Ph.D. in Pharmacy Administration
Pursue in-depth research in pharmaceutical marketing, management, and socio-behavioral sciences while exploring health outcomes in this dynamic Ph.D. program in pharmaceutical sciences, with an emphasis in pharmacy administration.
About this Emphasis
Pharmacy Administration offers exceptional research opportunities for those eager to transform health care through innovative studies and interdisciplinary collaboration. If you're passionate about health economics, pharmaceutical marketing, outcomes research, pharmacoepidemiology, and the evolving role of pharmacists, our Ph.D. program provides a unique platform to dive deep into these areas.
As a student, you'll engage in cutting-edge research that generates scientific evidence to improve medication use and enhance patient health outcomes. Our program's interdisciplinary focus opens the door to collaborative research across departments, universities, and even industries, giving you a wide range of opportunities to expand your expertise.
Graduates of our program are highly sought after, with excellent career prospects in academia, government agencies, the pharmaceutical industry, managed care organizations, and health care consulting. Join us and become part of a vibrant research community dedicated to shaping the future of health care through impactful studies and innovative solutions.
About Pharmaceutical Sciences
Do you want to be involved in the development of new medicine? Want to conduct new and exciting research? Then, a degree in pharmaceutical sciences is for you.
At the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy, you won't just learn from our team of faculty and researchers. You will work alongside them and help explore the future of health and medicine.
We offer various disciplines, from environmental toxicology to pharmacy administration. Join us and find the right path for you.
Being an Ole Miss Pharmacy graduate student allows you to be part of a diverse community that is comprehensive in scope yet relatively small in size. This provides an excellent opportunity for advanced studies in a supportive and nurturing environment.
On this Page…
Program Information
Program Type
Doctorate Program
Area of Study
Health and Social Services
Pharmacy
Sciences, Mathematics, and Technology
School
Duration
4 - 6 Years
Degree
Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences
Program Location
Emphases
Pharmacy Administration
Required Credit Hours
54 Hours
Pharmacy Administration Program Details
Curriculum
Course Requirements: The Ph.D. in pharmaceutical sciences with an emphasis in pharmacy administration offers two areas of specialization: management/marketing and outcomes. The course requirements are dictated by the specialization and are described below in separate sections.
Core Courses (30 hours of credit)
- PSY 703/EDRS 601/Soc 501 (Statistics)
- PHAD 679 Primary Data Techniques
- PHAD 688 Research Methodology and Techniques
- PHAD 689 Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Policy
- PHAD 693 Health Economics
- PHAD 687 Secondary Data Techniques
- PHAD 780 General Linear Models
- PHAD 781 Applied Multivariate Analysis
- PHAD 792 Drug Development and Marketing
- PHAD 783 Advanced Pharmaceutical Marketing and Patient Behavior
Electives (9 credits): Non-required 600- or 700-level PHAD or non-PHAD courses approved by advisor.
Non-Thesis Research (6 credits): PHAD 698
Specialization Areas (Tracks)
The Ph.D. in pharmaceutical sciences with an emphasis in pharmacy administration offers two areas of specialization: marketing and management, or outcomes. Students select one area of specialization and then complete the course requirements as described below.
Marketing and Management Track (four courses from the list below)
- MKTG 762 Marketing Management
- MKTG 766 Advanced Studies in Consumer Behavior
- MKTG 768 Marketing Communication Thought
- MKTG 769 Theoretical Foundations of Marketing
- BUS 667 Global Business Strategy
- MGMT 673 Seminar in Human Resources Management
- MGMT 676 Seminar in Organizational Behavior
- MGMT 679 Theoretical Foundations of Management
Outcomes Track (four courses)
- PHAD 786 Patient Reported Outcomes
- PHAD 794 Pharmacoeconomics
- PHAD 796 Pharmacoepidemiology
- Applied Analytic Course (e.g., POL552 Applied Political Research, HK 711 Measurement Theory and Practice, HK 710 Meta-Analysis)
Other Academic Requirements: In addition to the course requirements, each student must participate and complete an orientation to the discipline of pharmacy administration and register for a departmental seminar (PHAD 543/544) each semester (1 credit hour per semester). Each student must pass a comprehensive examination, prepare and successfully defend a dissertation prospectus, and complete and defend his/her dissertation project, which is based on original, independent research.
