Overview
Admissions
Application Process
Curriculum
Graduation Requirements
Overview
The University of Kentucky offers a two-year, 45-hour professional Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree through the Graduate School that is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA). The University's College of Pharmacy offers a four-year, 158-hour Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree that is accredited by the American Council of Pharmaceutical Education. The PharmD program also satisfies all educational requirements for licensure.
Begun in 1997, the PharmD/MPA dual degree program is the only one offered in the nation. The dual degree program permits a student to gain both degrees in a total time period less than if the degrees were earned independently. The dual degree is highly desirable for persons seeking careers in state and federal regulatory and administrative agencies, the pharmaceutical industry, managed care organizations, and academics.
Admissions
Students desiring admission to the dual degree program must apply formally and independently to both programs. An applicant must meet the admission standards of the Graduate School, the Martin School, and the College of Pharmacy. Admission standards are the same as if the student were applying solely to one program. Applicants should note on all application forms that admission is being sought for the PharmD/MPA dual degree program. Students who do not hold an awarded Bachelor's degree must have at least 90 hours of undergraduate credits to apply to the Graduate School. The dual degree program is not suitable for part-time students.
Students independently pursuing either the PharmD or MPA may be considered for admission to the PharmD/MPA dual degree program. A student will be eligible for consideration before the end of their second year of study in the PharmD program and before the end of their first year of study in the MPA program. Their application for admission must be approved by the program in which they are not enrolled. The PharmD/MPA program is not open to students who have already earned one of the degrees. Also, electives for the MPA cannot be taken prior to admission to the degree program.
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Application Process
A Graduate School application, official GRE/GMAT scores, two official transcripts from all universities attended (an undergraduate grade point average of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale is required), and official TOEFL scores (for international students) must be sent to:
Graduate School Admissions
351 Patterson Office Tower
University of Kentucky
Lexington, KY 40506-0027
Phone: (859) 257-4613
Fax: (859) 323-1928
A Joint PharmD/MPA Supplementary Application (this form should be signed by the Dean of the College of Pharmacy before being turned in to the Martin School), three letters of recommendation, and an applicant information form must be sent to:
Sarah O. Lee, Student Services
Martin School of Public Policy and Administration
413 Patterson Office Tower
University of Kentucky
Lexington, KY 40506-0027
Phone (859) 257-5594
Fax: (859) 323-1937
Email: solee@uky.edu
For the College of Pharmacy, an application, official PCAT scores, a formal interview, and letters of recommendation, among other factors described in its Bulletin must be sent to:
College of Pharmacy Admissions
226 College of Pharmacy Building
University of Kentucky
Lexington, KY 40506-0082
Phone: (859) 257-5303
Fax: (859) 257-2128
Curriculum
Existing Programs
The MPA degree requires 30 hours of Core Courses, 9 hours in an Area of Concentration, an elective course and a 3-hour internship.
The College of Pharmacy requires 106 hours of didactic coursework, 44 hours of Pharmacy Practice Clerkships, and 8 hours of electives.
Dual PharmD/MPA Program
To earn the PharmD/MPA, students must satisfy the requirements of both the Martin School and the College of Pharmacy. Each school accepts credit earned in the other school, allowing students to complete the joint program after only 30 credit hours of MPA coursework and 142 credit hours of Pharmacy coursework.
From the perspective of the MPA program, the PharmD program serves as the student's Area of Concentration, thereby satisfying the required MPA Area of Concentration coursework. From the College of Pharmacy perspective, the MPA coursework satisfies eight hours of electives toward the PharmD degree. This dual program of study is to be completed in four years plus two summers.
Example Program of Study
Year 1
38 hours of required Pharmacy courses
4 hours of Introductory Pharmacy Practice Clerkship
Total = 42 credit hours
Year 2
34 hours of required Pharmacy courses
6 hours of required Martin School courses (satisfied 4 credit hours of required Pharmacy electives)
Total = 40 credit hours
Year 3
34 hours of required Pharmacy courses
6 hours of required Martin School courses (satisfies 4 credit hours of required Pharmacy electives)
Total = 40 credit hours
Summer 3
12 hours of Pharmacy Practice Clerkship
Year 4
15 hours of required Martin School courses
8 hours of required Pharmacy Practice Clerkship (satisfies PA 711 - Internship in Public Administration)
Total = 31 credit hours
Summer 4
12 hours of Pharmacy Practice Clerkship
Advising
The MPA Director of Graduate Studies and the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs of the College of Pharmacy serve as an advising team, each in their respective schools, for all perspective and newly admitted students.
Student Status
During the period of MPA study, the student will have graduate student status and must comply with the rules and regulations of the Graduate School. Student fees/tuition are paid at the Graduate School rates.
During the period of Pharmacy study, the student will have pharmacy student status and must comply with the rules and regulations of the College of Pharmacy. Student fees/tuition are paid at the Pharmacy School rates.
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Graduation Requirements
Grade Point Average
Grade point averages for both programs are calculated independently by the College of Pharmacy and the Graduate School. Dual degree students must satisfy the College of Pharmacy's requirement of maintaining a minimum GPA of 2.00 for the coursework counted toward the PharmD degree. The Graduate School requires a minimum 3.00 GPA on coursework counted toward the MPA. For pharmacy work toward the MPA, no grade of "C" or below will transfer; and each "C" must be balanced by an "A".
Comprehensive Examination
PharmD/MPA students are eligible to sit for final comprehensive examinations for the MPA degree at the completion of the 27 hours of MPA core courses. College of Pharmacy faculty are not involved in this examination in any way.
Internships
The three-hour internship (PA 711) is taken in an appropriate agency in a health care setting and is satisfied concurrently with two four credit hour Pharmacy Practice Clerkships (PHR 988). The resulting written analysis of the internship is evaluated by the MPA advisor. Internships are arranged by the MPA Internship Coordinator. Internships in the Martin School will be coordinated with clerkships in the College of Pharmacy. Clerkships are arranged with the College of Pharmacy Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.
Granting of the PharmD/MPA Degree
Upon satisfactory completion of all degree requirements of both schools, 30 credit hours of MPA coursework and 142 credit hours of Pharmacy study, the student is granted both the MPA and PharmD degrees. The student is then eligible to attend graduation ceremonies at either or both schools.
Failure to Complete Requirements
The PharmD/MPA dual degrees are granted only upon successful completion of all coursework and examinations.
If a student finds it impossible to complete the pharmacy component, he/she can complete an MPA Area of Concentration and a final comprehensive examination over Core and Area of Concentration classes and receive only the MPA degree.
College of Pharmacy credit given for MPA coursework is provisional upon completion of the dual degree program. If a student is unable to complete the MPA requirements, he/she will only receive up to eight hours of MPA coursework completed with a grade of "B" or above toward the PharmD, subject to approval of the Associate Dean of the College of Pharmacy. The student will be subject to all remaining College of Pharmacy degree requirements.