Program Overview

Students interested in a career in pharmacy with a foundation in pharmaceutical sciences can register for the University of Georgia’s newest Double Dawgs program, which combines a Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences with a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD). The Pharmaceutical Sciences BS/PharmD program will allow students to complete the program in seven years and is one of the first Double Dawgs pathways to provide a professional, terminal degree at UGA.

The goal of this degree is to create Pharmacists that possess a deeper understanding of the pharmaceutical sciences in order enhance their ability to be part of the emerging healthcare team model. This unique degree would blend drug development and manufacturing topics of the undergraduate degree program with the translational and clinical usage of those therapies in the Pharm.D. program.

How the Program Operates

The B.S./Pharm.D. program is 7 years total. Students apply to the Double Dawgs pathway during their spring semester of the 2^nd year in the B.S. program. Students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5.

The College of Pharmacy Pharm.D. Admissions Committee will evaluate applications to the Pharm.D. component of the program. Applicants to this part of the program apply in fall semester in the 3^rd year of the B.S. program or equivalent. If admitted, students will start the Pharm.D. program during the 4^th year.

Students complete and graduate with the undergraduate B.S. degree after the 2^nd year of the Pharm.D. program (year 5 of the 7-year program). After the 4^th year of the Pharm.D. program (year 7 of the Double Dawgs path), students earn the Pharm.D. degree.

For More Information

For more information on this program and how to apply visit the Double Dawgs program page and/or contact Dr. Gurvinder Singh Rekhi, Director, BS Pharmaceutical Sciences Program, gsrekhi@uga.edu or 706-542-5343.

Program Overview

Students interested in a career in law with a foundation in pharmaceutical sciences can register for the University of Georgia’s 3+3 B.S./J.D. program, which combines a Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences (B.S.) with a Juris Doctor (J.D.). The Pharmaceutical Sciences B.S. + J.D. program will allow students to complete both degrees in six years. The goal of this dual degree pathway is to create pharmaceutical scientists who can practice law with a deeper understanding of the code of federal regulations, pharmacy law, and intellectual property (for example, patents, copyrights, and trademarks) for the pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical, and medical devices industries. This unique degree combination would blend pharmaceutical drug discovery and development of the undergraduate degree program with the law degree to create a career path for expert pharmaceutical scientists who specialize in federal and state regulations. This track provides students with the academic and experiential training to prepare for extremely competitive positions in academic, government, and industry sectors.

Admission

Qualified students on the B.S. + J.D. track may apply to the University of Georgia School of Law during the spring semester of their 3^rd year of undergraduate study and will begin Juris Doctor coursework full-time during their 4^th year of undergraduate study if admitted. Students graduate with the undergraduate B.S. degree after the 1^st year of the J.D. program (year 4 of the 6-year program). After the 3^rd year of the J.D. program (year 6 of the dual degree program), students earn the J.D. degree.  For more information, please visit 3 + 3 admissions process.

BS+JD CURRICULUM – EFFECTIVE FALL 2024

BS Pharmaceutical Sciences/Juris Doctor Program of Study

For more information

For more information on this program and how to apply please visit the 3 + 3 Admission Process page and contact Dr. Gurvinder Singh Rekhi, Director, BS Pharmaceutical Sciences Program, gsrekhi@uga.edu or 706-542-5343, or Leslie Standridge, Pharmaceutical Sciences Academic Advisor, lrb76@uga.edu or 706-542-9755.

Program Overview

The Georgia Pathway MBA is a one-year Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree option open to any current undergraduate majoring in an eligible Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math (STEM) discipline and attending an accredited public or private institution in the United States.

This specialized program is designed for high-achieving undergraduate students who want a broad base of foundational business courses and the business skills needed for professional advancement and career success. The curriculum is comprised of eight “MBA Core” courses, an experiential learning course, a business intelligence course, and an additional elective of your choosing. In addition, the Communications and Career Effectiveness course will prepare you to be an effective leader and communicator in future business roles.

This accelerated program is 36 credit hours and can be completed in two semesters.

Interested applicants will apply through the Pathway MBA Application during their final year of undergraduate study.

