Entrance Requirements

Acceptance by the Faculty of Business (for admission into the MBA program) and by the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (for admission into the PharmD program) separately are prerequisites for admission into the MBA/PharmD Combined Degrees program. Admission into each Faculty will be determined by the same selection process and criteria as for other students. In addition, each student must be admitted into the Combined Degrees program, admission will be determined by a selection committee composed of representatives of the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences and the Faculty of Business. Because this is a special program, particular attention in the selection process will be given to:

1. The student’s past academic achievement; and
2. The student’s maturity, interest and a rationale of how such a combined program will enhance the student’s career and professional skills [University of Alberta Calendar, The Degree of MBA (Business) ]

Program Requirements

The first three years are taken entirely within the PharmD program. The fourth year is entirely within the MBA program. The fifth year (final year) is then completed entirely in the PharmD program. The pharmacy portion of the program consists of the normal requirements of the PharmD program. The Business portion of the program consists of 42 units.

MBA courses: students who obtain a grade of less than C+ or who fail to complete one of the MBA courses may, upon the recommendation of the Associate Dean (MBA), with the approval of the Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies, retake the course(s) or take an alternate course(s). Students repeating or taking an alternate course(s) must obtain a minimum grade of C+ and must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.7 (University of Alberta Calendar, Minimum Academic Requirements ).

Upon the successful completion of the five-year program, (i.e., successful completion of the PharmD and the MBA degrees), candidates will receive both the PharmD and the MBA degrees. The MBA degree will not be conferred prior to the completion of the PharmD degree.

Inquiries regarding the combined MBA/PharmD Combined Degrees program may be directed to the Assistant Dean for Professional Programs in the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, or the Masters Programs Office in the Faculty of Business.

Academic Standing

A student is subject to the academic standing regulations and routes of appeal for grades and for academic standing of the Faculty in which the student is registered.

If a student withdraws from the MBA programs or is required to withdraw because of unsatisfactory academic standing, but wishes to remain in the PharmD degree program, the student may be permitted to continue provided the student retains good academic standing in that program.

Length of Program

Students enrolled in the combined program on a full-time basis can complete the program in five calendar years. The duration of the total program must not exceed six consecutive calendar years.