Status of PharmD/PhD Programs in Colleges of Pharmacy: The University of Tennessee Dual PharmD/PhD Program

Abstract

Objectives. To describe the University of Tennessee PharmD/PhD program and assess the prevalence and characteristics of PharmD/PhD programs in the United States. Methods. Survey instruments were mailed in May 2004 to UT dual-degree program participants and deans of US colleges and schools of pharmacy. Results. University of Tennessee PharmD/PhD students completed more than 30 hours of graduate credit before obtaining their PharmD and 72.2% agreed or strongly agreed that the program met their professional goals. More than 40% of US pharmacy colleges and schools have or plan to have PharmD/ PhD programs. A wide variation exists in the level of integration, PhD concentrations offered, entrance requirements, and student benefits. Most schools with PharmD/PhD programs had few students enrolled in the program, but attrition rates were low (,20%) for 69% of the schools. Conclusions. Dual-degree programs attract and retain pharmacy students in research programs and 47.6% of graduates entered academia and industry.

Dual Degree Programs at the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy

“…8 The only joint degree article in pharmacy that is not specifically focused on the PharmD/MBA option is the recent paper by Gourley and colleagues. 9 These authors describe characteristics of PharmD/PhD programs offered in the United States with a focus on the program offered at the University of Tennessee. 9 In addition to these 5 papers, International Pharmaceutical Abstracts documents 8 published abstracts on dual degree programs within pharmacy.…”

A Summer Research Training Program to Foster PharmD Students' Interest in Research

“…As of 2007, UF is one of 16 US colleges and schools of pharmacy that have a PharmD/PhD program. 6 However, while the joint PharmD/PhD program has long been on the books, it has been minimally utilized.…”

Rethinking Our Human Resources

“…2 Likewise, there are faculty member shortages in the pharmaceutical science fields and increasing challenges in recruiting graduates to academia. 3 The rise of PharmD/PhD programs may have an impact on this problem in the future though it is not clear if they will fill the needed gaps. 3 We suspect that most faculty members likely have examples of interdepartmental or intradepartment conflict that have resulted in challenges or the inability to achieve the goals of the school or of various departments.…”

“…3 The rise of PharmD/PhD programs may have an impact on this problem in the future though it is not clear if they will fill the needed gaps. 3 We suspect that most faculty members likely have examples of interdepartmental or intradepartment conflict that have resulted in challenges or the inability to achieve the goals of the school or of various departments. Incivility can exist between faculty members, with staff members, or with students in daily interactions or for long periods of time in schools.…”