PharmD/MD Dual Degree Program

The Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy (EMSOP) offers an innovative PharmD/MD dual degree option, developed jointly with the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School (RWJMS). To be eligible to apply, you must be in the 2nd or 3rd year of the PharmD professional program at EMSOP.

The PharmD-MD dual degree program, the first in the U.S., is designed to prepare students for a new model of health care by fully integrating the professions of pharmacy and medicine. We are seeking future leaders to develop truly unified, interprofessional education and practice that builds on the strengths of different health care disciplines to give patients the best possible outcomes. Interested students—who must be currently enrolled in the PharmD program at the Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy at Rutgers—apply for admission in the second or third professional year of the program. Successful applicants will complete the PharmD on schedule and then matriculate into the MD program at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson School of Medicine.

Application Eligibility and Process

Interested students are urged to make an appointment with a member of the School of Pharmacy PharmD/ MD committee. Students may apply in the fall semester of the P2 or the P3 (second or third professional year at the Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy).  Note: Unsuccessful P2 applicants may strengthen their qualifications and reapply in the P3 year.

Apply to the PharmD/MD dual degree program  NOTE:  You MUST be a currently enrolled P2 or P3 student at the Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy to apply.

Calendar for Application Process

Fall Semester

• Prepare materials for submission, including application, essay delineating interest, letters of recommendation; applications due the second Friday in January
• In planning for rotations, prospective dual degree students are strongly encouraged to preference sites that provide strong clinical opportunities to work alongside medical students.

January

• All application materials (including letters of recommendation must be received by the 2^nd Friday in January (January 8 in 2027).
• EMSOP’s PharmD/MD committee reviews written materials: letter describing interest, application form, and three letters of recommendation [see application form for full details].
• EMSOP evaluates applications and sets schedule for interviews for selected candidates.
• EMSOP dual degree committee interviews selected candidates.
• EMSOP dual degree committee evaluates interviewees and forwards names of recommended candidates to the Admissions Committee of Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.

February to May

• RWJMS Admissions Committee evaluates candidates, schedules interviews, and notifies students about their status.
• Once admitted into the dual degree program, students complete the pharmacy program, including their APPE rotations. They are strongly encouraged to seek opportunities to work with students in other health professions, particularly in medicine, and to participate in interprofessional and extracurricular activities with medical students.

Dual degree students complete the PharmD degree in May of the P4 year and are strongly encouraged to sit for the NAPLEX and MPJE exams over the summer. PharmD graduates begin their training at RWJMS in July, about two months after their EMSOP graduation.

Application Materials

• Applicants submit a letter to the School of Pharmacy dual degree committee with the following information:
  • Reasons for applying – how this program will meet your long‐term career goals and your potential role on providing healthcare.
  • Briefly summarize:
    • Clinical experience, especially employment or volunteer experience in pharmacies Research experience and accomplishments, e.g., engagement in the research honors program, lab experience, publications, etc.
    • Service to society, e.g., work in soup kitchens, tutoring underprivileged children, service in developing countries, etc.
    • Relevant extracurricular activities, including active participation in pharmacy outreach programs
    • Special educational/professional achievements and honors, e.g., competitive internships or scholarships, i
    • Bachelor’s or graduate degree (if applicable; include date conferred)

Next Steps

The Pharmacy committee invites selected applicants for interviews and then forwards recommendations to the RWJMS Admissions Committee. RWJMS makes the final determination on admissions, based on evaluation of all application materials, including the recommendations of the EMSOP committee and a series of “mini interviews” with RWJMS faculty.

Applicants are notified about admission in the spring semester. Dual degree students are strongly encouraged to take a leadership role in interprofessional education programs as they complete the PharmD and begin the MD program.

Once students begin the RWJMS curriculum, specialized enrichment options may be available to take advantage of students’ extensive knowledge of pharmacology, pharmacotherapy, and pharmacy practice. Dual degree students can play an important role in strengthening the program by building opportunities for medical students and pharmacy students to work together, inside and outside of the classroom.

Questions?

If you are interested in pursuing this opportunity or have any questions, please contact Professor Grace Guo (Chair) guo@ohsi.rutgers.edu, Senior Associate Dean Minakshi Lahiri (Co-Chair), or any of the members of the EMSOP PharmD/MD committee.

EMSOP PharmD/MD Dual Degree Committee Members

*Grace Guo, Professor, Pharmacology and Toxicology (Committee Chair)

*Minakshi Lahir, Senior Associate Dean (Committee Co-Chair)

*Luigi Brunetti, Associate Professor, Pharmaceutics and Pharmacy Practice and Chair, Pharmacy Practice

*Suzie Chen, Distinguished Professor, Chemical Biology

*Deepali Dixit, Clinical Professor, Pharmacy Practice

*Donna Feudo, Associate Dean for Experiential Education and Clinical Services

*Arash Hatefi, Professor and Director of the Graduate Program, Pharmaceutics

*Debra Laskin, Distinguished Professor and Chair, Pharmacology and Toxicology

*Megan Maroney, Clinical Associate Professor, Pharmacy Practice

*Yekaterina Opsha, Clinical Associate Professor, Pharmacy Practice and Interim Vice Chancellor for Interprofessional Programs, Rutgers Health

Revised September, 2026