When should you pursue PharmD/MBA?

[btpayne13]

Considering the increased tuition and longer time it takes to get an MBA along with a PharmD, in what cases should one pursue a PharmD/MBA? I don't see how it would help out a lot in retail, except for how it would increase the chances of getting a job. What business-related opportunities regarding pharmacy would the PharmD/MBA be a good choice to pursue?

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[that1guy]

I can think of a few good opportunities that would open up for you.

It's a good idea if you have any interest in moving into upper management for a chain. My district manager at CVS got a MBA/PharmD from Albany and is hoping to move on to regional manager, area manager, and then on to a corporate position.

Same thing with drug companies. You might have to start off in sales or something, but then you'd be qualified to move up if you bust your ass.

Also I've met pharmacists who hold corporate positions with third parties and mail order pharmacies. Seems like you'd have an edge there.

And don't forget the unique set of tools you'd be able to take into independent pharmacy if you chose that route.

So if you have the time and discipline I'd give it some thought. Wish my school had offered the combined degree.

 

[btpayne13]

Same thing with drug companies. You might have to start off in sales or something, but then you'd be qualified to move up if you bust your ass.

What positions could you move up to? Also, to get into a PharmD/MBA program, do you have to get a bachelor degree first?

 

[IndustryPharmD]

And it is only 5579787th or so time this question has been asked on these boards. 😀

 

[btpayne13]

And it is only 5579787th or so time this question has been asked on these boards. 😀

So, what's the problem with asking it again?

 

[StaviZFingerZ]

So, what's the problem with asking it again?

its been beatend down...dead horse.. redundant..good lord do a damn search before you ask a question thats asked weekly.

 

[StaviZFingerZ]

So, what's the problem with asking it again?

oh...and its annoying.

 

[that1guy]

So, what's the problem with asking it again?

Nothing's wrong with it. There's a weird minority of users on this board who spend way too much time on here and thus possess some distorted sense of ownership. It's annoying, but this forum does have some useful information from time to time, so casual users like you and me have to learn to ignore them. Whatever you do, do not respond to them.

As for what positions you could move up to...that I'm not sure about, but here's one story:

Gregory D. Wasson is the president of Walgreens, and CEO effective February 1, 2009.

Wasson joined the company as a pharmacy intern in 1980 while attending Purdue University's school of pharmacy, and managed stores in the Houston area before being promoted to a district manager position in 1986. Wasson was promoted to a regional vice president of the store operations division in 1999. In 2001, he was promoted again to Walgreens vice president and made an executive vice president of Walgreens Health Initiatives, the company’s pharmacy benefit manager (PBM). Wasson was promoted to president of Walgreens Health Initiatives in 2002, Walgreens senior vice president in 2004 and to a Walgreens executive vice president in 2005. He was named president and chief operating officer of Walgreens in 2007. Following the departure of Jeff Rein from the position of CEO, Wasson was chosen as the new officer after a nationwide search for candidates, the first including external possibilities.

Bottom line, I think the only limits would be based on your capabilities.

 

[IndustryPharmD]

So, what's the problem with asking it again?

Though it should be glaringly obvious, I will spell it out for you: people who actually could give you good, useful answers and discussion you (hopefully) are looking for aren't going to retype their posts for 5579787th time for your benefit.

 

[btpayne13]

Nothing's wrong with it. There's a weird minority of users on this board who spend way too much time on here and thus possess some distorted sense of ownership. It's annoying, but this forum does have some useful information from time to time, so casual users like you and me have to learn to ignore them. Whatever you do, do not respond to them.

As for what positions you could move up to...that I'm not sure about, but here's one story:

Gregory D. Wasson is the president of Walgreens, and CEO effective February 1, 2009.

Wasson joined the company as a pharmacy intern in 1980 while attending Purdue University's school of pharmacy, and managed stores in the Houston area before being promoted to a district manager position in 1986. Wasson was promoted to a regional vice president of the store operations division in 1999. In 2001, he was promoted again to Walgreens vice president and made an executive vice president of Walgreens Health Initiatives, the company’s pharmacy benefit manager (PBM). Wasson was promoted to president of Walgreens Health Initiatives in 2002, Walgreens senior vice president in 2004 and to a Walgreens executive vice president in 2005. He was named president and chief operating officer of Walgreens in 2007. Following the departure of Jeff Rein from the position of CEO, Wasson was chosen as the new officer after a nationwide search for candidates, the first including external possibilities.

Bottom line, I think the only limits would be based on your capabilities.