Notes: Non-pharmacists and international students are encouraged to audit the professional course: PHCY 431 (Social and Administrative Pharmacy I), which includes an introduction to the U.S. health care system.
PHAD 698 Non-Thesis Research will consist of a submission ready manuscript for a targeted journal. Project concept and target journal must be approved in advance by the faculty advisor. Final results will be presented in a departmental level seminar. At least two additional faculty members will serve as reviewers.
The deadline to apply is January 10.
Admission criteria for the M.S. in Pharmaceutical Sciences with emphasis in pharmacy administration and the Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences with emphasis in pharmacy administration are the same. When completing the online graduate application, students should select which program to which they are applying.
Applicants must have a B.S. degree in pharmacy, B.S. degree in pharmaceutical sciences or higher. A degree in a discipline related to marketing, management, economics, epidemiology or other health-related field may also be considered for admission upon demonstration of a commitment to pursuing a career in the field of pharmacy or the pharmaceutical industry.
College transcripts with a minimum of a B average (3.0 on a 4.0 scale) are required.
Our program encourages but does not require either the GRE General Test or the GMAT. GRE/GMAT score submission is optional. You are NOT required to submit GRE/GMAT scores, and applications without GRE/GMAT scores will be given full consideration. You may choose to submit scores if you have them, and they will be considered by the admissions committee. Although you do not have to submit a GRE/GMAT score, opting to submit a strong test score (rather than submitting no score) may increase odds of receiving an invitation to interview, all other things being equal. In our current method of evaluating applicants, a relatively strong GRE/GMAT score could be used to offset a relatively lower GPA, but you would not be penalized for a low or unsubmitted GRE/GMAT score.
International applicants also must meet the University of Mississippi Graduate School’s English Language Proficiency Score Requirement.
Two (2) letters of recommendation, interview, resume, and statement of purpose are used to evaluate candidates. Interested students must apply to the M.S. program online and may find additional application information from the graduate school.
The application deadline is January 10th. Admissions interviews are scheduled for the second week of January and the last week of January. Competitive applications that are completed by December 15th will be considered for interviews in the second week of January.
The Department of Pharmacy Administration offers teaching or research assistantships, which are typically reserved for Ph.D. students. Assistantships usually cover tuition and provide a stipend in exchange for 20 hours per week of work as a teaching or research assistant. No separate application for assistantships is required.
Pharmacy Administration Research
As a graduate student in the Department of Pharmacy Administration, you’ll have the opportunity to engage in impactful research focused on healthcare systems, health inequity, and improving healthcare outcomes. You’ll gain expertise in research methods like surveys, focus groups, and data analysis, while collaborating with faculty members, researchers, and your fellow students.
Did You Know?
internationally-recognized research centers are housed in the School of Pharmacy and located on the Oxford campus.
publications authored by School of Pharmacy researchers in 2023.
DIRECT Program
The Diversifying Interdisciplinary Research Expertise through Community Building and Training (DIRECT) Program is a National Institutes of Health funded program offering financial, technical, operational, and professional resources for Ph.D. students interested in careers in the biomedical field. DIRECT trainees receive annual stipends, fully paid tuition, health insurance, conference travel support, and childcare cost reimbursement. The program emphasizes cohort building, mentoring, networking, and skill development.
Meet the Program Coordinator
If you have any questions about the Pharmacy Administration emphasis, don't hesitate to reach out!
Marie Barnard
Associate Professor of Pharmacy Administration and Research Associate Professor in the Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Acting Associate Dean for Graduate Programs
Next Steps
Explore Affordability
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