For more information

For more information on this program and how to apply please visit the Pathway MBA page and contact Dr. Gurvinder Singh Rekhi, Director, BS Pharmaceutical Sciences Program, gsrekhi@uga.edu or 706-542-5343, or Leslie Standridge, Pharmaceutical Sciences Academic Advisor, lrb76@uga.edu or 706-542-9755.

Program Overview

The College of Pharmacy’s Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences/Master of Science in Pharmacy dual degree program offers students an interdisciplinary education with specialized training in regulatory science or bench research.  The advantage of this program is that two degrees are earned in a more time efficient manner than obtaining two separate degrees. Graduates of this program have a strong knowledge base typical of students who earn a BS degree combined with greater practical skills. The program’s focus is suited for well-rounded students who develop a specialization that enhances their career path development.

How the Program Operates
The first of its kind in the nation, the BS/MS dual degree is available to students currently enrolled in the college’s B.S. program. These students are interested in bench research in the areas of pharmacology, medicinal chemistry or pharmaceutics, or advanced coursework and research in the regulatory sciences. Students enrolled in this program will complete a 157-hour curriculum in 5 years (including one summer semester). The BS/MS program is available to students on the Athens campus; courses in the regulatory sciences track are all online and are taught by practicing professionals in the field.

BS/MS Tracks
The M.S. track in Regulatory Sciences trains students in current drug regulations governing the development and manufacturing of pharmaceuticals, biologics, medical devices, animal health and combination products. Graduates with this combination degree are ideal for regulatory positions in CMC (chemistry, manufacturing, and control) and/or research and development. This track provides students with considerable expertise in the global regulatory sciences and allows them to be extremely competitive for positions in industry where most of this information is learned on the job.

The M.S. track in Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences provides students with the ability to specialize in the areas of pharmacology, drug delivery, or medicinal chemistry. Graduates from this track gain considerable intensive laboratory training and provides them the practical experience to become more competitive for research positions in industry or to prepare for highly competitive graduate programs that value previous research experience.

Job Outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor and Georgia Department of Economic Development Statistics, between 2012-2022:

• medical and clinical laboratory technologists’ jobs are expected to increase by 22%
• medical scientist employment is expected to grow by 13%
• in Georgia, the areas of professional, scientific and technical services are expected to increase by more than 29%.

Areas of practice for BS/MS graduates include:

• research and development
• quality assurance and quality control
• process development and validation
• pharmacovigilance
• compliance

For More Information

For more information on this program and how to apply visit the BS/MS Dual Degree Program page and/or contact Dr. Gurvinder Singh Rekhi, Director, BS Pharmaceutical Sciences Program, gsrekhi@uga.edu or 706-542-5343; Johnna Hodges, assistant director of the International and Biomedical Regulatory Sciences Program, jhodges@uga.edu or 678-985-6808; or Leslie Standridge, lrb76@uga.edu or 706-542-9755.

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Biochemical or Biological Engineering/Master of Science in Pharmacy dual degree program uniquely matches a great need for the industry as few to no programs in the nation focus on biopharmaceuticals. While the Biochemical and Biological Engineering degrees provide excellent general education and training in the theory and types of processes employed within the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, it does not cover the development of drug and biological products. An understanding of the drug development process would uniquely prepare these students to more effectively anticipate, understand, and appreciate products moving from discovery into manufacturing. In addition, a strong understanding of the regulations that govern the manufacturing of medical products is critical to success in this field.

How the Program Operates
This BS/MS dual degree is available to students currently enrolled in the UGA College of Engineering’s Biochemical or Biological Engineering B.S. program. The dual degree provides an understanding of drug development among process engineers, knowledge of the regulatory sciences, and opportunities for practical experience. Students enrolled in this program will complete a 166-hour curriculum in 5 years (including one summer semester). The BS/MS program is available to students on the Athens campus.

Job Outlook

The lack of regulatory training is a significant barrier for students trying to establish careers in biotechnology, and this typically has to happen post-graduation through training by the companies that employ these engineers. Furthermore, this program positions graduates to be leaders in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.

