Degree Programs

"Pharmacists are one of the most accessible health care professionals and as such we need to be equipped with the knowledge and the skills necessary to recognize and overcome barriers to healthcare and the healthcare system. I feel the knowledge and skills I have obtained in the MPH program have given me a more comprehensive view of the healthcare system which has made me a better pharmacist."

Heather LaShalle Dickson, PharmD, MS
MPH Student in the Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health

The College of Pharmacy (COP) offers access to a combined Doctor of Pharmacy/Master of Public Health (PharmD/MPH) degree. The combined degree is offered in partnership with the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health (COPH). Pharmacy students interested in this program should contact the Associate Dean for Professional Education or Dean’s designee. Admission to the combined PharmD/MPH degree requires a separate application to the COPH.

COP students enrolled in the combined PharmD/MPH degree program may apply up to 12 credit hours from the PharmD program towards credit in the MPH program and up to 8 hours of credit earned in the MPH program can be applied to meet elective course requirements (8 credit hours) for the PharmD curriculum. A minimum grade of B is required to receive cross credit in either College.

The courses in the COPH meeting consideration for elective credit within the PharmD program are the Core Courses in the MPH degree curriculum. At this time, the following courses have been approved by the UAMS COP faculty as electives within the PharmD program:

The courses in the COP meeting consideration for credit within the MPH program are both didactic and experiential course work. At this time, the following are courses in the PharmD program are eligible for elective credit within the MPH program:

*An advanced practice experiential clerkship in the final professional year of the PharmD program may be allowed credit as a Preceptorship within the MPH program (3 credit hours of the 4 allowed in the PharmD curriculum) if the student meets the PBHL 5993 requirements and with the approval of the faculty of the MPH program.

Grade point averages and class standings in each program are determined without consideration of the credit hours accepted from the other programs.

Students enrolled in the combined PharmD/MPH degree program would pay UAMS COP tuition for their PharmD curriculum courses. Course work in the COPH currently requires no additional tuition if the student is a full-time student within the COP; however, students should discuss other fee charges with the COPH Registrar. Student financial aid will not be available through the UAMS COPH for students with primary enrollment in the COP. 09/02/05 & 08/01/06 & 6/5/09 cds

Interested students should review the curriculum and administrative policies and procedures. Students entering the first year program of the College of Pharmacy must apply for admission to the Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health prior to the April 1 deadline to be accepted in the summer program. Students must obtain admission separately to the PharmD program and the MPH program and file a Declaration of Intent to Pursue Combined Degrees according to the procedures to participate in the combined degree program. For details contact the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs in the Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health at 501-526-6622.

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Step 1: Review specific COPH program requirements at www.UAMS.edu/coph.

Step 2: Complete application through SOPHAS (see www.sophas.org for information and checklists) COPH does not require a supplemental application.

Step 3: Forward a check or money order for $25 processing fee ($50 for international applicants) made payable to UAMS COPH.

Step 4: Log in and monitor the status of application and documents in SOPHAS regularly.

Step 5: Once SOPHAS has received all application requirements, it may take up to four weeks for them to verify and deliver the file to COPH. Please take this time into account when adhering to COPH deadlines.

Please note: SOPHAS will not hold your application for the following items:

-Standardized test scores

-International transcripts

Thus, COPH may receive the file incomplete. We will not move forward with the admission review process until the necessary documents either from SOPHAS or the corresponding test agencies or academic institutions are received. Continue to monitor your SOPHAS account for updates regarding the status of these items.

Step 6: After receipt of completed application packet from SOPHAS, COPH will send a confirmation email to the applicant to the preferred email address entered on the application.

Step 7: COPH will schedule a brief telephone interview with each completed and qualifying applicant within three weeks of receipt of file from SOPHAS. Please monitor your preferred email address for this and other communications.

Step 8: The COPH Admissions Committee will review the files and each applicant interviewed will be notified in writing of an admission decision within 4 weeks of the completed telephone interview.

For additional specifics about the curricula content and degree requirements refer to the COPH Catalog or contact the Assistant Dean of Student Services at 501-526-6747.