Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences: A Comprehensive Overview of Degree Programs

Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS) is a private university with a rich history and a strong focus on healthcare and life sciences education. Located in the heart of Boston's Longwood Medical and Academic Area, MCPHS offers a wide array of degree programs, innovative learning models, and a supportive community designed to foster student success. This article delves into the various aspects of MCPHS, including its academic offerings, history, campus life, and admission process.

A Legacy of Excellence in Healthcare Education

MCPHS originated on December 8, 1823, when 14 Boston druggists united to establish the nation’s second pharmaceutical science school. In 1825, the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy notably published the American Pharmaceutical Library Catalogue. The General Court passed legislation in 1852 to give it degree-granting power. In 1918, the College of Pharmacy built its first permanent building in Boston across from Harvard Med. By 1979, its curriculum was expanded to teach allied health courses. The Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences name was formally adopted in 2000. Two years later, the fast-growing nonprofit expanded to Manchester and Worcester. In 2005, the School of Arts & Sciences was debuted with public health degrees.

Endowed for $578 million, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences now employs 826 faculty teaching 7,074 Cardinals from 56 countries online, on the nine-acre Longwood Medical Area campus, or at two extensions with 70+ clubs like the Public Health Student Organization for 80 percent retention.

Diverse Fields of Study

MCPHS offers over 100 programs across more than a dozen distinct health fields, providing pathways to a wide variety of careers in the health and life sciences. Students can choose from traditional majors such as pharmacy and premed, to innovative programs such as healthcare management and pharmaceutical business.

Top Majors

The university's top 5 majors include:

Doctor of Pharmacy
Premedical and Health Studies - Medical Doctor Pathway
Dental Hygiene/Predental Track
Medical and Molecular Biology
Healthcare Programs

Schools of Study

Each of the 12 schools at MCPHS is dedicated to a distinct area of healthcare and life sciences, offering diverse programs, degree paths, and career opportunities. These schools include:

School of Pharmacy
School of Arts & Sciences
School of Nursing
School of Physician Assistant Studies
And more

Featured Programs

Nursing: Dozens of career opportunities await nursing graduates. Each role has a direct and consequential impact on the quality of care and patient outcomes.
Occupational Therapy: As an occupational therapist, you have the opportunity to help people of all ages who have physical, sensory, or cognitive challenges.
Optometry: As the primary medical professionals dedicated to the health of the eye, optometrists play a crucial role in helping people see the world.
Physician Assistant Studies: If you're interested in a rewarding profession with a substantial impact on patients’ health and well-being, consider pursuing a career as a physician assistant.
Public Health: The School of Arts & Sciences led by Dr. Delia Anderson admits Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Year II cohorts into the 123-credit Boston BS in Public Health with optional Acupuncture, Occupational Therapy, or Physical Therapy pathways plus 180 practicum hours.
Health Sciences: The Bachelor of Health Sciences headed by Dr. Robin Harvan specializes its 122-credit, four-year sequence in Health Education or Healthcare Management with opportunities to join the Pre-Med Society, semester in Morocco, and intern at Shriners Hospital for Children.
Clinical Management: Directed by Dr. Rebecca Heick, the MS in Clinical Management starts its 36-credit, business-centered program thrice-yearly online to take seminars like Health Systems Policy for AAHAM certification with 96 percent job placement.
Health Sciences (Doctorate): The Doctor of Health Sciences uniquely plots a 54-credit, post-master’s online track under Dr.

Online PharmD Program

MCPHS offers a new, online pathway to a PharmD degree. In this program, students complete most coursework online and visit the Manchester, NH campus once per academic year for immersive academic experiences.

Academic Excellence and Innovation

MCPHS is committed to academic innovation and providing students with the resources they need to succeed.

Collaborative Learning

Collaborative, multidisciplinary provider teams are changing healthcare. MCPHS leverages its network of professionals to advance interprofessional practice to enrich the learning experience.

Academic Support & Resources

MCPHS has a robust infrastructure of resources and support staff to assist students, setting them up for success in school, their careers, and in life.

Read also: The History of UMass Amherst

Faculty and Research

David Gilmore: David Gilmore, MCPHS Nuclear Medicine program director, is honored with nuclear medicine’s top award.
Brinda Trivedi: A medicinal chemistry student is exploring the possibility of a new method to treat Type 2 diabetes. Aadya Jaipuria, an MS in Medicinal Chemistry student shares that “We get to broaden our horizons and actually see what it would be like to work in an actual industrial pharmaceutical lab. I get to carry out different organic chemistry reactions.”

Rankings and Recognition

MCPHS has received numerous accolades for its academic quality and the success of its graduates.

