Combined pharmd/phd?

[StormSpirit]

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Hi guys, I am currently in my 1PD year and am interested in pursuing the joint PharmD/PhD program at my school. It is an additional 3 years after earning the PharmD. However, how useful is this degree in terms of research and academia as opposed to a PharmD by itself? Is it necessary for research and teaching?

Another big reason I am interested in doing this joint degree program is I am for lack of better words very 'socially inept'. My dream is to be a clinical pharmacist, but I feel that I should have a backup in case that doesn't work out for whatever reason. Not knocking down research and teaching as they are both highly respected and prestigious careers, but I feel I should pursue a PhD due to my circumstances.

 

[Rouelle]

Hi guys, I am currently in my 1PD year and am interested in pursuing the joint PharmD/PhD program at my school. It is an additional 3 years after earning the PharmD. However, how useful is this degree in terms of research and academia as opposed to a PharmD by itself? Is it necessary for research and teaching?

Another big reason I am interested in doing this joint degree program is I am for lack of better words very 'socially inept'. My dream is to be a clinical pharmacist, but I feel that I should have a backup in case that doesn't work out for whatever reason. Not knocking down research and teaching as they are both highly respected and prestigious careers, but I feel I should pursue a PhD due to my circumstances.

What does 1PD mean? Is it the same as P1?

What field are you planning to pursue a PhD in? If your plan is "research and academia" then a PhD is incredibly useful. If your plan is clinical pharmacy then it's likely not very useful at all.

What do you mean by "socially inept"? If you are extremely introverted then academics or clinical roles might not be very fun for you and research positions may be a better fit.

 

[PharmDCandidate2014]

Hi guys, I am currently in my 1PD year and am interested in pursuing the joint PharmD/PhD program at my school. It is an additional 3 years after earning the PharmD. However, how useful is this degree in terms of research and academia as opposed to a PharmD by itself? Is it necessary for research and teaching?

Another big reason I am interested in doing this joint degree program is I am for lack of better words very 'socially inept'. My dream is to be a clinical pharmacist, but I feel that I should have a backup in case that doesn't work out for whatever reason. Not knocking down research and teaching as they are both highly respected and prestigious careers, but I feel I should pursue a PhD due to my circumstances.

ADVICE: DOUBLE-CHECK with your PhD director that your program will be an additional 3 years. At my school, it's advertised for 3 years - but more commonly, students take an additional 4-5 years. This does NOT factor in the mandatory post-doc training, which can be ANOTHER few years.

If you pursue this route, see if you can get the PharmD aspect of your schooling paid for, in full if possible. Then, you don't have loans to pay after you finish this long road - and you can get a jump start in your career! =)

 

[StormSpirit]

1PD is the same as 1P, we just call it a differently at our school. In terms of the PhD, I am interested in clinical pharmacy but as stated earlier the reason I am looking at a PhD, is because I have difficulty in social interactions...like I sometimes don't know what to say to keep a conversation going...it's almost like aspergers syndrome. Ideally however I would like to work as a clinical pharmacist.

 

[Doc Hawaii]

I would not pursue a basic science Ph.D. just because you are socially inept. Do so because you have a passion for the work, and want it to consume your life. One can be socially deficient because of organic reasons (e.g. Asperger's, etc.), and/or non-organic reasons (e.g. being shy, or self image,etc, psych issues, etc.). Is it possible to practice your interpersonal skills? Is this even possible? You may find that you can learn to overcome your awkwardness.

 

[mustang sally]

I would not pursue a basic science Ph.D. just because you are socially inept. Do so because you have a passion for the work, and want it to consume your life. One can be socially deficient because of organic reasons (e.g. Asperger's, etc.), and/or non-organic reasons (e.g. being shy, or self image,etc, psych issues, etc.). Is it possible to practice your interpersonal skills? Is this even possible? You may find that you can learn to overcome your awkwardness.

Agreed. If you really have a passion for something, you will find ways to do whatever it takes to pursue it.

Also, the PhD world often requires a lot of public presenting and teaching...not sure if these are things you would have difficulty with due to being "socially inept" but it's just something to keep in mind.

 

[fewaopi]

Agreed. If you really have a passion for something, you will ways to do whatever it takes to pursue it.

Also, the PhD world often requires a lot of public presenting and teaching...not sure if these are things you would have difficulty with due to being "socially inept" but it's just something to keep in mind.

agreed. phd world actually requires a good degree of social skills as mentioned, presenting, teaching, collaboration, navigating lab members, maybe even more demanding than retail where you can sort of hide behind techs and just verify w/out ever talking to customers. making a big investment like picking a phd just because of social ineptness w/out really knowing much actually about the field isn't wise. you've got years ahead of you to find out what you like and enjoy and develop yourself, no rush.

almost all careers will require some type of interaction and collaboration, even research which is actually pretty social and collaborative as well. i don't think there's really a way these days to go hide in a corner w/out talking to anyone anymore.