Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy and Rutgers Business School PharmD/MBA Dual Degree Program

Revised June 2026

In response to strong expressions of interest from current students and alumni, the Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy has partnered with the Rutgers Business School (RBS) to develop a dual degree PharmD/MBA program. This program enables qualified PharmD students to begin work on the MBA by taking RBS courses while still enrolled in the PharmD program. PharmD students remain with their cohort and complete their doctoral degree at the same time as their classmates. After degree completion, they matriculate into the part-time MBA program to complete the second degree. The RBS program offers a flexible schedule, enabling students to tailor their course load to their personal and professional lives. Most students complete the MBA in 3 years, but students may choose to finish it faster or slower, depending on their course loads.

Dual degree students enter the 45 credit MBA program with advanced standing and credit for MBA courses taken while in the PharmD program:

Advanced standing

PharmD students matriculating into the part‐time MBA program will be granted 9 credits of advanced standing toward MBA elective requirements, based on their work in the PharmD program.

MBA courses for students in the PharmD program (3 credits each)

After completion of the P1 year, PharmD students with a minimum GPA of 3.2 may take up to two MBA courses (for a total of 6 credits) toward the part-time MBA program. These courses may substitute for up to two pharmacy elective courses. 1, 2.

• S. Healthcare Systems and Pharmaceutical Managed Markets (recommended as first MBA course)
• Pharmaceutical Industry: Issues, Structure&Dynamics
• Legal, Regulatory and EthicalIssuesinthePharmaceuticalIndustry
• Market Access & Reimbursement for Drugs

1 PharmD students need permission from the School of Pharmacy to substitute MBA courses for School of Pharmacy professional electives.
2 MBA courses are 3‐credits each, whereas pharmacy professional electives are 2‐credits each; the MBA courses will require more class hours and more out‐of‐class assignments.

Admissions

PharmD students apply for admission to the dual degree program anytime from September 1 to February 15 of the P4 year.

• Students must submit a formal business letter of intent to Dr Lahiri, Office of Assessment (lahiri@rutgers.edu) no later than February 15thof the P4 year.
• The Dean’s Office will evaluate the student’s statement, certify the student’s cumulative GPA (3.2 or higher), and send these materials to the Rutgers Business

The dual degree program requires a high level of academic commitment and work in addition to the heavy demands of the PharmD program. Students must demonstrate their academic preparedness and their willingness to take on the additional responsibilities. The School of Pharmacy is committed to the success of each of its PharmD candidates and will only recommend students for the dual degree program who are sufficiently qualified and motivated.

PharmD students who qualify for the dual degree program must apply online directly to the RBS MBA program (specifying “dual degree program”). Check directly with RBS for information about deadlines and requirements.

• Applicants to the dual degree program will be informed of their admissions status in the final year of the PharmD Once admitted to the MBA program, PharmD students will be considered dual degree candidates.
• Matriculation into the MBA program will be deferred until the PharmD is
• Applicants are not required to take the GMAT
• For scholarship eligibility, students should contact RBS by February of the P4 year to learn about deadlines and
• Contact the RBS graduate recruiting team for additional information on the part-time MBA: rutgersmba@business.rurtgers.edu.

Costs

• While enrolled full‐time in the PharmD program, students may take business courses at no additional Part-time students pay tuition for the additional Business School courses.
• Once students have completed the PharmD, they enroll in the Rutgers School of Business and pay Business School tuition and

1 PharmD students need permission from the School of Pharmacy to substitute MBA courses for School of Pharmacy professional electives.
2 MBA courses are 3‐credits each, whereas pharmacy professional electives are 2‐credits each; the MBA courses will require more class hours and more out‐of‐class assignments.
3 Recommended: Completion of U.S. Healthcare Systems and Pharmaceutical Managed Markets