The purpose of the dual Doctor of Pharmacy/Master of Science in Pharmacogenomics and Personalized Medicine is to graduate highly qualified health professionals who have obtained competencies necessary to succeed in the rapidly changing healthcare system.
The dual program prepares students to enter a wide-range of pharmacy positions that address some of today’s most challenging health care issues.
The Master of Science in Pharmacogenomics and Personalized Medicine degree provides the opportunity for students to explore the relationship between an individual’s genetic make-up, their health and their response to medications. Pharmacogenomics focuses on the use of genomic information to develop the most effective use of medications, including minimizing adverse events. Personalized medicine is a method of disease prevention and treatment for which the health care team considers individual variations in genes, environment, and lifestyle. Students will become familiar with the most widely used genomic laboratory techniques and interpretation of pharmacogenomics data used in personalizing drug therapy. Introductory concepts of genomic data science will also be introduced in a hands-on format.
The PharmD/MPH program is designed for students who are presently enrolled in or applying to pharmacy school.
Learn More About This Program
Shenandoah University and Inova have partnered to offer a master’s degree in pharmacogenomics and precision medicine for students in the Doctor of Pharmacy Program interested in exploring this fascinating field of study and applying knowledge of the human genome to clinical practice. This degree prepares you for career opportunities in biologic technology, at genetic testing laboratories, or within the pharmaceutical industry. It also provides you with the skill set needed to pursue specialized fields in health care that are poised for growth.
Pharmacogenomics uses a patient’s genetic makeup to create individualized drug treatments. We were one of the first pharmacy schools to integrate pharmacogenomics into our curriculum, beginning with an introduction in the first professional year and culminating with application-based practices in the therapeutic sequence.
Some of the areas covered include:
- Genetic predictors of disease
- Applying genetic principles to guide therapeutic decisions
- Mastering genetic interpretation tools
- Ethical, legal and social implications of the human genome
Both programs integrate graduate-level critical thinking and analysis, problem solving, scientific inquiry, self-directed learning and the effective use of modern technology for professional practice that includes elements of research, leadership, education and continued enhancement of the pharmacy and public health profession. The dual program offers individuals interested in pursuing pharmacy and pharmacogenomics a unique opportunity to complete both degree programs in less than five years, saving time and money.
Course Sequencing
First Year – Fall I credits
PHAR 500 Introduction to Pharmacy Profession 1.5
PHAR 508 Pharmaceutics I (Calculations) 2
PHAR 516 Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience I 2
PHAR 519 Introduction to Physical Assessment 1
PHAR 521 Biomedical Sciences I 2
PHAR 522 Biomedical Sciences I 3
PHAR 533 Communications in Pharmacy Practice 2.5
PHAR 549 Nonprescription Products 3
PHAR 550 Outpatient Pharmacy Practice Lab 1
Total 18
First Year – Spring I
PHAR 512 Pharmaceutics II 4
PHAR 513 Pharmaceutics and Compounding
(Nonsterile and Sterile) Laboratory 1
PHAR 517 Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience II 2
PHAR 520 Physical Assessment Lab 1
PHAR 534 Essentials of Pharmacogenomics 2
PHAR 537 Integrated Pathophysiology I 3
PHAR 538 Integrated Pathophysiology II 3
PHAR 552 Drug Information Skills 2
PHAR 539 Pharmacy Professional Dev Lab I 0.5
Total 18.5
Second Year- Fall II
PHAR 600 Pharmacokinetic Principles 3
PHAR 681 ICare: General Med I 3
PHAR 668 Pharmacology 4
PHAR 662 Drug Literature Analysis & Interpretation 3
PHAR 663 Drug Literature Analysis & Interpretation Lab 1
PHAR 679 Federal and State Pharmacy Law 2
PHAR 682 Introduction to Patient Centered Care 1.5
PHAR 667 Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience III 1
Total 18.5
Second Year-Spring II
PHAR 608 ICare: Renal 2
PHAR 619 ICare: Cardiovascular 4
PHAR 632 Applied PK and PGx I 1
PHAR 671 Toxicology 2
PHAR 669 Health Information Tech & Practice Mgmt. 3
PHAR 678 Patient Centered Care I 2
PHAR 680 Pharmacy Professional Dev Lab II 0.5
PHAR 670 Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience IV 1
Elective (PGPM 502 Genomic Data Science and Pharmacometrics) 3
Total 18.5
Summer (P2 to P3)
PGPM 501 Genetic Foundations for Personalized Medicine 3
Total 3
Third Year- Fall III
PHAR 746 ICare: Endocrine 2
PHAR 709 ICare: Hematology/Oncology 3
PHAR 742 ICare: Infectious Disease 4
PHAR 723 Patient Centered Care II 2
PHAR 733 Applied PK and PGx II 1
PHAR 736 Pharmacy Administration I 2
PHAR 744 Essentials of Research Design 1
Elective (PGPM 602 Pharmacogenomic Literature Evaluation) 2
Total 17
Third Year- Spring III
PHAR 747 ICare: General Med II 2
PHAR 748 ICare: Special Populations 2
PHAR 720 ICare: Neuro/Psychiatry 3
PHAR 724 Patient Centered Care III 2
PHAR 734 Applied PK and PGx III 1
PHAR 737 Pharmacy Administration II 3
PHAR 738 Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience V 1
PHAR 745 Pharmacy Professional Dev Lab III 0.5
Elective (PGPM 603 Ethics in Genomic Science) 1
Total 15.5
Fourth Year-Summer IV
PHAR 811 Advanced Pharmacy Practice Exp I 5
PHAR 812 Advanced Pharmacy Practice Exp II 5
PHAR 813 Advanced Pharmacy Practice Exp III 5
PGPM 604 Analytical Techniques in Pharmacokinetics & Pharmacogenomics 2
Total 17
Fourth Year-Fall IV
PHAR 814 Advanced Pharmacy Practice Exp IV 5
PHAR 815 Advanced Pharmacy Practice Exp V 5
PGPM 601 Clinical Applications in Pharmacogenomics I 2
Total 12
Fourth Year-Spring IV
PHAR 816 Advanced Pharmacy Practice Exp VI 5
PHAR 817 Advanced Pharmacy Practice Exp VII 5
PHAR 818 Advanced Pharmacy Practice Exp VIII 5
PGPM 605 Clinical Applications in Pharmacogenomics II 2
Total 17
Fifth Year- Summer V
PGPM 606 Therapeutic Antibodies 3
PGPM 607 Epigenetics 2
Total 5
Grand Total 160
Faculty
Arthur Harralson, Pharm.D., BCPS
Associate Dean of ICPH Fairfax Campus, Department Chair and Professor
Full BiographyNina Hengen, M.D., Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Biopharmaceutical Sciences Interim Program Director for the M.S. in Pharmacogenomics and Personalized Medicine
Full BiographySolomon M. Adams, Pharm.D., Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Pharmacogenomics
Application Information
Current PharmD students should apply no later than the fall semester of their second year in the PharmD program.
Pharmacy Application Information
To be considered for admission to the Master of Science in Pharmacogenomics and Personalized Medicine, the student will meet the following qualifications:
- A student in good standing matriculated in the Doctor of Pharmacy program in the Bernard J Dunn School of Pharmacy
- A minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4-point scale
