Pharmacy Administration and Policy: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Pharmacy Administration and Policy equips professionals to lead and optimize pharmaceutical systems through a rigorous integration of management, public health, and economic principles. This program focuses on shaping effective policies and operational strategies that influence how medications are distributed, accessed, and utilized within complex health care environments.
- Research Design and Methods: Develops skills in crafting and evaluating scientific studies to inform evidence-based decisions in pharmacy practice and policy.
- Statistics: Provides tools for analyzing health data, interpreting trends, and supporting strategic planning in pharmaceutical service delivery.
- Social and Organizational Behavior: Explores how individual and group dynamics affect decision-making, team performance, and patient outcomes in health care settings.
- Pharmacoeconomics: Analyzes the cost-effectiveness of pharmaceutical interventions to guide resource allocation and improve health system efficiency.
- Management of Pharmacy Services: Covers operational frameworks for leading pharmacy departments, including staffing, workflow optimization, and quality assurance.
- Outcomes Research: Focuses on measuring the real-world impact of medications on patient health, safety, and system performance.
- Product Planning and Reimbursement: Addresses strategies for introducing new pharmaceuticals and navigating insurance and payer systems to ensure access.
- Cost-Benefit Analysis: Teaches systematic evaluation of financial and health outcomes to support high-impact investment decisions in pharmacy.
- Drug Marketing: Examines ethical and regulatory aspects of promoting pharmaceutical products to providers and consumers.
- Pharmacy and Pharmaceutics Law and Regulation: Covers federal and state laws governing drug development, distribution, dispensing, and compliance standards.
- Risk Assessment: Builds expertise in identifying, measuring, and mitigating potential harms associated with medication use and system failures.
- Organization of the Health Care System: Investigates structural models and interprofessional collaboration to enhance medication safety and care delivery.
Pharmacy Administration and Policy Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Pharmacy Administration and Policy Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Pharmacy Administration and Policy degrees, including Medical and Health Services Managers and Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 795,560 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medical and Health Services Managers 11-9111 | $117,960 | $69,680 - $219,080 | 565,840 | $56.71 |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1071 | $105,620 | $51,760 - $239,200 | 229,720 | N/A |
Pharmacy Administration and Policy Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $85,650 in Oklahoma to $161,440 in District of Columbia—a 88% difference. The highest-paying states include District of Columbia, Washington, and New York. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 795,560 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Pharmacy Administration and Policy by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 10 institutions offering Pharmacy Administration and Policy programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Pharmacy Administration and Policy is found at MCPHS University (MCPHS) (60 graduates), University of Maryland (UMB), Baltimore (32 graduates), University of Georgia (UGA) (20 graduates), University of Southern California (USC) (14 graduates), and Northeastern University Professional Programs (10 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 150 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MCPHS University (MCPHS) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
60 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | mcphs.edu |
| University of Maryland (UMB) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
32 | Baltimore, Maryland | Public | umaryland.edu |
| University of Georgia (UGA) |
Postbac Cert.
|
20 | Athens, Georgia | Public | uga.edu |
| University of Southern California (USC) |
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Other)
|
14 | Los Angeles, California | Private | usc.edu |
| Northeastern University Professional Programs |
Master's
|
10 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | northeastern.edu |
| University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
5 | Little Rock, Arkansas | Public | uams.edu |
| St. John's University (SJU) |
Master's
|
4 | Queens, New York | Private | stjohns.edu |
| Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU) |
Master's
|
3 | Madison, New Jersey | Private | fdu.edu |
| University of Toledo (UToledo) |
Master's
|
1 | Toledo, Ohio | Public | utoledo.edu |
| Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
1 | Erie, Pennsylvania | Private | lecom.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Pharmacy Administration and Policy programs
How much can I earn with a Pharmacy Administration and Policy degree?
Salaries for Pharmacy Administration and Policy graduates vary by role and location. Medical and Health Services Managers earn a median of $117,960 annually, while Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary earn around $105,620. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in District of Columbia average $161,440 compared to $85,650 in Oklahoma. Approximately 795,560 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Pharmacy Administration and Policy programs?
Currently 10 accredited institutions offer Pharmacy Administration and Policy degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include MCPHS University (MCPHS) (60 graduates), University of Maryland (UMB), Baltimore (32 graduates), and University of Georgia (UGA) (20 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Pharmacy Administration and Policy growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 371 in 2010 to a peak of 281 in 2020, before declining slightly to 150 in 2023-24. This represents a 60% decrease overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with consistent demand, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Pharmacy Administration and Policy degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Medical and Health Services Managers, Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary, . Related occupations employ approximately 795,560 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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