Students who are interested in using their pharmacy knowledge to pursue careers other than that of a traditional pharmacist may choose to pursue a dual degree program, where students work simultaneously toward a Pharm.D. and another graduate degree. For example, pharmacy students at the University of Maryland can obtain a dual degree in law, business administration or public health.
Many pharmacy schools offer degrees other than the traditional Pharm.D. For example, students interested in conducting pharmaceutical research might choose a graduate degree in a field such as medicinal chemistry or pharmaceutical science. Another example of a non-traditional pharmacy degree is the University of Michigan's PhD in clinical, social and administrative sciences, where students focus on researching issues such as patient/pharmacist interactions and the challenges pharmacists face in their careers.
Students can take elective courses to pursue their interests in the field. For instance, students could take electives focusing on natural medicine, geriatrics, pharmacy management or working with diverse patients. Other students may choose to broaden their curriculum by working with faculty members on research projects.