Getting a degree after a PharmD?

[BrokenOar]

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Hello everyone,

I am a PharmD student that has recently started considering getting an MBA, MPH, or MHA once I finish my degree. I am curious if there is anyone here who has multiple degrees and what other types of employment their extra education has helped them attain. Also, why did you choose to go this route and what do you think of it now that it is over?

Thanks for any insight.

 

[twester]

I've never heard of anyone pursuing a second graduate-level degree strictly for the money. I think it opens opportunities to pursue interests that may be out of the mainstream. A JD in addition to PharmD lets someone specialize in pharmacy law. An MPH sets up a PharmD to specialize in public health outcomes and policy as they relate to pharmacotherapy as opposed to (or in concert with) approaching healthcare from a strictly microbial, social or physiological direction.

MHA is interesting. I wonder what a PharmD-run hospital would look like ? Pick that one and let me know how it goes. 🙂

 

[no-see-um]

I definitely want another degree, as well. An MPH, MPA, or JD would be nice. I believe in dual degrees. There's a lot of professional and sometimes even financial synergy that could be achieved with some combinations. It's like having a dual-citizenship. You bring another perspective to the table, and you also may have a whole host of other opportunities open up for you.

 

[fungikid]

I want to do another degree after too, but the tuition fees make me shudder.

 

[RogerWilco]

If you are contemplating being in the military as a pharmacist you best plan on obtaining a masters from a war college or in health care administration or public health to be competitive for promotion above the O-4 level

 

[no-see-um]

If you are contemplating being in the military as a pharmacist you best plan on obtaining a masters from a war college or in health care administration or public health to be competitive for promotion above the O-4 level

The Montgomery-GI Bill may apply as well, making it very reasonable.

 

[lord999]

One of my best friends went to JD training after pharmacy school. She graduated a year ago, and started making the "big bucks": $150K working 84 hours a week as an associate...and loving every moment of it! Four more years, and she can make partner at her firm (which, considering what she contributed to the take, she'll definitely make partner).

I went to graduate school (still here) after pharmacy. Read some of the other posts if you want an idea of why I went that route. I do enjoy the research and teacher (and the limited patient interaction).

Don't worry about tuition. For most graduate degrees, they more or less pay you to get them. For the professional degrees (JD, MBA, MPH), you can work while getting them.

I'm afraid to say though, your basic pharmacist will make more than just about all of the graduate/professional degrees if you work as many hours as they do, so I don't recommend it for the money. I recommend it for the lifestyle and the different work environment.

 

[fungikid]

Thanks for the informative response, lord999. I heard that a PharmD/BScPhm (I live in Canada) is not required for pharmacy law. I'm curious, does a dual degree JD/PharmD contribute something unique to the table that a single JD will not be able to offer?

 

[J ROD]

How about a combined MD/PharmD?