Dean of the College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences: Dr. Jeffrey B. Mercer

About the College

Campbell University’s College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences (CPHS) was established in 1985. At the time, it was the first new pharmacy program to open in the United States in more than 30 years. Since the first Doctor of Pharmacy class graduated in 1990, the College has expanded to offer undergraduate and graduate degrees in Clinical Research, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and General Sciences, along with a master’s degree in Public Health, and professional degrees in Nursing, Physician Assistant Practice, and Physical Therapy. Students can combine their interests through nine dual degree programs. In 2020, the College announced the addition of North Carolina’s first Doctor of Health Sciences program.

Mission

Campbell University’s College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences is dedicated to our students’ growth and development, their achievements, and educational outcomes. It is driven by our values to provide an interprofessional educational experience in a Christian environment, transforming students into professionals prepared to meet the complex healthcare needs of the diverse communities we serve.

Accreditation

Please visit the Campbell University website for detailed information regarding CPHS accreditation. https://www.campbell.edu/about/leadership/provost/accreditation/

Bachelor Degrees

Bachelor of Science in Clinical Research (BSCR)

The BS in Clinical Research (BSCR) degree provides students with a combination of theoretical knowledge and applied skills essential for success in the growing field of clinical research. Through coursework that covers regulatory affairs, clinical trial design, research ethics, data management, and biostatistics, students gain a deep understanding of how clinical research is conducted and how investigational therapies are evaluated from early-phase trials to post-marketing surveillance. Students are required to complete a semester-long internship, placing them directly in professional clinical research environments such as contract research organizations (CROs), pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, clinical trial sites, government agencies, and academic medical centers. These internships offer invaluable exposure to real-world clinical trial operations and often result in job offers upon graduation.

Bachelor of Science in General Sciences (BSGS)

The BS in General Science (BSGS) is a unique degree pathway available exclusively to Campbell University students who have completed the pre-pharmacy curriculum, one year of the BS in Clinical Research or Pharmaceutical Sciences, and one year of the Doctor of Pharmacy program (following acceptance into the PharmD program). With concentrations in clinical research or pharmaceutical sciences, the BSGS provides a flexible academic credential that reflects interdisciplinary training and supports career readiness or continued graduate study.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree at Campbell University, offered through the Catherine W. Wood School of Nursing, is designed to provide students with the training and education necessary to enter the workforce as a registered nurse. The College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences is dedicated to helping students become the best healthcare professionals they can be by offering interprofessional education opportunities, state-of-the-art training facilities, and first-hand experience with rural healthcare needs.

Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences (BSPS)

The BS in Pharmaceutical Sciences (BSPS) is a comprehensive, laboratory-based curriculum that provides a strong foundation in the key disciplines involved in the discovery, development, and manufacturing of drug products. Designed to prepare students for careers in the biomedical and pharmaceutical sciences, the program emphasizes hands-on training and scientific inquiry. Students may also pursue an accelerated 3+2 option, allowing them to complete both their bachelor’s and master’s degrees in just five years—shortening the traditional timeline by one year. BSPS graduates are well-prepared for research and technical positions in the health sciences sector, as well as for advanced graduate and professional education. A required semester-long internship provides valuable real-world experience and often leads to employment opportunities within the industry.

Graduate Degrees

Master of Science in Clinical Research (MSCR) - Online

The MS in Clinical Research (MSCR) program offers a comprehensive curriculum that integrates both foundational and advanced knowledge in clinical research. Key areas of study include drug development, clinical trial operations, study design, data management, regulatory affairs, medical ethics, scientific writing, and biostatistical literacy. The program is designed to prepare graduates for leadership roles across a variety of settings, including the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, government agencies, academic institutions, medical centers, and hospitals. Graduates are qualified for a wide range of positions, including clinical investigators, clinical research associates, clinical research coordinators, data managers, regulatory affairs specialists, safety specialists, project managers, and other relevant roles. The MSCR program also offers dual-degree options with the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD), Physician Assistant (PA) program, and the Master of Business Administration (MBA), allowing students to enhance their professional versatility and career potential. Courses are delivered 100% online and taught by experienced full-time faculty and industry-experienced adjunct instructors, offering flexibility for working professionals. The 38-credit hour program can be completed on a full-time or part-time basis, with full-time students typically finishing in two years. Students have up to five years from initial enrollment to complete all degree requirements.

Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences (MSPS)

The MS in Pharmaceutical Sciences (MSPS) program was developed in close collaboration with leaders from the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries to ensure alignment with current workforce needs. This 35-credit, two-year program combines rigorous academic coursework with hands-on experience, equipping students with the advanced knowledge and laboratory skills most in demand across the drug development pipeline. In the first year, students complete a series of foundational courses in drug discovery, formulation, biopharmaceutics, and laboratory sciences. The second year offers opportunities for applied learning through either a co-op placement with a pharmaceutical or biotechnology company or a campus-based research project under the guidance of a faculty mentor. Elective courses allow students to explore specialized areas such as analytical chemistry, pharmacokinetics, or biomanufacturing. The MSPS program also features a 3+2 accelerated pathway, enabling qualified undergraduates to earn both their bachelor’s and master’s degrees in five years. Additionally, a dual-degree option with the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) is available, allowing students to enhance their research credentials and career flexibility. Graduates are well-prepared for technical and research roles across the life sciences industries or for continued doctoral study.