Earning Power: The Wall Street Journal placed MCPHS #1 for salary potential nationwide. MCPHS is ranked in the top 10 universities in the nation for median salary, ahead of other premier institutions.
Transformative College: Money magazine named Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences as one of the country’s “most transformative colleges.”
Public Health Education: U.S. News & World Report ranked MCPHS University 127th for public health education.
Location and Diversity: On Niche, MCPHS boasts America’s 34th best location and 106th most diversity.
Value: Money magazine named Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences the 179th best value.
Health Professions Training: College Factual honored MCPHS for the 26th most popular health professions training.

Admission Information

Admission at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences is classified “moderately difficult” by Peterson’s since 4,634 of the 5,526 Fall 2018 applicants were okayed for 84 percent acceptance.

Application Requirements

First-year Cardinals can fly into pre-major BS in Public Health courses after a high school diploma. Culminating four units of secondary English and math to Pre-Calculus is required. The Class of 2022 presented an average GPA of 3.51. The middle 50th percentile had SAT composite scores of 1040-1260. Mid-range admitted ACT scores were 21-27. Transfers need 12+ regionally accredited bachelor’s credits graded C or better. Prerequisite courses include General Biology, General Chemistry, and Expository Writing. The Graduate School seeks master’s entrants with four-year degrees at GPAs above 3.0. Past or current employment in health care settings is preferred. International students need a minimum 79 TOEFL iBT, 6.5 IELTS, or 4.0 iTEP score.

Application Deadlines

Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences set freshman deadlines of November 1st for Early Action I, December 1st for Early Action II, or February 1st for Regular Decision. Transfers are welcome until two weeks before the semester starts. The Graduate School usually reviews candidates on a rolling basis. However, the BS/MSOT in Occupational Therapy Pathway closes on March 1st. BS/DPT in Physical Therapy Pathway cohorts must file by April 1st.

How to Apply

Complete the MCPHS or Common Application online for $0. Send official transcripts to 179 Longwood Avenue in Boston, MA 02115. Forward testing reports using SAT/TOEFL code 3512 or ACT code 1860. Fulfill checklist items, such as the personal essay, 1-3 recommendation letters, transfer credit evaluation, current resume, and 500-word statement of goals.

Tuition and Financial Aid

For 2019-20, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences is billing BS in Public Health majors $1,235 per credit. Full-time Boston undergrads pay $33,600 annually. Three-year accelerated bachelor’s are $48,650 each year. Clinical practicum fees are $381 each term. Living at the Boston campus’ housing like Matricaria Hall adds $$6,925 to $7,990 for semester rent. Nine-month meal contracts for the Dining Hall are $1,731 extra. MCPHS budgets $1,214 for textbooks and $3,312 for miscellaneous. Annual bachelor’s attendance equals about $55,120 on-site or $40,556 at home. The Graduate School charges flat-rate Boston tuition of $1,235 per credit.

Financial Aid Opportunities

MCPHS is committed to making education accessible and affordable. 90% of MCPHS students receive financial aid.

According to the NCES College Navigator, the Student Financial Services Office on White Hall’s 2nd Floor links 86 percent of full-time MCPHS Cardinals to median tuition aid of $9,896 apiece for $32.94 million combined.

Scholarship Opportunities

$2,000 to $18,000 per year for undergraduate programs. No separate application required. Applications for graduate programs vary. Please contact the admission office for details.

Institutional funds include the Estella Arzoomanian Scholarship, Joseph Brant Scholarship, Raymond Chamberlain Scholarship, Charkoudian Family Scholarship, Roland Gosselin Scholarship, Howard Jenkins Scholarship, Beatrice Miller Scholarship, Sally & Harold Porter Scholarship, Leon Saphire Scholarship, Dr. George Skenderian Scholarship, and Esther Wilkins Scholarship. The MCPHS Advantage Scholarship covers full tuition for bachelor’s alumni to complete the Online MPH or Master of Health Sciences. The Giving Day Scholarship has a September 1st deadline for financially needy sophomores and juniors with minimum 3.7 GPAs. Federal resources, such as the Pell Grant and SEOG Grant, require submitting applications coded 002165.

Campus Life and Community

Located in the heart of the Longwood Medical and Academic Area, MCPHS offers students access to a vibrant and dynamic community. The university features more than 70 clubs and organizations, including the Public Health Student Organization.

Student Success Stories

Emma Borkosky: Health Sciences major Emma Borkosky shares her thoughts on getting involved on campus and the formative experiences that shaped her journey into occupational therapy.

MCPHS Community Voices

The lived experiences of MCPHS students, partners, and faculty tell an eloquent story, illustrating just how our student-centered, teaching-first approach keeps us in the top tier of the country’s “most transformative colleges.” (Money magazine).

Accreditation

In November 2017, the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) Commission on Institutions of Higher Education (CIHE) took action to reaffirm the Level VI accreditation at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences through 2027 under its fifth president, Dr. Charles Monahan Jr. The Education Department reviews MCPHS’s 49 undergrad and 33 graduate options.

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