BS/MS CURRICULUM–EFFECTIVE FALL 2024

BS Biochemical Engineering / MS Pharmacy

BS Biological Engineering / MS Pharmacy

For More Information

For more information on this program and how to apply visit the Double Dawgs program page and/or contact Dr. Dexi Liu, Pharmaceutical & Biomedical Sciences Graduate Coordinator, dliu@uga.edu or 706-542-4002 or Mr. Jeremy Wheatley, School of Chemical, Materials, and Biomedical Engineering Academic Advisor, jwheatly@uga.edu or 706-542-6947.

Program Overview

The College of Pharmacy offers a dual-degree, graduate-level program with the College of Public Health. The PharmD/MPH degree combines the professional doctor of pharmacy degree with the graduate master of public health degree with four programs of study: health promotion and behavior, health policy and management, epidemiology, or biostatistics. Established in 2011, this program was the first dual degree opportunity established at the College of Pharmacy.

How the Program Operates
Students who have been accepted into the Doctorate of Pharmacy program at the College of Pharmacy may successfully matriculate through the professional pharmacy program and the master’s program at the College of Public Health with the same total coursework requirements for both separate degrees. The PharmD courses taken for graduate credit will entail additional course assignments over and above the requirements for traditional pharmacy students for those courses taken at the College of Public Health.

Job Outlook
There is a growing need for practitioners trained to work in the field of public health who can establish policies and procedures for chronic disease management, wellness programs, emergency preparedness, and educational programs for healthcare workers. The program allows for the availability of affordable education and training so that more professionals with expertise in public health will remain in Georgia and the southeast.

Program Resources

PharmD/MPH Dual Degree Program

For More Information

For information on this program or to apply, contact Dr. Duc Do, Assistant Dean for Student Affairs, at duc.do@uga.edu, 706-542-7287.  Advising is required before students can apply to the program.

Program Overview

College of Pharmacy students interested in expanding their knowledge-base to include business skills can earn a Master’s of Business Administration along with their Doctor of Pharmacy degree in the PharmD/MBA Dual degree program.

How the Program Operates

Established in the spring of 2018, this dual degree program is a collaboration between the College of Pharmacy and UGA’s Terry College of Business. The PharmD program is a four-year (nine semesters) doctoral program. The MBA degree option adds a fifth year of study for students who are accepted into the program.  Students will be able to apply to the MBA program during their second year of PharmD studies and enroll in graduate business classes during year three. After completion of the program at Terry, students will return to the College of Pharmacy to complete their last two years of the pharmacy program.

Job Outlook

The program provides pharmacy students with the expertise needed to meet the technological, scientific and research demands of the health care industry, along with business skills necessary for professional advancement and success. Students who opt for this program will have a more competitive advantage in the job market, improved opportunities for advancement, and better chances of landing a prestigious pharmacy residency. With advanced management and business skills, pharmacists can have a leading role the in the healthcare profession and create opportunities to contribute to improving public health in substantive ways.

For More Information

For more information, contact Dr. Duc Do, Assistant Dean for Student Affairs, at duc.do@uga.edu, 706-542-7287.

Program Overview

The program will provide the University of Georgia’s graduating pharmacists with the expertise required to meet the technological, scientific, and research needs of an important sector of the healthcare industry as well as the regulatory skills necessary for professional advancement and career success.

How the Program Operates

This regulatory sciences master’s program is 100% online and asynchronous, giving students the advantage of completing an additional degree while not interfering with rotations and internships. A required 11 MS credit hours will also be used to fulfill the same Pharm.D. 11-credit hour elective requirements within just a four-year span.

Job Outlook

Pharmacy students typically have expertise in patient care, while regulatory students are highly skilled at the regulatory processes required to get medical products through the regulatory bodies, such as the Food and Drug Administration. With this program, students will become regulatory scientists with direct patient care experience. The dual degree will also support preparing skilled regulatory workforce development needs of the industry which anticipates a major gap between demand and supply of regulatory professionals as many professionals look to retire.

For More Information

For more information, contact Johnna Hodges, Assistant Director for International Biomedical Regulatory Sciences and Clinical Trials Programs, at jhodges@uga.edu, 678-985-6808.