A partnership between Samford University’s McWhorter School of Pharmacy and the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Master of Science Program in Multidisciplinary Biomedical Science is filling a prescription for students’ professional success.
Samford and UAB recently approved a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between McWhorter School of Pharmacy and UAB’s Multidisciplinary Biomedical Science (MBS) program, having “determined a mutual benefit in promoting this relationship,” the language reads.
Per the MOU, students graduating from MBS, upon recommendation from the program’s director, will receive priority review of their applications for McWhorter School of Pharmacy.
“In providing opportunities to students in MBS who express an interest in obtaining a Pharm.D. degree, it is hoped this will promote recruitment of talented students to both UAB’s program in MBS and, in turn, Samford’s McWhorter School of Pharmacy,” the MOU reads.
Renee DeHart, McWhorter’s associate dean for student affairs, said the relationship will create new opportunities for students—and the future of pharmacy.
“We’re very excited to establish this pipeline program,” she said. “This initiative will be mutually beneficial and will help strengthen existing connections between Samford and UAB, as well as providing an outstanding future pharmacy workforce.”
Samford provides a rigorous curriculum for pharmacy students, in which students can earn their Pharm.D. in four years, while a fast-track option allows incoming undergraduate students to earn the same degree in only six years.
UAB’s M.S. in MBS offers graduates myriad professional opportunities, including research in academia or industry, education, scientific policy, science communication and biomedical sales.
And now, pharmacy.
“I’m excited for this new partnership between our respective institutions,” said John Shacka, director of UAB’s M.S. Program in MBS. “This will serve to promote professional opportunities for our students at McWhorter School of Pharmacy.”
To learn more, visit www.samford.edu/pharmacy and www.uab.edu/graduate/programs/msmbs.