Master of Science in Public Health (MSPH)

The MSPH degree is a two-year, full-time program that focuses on eliminating rural healthcare disparities and developing local community health intervention and educational programs.

Students spend their first year in the classroom while simultaneously developing individual research projects under the guidance of a faculty advisor. The second year is dedicated to completing a capstone research project and taking elective coursework. Students are also required to apply their knowledge and skills through community-based practicum experiences throughout the program.

For further information on Graduate Degrees in the CPHS, please see the CPHS Academic Bulletin.

Professional Degrees

Master of Physician Assistant Practice (MPAP)

The Physician Assistant Program at Campbell University focuses on an evidence-based, patient-centered, clinically practical curriculum which will prepare students for the opportunity to enter one of the fastest growing health care professions. Students who complete the program will earn a Master of Physician Assistant Practice (MPAP) degree.

The program is a 24-month curriculum with 12 months of classroom studies and 12 months of supervised clinical educational rotations. Students will receive didactic and clinical training in family medicine, emergency medicine, general surgery, internal medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, psychiatry, orthopedics, and evidence-based medicine. Many area physicians and physician assistants are assisting the faculty in teaching first-year students clinical medicine. Numerous affiliated training sites have been identified and are currently being utilized for the clinical training phase of the program.

Physician Assistants are licensed health care providers who practice medicine and surgery in collaboration with physicians. PAs can practice in primary care and any chosen medical specialty. They are approved to practice and have prescription rights in all 50 states. Please visit the American Academy of Physician Assistants website (www.aapa.org) for more information on PA careers.

Doctor of Health Science (DHSc)

The Doctor of Health Sciences (DHSc) degree program is the first program of its kind in North Carolina. The DHSc program is a 100% online, 54 credit-hour, interdisciplinary doctorate that equips post-professionals with skills and expertise to positively shape the future of healthcare and health-related organizations. The program courses are in a convenient accelerated 8-week format. In order to complete this cohort program in three years, students should anticipate taking two (2) courses per semester. Courses are offered during the following academic terms; Fall I, Fall II, Spring I, Spring II and Summer. To earn the DHSc degree, you will complete a capstone research project based on your professional interests and area of concentration.

The program provides an interdisciplinary curriculum with a focus on practical application of modern health care delivery, rural health policy and public health ethics, health administration, and interprofessional education/practice that will prepare students to provide leadership, planning, innovation, and organizational improvement in colleges and universities, clinics, hospitals, government agencies, nongovernmental organizations, non-profits, private industry, and other related healthcare-oriented organizations.

Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD)

The PharmD degree is the College’s oldest health professions program, boasting over 35 years of credible training history. Campbell’s pharmacy graduates have consistently performed exceptionally well in the first-time passage rate on the national pharmacy board exam (NAPLEX) and continue to build a legacy as successful leaders, innovators, and contributors to the pharmacy profession.

The PharmD degree is a four-year, full-time professional program designed to prepare future pharmacists for the evolving demands of the healthcare field. The curriculum combines didactic instruction in the basic, pharmaceutical, and clinical sciences, with a strong emphasis on pharmacy practice skills, personal and professional development, teamwork, and hands-on experiential learning. During the first three years, students engage in classroom learning and complete introductory pharmacy practice experiences in both community and hospital settings.

In the final year, they complete six required advanced pharmacy practice experiences, including internal medicine I and II, ambulatory care, geriatric medicine, advanced hospital care, and advanced community practice, plus three elective rotations chosen from a broad range of specialized opportunities.

Applicants may matriculate into the doctorate program after completing 64 credit hours from the pre-pharmacy curriculum. A degree in pharmacy provides numerous career pathways for graduates, including community pharmacy, hospital pharmacy, industrial pharmacy, consultant pharmacy, government service, academia, and other specialized practice areas.

Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)

The Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Program at Campbell University focuses on an evidence-based curriculum centered on developing physical therapists who can address the mobility needs of any patient, anywhere, in rural healthcare settings. The curriculum utilizes integrated, interdisciplinary education to prepare students to enter one of the most rewarding and fastest-growing healthcare professions. Students who complete the program will earn a DPT degree and eligibility to become a candidate for initial licensure in the 53 jurisdictions recognized by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT).

The DPT program is a 31-month full-time graduate study with 33 weeks of supervised clinical experiences where students apply their skills in the real world. The program is rooted in evidence-based learning practices, designed to provide hands-on learning enhanced through faculty mentoring and applied to real-life situations involving individuals experiencing health conditions and mobility challenges.  Clinical experiences are available locally and throughout the United States to provide students with learning opportunities in a wide range of settings. The DPT program has faculty/staff, training facilities, and a curriculum designed to meet its mission of providing qualified professionals ready to practice in rural areas and serve as valued members of interprofessional healthcare teams.

Physical therapists are licensed healthcare providers who practice independently within hospital systems, outpatient clinics, school systems, rehabilitation and long-term care facilities, government agencies (VA/IHS), and academic and research facilities. Please visit the American Physical Therapy Association at www.apta.org for more information on a physical therapy career.

For further information on CPHS Professional Degrees, please see the CPHS Academic Bulletin.

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