Joint PharmD and Master of Science in Health Informatics and Analytics

Earn a Joint PharmD and Master of Science in Health Informatics and Analytics at Samford University, and gain the skills to lead in both pharmacy practice and the rapidly growing field of health data management.

Joint Degree

PharmD & MS Health Informatics & Analytics

Earn a Joint PharmD and Master of Science in Health Informatics and Analytics to lead in pharmacy practice and the growing field of health data management.

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Prepare to Lead in Pharmacy and Health Data Innovation

Samford University’s Joint Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) and Master of Science in Health Informatics and Analytics (MSHIA) combines clinical pharmacy training with health data and analytics expertise. This dual-degree program prepares graduates to analyze health information, support data-driven decisions, and improve patient care across modern health care settings.

Career Preparation

The Joint PharmD/MSHIA program prepares graduates for leadership roles at the intersection of pharmacy, data, and health care operations. Students develop analytical and informatics skills that support evidence-based decision-making and improved patient outcomes.

Graduates are prepared for roles such as:

Health informatics or data analyst
Pharmacy informatics specialist
Health system or hospital operations leader
Medication use and outcomes analyst
Population health and quality improvement specialist
Health care analytics or informatics consultant

“This collaborative environment enhanced my academic experience and shaped my career path by allowing me to integrate clinical pharmacy with health informatics. The level of interprofessional collaboration created a PharmD/MSHIA experience few universities can match.”

— Joshua Wilson, PharmD ’25

How the PharmD/MSHIA Works

The PharmD/Master of Science in Health Informatics and Analytics is designed to provide flexibility, efficiency and real-world application in informatics-focused health care. The MSHIA program welcomes students from all academic backgrounds. A bachelor’s degree is not required to begin the joint program, but students must earn a bachelor’s degree before completing more than 12 credit hours of MSHIA coursework.

Dual-Degree Structure

Earn both degrees in a reduced timeframe through coordinated coursework between the McWhorter School of Pharmacy and the School of Public Health.

Credit Sharing

Eleven pharmacy credit hours apply to the MSHIA degree, and four informatics credits apply to the PharmD curriculum.

Comprehensive Curriculum

Complete 30 credit hours of MSHIA coursework and 142 credit hours of pharmacy coursework.

Flexible Delivery

MSHIA courses are offered online and meet Quality Matters standards.

Informatics Focus

Coursework emphasizes health informatics, analytics, and data-informed decision-making.

Integrated Experience

Apply informatics concepts alongside pharmacy training to enhance patient care and health system outcomes.

Collaborative Environment

Learn alongside faculty and health professionals in an interprofessional setting.

Plan of Study

Admission Requirements

To be considered for the PharmD/MSHIA joint degree, students must first be admitted to both the McWhorter School of Pharmacy and the School of Public Health. Applicants must also be in good standing in the PharmD program.

McWhorter School of Pharmacy PharmD Admission

MSHIA Application Requirements

To be considered for the MSHIA portion of the degree program, submit the following materials to the School of Public Health:

A completed School of Public Health joint degree application form
A resume reflecting work experience and other accomplishments. Upload the resume into the application.

Application Deadline

The deadline to apply for the joint PharmD/MHA program is April 1.

Questions?

Amber Kustos

Director of Graduate and Undergraduate Student Services

School of Public Health

akustos@samford.edu

205-726-4691

PharmD/MSHIA Frequently Asked Questions

How many credit hours are required?

Students complete 30 credit hours of MSHIA coursework and 142 credit hours of PharmD coursework as part of the joint degree program.

Are the MSHIA courses offered online?

Yes. MSHIA courses are offered online and meet Quality Matters standards for course quality and instructional design.

Is a bachelor’s degree required for admission?

A bachelor’s degree is not required for admission to the joint program. However, students must complete a bachelor’s degree before earning more than 12 credit hours toward the master’s degree.