Educators Partner to Provide Expanded Path to Pharmacy Leadership

CINCINNATI—The University of Cincinnati (UC) James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy and the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) Foundation have entered into a partnership to widen the path to pharmacy leadership credentialing. The partnership allows graduates of the ASHP Foundation's Pharmacy Leadership Academy the opportunity to transfer up to 6 credits toward the completion of UC's new online Master of Pharmaceutical Science-Emphasis in Pharmacy Leadership program.

The college's online degree program was established in 2015 and is currently accepting applicants for the first cohort, which begins in Fall 2016.

"The academy is widely recognized within health system pharmacy as 'THE' leadership program, so it's a win-win for both of us," says Winkle College of Pharmacy Dean Neil MacKinnon, PhD.

The ASHP Foundation has offered a certificate in pharmacy leadership since 2008 and the academy has 561 graduates, 63 of whom have gone on to obtain master's degrees through academic affiliations.

What makes this affiliation different, however, is that UC's College of Pharmacy offers the only completely online graduate degree program in pharmacy leadership in the U.S., which might be attractive to the remaining Academy graduates who could come in with up to 6 credit hours under their belts. 

"Academy graduates have expressed a desire to enhance their experience with graduate-level education and the UC program is ideally suited to meet their needs," says the ASHP Foundation's Chief Executive Officer Stephen Allen, RPh, MS.

As the scope of practice of pharmacists has increased in recent years, and as many pharmacists enter into management positions, the need for pharmacist-specific leadership training has become apparent, says MacKinnon, adding that the online aspect of a graduate degree is an attractive post-doctoral choice for PharmD's who might not have the ability to travel or cut work hours to attend classes. 

"It's a wonderful opportunity for students seeking to obtain a post-graduate degree from the convenience of their own home," says program director Ana Hincapie, PhD, assistant professor of pharmacy practice and administrative sciences at the college.

Applicants must hold either a bachelor's in pharmacy or a doctor of pharmacy degree, PharmD, to be considered for the UC program; and can enroll to earn either a certificate or a master's degree in pharmacy leadership. 

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For more admission information visit

pharmacy.uc.edu