PharmD/MPA, JD/MPA, & More!

PharmD/MPA

Since 1997, the Martin School and the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy have jointly provided this unique dual degree program, the first of its type to be offered in the nation. This program provides a pathway to increasingly in-demand careers analyzing complex drug policy issues, serving as administrators of pharmaceutical and healthcare systems, or serving in public regulatory agencies. Past graduates have secured positions in a wide variety of organizations in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors.

Admissions

Students are required to meet the admissions standards of both programs separately, meaning they secure admission into the Martin School, the Graduate School, and the College of Pharmacy. Students independently pursuing either the PharmD or MPA may be considered for admission to the dual-degree program. A student will be eligible for consideration before the end of their second year of study in the PharmD program and before the end of their first year of study in the MPA program.

Curriculum

Whereas the MPA program alone is 40 credit hours, the joint PharmD/MPA program requires 28 hours of MPA coursework. The electives, ethics course, and internship credit are satisfied by the PharmD program, though students still need to enroll in 1 credit of PA 711. It's important to take PA 621 and 622 sequentially as well as PA 623 and 681. Below is a sample program of study.

PharmD/MPA Dual-Degree Curriculum Plan

JD/MPA

Initiated in 1984, the JD/MPA dual degree program is the only one offered in the Commonwealth. The dual degree program permits the student to gain both degrees in a total time period of four years, one year less than if the degrees were earned independently. The dual degree can be valuable for persons seeking careers as city managers, administrators of judicial and quasi-judicial organizations, staff members in governmental agencies, and legislative researchers, among others. Students who have earned both the JD and MPA degrees from the University of Kentucky have gone on to careers with private law firms, trust institutions, and the Kentucky Bar Association. One UK JD/MPA graduate won a prestigious national competition for a city manager internship.

Admissions

Students interested in the joint JD/MPA program must apply to each program separately through the Graduate School. Generally, students enroll in one program first, usually Law, and during the first year apply to the second program, usually the MPA.

• Student’s information
• Copies of unofficial transcripts
• Resume/CV
• 2 Letters of recommendation
• Personal statement

You can apply to UK Law School here: https://law.uky.edu/admissions

Curriculum

Whereas the MPA program alone is 40 credit hours, the joint JD/MPA program requires 31 hours of MPA coursework and 81 hours of JD coursework. The electives are transferrable from the JD to the MPA and vice versa. If scheduling problems do arise, the MPA and JD program representatives will resolve such problems on an ad hoc basis. A sample curriculum plan is below: 

JD/MPA Dual-Degree Curriculum Plan

Only MPA courses are listed; these are to be taken alongside Law requirements. The MPA coursework is generally begun in the second year of the Law School program. The reverse is also possible where students begin with a year of MPA coursework. If you have begun the MPA and are interested in the dual degree program, please reach out to the Graduate Coordinator in the Fall of your first year.

**PA 711 – Satisfied by the Law Externship, however students will still need to enroll in PA 711 (1 credit hour).

Masters in Heritage Resources Administration

The fully online Masters in Heritage Resources Administration (MHRA), developed in cooperation with the College of Design, combines historic preservation coursework with training in public and nonprofit administration. It provides mid-career heritage professionals with a pathway to advancement and leadership within their organizations. Courses in nonprofit financial management, strategic planning, and grant writing are not typically part of the educational experience of most preservation professionals, archaeologists, architectural historians, and Main Street managers, even at the graduate level. Yet these skills are essential for mid-career advancement and successful leadership of nonprofit organizations, private-sector engineering and architectural consulting firms, and government agencies. 

While the on-campus Master of Historic Preservation opens the door to a number of careers by providing students with a broad foundation in historic preservation history, theory, and practice, as well as technical preservation skills, the MHRA addresses the needs of mid-level professionals aspiring to leadership positions and seeking career advancement. The online format allows for maximum flexibility, increasing its appeal to working professionals. The curriculum consists of 36 credit hours (24 core, 9 electives, and a 3-hour capstone project). Because it targets working professionals, it is expected that students will take 1-2 courses per semester rather than a full load.

To learn more about the MHRA and for a sample curriculum plan, please visit the College of Design website.