Wow, that's an amazing story. I guess the sky is the limit. Do you know if Wasson has an MBA?

 

[aboveliquidice]

This topic was really worn out last week... A search will let you revisit it.

Short version:

adding additional degrees (or certifications) have a minor impact on current earning potential. However, they can open the door or make you more desirable for a better job (such as director, etc)

The opening of doors is dependent upon how well you sell yourself. Having a degree alone will not change your prospects.

All in all, I think getting more qualifications is a good thing with many more pros than cons. However, each individual has to verify this for themselves.

 

[StaviZFingerZ]

There's a weird minority of users on this board who spend way too much time on here and thus possess some distorted sense of ownership. It's annoying, but this forum does have some useful information from time to time, so casual users like you and me have to learn to ignore them. Whatever you do, do not respond to them.

And it's those weird minority of users who have provided useful information time to time for you casual users. But after 6 years of typing out the same answer, it gets tiring. Hence those casual users should first try the search function.

 

[that1guy]

Wow, that's an amazing story. I guess the sky is the limit. Do you know if Wasson has an MBA?

Not sure.

 

[Quiksilver]

Nothing's wrong with it. There's a weird minority of users on this board who spend way too much time on here and thus possess some distorted sense of ownership. It's annoying, but this forum does have some useful information from time to time, so casual users like you and me have to learn to ignore them. Whatever you do, do not respond to them.

As for what positions you could move up to...that I'm not sure about, but here's one story:

Gregory D. Wasson is the president of Walgreens, and CEO effective February 1, 2009.

Wasson joined the company as a pharmacy intern in 1980 while attending Purdue University's school of pharmacy, and managed stores in the Houston area before being promoted to a district manager position in 1986. Wasson was promoted to a regional vice president of the store operations division in 1999. In 2001, he was promoted again to Walgreens vice president and made an executive vice president of Walgreens Health Initiatives, the company’s pharmacy benefit manager (PBM). Wasson was promoted to president of Walgreens Health Initiatives in 2002, Walgreens senior vice president in 2004 and to a Walgreens executive vice president in 2005. He was named president and chief operating officer of Walgreens in 2007. Following the departure of Jeff Rein from the position of CEO, Wasson was chosen as the new officer after a nationwide search for candidates, the first including external possibilities.

Bottom line, I think the only limits would be based on your capabilities.

Good story.... and does Wasson have an MBA?

Not sure.

Great. Now the relevance? If the guy doesn't have an MBA, how does this show that its useful? If I can be a CEO without an MBA what are you saying?

 

[ttopping]

What positions could you move up to? Also, to get into a PharmD/MBA program, do you have to get a bachelor degree first?

No you don't need a BS first to get a PharmD/MBA

 

[Ackj]

Nothing's wrong with it. There's a weird minority of users on this board who spend way too much time on here and thus possess some distorted sense of ownership. It's annoying, but this forum does have some useful information from time to time, so casual users like you and me have to learn to ignore them. Whatever you do, do not respond to them.

Proper forum etiquette. Search before making a thread, don't multipost, don't bump threads that are months old (unless its news and a development is made), don't troll/feed the troll, etc

 

[btpayne13]

No you don't need a BS first to get a PharmD/MBA

Are there any dual programs that don't require a bachelor's? Or would they be two individual programs, first to get PharmD, then another for MBA?

 

[ttopping]

Are there any dual programs that don't require a bachelor's? Or would they be two individual programs, first to get PharmD, then another for MBA?

That's what I said. You don't need a bachelor's to do the dual pharmd/mba program. At UB you do your first year in pharm school, the next year is business school, then you combine the programs for the next 3 years, so it becomes a 5 year program instead of 4 years (once you get into the school of pharmacy), but you come out with a PharmD/MBA. I think that's the only dual degree that you don't need a BS for. PharmD/PhD and PharmD/JD you do need a BS first.

 

[Nupe954]

Good story.... and does Wasson have an MBA?


Great. Now the relevance? If the guy doesn't have an MBA, how does this show that its useful? If I can be a CEO without an MBA what are you saying?

I work in corporate walgreens and will tell you Wasson doesnt have an MBA..but from talking to some of the people who been around for awhile he pretty much rode the wave to the top (aka being in the right place at the right time). Also, being business savy doesnt hurt either (which a MBA is not needed for), I have plenty of smart business-minded co-workers who dont have graduate degrees. Being a CEO is not my lifelong desire but am looking to jump back in the corporate arena after receiving my PharmD.

 

[VCU2011]

heck im currently doing a PharmD/MBA and i've even stopped responding to these threads...