Degrees Offered
PhD, PhD/MS, MS
Program Description
The primary mission of the Pharmaceutical Health Services Research (PHSR) Graduate Program at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy is to train strong researchers in a variety of important areas.
PhD in Pharmaceutical Health Services Research
The widespread use of medications in society has created a demand for individuals skilled in the evaluation of pharmaceutical services and interventions. The dynamic health care environment has created a number of critical factors that are constantly shaping and reshaping the health policies of the United States and countries around the world.
The PhD in PHSR provides graduates with the theory, practical experience, and decision-making skills needed to address a wide range of pharmaceutical services-related problems. Pharmaceutical services are a vital part of health care, and factors affecting health care inevitably affect pharmacy, the pharmaceutical industry, and pharmacy practitioners. Some of the factors that are of academic and research interest include:
- Patient-centered outcomes analyses
- The role of the federal and state governments in health and pharmaceutical care policy
- Financing and economics of pharmaceutical care
- Drug utilization and pharmacoepidemiologic issues
- Cost containment and other benefit design issues
- Pharmaceutical care in vulnerable populations
- Pharmacovigilance and drug safety
- Pharmaceutical economics
PhD in Pharmaceutical Health Services Research and MS in Epidemiology Dual Degree
The dual-degree program offered by PHSR and the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health (DEPH) at the University of Maryland School of Medicine seeks to:
- Provide an opportunity for students in PHSR to augment their skills by adding more extensive training in epidemiologic methods.
- Provide formal recognition of training and expertise in epidemiology among students who complete the specified program.
- Formalize collaborations between the two departments in the training of these students.
This program is available only to students accepted into the PhD in PHSR program. Any PHSR graduate student is eligible to apply for admission to the dual-degree program, and students must remain in good standing with the PhD in PHSR Program and the Graduate School. Students admitted into the program will be awarded MS and PhD degrees simultaneously at the completion of their studies in the dual-degree program.
MS in Pharmaceutical Health Services Research
Adapted from the top-tier PhD in PHSR Program, the MS in PHSR is geared toward experienced professionals. Core courses for the MS in PHSR Program are identical to those in the PhD in PHSR Program and are taken alongside doctoral students. While the doctoral students go on to take additional courses, students in the MS in PHSR Program can complete their courses in as little as two years. Those courses also can be applied to the PhD in PHSR Program should a student in the MS in PHSR Program later decide to pursue the advanced degree.
Through a series of seven courses, students in the MS in PHSR Program will be introduced to four key research areas:
- Pharmacoeconomics
- Pharmacoepidemiology
- Pharmaceutical policy
- Comparative effectiveness and patient-centered outcomes research
Upon completion of the program, graduates will be able to serve as knowledgeable consultants to the public and private sectors of the health care and pharmacy/pharmaceutical communities and interact with members of other health, social, and administrative disciplines.
Program Admission
Applicants to the Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmaceutical Health Services Research Program should possess a bachelor’s or master’s degree from an accredited college or university.
Applicants without a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy or a Doctor of Pharmacy degree will be considered as students who can be successful in the program with no previous pharmacy- related education and/or experience.
All applicants must submit the following materials to be considered for admission:
- One official transcript from any undergraduate and graduate schools
- Three letters of recommendation
- Curriculum vitae
- Essay describing your academic goals and research interests
Test of English as a Foreign Language or International English Testing System exam scores (international students only)
To apply for Fall admission to the PhD in PHSR Program, please go to https://www.pharmacy.umaryland.edu/academics/phsr/how-to-apply/. Application deadlines for fall admission to the MS in PHSR program can be found at https://www.pharmacy.umaryland.edu/academics/ms-phsr/how-to-apply/.
Degree Requirements
PhD in Pharmaceutical Health Services Research
Required courses include a group of core graduate courses in pharmaceutical health services research, research methods, and statistics. The students also must complete at least 12 credits of advanced courses in their research track beyond core courses. It generally takes about 2 to 2½ years to complete the core and advanced course requirements.
While many students enter with prior graduate work, we require that they take the core courses here unless waived. When a core course is waived, students must take another course to meet the credit requirements. When noncore courses or the beginning/intermediate statistics requirements are waived, students are expected to take more advanced courses to complete the course requirements. To allow flexibility and ensure that students are well prepared in their area of specialization, students are asked to establish a curriculum committee by the end of their first semester of study.
MS in Pharmaceutical Health Services Research
The MS in PHSR is designed to be completed in two years. To receive a master’s degree, students must successfully complete select required courses – which include a group of core graduate courses in pharmaceutical health services research, research methods, and statistics – as well as 6 credits of advanced courses in their chosen research area.
Some students might be required to take additional courses as deemed appropriate by the program. In particular, students without strong computer programming skills may need elective courses.
Required Courses
PhD in Pharmaceutical Health Services Research
Advanced cognate courses include:
Electives as determined by student and curriculum committee: (12 credits)
| PHSR 899 | DOCTORIAL DISSERTATION RESEARCH | 1 TO 12 |
MS in Pharmaceutical Health Services Research
Advanced courses include:
Electives as determined by student and program director (6 credits)