocabulary, Math, and Biology)
• Score is calculated as the average amongst the 4 required sections, with a minimum score of 75% required (though higher is recommended)

DNP-FNP Requirements

• Masters of Science from MS-MEPN program with RN Licensure 
• See complete admissions requirements  
  • Science GPA: Minimum of 2.5 or higher preferred
  • Minimum grade of C in prerequisite courses, grades of B or higher strongly preferred
• PCAT (waived for 21-22 admission cycle)
• Two recommendations electronically submitted via PharmCAS
• Current Resume 

Note: while a bachelor's degree is not required for admission to the PharmD program, students in this dual degree program will be required to have a bachelor's degree in order to meet MEPN admission requirements.

FNP Certificate Admission Requirements

• Nursing degree (MS or higher)
• Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above
• Two letters of recommendation
• Unrestricted RN licensure within the U.S.
• Evidence of working in clinical practice

Application Timeline

Students will apply to each program separately, per each programs' application deadlines:

• College of Nursing MEPN Program: December 1

• College of Pharmacy PharmD Program: November 1 (priority deadline), March 1 (final deadline)

• College of Nursing DNP-FNP: March 1

Students will apply for the Doctor of Pharmacy program at the same time they apply for the MS-MEPN Program. (if accepted to PharmD, they will defer acceptance for a year). During the spring semester of the MS-MEPN program, the student will apply for the DNP program with an FNP Specialty for the following fall admission cohort. During this time the student will be enrolled in both programs as a dual degree student.