Pharmacy --- B.S?

[NexusMD]

Thought this Title would grab peoples attention 😉.
lol.
So I am in a situation right now Where I can finish all my pre-reqs in my junior year, and apply this summer to pharmacy school which will allow me to skip my senior year of college and attend pharmacy school.
Or
I can keep going and in 2 years finish my B.S. in biochem, and go to pharmacy school right after I get my B.S.

The reason why am I asking this is because I want to hopefully pursue a PharmD/MBA and I know the MBA degree requires a B.S. Phrasing it this way makes it seem that getting my B.S. is obvious, but I was wondering whether this would be a good idea.

I forgo my B.S. degree and just go to pharmacy school after my third year of college, then graduate from pharmacy school, work full time and take the classes I need for my B.S. while working, and then eventually get my MBA part-time while still working full time in a pharmacy.

Which of these options do you think is better?
Thanks👍

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[flillia]

Is it possible that your pharmD would count as a bach degree? It is a doctorate, isn't it? I'd say that'd count for something.

Also, some colleges have a dual enrollment for a pharmD/MBA. Ferris State does. You take pharmacy classes during the school year and business class stuff during the summer. That's what I'm going to do, I think. That way I'll get my pharmD and only have to go to college for one more semester to get my MBA.

 

[NexusMD]

Is it possible that your pharmD would count as a bach degree? It is a doctorate, isn't it? I'd say that'd count for something.

Also, some colleges have a dual enrollment for a pharmD/MBA. Ferris State does. You take pharmacy classes during the school year and business class stuff during the summer. That's what I'm going to do, I think. That way I'll get my pharmD and only have to go to college for one more semester to get my MBA.

My target school (maryland) does have a Pharm.D/MBA program, but i read on the webpage that a bachelors is required to apply for th e MBA. This is why I was thinking I should get my B.S. first, then apply for the Pharm.D/MBA program.

 

[rxforlife2004]

Thought this Title would grab peoples attention 😉.
lol.
So I am in a situation right now Where I can finish all my pre-reqs in my junior year, and apply this summer to pharmacy school which will allow me to skip my senior year of college and attend pharmacy school.
Or
I can keep going and in 2 years finish my B.S. in biochem, and go to pharmacy school right after I get my B.S.

The reason why am I asking this is because I want to hopefully pursue a PharmD/MBA and I know the MBA degree requires a B.S. Phrasing it this way makes it seem that getting my B.S. is obvious, but I was wondering whether this would be a good idea.

I forgo my B.S. degree and just go to pharmacy school after my third year of college, then graduate from pharmacy school, work full time and take the classes I need for my B.S. while working, and then eventually get my MBA part-time while still working full time in a pharmacy.

Which of these options do you think is better?
Thanks👍

Go with 2nd option. At least u can get out and start making money soon than wasting 2 years, getting a BS...then applying to Pharm.D, psh...too much hassles. By then, your GPA probably gets down from 3.9-->3.0...or whatever...and u can't even get into Pharm.D program. So forget about it. Get youself in Pharm.D program ASAP. MBA is always around...

 

[yougogirl]

Is it possible that your pharmD would count as a bach degree? It is a doctorate, isn't it? I'd say that'd count for something.Also, some colleges have a dual enrollment for a pharmD/MBA. Ferris State does. You take pharmacy classes during the school year and business class stuff during the summer. That's what I'm going to do, I think. That way I'll get my pharmD and only have to go to college for one more semester to get my MBA.

Do you mean doctorate as in PhD? I don't think that is correct. From my inquiries, PharmD is different, it's a professional degree. I could be wrong.

 

[sleazye]

I'm kinda in the same situation. I will be done with my bachelors after the fall. I think it would give me a lot more options than I had this year but it will put me back a year if I stay rather than go to pharm school this fall. I didn't really apply broadly this year because i didn't really think i could get in so I'm not really sure I want to go to some of the schools I applied to if I get accepted. any ideas?

 

[sle3pyguii]

Don't all of the MBA programs require a BS?

If the PharmD can substitute for a BS, it will not be a joint program.

 

[PossiblyCrazy]

Once you have a PharmD degree you can go to graduate school and go for your MBA. You do not need a BS,BA or whatever to get an MBA. A PharmD is sufficient...in fact most people would say it is more than enough.

 

[NexusMD]

Once you have a PharmD degree you can go to graduate school and go for your MBA. You do not need a BS,BA or whatever to get an MBA. A PharmD is sufficient...in fact most people would say it is more than enough.

Is this true? I thought you required a Bachelors degree for an MBA?

 

[flillia]

You could always email the school and ask if the pharmd will be acceptable.

It's not like they will keep your email always and then later say "oh she asked a stupid question four years ago, there's no way we're letting her into *our* mba program!"

 

[krsnyf]

having a B.S will probably help getting into pharm school but at the same time, are you sure you can do well in p-chem A/B, advanced o-chem, and a few other classes that may hurt your gpa even if you get b's? if you want a MBA, all you have to do is pass the GMAT after pharm school. you don't need a BS and you can chose to do it online or part time and still work to pay off your pharm school debt.

