In response to the growing demand for pharmacists who are knowledgeable in both pharmacy and business administration, the USC School of Pharmacy helped pioneer an innovation in pharmaceutical education by developing a dual PharmD/MBA, offered since 1988—one of the first degree programs of its kind.
As the field of health care becomes more complex and more focused on cost-effectiveness, an understanding of accounting, communication, finance, decision-making, personnel, strategic planning and related areas is crucial for today’s practicing pharmacist, no matter what career option you choose.
The USC PharmD/MBA dual degree is offered cooperatively by the School of Pharmacy and the Marshall School of Business. The program permits completion of all pharmacy and business school requirements in a total of five years—one year less than would be required if each degree were completed independently.
Graduates of the PharmD/MBA dual-degree program are in high demand for rewarding jobs such as:
- Director of hospital pharmacy operations
- Departmental director in state and federal health care agencies
- Department head in pharmaceutical manufacturing corporations
- Administrator in research and managed care departments
- Leadership position in pharmaceutical distribution organizations
Admission Requirements and Application Process
Students must be admitted to the USC School of Pharmacy and must have completed a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum 3.0 GPA to be considered for admission into the PharmD/MBA program.
Dual-degree applicants must also fulfill all requirements for admission to the regular MBA program to be considered for admission into the Marshall School of Business. Admission is based on:
- Grade point average (average GPA for admitted students is 3.3)
- GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) score (average score is 690)
- Recommendation letters
- Work experience
- Personal essays
Students should begin the application process for the dual PharmD/MBA program during the summer before their first PharmD classes.
The MBA application is handled through the Marshall School of Business. For more information on how to apply, contact marshallmba@marshall.usc.edu or (213)740-7846, identifying yourself as a prospective PharmD/MBA dual degree student.
Contact Information

For more information, please call the Office of Admission and Student Affairs at (323) 442-1469 or the Marshall School of Business at (213) 740-7846.