Union Graduate College/Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Combined Programs:
PharmD/ MBA in Healthcare Management
PharmD/ MS in Clinical Leadership in Healthcare Management

ACPHS Combined PharmD/MBA in Healthcare Management - Curriculum
ACPHS Combined PharmD/MS in Leadership in Healthcare Management - Curriculum
ACPHS Combined BS/MBA in Healthcare Management Programst - Curriculum
ACPHS Combined BS in Pharmaceutical Science / MS in Leadership in Healthcare Management - Curriculum

Union Graduate College (UGC) and Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (ACPHS) offer two combined programs that allow students to complete an MS in Clinical Leadership in Healthcare Management with a PharmD or an MBA in Healthcare Management with a PharmD. The combined programs significantly reduce the time and expense of obtaining the two degrees when compared to completing the programs independently.

The PharmD is a six year program leading to a Doctor of Pharmacy degree. The PharmD program integrates a liberal arts core with pharmaceutical sciences and pharmacy practice. The MBA degree prepares students for analytical, managerial and executive-level positions in the pharmaceutical industry and more broadly, the healthcare industry. The MS in Clinical Leadership in Healthcare Management degree is designed for future clinicians who wish to better understand the health care industry and the environment in which it exists or who aspire to clinically-related leadership roles.

The MS in Clinical Leadership in Healthcare Management is a twelve course degree program. Four course requirements are met through course substitutions. The remaining eight courses are completed on a part-time basis with UGC over a three year period (years 4-6 at ACPHS). The MBA in Healthcare Management is a 20 course degree program. Seven course requirements are met through course substitutions. The remaining 13 courses are usually completed on a part-time basis over a three year period (years 4-6 at ACPHS). Combined PharmD/MBA candidates usually take summer MBA courses at UGC. The MBA program also requires an administrative internship. Selected PharmD practicums can be applied to the internship requirement.

Admission Procedure and Requirements

Required Materials

• Meet with the combined Program Advisor at Union Graduate College. Contact John Huppertz or call at 518-631-9892 or contact Joanne Fitzgerald or call 518-631-9842.
• Generally an undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 is required to be considered for admission.
• Beginning in fall 2010, UGC will accept the PCAT score in lieu of the GMAT. Students may want to consider taking the GMAT regardless so they may be considered for scholarship. Scholarship is determined by combination of GPA and GMAT score. Students who have not taken the PCAT will be required to submit a GMAT score if their ACPHS GPA is less than 3.2 by the start of the 3rd year at ACPHS.
• Candidates may take up to three UGC courses for credit toward the MBA or MS degree before completing the UGC application process.
• Application materials can be found on-line at www.uniongraduatecollege.edu
• Application materials include:
  • Application form
  • Essay
  • Three recommendations
  • Resume
  • Transcript
  • PCAT or GMAT score (minimum of 500 on the GMAT). Students who have not taken the PCAT and have a 3.2 or above from ACPHS at the start of the third year may waive the GMAT requirement.

Requirements Once Accepted into the Combined Program
Once accepted into a combined program, students must maintain a cumulative overall GPA at ACPHS of 3.0 or higher. If the GPA at ACPHS falls below 3.0 for two consecutive semesters, the student may be removed from the program.

Tuition and Financial Aid Considerations
Students will be full-time ACPHS students through the end of the sixth year. Tuition for the first UGC course taken will normally be covered through the Hudson Mohawk Consortium but is subject to the “Cross Registration Guidelines” in the Consortium Agreement. Tuition for additional UGC courses will be payable directly to UGC. Tuition for UGC courses may be included in student loan requests if the course qualifies as an elective at ACPHS.

Contact Information
ACPHS students interested in either the PharmD/MS or the PharmD/MBA should first consult with their ACPHS academic advisor.

Further information about the program and the application process can be obtained from:
David M. Kile, R.Ph., M.S.
Administrative Director
Research Institute for Health Outcomes (RIHO) &
Graduate Programs in Social and Administrative Sciences
Instructor - Department of Pharmacy Practice
Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
106 New Scotland Avenue
Albany, N.Y. 12208
Phone: 518-694-7346
Fax: 518-694-7058
david.kile@acphs.edu

After speaking with an ACPHS academic advisor, students may contact UGC.
Admissions questions are directed to:

Rhonda Sheehan
Union Graduate College
80 Nott Terrace
Schenectady, NY 12308
Tel: 518-631-9835
Fax: 518-631-9901

Academic questions pertaining to the MS or MBA component of the combined degree are directed to:

John Huppertz, PhD
Union Graduate College
80 Nott Terrace
Schenectady, NY 12308
Tel: 518-631-9895
Fax: 518-631-9901