 

[GRslp]

Something to consider. Think about this: You apply to Pharmacy School and get an interview. There is another student who has almost the exact same stats as you, except that he/she has a BS or MS. Now, let's say your on the bubble as to who gets accepted to Pharmacy School. Given even stats, who do you think is going be chosen for acceptance? Someone who worked hard and obtained a degree? Or someone who quit and didn't finish an academic program? And what happens if you don't get accepted? What if you do need a degree to get a MBA? You lose absolutely nothing and gain everything by getting a degree IMO. Get a BS.

 

[soyroger]

Is this true? I thought you required a Bachelors degree for an MBA?

What PossiblyCrazy is talking about is applying to an MBA program after you've received a PharmD degree for which you probably don't need a BS. I agree with you that you'll need a BS to get into that joint program. But why do you want an MBA? Just asking b/c it's not really needed in that many areas of pharmacy. Open the Pfizer guide and search 'MBA' and you'll see that industry is really the only area where its required, or if you wnat to work at corporate headquarters of some chain/grocery store pharmacy. More degrees doesn't always do that much for you (ie. double major in cell/molecular bio and in physiology). I'd only invest the time and effort if you knew it was going to put you into a better career.

 

[NexusMD]

What PossiblyCrazy is talking about is applying to an MBA program after you've received a PharmD degree for which you probably don't need a BS. I agree with you that you'll need a BS to get into that joint program. But why do you want an MBA? Just asking b/c it's not really needed in that many areas of pharmacy. Open the Pfizer guide and search 'MBA' and you'll see that industry is really the only area where its required, or if you wnat to work at corporate headquarters of some chain/grocery store pharmacy. More degrees doesn't always do that much for you (ie. double major in cell/molecular bio and in physiology). I'd only invest the time and effort if you knew it was going to put you into a better career.

Thats what I want to do though. Work for a big pharma company. I dont think I can tolerate retail for the rest of my life.

 

[NexusMD]

Something to consider. Think about this: You apply to Pharmacy School and get an interview. There is another student who has almost the exact same stats as you, except that he/she has a BS or MS. Now, let's say your on the bubble as to who gets accepted to Pharmacy School. Given even stats, who do you think is going be chosen for acceptance? Someone who worked hard and obtained a degree? Or someone who quit and didn't finish an academic program? And what happens if you don't get accepted? What if you do need a degree to get a MBA? You lose absolutely nothing and gain everything by getting a degree IMO. Get a BS.

I can always apply both times, and if I dont get in this year then I'll pursue my BS degree. Maybe thats a good idea?

 

[genesis09]

At my college, for students with no bachelors, you can participate in the combined degree programs once you have a combined 100 hours or something like that.

 

[PossiblyCrazy]

What PossiblyCrazy is talking about is applying to an MBA program after you've received a PharmD degree for which you probably don't need a BS. I agree with you that you'll need a BS to get into that joint program. But why do you want an MBA? Just asking b/c it's not really needed in that many areas of pharmacy. Open the Pfizer guide and search 'MBA' and you'll see that industry is really the only area where its required, or if you wnat to work at corporate headquarters of some chain/grocery store pharmacy. More degrees doesn't always do that much for you (ie. double major in cell/molecular bio and in physiology). I'd only invest the time and effort if you knew it was going to put you into a better career.

Yes. That is what I am saying. You are right that you can not do the dual degree Pharmd/MBA usually without already having a BS, but for your specific situation, I would apply now. If you get in do the Pharmd now and the MBA later, but if you don't get in now finish your BS and then do the dual.

PS. I know 2 Pharmd's that got their MBA later, and more personally, my wife has a PharmD and is contemplating going to Bryant University for her MBA after I am done with my PharmD.

 

[PossiblyCrazy]

Is this true? I thought you required a Bachelors degree for an MBA?

Sorry, I should have answered you first.. Yes it is true. See previous post.

 

[babyvi3thonnie]

some school allow you to get a bs after your first yr of pharm so you should look at individual school...i know for sure uf does it for nutrition majors...

 

[NexusMD]

some school allow you to get a bs after your first yr of pharm so you should look at individual school...i know for sure uf does it for nutrition majors...

I am a biochem major at uni of maryland, maybe U-Maryland pharmacy schools allows us to get the B.S. after a year of pharm school. I'll have to talk to the school and my advisor.

Also, thanks PossiblyCrazy for your insight. I think I will apply this year, and if I get in that go ahead and go to pharm. That way I can probably get a Part-time MBA somewhere while paying off my pharm bills. Thanks for the advice guys!
If anyone else has opinions on this it would be greatly appreciated!

 

[bsps_2007]

I'm pretty sure you can participate in the PharmD/MBA program without a B.S., but the MBA won't be awarded to you until you earn the PharmD. In other words, even if you complete all the requirements for the MBA by your P-3 year, you won't actually receive the MBA degree until you finish your PharmD degree.

 

[PossiblyCrazy]

I'm pretty sure you can participate in the PharmD/MBA program without a B.S., but the MBA won't be awarded to you until you earn the PharmD. In other words, even if you complete all the requirements for the MBA by your P-3 year, you won't actually receive the MBA degree until you finish your PharmD degree.

You may be right. I think it depends on the school.

 

[NexusMD]

I'm pretty sure you can participate in the PharmD/MBA program without a B.S., but the MBA won't be awarded to you until you earn the PharmD. In other words, even if you complete all the requirements for the MBA by your P-3 year, you won't actually receive the MBA degree until you finish your PharmD degree.

Hmm, thats another option I should check out.
Thanks for the tip 👍