The MBA/BSc in Pharmacy Combined Degrees Program (Business) [Graduate]

(Note: Effective Fall 2017, applications for the BSc Pharmacy program are no longer being accepted. After that time interested students should apply to the PharmD program).

The Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences and the Faculty of Business offer a program of combined study that permits highly qualified students to earn both the BSc in Pharmacy and the MBA degrees in five years.

Each student must first be admitted to the BSc in Pharmacy. Students that have completed the second year of the regular BSc in Pharmacy program are eligible to apply to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research for the Combined Degrees program and must indicate on their online graduate application that they are applying to the combined MBA/BSc in Pharmacy program.

Entrance Requirements

Acceptance by the Faculty of Business (for admission into the MBA program) and by the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (for admission into the BSc in Pharmacy program) separately are prerequisites for admission into the MBA/BSc in Pharmacy Combined Degrees program. Admission into each Faculty will be determined by the same selection process and criteria as for other students. In addition, each student must be admitted into the Combined Degrees program, admission will be determined by a selection committee composed of representatives of the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences and the Faculty of Business. Because this is a special program, particular attention in the selection process will be given to:

The student’s past academic achievement; and
The student’s maturity, interest and a rationale of how such a combined program will enhance the student’s career and professional skills [University of Alberta Calendar, The Degree of MBA (Business) ]

Program Requirements

The first three years are taken entirely within the BSc in Pharmacy program. The fourth year is entirely within the MBA program. The fifth year (final year) is then completed entirely in the BSc in Pharmacy program. The pharmacy portion of the program consists of the normal requirements of the BSc in Pharmacy program. The Business portion of the program consists of ★42.

MBA courses: students who obtain a grade of less than C+ or who fail to complete one of the MBA courses may, upon the recommendation of the Associate Dean (MBA), with the approval of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research, retake the course(s) or take an alternate course(s). Students repeating or taking an alternate course(s) must obtain a minimum grade of C+ and must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.7 (University of Alberta Calendar, Minimum Faculty Requirements ).

Upon the successful completion of the five-year program, (i.e., successful completion of the BSc in Pharmacy and the MBA degrees), candidates will receive both the BSc in Pharmacy and the MBA degrees. The MBA degree will not be conferred prior to the completion of the BSc in Pharmacy degree.

Inquiries regarding the MBA/BSc in Pharmacy Combined Degrees program may be directed to the Assistant Dean for Professional Programs in the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, or the Masters Programs Office in the Faculty of Business.

Academic Standing

A student is subject to the academic standing regulations and routes of appeal for grades and for academic standing of the Faculty in which the student is registered.

If a student withdraws from the MBA programs or is required to withdraw because of unsatisfactory academic standing, but wishes to remain in the BSc in Pharmacy degree program, the student may be permitted to continue provided the student retains good academic standing in that program.

Length of Program

Students enrolled in the combined program on a full-time basis can complete the program in five calendar years. The duration of the total program must not exceed six consecutive calendar years.