Pharmacy, M.S.

The pharmacy master's program is a two-year, combined pharmacy administrative residency (ASHP Accredited PGY1 and PGY2) and academic degree program, which culminates in a Master of Science degree, emphasizing health system pharmacy management and leadership. Applicants to the pharmacy M.S. program must be eligible for licensure as a pharmacist in the State of Wisconsin. The program is designed to provide the residentstudent with a solid academic foundation and experience in the administration of exemplary pharmaceutical services across an integrated health system.The primary objective of the program is to develop health system pharmacy administrators who are trained and prepared to immediately assume administrative leadership positions within large, integrated health care delivery systems at the level of managers and assistant directors, and eventually as directors of pharmacy. These positions include oversight of pharmacy operations, clinical programs, medication safety, new business development, supply chain, and so on. Residents complete patient care and management rotations in the first year of the program, and advanced administrative and elective rotations in the second year (chosen from a variety of settings, as desired by the resident). The curriculum's flexibility allows for specialization in administrative areas that best complement the student's career goals. Resident activities are varied in scope, depending on each individual's background and areas of interest.Learning outcomesThorough understanding of the organization and the components of an integrated health care system as they relate to the continuum of pharmaceutical care across the health system including acute care, ambulatory care, home care, and other settings.Administration of pharmacy service networks as part of the integrated health system and the relationships of the components of the pharmacy regional health system (e.g.: inpatient care, retail and mail service pharmacy, managed care pharmacy programs, specialty pharmacy services, hospice care, home care and pharmacy consulting programs).Thorough understanding of how to design, implement, manage and improve a safe and effective medication use system. This includes an understanding of information technology and other automated systems required to support comprehensive pharmacy services across the integrated health system.Ability to perform technology assessment studies for new systems technology.Knowledge and expertise in managing drug policy including an understanding of the importance of such a program in supporting evidence-based care throughout an integrated health systemRole of pharmacy in conducting and supporting drug research as well as understanding principles of conducting research in administrative science and pharmacy practiceDevelopment of personal leadership qualities and business acumen essential to operate efficiently within a hospital and health system and advance the profession and practice of pharmacyDevelopment of business knowledge and skills in the following areas: communication techniques, problem identification and solving, project management, decision making, productivity management, quality methodologies, organizational design and behavior, costbenefit analysis, technology assessment and strategic planning.Administrative skills in the principles of supply chain management, human resource management, financial management, pharmaceutical reimbursement, revenue cycle management, narcotic control, labor relations and pharmacy regulations and law.

A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or a comparable degree from an international institution is required. International applicants must have a degree comparable to a regionally accredited U.S. bachelor’s degree. You must have completed your undergraduate degree, or similar, before starting graduate school. A minimum undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 on the equivalent of the last 60 credit hours (approximately two years of work) or a master’s degree with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 is required. The Graduate School will take into consideration different grade scales from institutions that do not have 4.00 scales (e.g., institutions outside the United States of America).