MS in Population Health Pharmacy
At a Glance
Population Health Pharmacy focuses on the impact of the distribution of health determinants on those receiving medication management services by pharmacists. This also includes the strategies used to improve health outcomes associated with medication use. With the rising health care costs and limited resources, pharmacists play an integral role in population health and there is an increasing demand for pharmacists with this expertise.
The Population Health Pharmacy degree will be a collaborative effort between the Jefferson College of Pharmacy and the Jefferson College of Population Health (JCPH) designed to give practicing pharmacists an expertise in population health pharmacy. By leveraging pharmacy specific knowledge with population health principles, these graduates will be poised to meet the needs of the current resource-limited, fragmented U.S. health care system.
The MS and Certificate in Population Health Pharmacy applies population health principles to various pharmacy settings:
- It links the determinants of population health to healthcare scenarios and various populations
- It integrates pharmacy informatics, biostatistical and pharmacoepidemiologic principles to analyze real life medication use scenarios
- It allows for the application of evidence based medicine to various populations
- It evaluates population health management strategies that are used to improve medication use outcomes and reduce cost
The pharmacy specific perspective will allow pharmacist learners to expand:
- Influence over population healthcare within health systems or community pharmacy settings
- Promote cost savings within health systems, managed care markets, or insurance companies
- Continue to push boundaries and further expand the role of the pharmacy profession
Program Information
Application Process
Read more about the application process on our apply page.
Curriculum
The MS in Population Health Pharmacy requires completion of 33 credits and includes a capstone presentation following completion of all coursework.
1. Assess the impact of the determinants of health on medication use outcomes
2. Evaluate medication use in diverse populations using pharmacy informatics,biostatistical, pharmacoepidemiologic, and pharmacoeconomic principles
3. Design and optimize strategies to improve health outcomes associated with medication use
The Graduate Certificate and Master of Science in Population Health Pharmacy are designed specifically for practicing pharmacists. As pharmacists generally have a basic level of knowledge regarding population health, this degree will provide pharmacy specific population health content that is intended to elevate and expand existing pharmacists skill sets/skill sets. The target audience for this program include pharmacists working within the following settings:
- Community pharmacies
- Health-systems
- Managed care companies
- Insurance companies
- Medication safety organizations
- State and federal agencies
- Pharmaceutical industry